City of Utica Earns Clean Energy Community Designation for its Commitment to Cut Costs and Reduce Energy Consumption

The City of Utica today announced it has been designated a Clean Energy Community by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), recognizing its leadership in reducing energy use, cutting costs and driving clean energy locally.

Announced by Governor Cuomo in August 2016, the $16 million Clean Energy Communities initiative supports local government leaders across the state by providing grants to eligible municipalities to implement energy efficiency, renewable energy and sustainable development projects in their communities. Clean Energy Communities

advances the Governor’s Reforming the Energy (REV) strategy by demonstrating the importance of communities in helping New York reach its Clean Energy Standard mandate of having half of the state’s electricity coming from renewable energy resources by 2030.

The City of Utica received the designation for completing four of 10 high-impact clean energy actions identified by NYSERDA as part of the Clean Energy Communities initiative. In addition, the designation gives Utica an opportunity to apply for up to

$250,000 toward additional clean energy projects, with no local cost share.

Utica Mayor Robert Palmieri stated, “Implementing clean energy initiatives has many benefits and makes a positive impact for our economy and environment. The City of Utica takes great pride in being designated as a Clean Energy Community. I thank Governor Cuomo for his proactive leadership on this important issue and NYSERDA for their partnership and guidance in helping the City earn this designation."

“I commend the City of Utica for taking significant actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and cut energy costs in its community,” said Alicia Barton, President and CEO, NYSERDA. “Under Governor Cuomo’s leadership, communities are crucial to ensuring a cleaner, more resilient and affordable energy future for all New Yorkers.

To earn the Clean Energy Community designation, City of Utica completed the following high-impact clean energy actions:

1. Adopted a benchmarking policy to track and report the energy use of the City’s municipal buildings.
2. Installed an electric vehicle charging station at Utica City
3. Completed energy code enforcement training on best practices in energy code enforcement for code compliance officers and other municipal

4. Streamlined the local approval processes for solar projects through adoption of the New York State Unified Solar

Additional clean energy action items communities can take to achieve designation include:

• Performing energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades to municipal
• Converting streetlights to energy efficient LED
• Implementing Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) so residents can gain greater choice and control over energy use a
• Earning Climate Smart Communities Certification through the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) for developing a comprehensive program to reduce its carbon footprint and improve the
• Participating in a community-based Solarize campaign to reduce solar project costs through joint
• Establishing an Energize NY Finance Program that enables long-term, affordable Property Assessed Clean Energy financing for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects at commercial buildings and not-for-profits.

Cities, counties, towns and villages that complete at least four of 10 high-impact clean energy actions are designated Clean Energy Communities and are eligible to apply

for funding of up to $250,000 with no local cost share and the option of receiving up to 25 percent paid in advance to support additional clean energy projects. At least two of the four actions must have been completed after August 1, 2016. NYSERDA is accepting applications for funding on a rolling basis through September 30, 2019 or until funds are exhausted, whichever comes first. Grant funds are being provided through the Clean Energy Fund and the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

Clean Energy Community Coordinators are also available at no charge to help communities to develop and prioritize clean energy goals; access easy-to-use resources such as guidance documents and case studies; and take advantage of available funding and technical assistance opportunities.

For more information on Clean Energy Communities, visit www.nyserda.ny.gov/cec. Local government officials or employees can find contact information for their respective coordinator here for assistance navigating the program.

Clean Energy Community Coordinators are also available at no charge to help communities to develop and prioritize clean energy goals; access easy-to-use resources such as guidance documents and case studies; and take advantage of available funding and technical assistance opportunities.

For more information on Clean Energy Communities, visit www.nyserda.ny.gov/cec. Local government officials or employees can find contact information for their respective coordinator here for assistance navigating the program.