The Bergen Town Board is looking to earn a Clean Energy Community designation through the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, NYSERDA, which would qualify Bergen to apply for grant funding.
The Clean Energy Communities Program is a $16 million initiative to help local governments across the state reduce energy consumption and drive clean energy use in their communities.
Hanna Quigley, from the Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council, said there are a total of 11 grants left.
In order to be eligible, Bergen must make changes to the community, in areas such as solar energy, LED technology and energy usage.
Donald Cunningham, the supervisor of the Bergen Town Board, said the Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council reached out directly to offer their services.
“They can do a study to see [which High Impact Actions] might be beneficial for us,” Cunningham said. “The study is of no charge.”
According to the NYSERDA website, local governments in New York State can use the Clean Energy Communities program to implement clean energy actions, save energy costs, create jobs and improve the environment. The program also recognizes and rewards leadership for the completion of clean energy projects.
If the town board decides to earn the Clean Energy Community designation, Bergen must complete four of the 10 High Impact Actions. These are, reporting the energy use of buildings, clean energy upgrades to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, converting street lights to LED technology, installing vehicle charging stations, increasing the number of solar rooftops, streamlining the approval process for solar, energy code enforcement training, a Climate Smart Communities Certification, offer energy upgrade financing to businesses and nonprofits, and community choice aggregation.
Cunningham said being a Clean Energy Community could lead to more requirements throughout the community.
“Basically, they still have grants available that they’re trying to use up,” Cunningham said. “It can’t hurt to try.”
The town board has until Sept. 30, 2019, or until the grant funds run out, to apply for the grants.
