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

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, Ulster County has demonstrated its commitment to clean energy by participating in the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) Clean Energy Communities (CEC) Program and has earned designation as a Clean Energy Community by completing at least four High Impact Actions, the first County in New York State to achieve the designation; and

WHEREAS, through the completion of additional High Impact Actions, Ulster County has exceeded 3,000 points in the CEC program qualifying it for a $30,000 Point-Based grant with no local cost share; and

WHEREAS, Ulster County completed a detailed energy audit through the NYSERDA FlexTech program that recommended the facility improvement measure of weatherization improvements at both the Carr building (1 Pearl St.) and the Department of the Environment (17 Pearl St), but has not yet completed the weatherization improvements recommended in the audit; and

WHEREAS, as authorized by Resolution No. 515 of 2021, the Department of the Environment submitted a grant application to utilize a previously awarded $15,000 CEC program grant to initiate the weatherization project at the Carr building (1 Pearl St.) and the Department of the Environment (17 Pearl St.); and

WHEREAS, the current cost estimates for completing the proposed project have significantly exceeded the budgeted $15,000 and the Department of the Environment intends to supplement the project with an the additional $30,000 from the Point-Based grant. The combined grant funds will be utilized to complete air sealing and insulation

improvements per the recommendations in the NYSERDA energy audit; now,therefore,beit

RESOLVED, that the Chair of the Ulster County Legislature is hereby authorized to sign an agreement with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, and any amendments thereto, for the use of the awarded Clean Energy Communities grant funding; and, be it further

RESOLVED, that the Director of the Ulster County Department of the Environment is hereby authorized to submit an online application with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority for the use of the awarded Clean Energy Communities grant funding; and, be it further

RESOLVED, that the 2022 Ulster County Budget is hereby amended as follows:

INCREASE                               AMOUNT  

AA-8090-3552-4300-4505           Other Professional Services          $30,000.00

(App.#)

AA-8090-3552-3300-3910           State Aid, Conservation Programs          $30,000.00

(Rev.#),       

and moves its adoption.

ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:

AYES:                       NOES:           

Passed Committee: Energy, Environment and Sustainability on ________________.

Passed Committee: Ways and Means on ________________.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

$30,000.00 – ADDITIONAL 2022 APPROPRIATION DOLLARS

$30,000.00 – ADDITIONAL 2022 STATE AID REVENUE DOLLARS