NEW LEBANON — The town was awarded a silver certification under the state Climate Smart Communities program.
The certification was announced last Thursday by Gov. Kathy Hochul. New Lebanon was one of four municipalities to be awarded silver certification, and is the only town in Columbia County to be silver certified.
The New Lebanon Climate Smart Committee was started in 2020, and is a volunteer committee. The committee achieved bronze status with the state in 2021, said Steve Powers, chairman of the New Lebanon Climate Smart Committee and a member of the Town Board.
“It’s very satisfying to see what we’ve been able to accomplish,” he said. “We’re only a town of 2,300 people. When you look at other towns, they have paid staff and we were basically all volunteers.”
To achieve bronze status, the town needed 130 points, gained by completing actions, such as installing heat pumps in and solar panels on New Lebanon Town Hall, and 300 points to get to silver.
“There’s a lot of work involved,” Powers said. “These points are gained by completing actions the Climate Smart Communities program has on their website. That was my bible I went off of the whole time to keep track.”
Getting the certification is a big honor, Powers said.
“I think it’s a tribute to the volunteers,” he said. “That’s the great thing about the program, it’s completely voluntary. The town makes the commitment to start the committee, and we get to choose what actions members get to take part in.”
Committee members have opened composting centers in the town, as well as plastic and battery recycling programs and repair cafés, Powers said.
“It’s great,” he said. “Everyone is very positive and enthusiastic about the things they’re involved in.”
As a result of getting to silver status, the town is eligible for a $175,000 grant from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority as part of their Clean Energy Communities program to continue adding climate-friendly additions to buildings in the municipality.
The Climate Smart Communities and the Clean Energy Communities programs are complementary, meaning that actions taken through either program can satisfy the requirements of the other, according to the Climate Smart Communities website.
Powers said the town was considering using the funds to install more heat pumps and solar panels on town buildings, and install a battery backup system on Town Hall.
Having a supportive town supervisor and Town Board has also helped the committee, Powers said.
“If you don’t have a supportive Town Board, you’re not going to get anywhere,” he said. “It’s great to have that level of support.”
The actions of the Climate Smart Committee have helped the town bring down energy costs, said Tistrya Houghtling, New Lebanon town supervisor.
“I see it as a win-win,” she said. “We save the environment, save taxpayers money, and do it all with our tireless volunteers. It’s very exciting, especially for a small community like ours.”