Public support strong for Solarize Kingston local law proposal

KINGSTON – Local Law #3 of 2015 has ardent supporters in Kingston. The measure, which proposes to establish a sustainable energy loan program throughout the city, had its first reading at the November common council meeting Tuesday evening. No action was taken.
Several community advocates strongly supported the bill, which is part of a local initiative called Solarize Kingston, itself a component of a larger regional plan called Solarize Hudson Valley.
That, in turn, falls under Energize NY, a partnership between the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and the Energy Improvement Corporation. All this is inspired by Governor Cuomo’s Cleaner, Greener Communities, and Reforming Energy Vision initiatives.                  
The municipal Solarize programs utilize an innovative funding mechanism called Property Assessed Clean Energy Finance (PACE) that rolls loans into property tax bills, paid off over time through energy cost savings, and price discounted through bulk sales.
Elizabeth Broad, the climate and energy program manager for Catskill Mountainkeeper and member of the city’s Climate Advisory Council, called solar energy a win-win-win situation.
“It’s a win for people like me who are concerned about climate change; for owners who get to save money and have a great investment in their property; and for the local economy, because ultimately we’re creating good green local jobs,” Broad said.
“Take a good serious look at it,” suggested Joseph Zietz, a consultant with New Windsor vendor Paradise Energy Solutions. “The return on investment is immediate, the system is profitable from day one, and they insure that because they will not write a loan that is not profitable.  Right now, the small commercial [solar energy] market is being sorely neglected all across the country, particularly in New York.  Businesses which have capital are afraid to spend it, because of the uncertainty in the market, because they don’t want to jeopardize opportunity. They are reluctant to go to their banks or financial institutions to borrow money, but they have a lot of asset in their property value and solid businesses.”
Michael D’Arcy, an outreach coordinator with RUPCO’s Home Performance with Energy Star Program, called it a “golden opportunity for small businesses and commercial properties.”