Launched in 2016, the Clean Energy Communities (CEC) program is managed by NYSERDA and encourages local governments in New York State to implement clean energy actions, save energy costs, create jobs, and improve the state of our environment. As part of the program, participating municipalities are provided grants, coordinator support, and a clear path forward towards clean energy development via NYSERDA-selected high-impact actions. Dutchess County achieved Clean Energy Community designation in February 2020. To date, Dutchess County has completed four CEC high-impact actions, including: Investment in clean fleets (i.e. purchase of hybrid vehicles and charging stations), adopting property assessed clean energy (PACE) financing, assisting in three Solarize campaigns, and achieving Climate Smart Community (CSC) Bronze designation in September 2019. Additional guidance about the Clean Energy Communities program can be found here.
Dutchess County’s Opportunities in Renewable Energy Training Series
In pursuit of Clean Energy Communities grant funding, Dutchess County hosted a series of training sessions in the spring of 2022 about managing clean energy development in local communities. Trainings were generally geared toward municipal officials and staff, members of an official municipal board or committee (e.g., Planning and Zoning Boards, environmental committees, etc.), code and zoning enforcement officials, building inspectors, and emergency personnel.
Clean Energy and Your Comprehensive Plan -- April 21, 2022
This training session provided an introduction to best practices and strategies for incorporating clean energy goals and objectives into a new or updated municipal comprehensive plan. This course began with an introduction to New York’s clean energy landscape, including policies, programs, and technologies shaping the development of renewables throughout the State. It then introduced the role of comprehensive planning and its relationship to local zoning and land use regulations. The remainder of the course focused on processes and strategies for incorporating clean energy goals and objectives into a balanced comprehensive plan. The session recording can be found here. Additional materials from the session can be found below:
Overview of the Model Solar Law -- May 4, 2022
This training session provided an introduction to land use and zoning considerations for solar as included in the Model Solar Law, a resource contained in NYSERDA’s Solar Guidebook for Local Governments. This course began by introducing solar energy system basics, as well as covering policies and programs shaping solar development in New York. The course then provided an overview of resources contained in the Solar Guidebook for Local Governments, before spending the bulk of the time on the Model Solar Law. The Model Solar Law is a template zoning law intended to be comprehensive and highly customizable; this course provided municipalities with the information required to adopt a well-considered, balanced solar law. The session recording can be found here. Additional materials from the session can be found below:
Overview of the Model Battery Energy Storage System Law -- June 1, 2022
This training session provided an introduction to land use and zoning considerations for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) as included in the Model BESS Law, a resource contained in NYSERDA’s BESS Guidebook for Local Governments. The course began by introducing BESS basics, as well as covering policies and programs shaping clean energy development in New York. The course then provided an overview of resources contained in the BESS Guidebook for Local Governments, before spending the bulk of the time on the Model BESS Law. The Model BESS Law is a template zoning law intended to be comprehensive and highly customizable. The session recording can be found here. Additional materials from the session can be found below:
Battery Energy Storage for First Responders -- June 14, 2022
The Battery Energy Storage for First Responders course provided an in-depth overview of NYS Uniform Code requirements relevant to battery energy storage systems (BESS). The course was geared towards the work of Code Enforcement Officials, Building and/or Fire Safety Inspectors, first responders and incident response personnel, and other related positions. However, this content may also be relevant and of use to local policy makers, planning and zoning board members, and other staff. Information presented in the course ranged from introductory BESS basics to advanced code compliance and fire safety requirements. The course began with an overview of BESS components, including critical fire detection and suppression equipment, as well as an overview of BESS applications and use cases. The course then provided an in-depth walkthrough of NYS Uniform Code sections regulating BESS development, with a primary focus on NYS Fire Code and NYS Residential Code requirements. Finally, the course highlighted a variety of code requirements based on BESS type and location. Additional materials from the session can be found below:
