136.2018 Res. Authorizing Acceptance and Approval of NYS Energy Research Grant - Clean Energy Committee RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ACCEPTANCE AND APPROVAL OF
NEW YORK STATE ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY'S DESIGNATION AS A CLEAN ENERGY COMMUNITY,
APPLICATION FOR CLEAN ENERGY COMMUNITIES'CLEAN
ENERGY COMMUNITY GRANT, PARTICIPATION IN DESIGN AND
ADMINISTRATION OF CLEAN ENERGY COMMUNITIES' SOLARIZE
PROGRAM GRANT APPLICATION AND ACCEPTANCE OF GRANT
FUNDS AND AGREEMENT
RESOLUTION NO.: 136,2018
INTRODUCED BY: Mrs. Catherine Atherden
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr.Anthony Metivier
WHEREAS, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
(NYSERDA) seeks clean energy that can power New York while protecting the environment and
promotes energy efficiency and use of renewable energy sources and promotes efforts to
developing a less polluting and more reliable and affordable energy system for all New Yorkers,
and
WHEREAS, NYSERDA's efforts aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, accelerate
economic growth, and reduce energy bills, and
WHEREAS, NYSERDA partners with stakeholders throughout New York including
residents, business owners, developers, community leaders, local government officials, university
researchers, utility representatives, investors, and entrepreneurs to advance innovative energy
solutions in ways that improve New York's economy and environment, and
WHEREAS, NYSERDA has developed a Clean Energy Communities program that is
designed to build a more sustainable New York and that starts with building more sustainable
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communities because local governments affect energy choices in their communities, from
government operations to homes, businesses, and community institutions, and
WHEREAS, 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, and
WHEREAS, NYSERDA will help provide tools, resources, and technical assistance to
participating communities, and
WHEREAS, the Clean Energy Communities program will recognize and reward
leadership for the completion of clean energy projects, and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No.: 209,2017, the Queensbury Town Board: 1) declared its
intention to participate in NYSERDA's Clean Energy Communities program and unified
permitting process, thereby increasing the Town of Queensbury's eligibility for various incentives
and grants through the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
(NYSERDA); and 2) authorized submission of a grant application through the Streamlined
Permitting Program to allow for the Town to receive a grant award up to $2,500 from
NYSERDA for the adoption of the Unified Solar Permit Application, and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No.: 230,2017, the Town Board adopted and established its
Energy Benchmarking Policy mandating public reporting of building energy benchmarking, and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No.: 231,2017, the Town Board authorized: 1) establishment of
the Clean Energy Communities Capital Project and Clean Energy Communities Capital Project
Fund 4219 in the amount of$10,000 to establish funding for expenses associated with this Capital
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Project and 2) formation of a Clean Energy Communities Committee and approved its
membership, with Kathy Bozony as paid contractor as Chairperson, and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No.: 307, 2017, the Town Board authorized acceptance of$2,500
in grant funding from NYSERDA for the adoption of the Unified Solar Permit Application, and
WHEREAS, the Town, with the help of its Clean Energy Communities Committee has
completed four (4) of the ten (10) High Impact Actions (Benchmarking, Clean Fleets, Unified
Solar Permit, Energy Code Enforcement Training) and is now a designated Clean Energy
Community and therefore eligible for a grant in the amount of$50,000, and
WHEREAS, in order to receive this $50,000 (no in-kind match) grant, the Town needs to
submit a proposal to NYSERDA by June 7, 2018 of what the Town intends to do with the grant.
Going forth with this proposal, the Town Board will work with the Town's Clean Energy
Communities Advisory Committee to adopt a plan that will meet NYSERDA's criteria for this
grant, that being, Direct Energy Component with the following two criteria: 1) The project
reduces Greenhouse Gases; and 2) The investment must be recouped within 20 years, and
WHEREAS, the Town has completed the following High Impact Actions: Benchmarking,
Clean Fleets, Unified Solar Permit, Energy Code Enforcement Training and now wishes to pursue
the Clean Energy Communities' Solarize campaign, and
WHEREAS, because the intent of the Solarize campaign is to increase the number of solar
installations within their municipal jurisdiction through group purchasing, locally-organized
community education and outreach, NYSERDA is willing to grant the hub municipality a $5,000
grant to help achieve this effort, such grant monies to be used for such things as media materials
and efforts, etc. in its efforts to achieve their Solarize campaign, and
WHEREAS, Solarize is a short term, local effort that brings together groups of potential
solar customers through widespread outreach and education, and
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WHEREAS, this model helps customers choose a solar installation company that is
offering competitive, transparent pricing, and
WHEREAS, historically, Solarize campaigns lower the cost of solar by 10 to 20 percent,
and
WHEREAS, residents and businesses who sign up for solar installations by a specific
deadline will be able to take advantage of group rates below market prices, and
WHEREAS, NYSERDA provides technical assistance and other tools and resources to
communities in support of Solarize campaigns, and
WHEREAS, the Town Board supports and wishes to take the lead in the development of
a Clean Energy Communities Program for the region and has entitled the effort "Southern
Adirondacks for Solar," and
WHEREAS, the Southern Adirondacks for Solar includes the Town of Queensbury as the
hub and has been joined by other communities, such as the municipalities of Bolton, Hague,
Horicon, Lake George (village and town), Glens Falls, and Warrensburg, and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board hereby:
1. accepts the designation of the Town of Queensbury as a Clean Energy Community;
2. authorizes an application for the Clean Energy Communities' Clean Energy Community
Grant;
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3. authorizes the Clean Energy Communities Advisory Committee's participation in design
and administration of the Clean Energy Communities' Solarize Program and Grant
Application; and
4. authorizes and accepts the $5,000 in grant funding from the New York State Energy
Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) as incentive payment for the Town's
continuation of the Queensbury Solarize Campaign, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town of Queensbury supports, endorses, and is committed to
participate in the Southern Adirondacks for Solar solarize campaign, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town of Queensbury stands ready to assist with community
outreach and education in support of the Southern Adirondacks for Solar solarize campaign, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board further establishes appropriations and estimated revenues
as follows:
• Increase Appropriations in Account No.: 219-8030-4400 by $5,000; and
• Increase Revenue in Account 219-0000-53910 by $5,000;
and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board further authorizes and directs the Town Budget Officer to
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amend the Town Budget, make any adjustments,budget amendments and transfers, and/or prepare any
documentation necessary to establish such appropriations and estimated revenues and effectuate all
terms of this Resolution, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board further authorizes and directs the Town Supervisor to sign
any needed Grant Agreement in form acceptable to the Town Supervisor, Senior Planner and/or Town
Counsel, and/or any other documentation, and further authorizes and directs the Town Supervisor,
Senior Planner, Town Counsel and/or Town Budget Officer to take such other and further action
necessary to effectuate the terms of this Resolution.
Duly adopted this 26ffi day of March, 2018,by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Metivier, Mrs. Atherden, Mr. Ferone, Mrs. Switzer, Mr. Strough
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
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