Oneonta Earns Clean Energy Community Designation

The City of Oneonta 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 Oneonta 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 the City of Oneonta an opportunity to apply for up to $5,000 toward additional clean energy projects, with no local cost share.  Oneonta Mayor Gary Herzig stated that Council Member Melissa Nicosia is to be thanked for leading
the city on this important initiative and that “The City of Oneonta is committed to environmental sustainability including energy efficiency, alternative transportation, and supporting the development of renewable energy sources.”