Editor’s note: This press release was provided by the Village of Pelham.

The Village of Pelham today announced it has been designated a Clean Energy Community by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), recognizing its leadership in reducing energy use, cutting costs and driving clean energy locally.

Announced by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo in January 2021, the second phase of the Clean Energy Communities (CEC) initiative, the $17 million CEC Leadership Round supports and recognizes local government leaders across the state by providing grants to eligible municipalities to implement energy efficiency, renewable energy and sustainable development projects in their communities. Achievements by Clean Energy Communities help support Governor Cuomo’s nation-leading climate and clean energy goals as outlined under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.

“Climate change is not just some theoretical, distant threat to our children,” said Pelham Mayor Chance Mullen. “Its effects can already be seen and felt throughout the world. All levels of government should be embracing policies that push us closer to a fully renewable and sustainable future and we want Pelham to be known as a leader on this front.”

The Village of Pelham received the designation for completing four high-impact clean energy actions identified by NYSERDA as part of the Clean Energy Communities initiative. To date, the Village of Pelham has completed the following high-impact actions:

• Community Choice Aggregation – The Village of Pelham is enrolled in Sustainable Westchester’s Westchester Power/Community Choice Aggregation program. All Con Edison customers in the Village receive power from renewable sources, unless they opt out. The Village was a CCA “early adopter.”
• LED street light replacement – The replacing of conventional street lights with energy efficient LED technology generates significant cost savings and emission reductions.
• Government Building Benchmarking – Annual reporting of energy used in municipal buildings will allow the village to compare energy usage and better identify opportunities to cut energy waste.
• Community Campaigns – The Village of Pelham was a sponsor of the successful Solarize Pelham campaign for residents to install rooftop solar.

Doreen M. Harris, President and CEO of NYSERDA said, “Congratulations to the Village of Pelham which is setting an example for other communities by implementing clean power and energy efficiency measures that will lower energy bills for both residents and businesses. Strong local leadership such as theirs builds a more sustainable future, a healthier community and illustrates that by working together, we can reduce carbon emissions and fight climate change.”

Following on the success of the 2018 Solarize Pelham campaign, the Village of Pelham created a Sustainability Advisory Board to advise the Village on climate and sustainability issues. In 2019 the Board adopted the Climate Smart Communities pledge and formed the Climate Smart Communities Task Force to advance the Village’s environmental sustainability goals, including becoming a Clean Energy Community. Other more recent campaigns include EnergySmart Homes, Community Solar, and Grid Rewards campaigns.

Communities that complete at least four NYSERDA-identified high-impact actions are designated Clean Energy Communities and are eligible for a Designation Grant of $5,000. This grant is just one of the many exciting grant opportunities offered through the Clean Energy Communities Leadership Round. Other grant opportunities include action grants of up to $50,000 for adopting the NYStretch Energy Code or $60,000 for undertaking one or more clean energy Community Campaigns; a point-based grant system where communities become eligible for larger grant amounts; and grants where a New York State Disadvantaged Community may be eligible for an additional $10,000 bonus grant on a grant of $20,000 or more.

Eligible city, town, village, and county governments may apply for grants on a rolling basis, until December 31, 2025 or until funds are exhausted. Funds are being provided through the Clean Energy Fund and the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

Clean Energy Community Coordinators are available at no charge to help communities develop and prioritize clean energy goals, access easy-to-use resources such as guidance documents and case studies and take advantage of available funding and technical assistance opportunities.

For more information on Clean Energy Communities, visit http://www.nyserda.ny.gov/cec