This page contains information including links that pertain to Climate Change and Green Technology. You can find information on what is being done by our local, state, and federal government as well as things you can do to help reduce our Green House Gases(GHG).

Links of Interest:

• SEIA Guide to Land Leases for Solar - a good primer for what land owners should understand when working with developers on solar projects
• Solarize Newburgh-Montgomery - Below is information about this
  • Solarize Hudson Valley
  • Bringing solar energy to orange county - see what Warwick is doing with Solar
  • Goshen - article in the Chronicle
  • Click here for more info
• http://courtneystrong.com/services/webinars/
  • Update on Mid Hudson Strategies for LED Streetlight Conversion 2016
• The Climate Reality Project
• New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) - you will find information on different programs that a community can sign up for and funding. There are incentives for Commercial as well as Residential at this site.
• Cornell Climate Change - this is a new site started by Cornell University pertaining to the reasearch, outreach, and other climate change activities
• Climate Smart Communites - this is where you find info about partnerships between New York State government and local communities. They explain how your town, city, village or county can join.
• Sustainable Warwick site.
• Sustainable Hudson Valley - more info about this
• Green Jobs - Green New York - the (GJGNY) Program provides New Yorkers with access to energy audits, installation services, low-cost financing (currently for residential customers only), and pathways to training for various green-collar careers.
• ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY- is a good place to find info on programs available in Orange County.

Sent by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for Climate Week in September 2016, but these are things you can always do.

Take action!

Small actions turn into big impacts when more people do them more often, so we encourage you and you colleagues to find at least one small change you can make for Climate Week.

For example:

· Share a ride - Find one or two trips you make regularly that you can turn into a shared ride or a bus ride.
· Change five lightbulbs - ENERGY STAR certified bulbs use about 75% less energy, last more than 10 times longer, and generate 75% less heat than standard bulbs. Check your local utility for rebates on these types of upgrades (e.g., CenHubStore for Central Hudson customers).
· Eat less meat - One or two vegetarian days per week can help decrease greenhouse gas emissions, which are higher for producing meat than plants.
· Use your drapes – Keep them drawn on hot days and open on cold days to minimize how much energy you need for heating or cooling.
· Walk or bike - See if you can turn shorter trips into zero-emission trips by walking or biking.
· Turn off the lights – Leaving the room? Flip that switch.
· Decrease food waste – Make a weekly food plan so you only buy what you’ll use, and start composting scraps and leftovers. Food waste creates methane in the landfill.
· Switch to green electricity - S. DoE’s Green Power Network lists sources for wind, hydro, or solar powered electricity in your area.
· Program your thermostat - About 2% of your energy bill can be saved for each 1° F of change, maintained for at least eight hours.
· Plan your errands – Take a look at the things that need to get done this week, and turn multiple trips into one to use less gas.
· Use a fan – A fan uses less energy than A/C, and can make you feel 3° F to 8° F cooler.
· Stop idling – Waiting in car line? Idling uses more fuel than restarting the engine.
· Eat local – Buy local food, which didn’t travel as far by truck to get to you. Find seasonal recipes and head to the farmer’s market or the food co-op.

Want more information?

Check out the climate resources on our Climate Team website and by visiting the website or contacting the DEC Office of Climate Change.