Croton-on-Hudson secures Five-Star Clean Energy rating
CROTON-ON-HUDSON- The Village of Croton-on-Hudson in Westchester County today announced that it secured a five-star designation, the highest level of designation under New York State’s Clean Energy Communities (CEC) Program, administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). To date, out of the 942 New York state communities that have completed over 5,300 clean energy actions through the program, Croton on Hudson is a leader and one of 18 communities in New York State that has achieved a Clean Energy Communities five-star designation.
During Croton’s eight-year involvement in the CEC program, its efforts secured almost $700,000 in grants. Those funds have supported projects such as converting building lighting to LEDs, installing solar panels, heat pumps and electric vehicle (EV) chargers, and replacing gas-driven cars with EVs.
Mayor Brian Pugh said: “The Village of Croton-on-Hudson is committed to improving its infrastructure, cutting its carbon footprint, and investing in our future. We commend all those who helped make this achievement possible, including the members of our Sustainability Committee, our Village staff and, and the contractors that performed the work.”
Other grants secured by Croton have supported conversion of street lighting to LEDs from the New York Power Authority (NYPA), a food scrap recycling program from New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), and a study of a local microgrid from NYSERDA. Through a separate community solar program, Croton is hosting installation of the largest solar canopy project on municipal property in the state. Located at its Croton-Harmon train station parking lot, that system will soon be producing 4.22 MW of clean solar power, cutting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions equivalent to taking almost 600 cars off the road.
Elizabeth Sun, of the Hudson Valley Regional Council working as a Clean Energy Communities Coordinator contractor to NYSERDA which supported Croton’s efforts, said: “The Village should be extremely proud of this accomplishment. Your community has truly gone above and beyond any others in the State and it would be remiss not to commemorate this incredible feat.”
Senator Peter Harckham said: “NYSERDA’s Clean Energy Communities Program offers a vital framework for counties, cities, villages, and towns to navigate this shift towards sustainable energy practices. By providing support and resources, this program empowers local governments to reduce emissions, achieve energy goals, and build a greener future for generations to come. As Chair of the Environmental Conservation Committee, I congratulate the Village of Croton-on-Hudson on this milestone and thank NYSERDA for its investment in our communities.”
Assemblywoman Dana Levenberg said: “NYSERDA’s Clean Energy Community empowers local governments to pursue lower carbon emissions and advance energy efficiency for the betterment of their residents. Croton-on-Hudson is leading the way and showing how we can work together to protect our planet.”
Doreen M. Harris, President and CEO, NYSERDA said, “By taking intentional local action, the Village of Croton-on-Hudson is demonstrating how adopting energy saving solutions can make a difference in the everyday lives of New Yorkers. I congratulate the Village on achieving five-star designation as a Clean Energy Community and look forward to our continued partnership on building a sustainable future for generations to come.”
Lindsay Audin, Chair of the Croton-on-Hudson Sustainability Committee, said: “Croton-on-Hudson continues to lead New York State on clean energy, but we cannot do it alone. Our New York State is one of the most advanced states in this country when it comes to climate change. Nothing exemplifies that more than NYSERDA’s Clean Energy Communities program, which has allowed the Village to invest in electric vehicles, charging infrastructure and energy efficiency measures that will benefit our residents.
