Sustainability
Sustainability Coordinator and Committee
Nyack has made a commitment to protect the environment through planning, policy, and practice. The Village’s Sustainability Coordinator works with Village staff and the Nyack Sustainability Committee - an advisory group of local volunteers - to help the community to prepare for the impacts of climate change, reduce carbon emissions, and protect and enhance the Village's natural resources.
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Interested in learning more and getting involved? Contact: Sustainability Coordinator, Marcy Denker mbdenker@gmail.com |
Projects
Rockland Community Power Community Choice Aggregation + Community Solar
Nyack is among five communities participating in the Community Choice Aggregation called Rockland Community Power. This energy bulk purchasing program allows the Village to procure green power for all Nyack residents and small businesses at a fixed and lower price than the standard O&R rate.
The opt-out program provides an exciting opportunity for all of us, even as a small community, to make a difference in our carbon footprint by switching to clean energy, while still reducing costs over the standard O&R rate.
Now all five communities have also added the opt-in Community Solar program. Subscribers receive a discount of close to 10% on their total annual electricity bill and help support more local sources of renewable energy. You can participate in both programs. Community Solar is “opt in”, so if you want to participate, you need to enroll. For information about either program, check www.rocklandcommunitypower.com or call 845 859-9099. Or contact your Community Coordinator Peggy Kurtz at peggy@joulecommunitypower.com).
LED Streetlights
Nyack will soon convert all the streetlights in the village to LEDs and save money on energy and maintenance. To learn more see a list of Frequently Asked Questions.
Home Energy Efficiency Assessments and Upgrades
Nyack’s Steve Cea is an Energy Navigator, qualified to help residents and businesses reduce their energy use and costs by taking advantage of the many incentive programs available. Programs offer free and low cost services and upgrades, according to income level. He can connect you to resources, help you find a program that is right for you, and provide support while you’re in the process of having an assessment and upgrading your house, apartment or business. Contact Steve at scea2014@gmail.com.
Complete Streets
Complete streets are streets for everyone. They are designed to be safe and enjoyable for pedestrians, bicyclists, disabled people, and motorists of all ages and abilities. Nyack has adopted a Complete Streets Policy and has been making improvements to sidewalks, adding crosswalks and traffic signals. Planned upgrades for Broadway under the Transportation Alternatives Program grant to be implemented starting in 2021 and will make the commercial district safe, greener and more attractive, with planted bump outs at new crosswalks to calm traffic and better soils and paving for tree plantings.
The Greater Nyack Bike Walk Master Plan, funded by the New NY Bridge Community Benefits Fund, is a road map to improve safety and access to destinations in the Nyack river villages and Valley Cottage through better roadway design, wayfinding and signage, education, and enforcement. Click here to read more about the Greater Nyack Bike Walk Master Plan.
Bronze-Certified Climate Smart Community
Nyack is a Bronze-level certified, the first community in Rockland County to achieve this recognition. The Climate Smart Communities program helps communities take meaningful actions to prepare for future impacts of Climate Change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The program provides recognition, technical guidance, and preferred standing in competitive grant programs.
Tools & Resources
- Carbon Footprint Calculator
- Home Energy Assessment
- O&R Incentives & Rebates
- Suez Water Incentives & Rebates
- EV & Hybrid Vehicle Rebates
- Green Infrastructure Committee Roundtable Final Report
- Sustainable Nyack Action Plan 2015
- Local Waterfront Redevelopment Plan 2017
