Croton cuts 186 tons of CO2, tackles stalled solar project

Key Actions & Decisions

• ◆ **Resolutions Passed**: None.
• ◆ **Resolutions Failed**: None.
• ◆ **Applications Reviewed**: None.
• ◆ **Public Comments**:
• ◆ Corey Cummings, a new Croton resident, participated in the meeting and agreed to research "balcony solar" systems for a report next month.
• ◆ **Reports**:
• ◆ **Energy Prices**: Wholesale power hit ~$900/MWh on 1/28/26 (vs. $320/MWh last year); local natural gas averaged over $2.25/therm in January, briefly spiking above $14/therm on 1/27/26. Officials noted the former Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) fixed pricing would have insulated residents.
• ◆ **EV/EVSE**: Train station EV charger installation (18 ports) continues with Con Ed; completion expected by summer. Croton led per-capita e-bike usage among six participating communities; program returns in spring with added stations.
• ◆ **Solar Projects**: Train station canopy third-party commissioning underway, expected full operation by March. DPW solar canopy (~$300K, fully grant-funded) stalled again due to Rivertown Solar's failure to provide required paperwork; Labor Day installation goal remains.
• ◆ **Renewable Diesel**: All 18 village diesel vehicles now use RD, reducing CO2 by 186 metric tons (12.5%) annually, paid from the sustainability fund (capitalized by DPW community solar revenue).
• ◆ **Food Scrap Recycling**: Two new toters delivered 2/19/26; program opening to all Croton residents. A textile recycling expansion proposal will be reviewed in March.
• ◆ **BESS 2.0**: Luminace provided a modified proposal (1/27/26) accepting easement changes. Officials discussed relocating the salt shed to Westchester County's Croton Point Park site to free Municipal Place space for yard waste and maximize BESS capacity. A Letter of Intent to lock up 5 MW of hosting capacity is being drafted, with a Zoom meeting set before March to finalize terms.
• ◆ **State Funding**: A proposed $1B Sustainable Future Program for low/moderate-income household electrification is not yet in the State Legislature or budget.
• ◆ **Balcony Solar**: Committee discussed emerging plug-in balcony solar systems (limited to 1.2 kW under proposed NYS law); Dan Columbini raised electrical/fire code concerns. Lindsay Audin will draft questions; Corey Cummings will deliver a research report at the March meeting.
• ◆ **Grid Rewards**: Jon Katz reported receiving $0 for minimizing usage due to his solar panels, but got $50 for doing nothing; Dave Goldman received ~$33 in credits after dropping out. Katz called the crediting system "quite flawed."
• ◆ **Documentary**: Archipelago Films filmed portions of the meeting for "The Little Town That Could," a Croton100-sponsored documentary on local sustainability efforts, expected to debut during NYC Climate Week in April and at the County Center on May 9.
• ◆ **Repair Café**: Scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 28, 11 AM at the Croton Library.
• ◆ **Announcements**: The committee mourned the passing of Keiko Niccolini's teenage daughter (2/15/26); Niccolini was instrumental in launching the food scrap recycling program.