Referred to:  The Energy, Environment and Sustainability Committee (Chairwoman Greene and Legislators Hansut, Levine, Maloney, and Stewart), and The Ways and Means Committee (Chairman Gavaris and Legislators Cahill, Criswell, Roberts, and Ronk)

Chairwoman of the Energy, Environment and Sustainability Committee, Manna Jo Greene, and Deputy Chair Gina Hansut offer the following:

WHEREAS, this resolution has been submitted at the request of the County Executive on behalf of the Department of the Environment; and

WHEREAS, the Regional Economic Development Councils (REDCs) and the Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) were created to advance efforts to improve New York’s business climate and expand economic growth; and

WHEREAS, Ulster County has demonstrated its environmental commitment and leadership by achieving Certified Silver status in the New York State Climate Smart Communities Program (CSC) Program and being designated a NYSERDA Clean Energy Community (CEC); and

WHEREAS,  Pursuant to Resolution No. 384 of July 2023 the Department of Environment was authorized to submit a grant to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) Carbon Neutral Community Economic Development Funding, available via the 2023 CFA; and

WHEREAS, the Department has determined that installation of geothermal heating and cooling at the County’s Community Wellness Hub located at 368 Broadway in the City of Kingston is an appropriate grant application; and

WHEREAS, the installation of geothermal wells associated with this application will require significant disruption of the existing parking lot; and

WHEREAS, the on-site soils are suitable for the installation porous pavement and bioswales that will reduce runoff, and manage stormwater that will avoid discharge into a combined sewer and stormwater system; and

WHEREAS, the 2023 CFA Green Innovation Grant Program will fund projects that manage stormwater such as the use of porous pavement and bioswales that would be appropriate for this parking lot; and 

WHEREAS, the County desires to submit application to utilize funding from this program to support its municipal operations; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the Director of the Ulster County Department of the Environment is hereby authorized to submit online applications through the New York State Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) for the New York Environmental Facilities Corporation Green Innovation Grant Program for Funding up to grant’s maximum award amount; and, be it further

RESOLVED, that a copy of all grant applications submitted shall be filed with the Clerk of the Legislature prior to or immediately upon submission to NYSEFC,

and move its adoption.

ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:

AYES:                       NOES:    

Passed Committee: Energy, Environment and Sustainability on _____________.

Passed Committee: Ways and Means on _____________.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

STATE SHARE WILL BE A MAXIMUM OF 90% OF TOTAL PROJECT COSTS

TOTAL PROJECT COSTS IN DEVELOPMENT