Federal stimulus funding shows signs of stimulating some creativity.  Take the Energy-Efficiency Block Grants now available for application by smaller municipalities (under 35,000 population).  Communities have been probing the options for shovel-ready, energy-efficient and overdue infrastructure projects that can compete with the hundreds of proposals being submitted by their counterpart communities. In the process they’re recognizing the zero-sum nature of that game - and some are figuring out a higher road.

Look at the towns and villages of Westchester County.  Planning locally and strategizing regionally, many found their way onto a conference call hosted by the Department of Energy and ICLEI, the International Council of Local Environmental Initiatives.  The discussion led one local advocate, Herb Oringel of the town of Somers, to an inspiration.  Would there be any potential for a joint application among villages and towns, turning competition into collaboration?  Yes, came the answer, birthing a coalition of northern Westchester towns, then two others, of Hudson Riverfront and Long Island Sound Shore communities.

It’s a widely held belief that inter-municipal cooperation is near impossible.  How refreshing that the opportunity for energy initiatives - and of course money - is pulling communities onto higher ground.