November 2015
T ow n of Highland
CSC PROGRAM OVERVIEW
LOCAL GOVERNMENT FACTS:
The Climate Smart Communities (CSC) program is a New York State
initiative to help local communities reduce greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions, prepare for impacts of climate change and save taxpayer
Adopted Climate Smart Communities (CSC)
Pledge: 2014
CSC 10 Pledge Elements (see below).
CSC Pledge Elements Addressed: 8 out of 10
This CSC profile for outlines the Town of Highland’s progress through the
Total Actions Completed: 11
progress, and identified for future action is provided in the tables on the
Government Type: Town
means that the CSC program does not have a record of actions taken to
County: Sullivan County
dollars. The program is designed to address 10 focus areas outlined in the
10 pledge elements. Detailed information on actions completed, in
following pages. If a table is missing for a particular pledge element, it
address that pledge element.
The CSC Certification program provides local governments with a
comprehensive framework to guide climate action and enables high
performing communities to achieve recognition for their leadership. Each
Region: Mid-Hudson Region
Population: 2,530
pledge element below is accompanied by a CSC Certification Manual that
recommends initiatives and resources for getting started. Click on any of
the pledge elements for additional information.
Climate Smart Communities Pledge Elements [Click links to view CSC Certification Manual]
1. Pledge to be a Climate Smart Community
2. Set Goals, Inventory Emissions, Plan for Climate Action
3. Decrease Community Energy Use
4. Increase Community Use of Renewable Energy
5. Realize Benefits of Recycling and Other Climate-Smart Solid Waste Management Practices
6. Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions Through Use of Climate-Smart Land-Use Tools
7. Enhance Community Resilience and Prepare for the Effects of Climate Change
8. Support Development of a Green Innovation Economy
9. Inform and Inspire the Public
10. Commit to an Evolving Process of Climate Action
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Pledge Element 1: Pledge to be a Climate Smart Community
Action
Status
Description
Adopted CSC Pledge
Completed
The Town of Highland adopted the CSC Pledge in 2014.
Create a Green Committee
Identified
The Town would like to establish a Green Committee to focus on climate and
energy initiatives.
Pledge Element 2: Set Goals, Inventory Emissions, Plan for Climate Action
Action
Status
Description
Community GHG Inventory
Completed
The Town of Highland's community wide inventory was conducted as part
of the Mid-Hudson's Regional GHG Inventory for baseline year 2010.
Pledge Element 3: Decrease Community Energy Use
Action
Status
Description
Upgrade HVAC Equipment
Completed
The Town installed an energy efficient heat pump system in the Senior
Center. The Town also updated the steam heating system for the Courthouse
and is planning to install a new energy efficient heat pump system.
Conduct Energy Audit at Town
Hall
Identified
The Town would like to conduct a NYSERDA energy audit at the Town Hall
Green Fleet Policy
Completed
The Town adopted a policy for government owned vehicles to meet fuel
efficiency standards.
Pledge Element 4: Increase Community Use of Renewable Energy
Action
Status
Description
Install Solar on Town-owned
Property
Identified
The Town is interested in opportunities for solar installations on Townowned property through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) or through
Community Choice Aggregation (CCA).
Pledge Element 5: Realize Benefits of Recycling and Other Climate-Smart Solid
Waste Management Practices
Action
Status
Description
Participates in County's
Recycling Program
Completed
The Town participates in Sullivan County's garbage and recycling program
and has a local transfer station to collect materials.
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Pledge Element 6: Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions Through Use of Climate-Smart
Land-Use Tools
Action
Status
Description
Adopt the NYS Unified Solar
Permit
Identified
Considering adopting the NYS Unified Solar Permit to expedite the
installation of small-scale solar. Governments that do so are eligible to
receive $2,500 to implement the new procedures.
Adopted a Comprehensive Plan
Completed
The 2012 Comprehensive Plan lists 10 goals including energy efficiency of
buildings and facilities and other elements of sustainability.
Incentivize Residential Energy
Efficiency Upgrades
Identified
The Town's Comprehensive Plan identifies housing rehabilitation and
increasing energy efficiency upgrades as a priority for the community.
Pledge Element 7: Enhance Community Resilience and Prepare for the Effects of
Climate Change
Action
Status
Description
Participated in Sullivan County's
All Hazard Mitigation Plan
Completed
The Town participated in Sullivan County's Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan to
reduce future disaster damages, public expenditures, private losses, and
community vulnerability to natural, technological and man-made hazards.
Pledge Element 9: Inform and Inspire the Public
Action
Status
Description
Climate Change Seminar at
Theatre
Completed
The Town hosted a 2-day seminar at the local theater to raise awareness
about how climate change is impacting weather systems.
Created an Emergency Webpage
Completed
The Town launched a webpage to inform and prepare community residents
with emergency information and resources needed in an emergency event.
Twitter Account
Completed
The Town created a Twitter account to inform the community about local
government meetings and community activities.
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Pledge Element 10: Commit to an Evolving Process of Climate Action
Action
Status
Description
Collaborates with neighboring
communities
Completed
The Town actively participates in activities to support Sullivan County's
Office of Energy Management (OEM) through Sullivan Alliance for
Sustainable Development. Sullivan Alliance for Sustainable Development
(SASD) is a network of individuals, businesses and organizations whose goal
is to implement a new economic model for Sullivan County based on projects
that are socially and environmentally responsible.
For more information about the Town of Highland’s climate protection efforts, please
contact: Andrew Boyar at (845) 557-8901
The Climate Smart Communities Program is jointly sponsored by six
New York State Agencies: the New York State Energy Research and
Development Authority (NYSERDA), Department of State,
Department of Environmental Conservation, Department of Health,
Department of Transportation, and Public Service Commission.
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