NEWBURGH – Elected officials and representatives from environmental
organizations gathered on the banks of the Hudson River to launch Hudson
Valley Clean Energy Communities initiative, part of a statewide campaign
to go green. During the launch event, hosted by the Hudson Valley Regional
Council at SUNY Orange Newburgh, elected officials from Dutchess, Orange,
Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester counties, learned about
the new statewide Clean Energy Communities initiative.
“It’s a truly great day for clean energy,” proclaimed
Betta Broad, Outreach Director for New Yorkers for Clean Power, who said
New York is a leader renewable energy implementation.
Several of the participate demonstrate a sign of unity at the Newburgh
waterfront
The New York State Energy Research & Development (NYSERDA) program
will offer support of $50,000 to $250,000, under the Clean Energy Fund,
to municipalities and other local jurisdictions to invest in local projects
and policies that will help implement and transition to renewable energy,
energy efficiency and clean transportation, save energy costs and create
jobs while improving the environment.
“This new program from NYSERTA is going to help us take it to the
next level,” Broad said. So we’re here today with local leaders,
with elected officials, people who are committed to bringing clean energy
solutions to their communities.”
Rosendale Town Councilwoman & Co-Director of Hudson Valley-based Citizens
for Local Power, Jen Metzger put it into the context of what they see
is troublesome area projects.
“We recognize the need to shift to a clean energy economy,”
Metzger said. “We’re also fighting a fossil fuel infrastructure
project like the Pilgrim Pipeline, and the solution in the long term is
to do away with the need for these kinds of projects altogether.”
Is there a timeline for doing that? Broad said there is.
“Ideally, we want to transition New York State as quickly as possible,”
Broad said. “I think by working together with our local elected
officials and community leaders, with the great resources that are available,
from New York State and from NYSERTA, we can transition in five years.”
Broad conceded that may be a bit optimistic.
