Current projects include:Mid-Hudson Streetlight Consortium
The Mid-Hudson Streetlight Consortium (MHSC) is a project supported by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to create a more affordable pathway to LED street light conversion for Ulster, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Columbia, Greene and Westchester municipalities in the Central Hudson Gas & Electric, Orange & Rockland, New York State Electric & Gas, and Con Edison territories. Converting to LED street lights has the potential to deliver electricity cost savings of up to 65 percent to municipalities. The project is expected to save Mid-Hudson communities more than $6 million in energy costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 42,000 MTCO2e over the next 15 years, if only 20 municipalities were to participate. Assistance in understanding LED conversion options is available to all 249 municipalities in the Mid-Hudson region. In addition to Abundant Efficiency, MHSC partners are Courtney Strong, Inc., Citizens for Local Power and Light Smart Consulting. More information is available at www.NYStreetlights.com Solarize Westchester
An innovative program to accelerate deployment of solar throughout Westchester County, New York, the original Solarize Westchester campaigns resulted in 400 solar contracts (totaling almost 3.8 MW of solar capacity) over 15 months. The program, supported by NYSERDA under the $1 billion NY-Sun initiative, addressed inefficiencies inherent in existing zoning, permitting, and customer acquisition – all of which add considerably to the costs for PV in Westchester and elsewhere in New York State. Solarize Westchester comprised two program components to address a broad range of contributors to PV soft costs and to spur long term market growth: 1) Market Aggregation: Eight Solarize campaigns including fifteen municipalities targeting both resident and commercial markets. 2) Solar Friendly Permitting and Zoning: Outreach to all 45 Westchester municipalities to encourage adoption of streamlined and vetted practices. Seventeen municipalities either adopted the New York State Unified Solar Permit or other changes (including reduced permit fees, provision of solar permit checklists, reduced roof setback requirements, etc.). The Solar-Friendly Permitting and Zoning campaign was designed and managed by Abundant Efficiency to complement and deepen the impact of the Solarize Campaigns. Funded by NYSERDA, and led by Croton Energy Group (“CEG”) and Pace Law School’s Land Use Law Center (“LULC”) in collaboration with, and managed by, Abundant Efficiency.
Abundant Efficiency managed this effort which also included the following partners: Energy Improvement Corporation (Prime Contractor), Sustainable Westchester, Pace Land Use Law Center, SmartPower, Croton Energy Group. For more information, see Solarize Westchester: Program Results and Analysis and the Solarize Westchester website. A new round of Solarize Westchester, managed by Abundant Efficiency in partnership with Sustainable Westchester, is underway. Visit the Solarize Westchester website for deadlines to participate and more information. Nina Orville is the Chair of Sustainable Dobbs Energy Task Force. Abundant Efficiency led efforts through which Village has secured almost $500K in clean energy grant funds. Recognizing the delicate balance of our natural resources and assets, the mission of the Dobbs Ferry Energy Task Force is to help Village government, residents, businesses and institutions become more sustainable by saving energy, using resources and renewable energy more effectively, and taking steps to become better stewards of the environment. Dobbs Ferry has reduced municipal GHG emissions from facilities by over 40% through energy efficiency measures and installation of solar PV and has achieved the highest certification level awarded to date in New York State's Climate Smart Communities Certification program. The Energy Task Force promotes: · Efficient use of energy and other resources; · Waste reduction and recycling; · Walking, cycling, and use of mass transit; and · Appropriate land use. The Energy Task Force seeks to engage the entire community in this mission.
Sustainable Dobbs Energy Task Force on Facebook Past projects include:Founding Executive Director, Southern Westchester Energy Action Consortium (SWEAC) and Helped Lead Formation of Sustainable Westchester, SWEAC's Successor
Supported by grant funding and in-kind services from participating municipalities, SWEAC helps municipalities address challenges related to energy consumption, transportation and materials management. Successes include implementation of energy tracking software in multiple municipalities, development of the Complete Streets Toolkit, since used as a model by Long Island and Connecticut, recommendations regarding cost effective waste reduction strategies, and promotion of streamlined solar permitting. In 2014 SWEAC and the Northern Westchester Energy Action merged to form Sustainable Westchester. |