Documents

presentation 4 pages

Also attached to this agenda item: Feb 2025 update to Village Board

Sustainability Committee 2024 Annual Progress Report A Note from Lindsay Audin, Chair Despite issues related to inflation, illness, loss of committee members, and other issues, the Sustainability Committee moved ahead in 2024 on a variety of projects: ❖ At the December 2024 close of NYSERDA’s Clean Energy Community (CEC) program, Croton was the Statewide leader in CEC points, placing us among the few 5-Star (highest level) participants in that program. Those points allowed us to pursue more grants for installations of solar arrays, heat pumps, and EV chargers. ❖ To those ends, another $507,500 in CEC grants were obtained. ❖ Participation in our food scrap recycling program expanded. Two new aspects were added: a Pumpkin Drop-Off shortly after Hallowe’en, and distribution of free compost at the site. ❖ Work on the 4.22 MW solar canopy project at the train station was substantially completed. ❖ Croton renewed its Silver certification (highest level) in the State’s Climate Smart Community (CSC) program. We are now rank 3rd in the State among over 900 participating municipalities. We now look forward to using the new grants to install more solar arrays, heat pumps, and EV charge ports, further cementing Croton as a sustainability leader in New York State. Visit our website and stay up-to-date on the latest news and announcements at https://www.crotononhudson-ny.gov/sustainability-committee 2024 Overview Food Scrap Recycling Program Our 6-month NY DEC pilot program successfully concluded with the Village budgeting to maintain funding for the program. Participation expanded, and two new aspects were added: a Pumpkin Drop- Off shortly after Hallowe’en, and distribution of several tons of free compost at the site delivered by Sustainable Materials Management (SMM), the Cortlandt Manor facility where our scraps are converted into compost. EV Chargers at Croton Train Station Work proceeded on securing grants from NY DEC and NYSERDA for EV chargers at the train station. Various issues required re-design and relocation of the chargers, and increased costs due to inflation and design changes reduced the number of proposed charge ports from 24 to 18. Work started on a draft Scope of Work (SOW) and a Request for Proposals (RFP). Installation is set for the fall in 2025. Washington Engine Firehouse Clean Energy Improvements A project to develop and install heat pumps in the Apparatus Room (i.e., garage) and replace the oil-fired boiler with an electric boiler moved forward. When completed, it will make the facility fully electric, eliminating use of oil and decommissioning of the aging underground oil storage tank. A draft RFP was started, with a goal of installing the equipment during the 2025 summer. Train Station Solar Canopy Project Work has been substantially completed (see photo at right). As of the end of the year, focus has been on cleanup and utility interconnection the systems. On Sept. 17, a walking tour was given of the facility attended by representatives of other municipalities and local media. , Electric Vehicles The Village bought a Ford F-150 Lightning EV pickup truck for use by the Police Department and installed a pair of L2 EV chargers on the west side of the Municipal Building. Heat Pumps Grants for heat pump installations at two firehouses were secured. Work started on their design and RFPs. A survey of residents (pursuant to securing CEC points) found that several had installed ASHPs for their homes, and several others installed ground-source heat pumps (GSHP). Community Outreach The usual April Earth Day event included the Committee’s table and literature exhibit (see photo at right). It included new flyers and two large (18”x 24”) board displays (on composting and the solar array installed atop the Washington firehouse. Several web-based presentations were given on sustainability issues, and we participated in events sponsored by other climate action groups. About The Committee Created in 2009, Croton’s Sustainability Committee (SC) was chartered by the Village’s Board of Trustees to help reduce the climate impacts of the Village’s municipal operations. To that end, the SC has researched, developed, and recommended a variety of options that reduced emissions while saving money in the process. Among those options have been: LED street and building lighting, cleaner fuels, solar arrays, power storage, and electric vehicles and chargers. Other efforts have involved community gardens, food scrap recycling, residential energy efficiency and solar power programs, and solid waste reduction. To help reduce emissions due to power consumed by homes and businesses, the SC fostered group purchasing of renewable power through Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) and Community Solar. Members of the SC include sustainability advocates, energy consultants, and engineers. Committee Members (as of early 2025) Name Title Lindsay Audin Chair Dan Colombini Member Cheryl Wong Member Carly Shanks Member Niall Kelleher Member Jonathan Katz Member Ashley Clemente Member David Goldman Member Brian Pugh Trustee Liaison Len Simon Trustee Liaison