Climate Smart Communities Program 1. WHAT is it (CSC)? 2. WHY should we do it? WHAT’S in it for Webster? 3. WHICH neighbor towns are CSCs? WIIFT? 4. HOW do we become a CSC? 5. WHO does the work? (Resources)
What the heck is the CSC program? New York State program for Local Government • 2009 - DEC led interagency initiative • 2018 - CSC web portal launched • 2022 - added Regional CSC Coordinators
WIIFW? • Provides Grants and Technical Assistance • Adapt to a changing climate • Help reduce greenhouse gas emissions
CSCs Get Extra Grant Points CSC BENEFIT
DEC Climate Smart Communities Program
2 extra grant points for CSC Registered 6 extra grant points for CSC Bronze Certification 8 extra grant points for CSC Silver Certification
DOS Smart Growth Community Planning and Zoning Grant Program
2 extra grant points for CSC Certi ed (Bronze or Siver)
10 extra grant points for Registered or Certi ed CSC.
DEC Water Quality Improvement Project
No speci c extra grant points, but considers if a community is CSC Registered and working towards Certi cation.
fi
DEC Zero Emissions Vehicle Infrastructure Program
fi
fi
fi
GRANT PROGRAM
WHERE IS WEBSTER? Monroe County 14 CSC • 5 Registered • 9 Certified
?
4
WIIFT? - Grants Awarded to CSC Towns Gates $157,500 • To Conduct a climate vulnerability assessment and complete a climate adaptation plan. • CSC Goal: Build local capacity to respond to climate change, identify specific challenges within the town, and implement action plans. Rochester $780,000 • For Construction of Dewey Ave off-street cycle lanes/tracks. • CSC Goal: Reduce motor vehicle miles traveled & greenhouse gas emissions. Ontario County $60,000 • To Develop an organics waste management plan. • CSC Goal: Decrease the total volume of waste going to the Ontario County Landfill. 5
How do we become a CSC? CSC LEVEL REGISTERED CSC
BRONZE CERTIFIED CSC
SILVER CERTIFIED CSC
REQUIRED TASKS
CSC ACTION POINTS
• Pass a Resolution “CSC pledge” • Designate a primary contact person • Create online pro le • Build a “Climate Task Force”
No Action Points
• Review and Select CSC Actions • Complete Actions • Assemble Documentation • Submit Application
120 Action Points
• Same as for Bronze level
300 Action Points
fi
Webster is “BRONZE ready” - We have the Action Points!
Who does the Work? 😊 FREE help from our Regional CSC Coordinator - Rachel Scudder Assist Webster to become a Climate Smart Community • Conduct on-site training and workshops. • Give presentations to interested Town boards and community organizations. • Identify clean energy and climate change grant opportunities. • Support local clean energy and sustainability project implementation. • Help prepare greenhouse inventories and opportunities. • Help prepare climate adaptation, mitigation, and action plans
7
Who does the Work? No Additional Town Resources ExistingTown Resources to become Registered CSC • Pass a Resolution (CSC Pledge) -Town Board • Name a Primary Town contact person - Gorlick/Community Development • Create Online Portal Pro le - Gorlick/Community Development • Establish a Climate Task Force - Conservation Board
Existing Resources to apply for Certi ed CSC • Review and Select CSC Actions - Department Heads • Complete and Document Actions - Department Heads • Assemble and Submit Documentation - Community Development
Other Resources? • Community Development Summer Interns - TBD supporting tasks • Webster Citizen Groups - Identify and support additional CSC Actions
fi
fi
8
CLIMATE SMART COMMUNITY PROGRAM REVIEW •What is it? •Why should we do it? •WIIFW? •What neighbor towns have it? •WIIFT? •How do we get it •Who does the work?
9