Village Again Recognized For Innovative Environmental Campaigns

MAMARONECK, NY — It could take years before the benefits of Mamaroneck's leadership on environmental issues are fully evident, but the rewards are already being seen in the budgets of households and more recently in village coffers.

The village was awarded $10,000 for two innovative community campaigns to help homeowners to reduce energy use and to give nearly everyone in the village the opportunity to benefit from solar power. Mamaroneck was awarded two grants from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), each for $5,000 under the Clean Energy Communities Program.

“The impacts of climate change are all too familiar in the Village of Mamaroneck, but the Village is putting in the work to build a more sustainable community and is setting a great example for others," NYSERDA CEO Doreen Harris said. "We applaud the village for its ongoing commitment and leadership in embracing clean energy, reducing harmful emissions, and building a greener future."

Both of the village's initiatives are carried out in conjunction with Mamaroneck's Committee for the Environment.

"Our committee worked hard to achieve the targets of these programs set by NYSERDA and we will continue our efforts to improve the environment and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions," Committee for the Environment Chair Ellen Silver said.

One of those programs is GridRewards, an app that seamlessly connects to residents' Con Edison accounts and notifies residents of the best opportunites to reduce energy usage, with the goal of substantially reducing demand during peak energy periods. The other program is a community solar initiative which allows most utility customers to connect to renewable power.

The funding boost comes as the second phase of the Clean Energy Communities (CEC) initiative. The $17 million "CEC Leadership Round" supports local government leaders in New York by providing grants to eligible municipalities to implement energy efficiency, renewable energy and sustainable development projects. Achievements by these certified "Clean Energy Communities" in turn help support the state's climate and clean energy goals outlined under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA).

"We are excited to put the grant money to work by purchasing LED light bulbs and giving them away to residents, particularly to our low to moderate income residents who suffered damage from Hurricane Ida, and to purchase electric lawn maintenance equipment for use by the Village Parks and Recreation Department," Mayor Tom Murphy said. "I thank the Committee of the Environment for their efforts in obtaining this grant money for the Village."

The Village passed a resolution in July to establish a Climate Smart Communities Task Force which will focus on helping pass initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in order to meet the New York goal of 7o percent renewable energy by 2030.