Dutchess County and City of Beacon Launch Energize NY
Program Encourages Clean Energy Improvements for Local Commercial Properties

Poughkeepsie… Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro and City of Beacon Mayor Randy Casale joined with elected officials and business leaders today to highlight the Energize NY Finance program, designed to help commercial building owners reduce their operating costs and increase the value of their buildings through clean energy improvements.  Energize NY provides building owners with critical support, tools and low-cost, long-term financing for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects that cut energy consumption and save money. The event was held at the Dutchess County Center in Beacon, located at 223 Main Street.

Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro said, “The Energize NY Finance program is a tremendous asset and tool for our local business community, providing them an avenue to invest in clean, renewable and affordable energy improvement projects. Dutchess County is proud to join with the City of Beacon to implement this program countywide which will allow us to continue our steadfast efforts to make our community more energy efficient and sustainable while also attracting and retaining investors in our region.”

Energize NY services are immediately available to help commercial building owners and not-for-profits in Dutchess County to make clean-energy improvements.  Clean energy projects make financial sense for most buildings, including multi-family, commercial and industrial, retail/mixed used, private schools and colleges, agricultural facilities, houses of worship and other institutional properties. Clean energy improvements include a range of energy efficiency measures, including efficient lighting, insulation and air sealing, efficient heating and cooling systems, smart controls, energy storage and combined heat and storage, as well as renewable energy installations such as solar electric, biomass and geothermal.

City of Beacon Mayor Randy Casale said, “When we adopted the City of Beacon Comprehensive Master Plan in 2007, we trusted that it would guide us in meeting the hopes and expectations of our residents and local businesses.  As expected, we are now starting to see the fruits of our labor in terms of growth, community participation, environmental awareness and sustainability.  Recently, the City partnered with the Energize NY Finance program to help our local commercial property owners make energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades to their buildings including solar and geothermal.  Energize NY helps commercial property owners identify incentives, find reliable contractors and access low-cost, long-term financing.  The City will be providing additional information on our website and through upcoming information sessions.”

Unlike other loan products, Energize NY financing is repaid through an annual charge on the property’s tax bill, which automatically transfers to a new owner if the property is sold.  Energize NY financing is based on the property’s ability to save energy, not on traditional credit measures. All Energize NY financings generate savings to the building owner on day one, with the annual energy savings exceeding the annual cost of the financing.

“Our goal is to make energy savings simple and affordable for commercial building owners throughout NY State,” said Mark Thielking, Executive Director of Energize NY, which has offices in Westchester and Orange County. “We work on behalf of our member communities, like Dutchess County and the City of Beacon, to realize the many economic, local development, environmental and public health benefits of reducing energy waste in local buildings and delivering the energy savings to their residents.”

The Dutchess County Legislature unanimously passed a local law at their May board meeting entering into an agreement with Energize NY to participate in the finance program.   Dutchess County and the City of Beacon join 22 other municipalities in New York State who have signed on with Energize NY as a means to support their economic development and environmental goals.

For more information about Energize NY in Dutchess County, contact Planner Brian Kehoe at (845) 486-3600 or visit http://commercial.energizeny.org/dutchesscounty.

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Energize NY, www.EnergizeNY.org, is a mission-driven, local development corporation that works with its member municipalities and building owners across NY State to unlock energy savings in their buildings, saving money, fuel and greenhouse gas emissions.  Energize NY drives demand for clean energy upgrades to existing buildings through community-based marketing and outreach, building owner support and by providing affordable and accessible project financing.