Date/Time
Date(s) - 10/16/2019
8:30 am PDT - 12:45 pm PDT
Location
SUNY Sullivan
Categories
Local Governments Leading the Clean Energy Transition
A half-day workshop for coordinated approaches for Northeast local solar and climate action
Date: October 16, 2019
Time: 8:30am – 12:45pm
Location: SUNY Sullivan, 112 College Rd, Loch Sheldrake, NY 12759
REGISTER HERE
Event co-sponsors:
Co-sponsored by Sullivan County, The Solar Foundation, SUNY Sullivan, and ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability USA with Support from SUNY Sullivan and featuring NYSERDA and New York State Department of Conservation
Description:
Recent years have seen a surge in renewable energy commitments made by local governments with Northeast communities leading this charge. Meanwhile, barriers around finance and technical capacity can prevent implementation of municipally-led projects. However, National programs, state policy, and international advocacy all are making it easier for cities, towns and counties to accelerate renewables targets, particularly for solar power.
Local governments from across the Northeast region are invited to join state and municipal staff in the gateway to the Catskills during peak foliage season for an ½-day insider discussion on local efforts communities are taking to advance the renewable-energy transition. Learn from New York State Department of Conservation and NYSERDA about the nation-leading climate legislation and the role communities can play in meeting its aggressive greenhouse gas reduction goals. We’ll see first-hand how Sullivan County has advanced community solar and electric vehicles, including by achieving SolSmart designation and ICLEI membership. We’ll end with a tour of SUNY Sullivan’s ground-breaking geothermal and solar systems. The event is free and a light breakfast is included.
AGENDA
8:30am – 9:00am Registration with breakfast bar
9:00am – 9:10am Welcome Address
Joshua Potosek, Sullivan County Manager
9:10am – 9:25am Global Challenge, Local Action
Kale Roberts, Senior Program Officer, ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability USA.
9:25am – 10:000am Local governments in support of the Green New Deal: The Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act and Climate Smart Communities
Mark Lowery, Assistant Director, Office of Climate Change, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
This presentation will review the provisions of New York’s nation-leading climate legislation and the role communities can play in meeting its aggressive greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals.
- 10-minute Q&A –
10:10am – 10:40am Clean Energy Communities and Solar for All
Bradford Tito, Program Manager, Communities & Local Governments, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
What communities are doing to encourage solar and to advance state and local clean energy goals, specifically with respect to NYSERDA’s Clean Energy Communities program.
- 10-minute Q&A –
10:50am – 11:20am Local Action for a Clean Energy Transition and Climate Smart Future: Sullivan County Case Story
Heather Brown, Sustainability Coordinator, Sullivan County
In 2017, Sullivan County achieved certification as a Climate Smart Community by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and was officially designated a Clean Energy Community by the NYS Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). In this session, we will talk about how Sullivan County achieved these important milestones, as well as exciting projects on the horizon. The Office of Sustainable Energy works to advance the County’s status as a certified Climate Smart Community and assists our towns and villages as they pursue efforts to improve energy efficiency, install and promote renewable energy, and prepare their communities for local impacts of climate change.
11:20am – 11:40am SolSmart: Communities Taking Steps to Grow Local Solar Economies
Toyah Barigye, Senior Project Manager, The Solar Foundation
The SolSmart program works with communities to address local barriers to solar energy and foster the growth of mature local solar markets. Learn how Northeast communities are participating and receiving recognition for their solar efforts.
11:40am – 12:00pm SolSmart Photo Opportunity
The Solar Foundation communities
12:00pm – 12:45pm Tour: Renewable Energy Systems in Action
Larry Reeger, Sustainability Coordinator and Associate Professor, SUNY Sullivan
Tour SUNY Sullivan’s 2.15-MW solar farm, 500-ton geothermal heating and cooling system, 2.5-kW wind turbine, and interactive tour of Hope Farm, a 3-acre permaculture fruit and vegetable farm.
For more information contact: Kale Roberts at Kale.Roberts@iclei.org.
REGISTER HERE
