Clean Energy & Sustainability
HVRC offers support to local governments as they pursue cost-saving and energy and GHG emission-reducing actions through NYSERDA's Clean Energy Communities Program (CEC). Our CEC Coordinators are available to provide technical assistance related to the High Impact Actions that communities benefit from under the CEC Program, one of which is NYS Climate Smart Communities Program. Technical assistance is available at no cost to local governments.
Clean Energy Communities
HVRC offers support to local governments as they pursue cost-saving and energy and GHG emission-reducing actions through NYSERDA's Clean Energy Communities Program (CEC). Our CEC Coordinators are available to provide technical assistance related to the High Impact Actions that communities benefit from under the CEC Program, one of which is NYS Climate Smart Communities Program. Technical assistance is available at no cost to local governments.
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.
Leadership Round Resources
CEC Leadership Round Guidance Document
CEC HIA Toolkits
Leadership Round Grants Overview
Disadvantaged Communities Lookup Map
CEC HIA Submission Portal
Videos of NYS local governments implementing the CEC program
Climate Smart Communities
HVRC provides no-cost 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 or email Eleanor Peck.
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 develop individual government operations greenhouse gas emissions inventories and government operations climate action 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.
CAPI was developed by HVRC and is a collaborative, science-based, and pragmatic program that assists municipalities in analyzing how to measure and most efficiently reduce their carbon footprint, while saving money, increasing revenues, addressing frontline communities, advancing climate resilience, and helping secure grant funding for the region. See our CAPI FAQ for more information on CAPI, or email Mary Lambert.
CAPI is funded by the Climate Smart Communities Grant Program, Title 15 of the Environmental Projection Fund through the NY State Department of Environmental Conservation.
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.
Mid-Hudson Regional Inventory
In 2023, HVRC updated the 2010 Mid-Hudson Regional Inventory developed by ICF for NYSERDA. This inventory is based on the methods in the 2015 Regional and Community GHG Inventory Guidance as required by the CSC Program. HVRC updated data and methods used in the 2010 Mid-Hudson Regional GHG Inventory that includes all municipalities in the Mid-Hudson Region. This update was funded under the Climate Smart Communities Coordinator Program through the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
See HVRC's Mid-Hudson Regional Inventory Update FAQ for more information, or email Eleanor Peck.
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.
NYSERDA Clean Energy Communities Leadership Round Launch Webinar Slides | Q&A Responses | Webinar Recording | Transcript