Climate Smart & Clean Energy Communities
Climate Smart &
Clean Energy Communities
Coordinate your efforts across state climate programs.
Points earned under NYSERDA’s Clean Energy Communities program work in partnership with the Climate Smart Community program, administered by NYSDEC. Participating in both programs increases grant eligibility – and, for some actions, NYSERDA documentation is required by NYSDEC in order to receive points. That means most municipalities need to work on both programs in tandem in order to achieve success with their climate goals.
Explore crossover actions
There are 13 high impact actions municipalities can take to save energy, cut costs and earn a designation under the NYSERDA Clean Energy Community program. For 10 of these, the action must first be taken under the CEC program and documentation can then be submitted to earn points for a corresponding area of the Climate Smart Communities program. See which crossover actions can earn points for both programs.
CSC REQUIREMENTS5 Points
- Successful completion of the NYSERDA CleanEnergy Communities high impact action Unified Solar Permiti
- Submit a dated copy of the approval fromNYSERDA that indicates completion of the high impact action
LINKS
Climate Smart Communities Unified Solar Permit (coming soon)
CEC REQUIREMENTS200 Points
- Submit a certified copy of an executed locallaw, ordinance, or resolution adopting the New York State Unified Solar Permit
- Submit a copy of the Unified Solar Permitbeing used by the applying jurisdiction
LINKS
Unified Solar Permit Toolkit (coming soon)
Model Unified Solar Permit Resolution
Step-by-Step Guidance
New York State Solar Guidebook for Local Governments
CSC REQUIREMENTS5 Points
- Successful completion of the NYSERDA Clean Energy Communities high impact action Energy Code Enforcement Training
- Submit a dated copy of the approval from NYSERDA that indicates completion of the high impact action
LINKS
Climate Smart Communities Energy Code Enforcement Training (coming soon)
CEC REQUIREMENTS200 Points
- A least one code official must complete a NYSERDA approved CEC Energy Code Enforcement Training series
- Submit a copy of the notification of completion email, or comparable information to earn credits for this action
LINKS
Energy Code Enforcement Training Toolkit
Model Unified Solar Permit Resolution
Step-by-Step Guidance Training Schedule and Registration (coming soon)
CSC REQUIREMENTS7/15 Points
- Successful completion of the NYSERDA Clean Energy Communities high impact action PACE Financing
- Submit a dated copy of the approval from NYSERDA that indicates completion of a least one of the two components of the PACE Financing impact action
LINKS
Climate Smart Communities Unified Solar Permit (coming soon)
CEC REQUIREMENTS 200/500 Points
- Submit a screenshot of the current Energy Improvement Corporation (EIC) member having authorized adoption of local law and signing municipal agreement with EIC. Non EIC PACE programs are also available.
AND/OR - Submit documentation from EIC demonstrating closing of one or more Open C-PACE projects located in the jurisdiction. To be eligible, the jurisdiction must complete the PACE Financing – Open C PACE authorization action.
CSC REQUIREMENTS10 Points
- Successful completion of the NYSERDA Clean Energy Communities high impact action Clean Energy Upgrades
- Submit a dated copy of the approval from NYSERDA that indicates completion of the high impact action
LINKS
Clean Energy Upgrades
CSC REQUIREMENTS500 Points
- Submit an ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager benchmarking report including energy use for each municipal building that is owned or occupied by the applying jurisdiction that is 1,000 sq ft larger. See the toolkit link below for full list of requirements.
- Submit documentation that demonstrates a minimum 10 percent reduction in GHG against the baseline with projects that are substantially complete by the date of submission. See links below for list of acceptable documentation
- Submit a complete Clean Energy Upgrades calculator
LINKS
Clean Energy Upgrades Toolkit Step-by-Step Guidance Clean Energy Upgrades Calculator – Version 5 Energy Star Portfolio Manager Training Resources
CSC REQUIREMENTS9/22 Points
- Installing heat pumps at new or existing facilities owned by the local government.
- Submit a dated copy of approval from NYSERDA that indicated completion, (For an additional 3 points)
CSC REQUIREMENTS700 Points
- Submit a signed Clean Heating and Cooling Demo Certification Form. Confirming that at least one municipal building owned and operated by the applying jurisdiction has been recently converted. See link for specifics.
- Submit at least one photograph of an educational kiosk, display and/or materials to educate municipal staff and the public about beneficial electrification.
- Equipment must be installed after Aug 1, 2016 to qualify.
LINKS
Clean Heating and Cooling Demo Step-by-Step Guidance Clean Heating and Cooling Demo Certification Form
CSC REQUIREMENTS 2/12 Points
- Purchase of the RECs, local governments must provide information on the governments average annual electricity use. See full list of requirements using the link below
- Points are tiered based on the percentage of the local governments’ average annual electricity use that is covered by the RECs
- Local governments that have completed the CEC high impact action are eligible for the full 12 point under this action
CEC REQUIREMENTS200/500 Points
- Submit a completed 100% Renewable Electricity Certification Form or comparable information. Requested information includes the average annual load of all municipal electricity accounts and the percentage of the load that have been or will be matching with New York renewable energy certificates (REC) that are retired in a New York State Generation Attribute Tracking System (NYGATS).
- This applies to electricity use that occurred in 2020 and later
LINKS
100% Renewables for Municipal Operations Toolkit Step-by-Step Guidance 100% Renewable Electricity Certification Form V2
CSC REQUIREMENTS7/15 Points
- Successful completion of the NYSERDA Clean Energy Communities high impact action PACE Financing
- Submit a dated copy of the approval from NYSERDA that indicates completion of at least one of the two components of the PACE Financing impact action
LINKS
Climate Smart Communities Unified Solar Permit (coming soon)
CEC REQUIREMENTS200/500 Points
- Submit a screenshot of the current Energy Improvement Corporation (EIC ) member having authorized the Open PACE product. Authorization requires adoption of a local law and signing municipal agreement with EIC. Non EIC PACE programs are also eligible. AND/OR
- Submit documentation from EIC demonstrating closing of one or more Open C-PACE projects located in the jurisdiction. To be eligible, the jurisdiction must complete the PACE Financing – Open C PACE authorization action.
CSC REQUIREMENTS5 Points
- Successful completion of minimum four Pledge Elements and 120 points for Bronze Certification
- Successful competition of minimum seven Pledge Elements and 300 points for Silver Certification
CEC REQUIREMENTS
- Demonstrate completion of the Climate Smart Communities Certification (Bronze or Silver Certification)
- Submit a screenshot of the website or comparable information, that demonstrates the jurisdiction is bronze or silver certified
LINKS
Climate Smart Communities Certification Toolkit Step-by-Step Guidance Climate Smart Communities Certification Portal
CSC REQUIREMENTS 4/18 Points
- PE3: Advanced Vehicles
- Replacing traditional vehicles with advanced vehicles. Which include: plug in hybrid vehicles, battery electric vehicles, CNG vehicles, and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles
- Points for this action are tiered based on the percentage of advanced vehicles in the local government fleet. Completing PE3 Action Fleet Inventory is a prerequisite for the higher tiers of this action. See the link below for full list of requirements and recommendations
- PE6: Alternative Fuel Infrastructure
- Points are earned for installations completed by a local government of one or more electric vehicle charging stations or compressed natural gas fueling stations, Local governments that have completed the Clean Energy Communities program Clean Fleets – Charging Stations high impact action will satisfy the requirements for a least four points.
LINKS
Climate Smart Communities Unified Solar Permit (coming soon)
Climate Smart Communities Alternative Fuel Infrastructure
CEC REQUIREMENTS 200/1000 Points
- Complete one or more of the following to earn credit. Communities may only apply once for 1, 2, 3. See links below for full list of requirements.
- Charging stations – 200 points – Submit a completed Clean Fleets Certification Form or comparable information to demonstrate municipal provision of either two or more level 2 charging ports or one or more DC fast charging ports.
- Light/Medium Duty Electric Vehicles – 300 points Submit a completed Clean Fleets Certification Form or comparable information to demonstrate municipal deployment of at least one plug-in hybrid-electric vehicle.
- Heavy Duty Electric Vehicles – 400 points Submit a completed Clean Fleets Certification Form or comparable information to demonstrate municipal deployment of at least one Class 7 or 8 plug-in hybrid-electric vehicle.
LINKS
Clean Fleets Toolkit Step-by-Step Guidance New York State Office of General Services Vehicle Marketplace Creating EV-Ready Towns and Cities: A Guide to Planning and Policy Clean Vehicle and Infrastructure Rebates Clean Fleets Certification Form V3
CSC REQUIREMENTS2/4 Points
- Adopt an energy benchmarking requirement for government facilities. Submit a dated copy of the approval from NYSERDA that indicates completion of the related Clean Energy Community Benchmarking high-impact action.
- If the action was not completed under the CEC program, submit documentation verifying formal adoption of benchmarking legislation.
- Benchmarking – Large Private Buildings Submit a copy of the approval from NYSERDA that indicates completion of the Clean Energy Communities high impact action called Benchmarking – Large Private Buildings
- Only large cities, towns and villages (over 40,000 in population) are eligible for points under this action
LINKS
Climate Smart Communities
Benchmarking – Municipal Buildings
Climate Smart Communities
Benchmarking – Large Private Buildings
CSC REQUIREMENTS100/1,100 Points
- Benchmarking – Municipal Buildings- 100 pointsSubmit a certified copy of an executed local law, ordinance, or resolution that requires the applying jurisdiction to make available to the public on the internet on an annual basis, energy use information for each municipal building that is owned or occupied by the applying jurisdiction that is 1,000 square feet or larger. See links below for list of legislation requirements.
- Benchmarking – Advanced Reporting – 200 points Submit a screenshot of a webpage on the applying jurisdiction website where a benchmarking report is posted that includes no less that 24-months of energy use information.
- Share your community’s Portfolio Manager account with NYSERDA. See link below for specifics.
- Benchmarking – Large Private Buildings- 800 points (Applicable to large-size cities, towns and villages) Submit a copy of an executed local law or ordinance, but applying the requirements to the owners of commercial and multifamily buildings 25,000 sq feet or larger. See links below for list of legislative requirements.
LINKS
Benchmarking Toolkit Step-by-Step Guidance Model Benchmarking Resolution Model Benchmarking Local Law for Private Building Energy Star Portfolio Manager Training Resources
- Unified Solar Permit
- Energy Code Enforcement Training
- PACE Financing
- Clean Energy Upgrades
- Clean Heating & Cooling Demo
- Renewable Energy
- Climate Smart Communities Certification
- LED Street Lights
- Clean Vehicle Fleets
- Benchmarking of Energy Use
- Community Campaigns
- County-Hosted Trainings
- Community Choice Aggregation
- Unified Solar Permit
- Energy Code Enforcement Training
- PACE Financing
- Clean Energy Upgrades
- Clean Heating & Cooling Demo
- Renewable Energy
- Climate Smart Communities Certification
- LED Street Lights
- Clean Vehicle Fleets
- Benchmarking of Energy Use
- Community Campaigns
- County-Hosted Trainings
- Community Choice Aggregation
Where is your municipality on its climate smart journey?
Considering Climate Smart Community (CSC) certification? Learn what to do next to coordinate efforts with the state’s Clean Energy Communities (CEC) program, depending on what actions your municipality has already taken
Great news! Your municipality is eligible for Climate Smart Community points. Here’s how to claim them.
- Determine which high impact CEC actions correlate to CSC actions. Get started.
- Gather documentation from NYSERDA for any actions already completed through CSC that are eligible for CSC credit. In most cases, this is simply a dated copy of approval from NYSERDA indicating completion. View guidelines.
- Submit your NYSERDA documentation on the CSC portal. Upload files here.
Once your municipality receives its Climate Smart Communities certification, it will also be eligible for more points under the CEC program.
In many cases, your municipality can still earn credits for high impact actions completed before registering to become a Clean Energy Community.* Here’s how.
- Connect with a Clean Energy Community Coordinator. Reach out now.
- Review the list of requirements for high impact actions, and collect documentation of actions already taken.* Get started.
- Submit Action documentation on the CEC portal. Upload files here.
Once these steps are completed, your municipality can apply for grants through the CEC application portal. And, once your municipality receives its Climate Smart Communities certification, it will also be eligible for more points under the CEC program!
*Completion dates must be within a specified window for certain actions; review documentation guidelines carefully for more information.
When your municipality registers as a Clean Energy Community, it is eligible to receive additional grant funding through point accumulation. Here’s how to get started.
- Review the full list of requirements for the CEC program. View guidelines.
- Connect with a Clean Energy Community Coordinator. Reach out now.
- Determine which high impact actions your municipality will take for the CEC program, and collect documentation.
- Submit Action documentation on the CEC portal. Upload files here.
Once these steps are completed, your municipality can apply for grants through the CEC application portal. Your municipality will also be eligible for more points under the CEC program when it receives its CSC certification!
We’re already participating in the CEC program.
Great news! Your municipality is eligible for Climate Smart Community points.
Here’s how to claim them.
Here’s how to claim them.
Determine which high impact CEC actions correlate to CSC actions.Get started.- Gather documentation from NYSERDA for any actions already completed through CSC that are eligible for CSC credit. In most cases, this is simply a dated copy of approval from NYSERDA indicating completion.View guidelines.
- Submit your NYSERDA documentation on the CSC portal.Upload files here.
We’ve completed some eligible actions, but are not registered as a CEC.
In many cases, your municipality can still earn credits for high impact actions completed before registering to become a Clean Energy Community.* Here’s how.
*Completion dates must be within a specified window for certain actions; review documentation guidelines carefully for more information.
- Connect with a Clean Energy Community Coordinator. Reach out now.
- Review the list of requirements for high impact actions, and collect documentation of actions already taken.* Get started.
- Submit Action documentation on the CEC portal. Upload files here.
*Completion dates must be within a specified window for certain actions; review documentation guidelines carefully for more information.
We’ve never participated in the CEC program & need information.
When your municipality registers as a Clean Energy Community, it is eligible to receive additional grant funding through point accumulation. Here’s how to get started.
- Review the full list of requirements for the CEC program. View guidelines.
- Connect with a Clean Energy Community Coordinator. Reach out now.
- Determine which high impact actions your municipality will take for the CEC program, and collect documentation.
- Submit Action documentation on the CEC portal. Upload files here.
