Yorktown Partners with Sustainable Westchester
08/17/20 - Yorktown has signed an agreement with Sustainable Westchester to bring more solar power to residents.
Sustainable Westchester, a nonprofit organization that works with local governments on a variety of environmental efforts, will help Yorktown evaluate enrolling its electricity accounts in community solar projects for financial savings and positive environmental impact. A community solar project is an array of panels installed in a sunny location. Anyone can access the clean energy produced by these solar panels and get credits toward their electricity bills.
“If the recent Tropical Storm Isaias has taught us anything, it’s the urgent need for greater electric grid resilience,” said Supervisor Matt Slater. “Our infrastructure needs to be enhanced to match these annual storms and frequent power outages. Investing in local, renewable energy sources is one step in that direction.”
On July 28 the Town Board passed a resolution authorizing Supervisor Slater to sign an agreement with Sustainable Westchester starting August 1 through December 31, 2021.
Sustainable Westchester will collaborate with Yorktown to educate residents about vetted solar-power enrollment opportunities. This effort is expected to provide a savings of up to 10% on electricity bills to Yorktown residents in both ConEd and NYSEG service areas. Yorktown will also have its municipal sites evaluated as host sites for community solar projects through the Westchester County Community Solar Partnership.
“Sustainable Westchester is very pleased to partner with the Town of Yorktown on this broad range of community solar opportunities that will benefit the community as well as be beneficial for town operations. Community solar expands access to solar benefits to most utility customers, helps to green the local grid, saves money and generates clean energy jobs. We’re so pleased that Yorktown is such an engaged partner in this effort,” said Nina Orville, director of solar programs at Sustainable Westchester.
Sustainable Westchester works with the New York Power Authority on several solar initiatives, including the community solar program that allows Westchester County governments to participate in an aggregated portfolio of generation projects that produce affordable solar power. NYPA is currently helping Westchester County and the City of White Plains with solar projects that combine multiple government-owned properties so that the governments can benefit from substantial electricity-generating earning rates. The state authority is also vetting the selected solar installers and streamlining the project management.
