Climate Smart Communities
Task Force
Columbia County, NY
Welcome
The Columbia County Climate Smart Communities Task Force was established by the Board of Supervisors - "...to serve as the central body that promotes and supports climate mitigation, adaptation, and education in the community, and advises the County Government on undertaking plans, programs, and activities that are part of the CSC program".
The Task Force is currently working on over half a dozen climate related projects, and contemplating more. Within these pages you'll find more information about these projects, the Task Force, and our future plans.
If you want to find out how your community is involved with Climate Smart Communities you can visit our Community Links page.
If you want to learn more about how to help mitigate and adapt to climate change by taking action yourself, please visit our How You Can Help page.
Upcoming Meetings
The next Columbia County Climate Smart Task Force meeting will be held on Thursday, March 6th, 2025, at 10:00 am.
All our meetings are held virtually .
A YouTube link for live public viewing will be posted here shortly before each meeting: TBP
Recordings are posted to our YouTube channel shortly after each meeting.
Our most active projects:
It is that time of year when folks start reflecting on the year's accomplishments. Here are some of ours:
March 27 - County qualifies for a $15,000 CEC grant due to reaching 1-Star status in the CEC 3.0 program
Grant is used to install 2 level-2 EV charging ports at 11 Warren Street
March 27 - County qualifies for a $187,500 CEC grant due to reaching 2-Star status in the CEC 3.0 program Grant is used to purchase four Battery Electric Vehicles for Engineering Dept., Office For the Ageing, District Attorney, and 401 State Street office building
March 27 - County qualifies for a $45,000 CEC grant due to reaching Tier-2 in the Clean Heating & Cooling Campaign; Grant is used to purchase one Battery Electric Vehicle for the Health Dept.
March 27 - County qualifies for a $90,000 CEC grant due to reaching Tier-3 in the Clean Heating & Cooling Campaign; Grant is used to install 14 EV charging ports at 401 State, Greenport DPW, and Courthouse
April 6 - The 50 kW (AC) PV solar array at the DSS building is connected to the grid
April 12 - The Climate Adaptation and Resilience Plans (CARP) are finalized for Columbia County and 17 local municipalities
April 18 - County qualifies for a $300,000 CEC grant due to becoming a 3-Star designated community Grant is used for the installation of heat pumps at the County Courthouse in Hudson
July 10 - BOS authorizes applying for a $60,000 DEC CSC Certification Grant to complete a Government Operations and Community Climate Action Plan
August 2 - The County receives shipment of its first four EVs, 2024 Toyota BZ4Xs
September 14 - County holds its second Climate Carnival at the Columbia County Fairgrounds
October 9 - BOS authorizes an investment grade energy audit for the 401 State Street office building
November 11 - County qualifies for a $412,500 CEC grant due to reaching 4-Star status in the CEC 3.0 program Grant is to be used to perform energy efficiency upgrades at the 401 State Street office building
We will return to linking active projects here after the new year. Happy Holidays everyone!
Calendar of Events
If you are participating in the Climate Smart Communities Program and would like to add your municipality's events to the Calendar and/or News page, send an email to Columbia County Coordinator Don Meltz.Please include the name of the event, the date and time, the location, and a short description in selectable copy-and-pasteable text. Flyers, Images, and Links to further information are also welcome.Here is a sample post to use as a guide.
