Clean Energy & Sustainability
HVRC offers support to local governments through NYSERDA's Clean Energy Communities (CSC) Program and DEC's Climate Smart Communities (CSC) Program. Technical assistance is available at no cost to local governments.
Clean Energy Communities
HVRC provides technical assistance related to the High Impact Actions under the CEC Program. Our CEC Coordinators are available to local governments as they pursue cost- and energy-saving actions through the Program.

Clean Energy Communities Institute

In 2021 and 2022, the Hudson Valley Regional Council created the Clean Energy Communities Institute (CECI). Our goal for this Institute was to walk communities through the CEC High-Impact Actions and how to accomplish them. Focus was on a single High Impact Action each month, providing action-oriented webinars, testimonials, in-person cohort-style workshops, and useful content.
CEC Resources
CEC High-Impact Actions (HIAs) and Toolkits *At this time, the CEC program is not accepting HIA submissions.
Grants Overview *At this time, the CEC program is not awarding new grants.
Disadvantaged Communities Lookup Map
Climate Smart Communities
HVRC provides technical support to communities interested in NYS Climate Smart Communities Program. This program is aimed at GHG reductions and savings increases through specific Certification Actions. Communities that complete enough Actions can then become Certified as a CSC and qualify for funding made available through various DEC grant programs. Some CSC Actions overlap with High Impact Actions under NYSERDA's Clean Energy Communities Program (CEC), making the points aggregating process that much easier.

CSC Coordinator Program
Through the NYSDEC Climate Smart Communities (CSC) Coordinator Program, from September 2022 through June 2024, HVRC hosted a series of cohorts to provide technical assistance to municipalities in the Mid-Hudson Region in developing the following priority actions: Government Operations Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory, Government Operations Climate Action Plan, Community GHG Inventory and Community Action Plan. The cohort model provided municipalities the chance to work together and share experiences, challenges, and tips as they went through the process. See our Cohort Overview for more information on the cohorts.
To find resources and templates for creating one of these plans, please see our webpages and reach out to Eleanor Peck with any questions:
- Government Operations Greenhouse Gas Inventory
- Government Operations Climate Action Plan
- Community Greenhouse Gas Inventory (using the Mid-Hudson Regional Inventory)
- Community Climate Action Plan
CSC Resources
Climate Action Planning Institute

The Climate Action Planning Institute (CAPI) is a facilitated, collaborative working group through which a select group of local governments work collaboratively to complete actions under the DEC Climate Smart Communities Program. Past CAPI cohort programs have included the development of Government Operations GHG Emissions Inventories and Government Operations Climate Action Plans, as well as Climate Vulnerability Assessments and Climate Adaptation Plans.
A new CAPI cohort is set to launch in 2025 in partnership with Westchester County. The 16-month program includes 9 municipalities within the County.
For more information, please see HVRC's CAPI FAQ and CAPI Adapt FAQ.
CAPI is funded by the CSC Grant Program, Title 15 of the Environmental Protection Fund through the NYS DEC. CAPI Adapt was funded by the Hudson River Estuary Program (HREP), NYS DEC, with support from the NYS Environmental Protection Fund, in cooperation with New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (NEIWPCC).
Landfill Biofilters Project
HVRC’s Landfill Biofilters Project aims to reduce methane emissions at 14 closed municipal landfills in the Mid-Hudson region through the installation of biofilters. The project also includes an optional solar and battery storage feasibility study component, as well as pollinator plantings. Biofilters provide a natural and cost-effective method for mitigating methane emissions from landfills. In addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, they help improve air quality and contribute to overall waste management sustainability.
See HVRC’s Landfill Biofilters Project Page for more information, or email Mary Lambert.

HVRC’s Landfill Biofilters Project aims to reduce methane emissions at 14 closed municipal landfills in the Mid-Hudson region through the installation of biofilters. The project also includes an optional solar and battery storage feasibility study component, as well as pollinator plantings. Biofilters provide a natural and cost-effective method for mitigating methane emissions from landfills. In addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, they help improve air quality and contribute to overall waste management sustainability.
See HVRC’s Landfill Biofilters Project Page for more information, or email Mary Lambert.
Mid-Hudson CEDS Climate, Sustainability, Clean Energy Companion Document
Hudson Valley Regional Council (HVRC) prepared this Climate, Sustainability, Clean Energy document as a companion piece to the Mid-Hudson Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for July 2025 – June 2030 through our work funded by the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Climate Smart Communities Coordinator Program. It is intended to complement the content in the CEDS. As with the CEDS, the content included in this document reflects input received from the HVRC Board of Directors as well as key stakeholders and public input. HVRC is grateful for the contributions made by its seven member counties – Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, and Westchester.
Mid-Hudson Regional Inventory
In 2023, HVRC updated the 2010 Mid-Hudson Regional Inventory. This Inventory provides community-level data for each municipality in the Region. Municipalities can use this Inventory to complete the CSC Community GHG Inventory action. Visit our Mid-Hudson Regional Inventory Update FAQ to download the Inventory, a template report, the methodology, and access other resources.
This update was funded under the Climate Smart Communities Coordinator Program through the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
The Team

Eleanor Peck, Deputy Executive Director, CEC Mid-Hudson Program Manager & CEC Coordinator
Technical support for all municipalities in Sullivan County, the Cities of Kingston, Mount Vernon, Newburgh, New Rochelle, Poughkeepsie, White Plains, and Yonkers as well as the Town of Ramapo and all County seats. Eleanor's Calendly or email.
More Resources
NYSERDA Clean Energy Communities Leadership Round Launch Webinar Slides | Q&A Responses | Webinar Recording | Transcript