CREATING YOUR 100% RENEWABLE ENERGY PLAN. Sustainable Hudson Valley is working with the Marbletown Environmental Conservation Commission to help residents of Marbletown and the Hudson Valley create their own climate plans, so that when the time comes, you are prepared and informed to make the most efficient decision for the planet and your wallet. If you have any questions about this process, please contact info@sustainhv.org. If you are interested in speaking to an energy expert, you can make an appointment with an energy coach. You can also check out additional resources to help with your energy transition. Name Email Step 1: My Plan For Shifting to 100% Renewable Electricity Many of the steps in shifting to renewable energy involve first shifting from fossil fuels to electricity. Ensuring that your electricity is generated by renewables will complete the transition to renewable energy. ________________________________________________ I want to make a plan, I will sign up/have signed up for a free phone session with an energy coach (move to next step). I have made a plan, it is (select all the numbered choices that apply): I have implemented a plan, it is (select all the numbered choices that apply): 1) My town/municipality provides renewable electricity as the default electricity supplier with my utility through a Community Choice AggregationCommunity Choice Aggregation (CCA) allows local governments to obtain power on behalf of their residents, businesses, and municipal accounts from an alternative supplier while still receiving transmission and distribution service from their existing utility provider. Resources: Hudson Valley Community Power Find Local Energy Service Companies More (CCACommunity Choice Aggregation (CCA) allows local governments to obtain power on behalf of their residents, businesses, and municipal accounts from an alternative supplier while still receiving transmission and distribution service from their existing utility provider. Resources: Hudson Valley Community Power Find Local Energy Service Companies More), and I am/will sign up. 2) My town/municipality has not joined a 100% renewable CCACommunity Choice Aggregation (CCA) allows local governments to obtain power on behalf of their residents, businesses, and municipal accounts from an alternative supplier while still receiving transmission and distribution service from their existing utility provider. Resources: Hudson Valley Community Power Find Local Energy Service Companies More, but I have/will contact the Town Board and asked them to join. 3) I purchase/will purchase green electricity from an energy service company. (This is not community solarUnlike traditional solar, where panels are installed on your roof or property, community solar is installed at an offsite location. You can subscribe to the community solar project and receive credits on your regular electric bill for the clean energy produced. Resources: Hudson Valley Community Power Solar for All (low income) Buyer’s Guide to Community Solar in NY (2017) Community More) 4) I have/will get home solar, and it covers all my electricity needs every year. 5) I do not pay an electricity bill. If someone pays an electricity bill on my behalf, I have talked/will talk to them about how to get renewable electricity or sign up with with an energy coach. Step 2: My Plan For Home or Community SolarUnlike traditional solar, where panels are installed on your roof or property, community solar is installed at an offsite location. You can subscribe to the community solar project and receive credits on your regular electric bill for the clean energy produced. Resources: Hudson Valley Community Power Solar for All (low income) Buyer’s Guide to Community Solar in NY (2017) Community More Not everyone owns a home that is suitable for solar panels, but everyone who pays an electric bill can save money by subscribing to community solarUnlike traditional solar, where panels are installed on your roof or property, community solar is installed at an offsite location. You can subscribe to the community solar project and receive credits on your regular electric bill for the clean energy produced. Resources: Hudson Valley Community Power Solar for All (low income) Buyer’s Guide to Community Solar in NY (2017) Community More.________________________________________________ I want to make a plan, I will sign up/have signed up for a free phone session with an energy coach (move to next step). I have made a plan, it is (select all the numbered choices that apply): I have implemented a plan, it is (select all the numbered choices that apply): 1) I have signed up/will sign up for Community SolarUnlike traditional solar, where panels are installed on your roof or property, community solar is installed at an offsite location. You can subscribe to the community solar project and receive credits on your regular electric bill for the clean energy produced. Resources: Hudson Valley Community Power Solar for All (low income) Buyer’s Guide to Community Solar in NY (2017) Community More. 2) I have/will install solar on my building. 3) I do not pay an electricity bill. If someone pays an electricity bill on my behalf, I have talked/will talk to them about solar and community solarUnlike traditional solar, where panels are installed on your roof or property, community solar is installed at an offsite location. You can subscribe to the community solar project and receive credits on your regular electric bill for the clean energy produced. Resources: Hudson Valley Community Power Solar for All (low income) Buyer’s Guide to Community Solar in NY (2017) Community More, or how to sign up with an energy coach. Step 3: My Plan For Insulation and Air Sealing Improving your building’s efficiency first makes your home more comfortable, saves energy, and makes many renewable heating technologies work better. Many contractors offer no obligation low cost energy audits, and you may qualify for one for free. Getting an audit to "diagnose" your home is a great way to evaluate your home and determine priorities for your home upgrades. ________________________________________________ I want to make a plan, I will sign up/have signed up for a free phone session with an energy coach (move to next step). I have made a plan, it is (select all the numbered choices that apply): I have implemented a plan, it is (select all the numbered choices that apply): 1) My building was built to a green building standard such as Energy StarProgram that is designed to identify and promote energy-efficient products. Resources: • Energy Star Products More or Passive House in the last 20 years. 2) I have had an energy auditInspection of a home’s energy use in order to identify issues within the home. Resources: • DIY energy audit • Community Energy Advisors • NYSERDA Energy Audit Programs More or equivalent and have made or plan to make the recommended building upgrades. 3) I have a plan to contact a energy conservation professional and engage their services in the next month. 4) I'd like to weatherize my building, but can't afford to spend anything right now. Contact me about ways to pay for this with no upfront cost as long as the payments are smaller than the energy savings. 5) I do not own my building, but have talked/will talk to the owner about building insulation and air sealing. Step 4A: My Efficient Lighting Plan Lighting is considered a “low hanging fruit”. This means that replacing the bulbs in your home is low cost, easy, and will pay for itself in months.________________________________________________ All of my frequently used lighting fixtures are energy efficient options like LEDs or CFLs I have a plan to replace all my frequently used lighting with efficient options in the next month. Step 4B: My Efficient Appliances Plan It’s hard to know if what you are buying is energy efficient or an energy hog, and more efficient appliances don’t have to cost more. Make a habit of knowing how much energy your purchases will use before you buy so you can make informed decisions.________________________________________________ When I buy appliances, such as wood stoves, pellet stoves, refrigerators, and washing machines, I will check the Energy StarProgram that is designed to identify and promote energy-efficient products. Resources: • Energy Star Products More labels and consider both if an item is Energy StarProgram that is designed to identify and promote energy-efficient products. Resources: • Energy Star Products More and its total annual energy use. Step 5A: My Transportation Plan Transportation is responsible for about 30% of nation-wide emissions. Driving less, biking, using public transportation, or purchasing a plug-in hybrid or electric vehicle (EV) can all greatly reduce your fossil fuel use._______________________________________________ I want to make a plan, I will sign up/have signed up for a free phone session with an energy coach (move to next step). I have made a plan, it is (select all the numbered choices that apply): I have implemented a plan, it is (select all the numbered choices that apply): 1) My future new vehicle purchases/leases will be electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. 2) I will only purchase or lease used vehicles until there is an electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle that meets my needs. 3) I don't have or need a car or truck. 4) I use public transportation 5) I bike/walk or use alternative transportation Step 5B: My Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Plan Depending on how often and how far you drive, you may need a home charging station to make an electric vehicle work for you. If you understand your own needs and the type of electric or plug in electric vehicle you are likely to buy, you will be ready if your current vehicle breaks down and you have to replace it in a hurry. ___________________________________________________________ I want to make a plan, I will sign up/have signed up for a free phone session with an energy coach (move to next step). I have made a plan, it is (select all the numbered choices that apply): I have implemented a plan, it is (select all the numbered choices that apply): 1) I don't need a car or truck. 2) I don't have a private parking space. 3) I have/will install an EV charging station near my parking space. 4) I have/will install an 240V outlet suitable for an EV charger near my parking space. 5) I have a standard 120 volt outlet near my parking space, and 5 miles/hour trickle charging is enough for my driving needs. 6) The next time I have an electrician come to my building for any reason, I will ask about installing a 240 volt outlet (NEMA 14-50 recommended) near my parking space so I will be prepared to charge a future electric vehicle. Step 6: My Heating and Cooling Plan Heating is usually the largest user of energy AND source of carbon emissions in the home. Switching to renewable heat is a giant step towards getting off fossil fuels._______________________________________________ I want to make a plan, I will sign up/have signed up for an appointment with an energy coach (move to next step). I have made a plan, it is (select all the numbered choices that apply): I have implemented a plan, it is (select all the numbered choices that apply): 1) I have/will install air source heat pump(s) 2) I have/will install a geothermal (ground source) heat pump 3) I have/will install a high efficiency wood or wood pellet stoveAn appliance that produces heat through the burning of organic materials, such as food or wood waste. Resources: • Wood stoves, pellet stoves and fireplace inserts • Wood & Wood Pellet furnaces/boiler program More or boiler. 4) My building uses passive solar heating. 5) I don't own my building, but I have talked/will talk to the owner about the above or signing up with an energy coach. Step 7: My Hot Water Plan Water heating amounts to almost a fifth of a typical home’s energy use and carbon emissions. Large rebates can make switching to a heat pumpThese transfer heat from outside rather than converting it from fuel. Resources: • Air Source Heat Pump Buying Guide hot water heater or other renewable option one of the most cost-effective steps you can take._______________________________________________ I want to make a plan, I will sign up/have signed up for an appointment with an energy coach (move to next step). I have made a plan, it is (select all the numbered choices that apply): I have implemented a plan, it is (select all the numbered choices that apply): 1) I have/will install a heat pump water heaterThese use the heat from surrounding air and transfer it to water in an enclosed tank. Resources: Central Hudson information and rebate forms How it works- US EPA More. 2) I have/will install a geothermal heat pumpThese take heat from the ground and use it to heat your home. Resources: • Geothermal/Ground Source Heat Pumps More that also heats my water. 3) I have/will install solar hot water. 4) I have/will install an efficient wood or wood pellet boiler that also heats my water. 5) I have/ will install a traditional electric water heater, and I do not have a suitable indoor space to replace it with a heat pump water heaterThese use the heat from surrounding air and transfer it to water in an enclosed tank. Resources: Central Hudson information and rebate forms How it works- US EPA More. 6) I don't own my building, but I have talked/will talk to the owner about the above or signing up with an energy coach. Step 8A: My Cooking Plan While gas stoves are not a big energy user, they are a major source of indoor air pollution. Even when operated properly without an exhaust fan, they can cause your home to exceed the EPA’s outdoor air quality guidelines.________________________________________________ I want to make a plan, I will sign up/have signed up for an appointment with an energy coach (move to next step). I have made a plan, it is (select all the numbered choices that apply): I have implemented a plan, it is (select all the numbered choices that apply): 1) I have/will install an electric induction stove 2) I have/will install a traditional electric stove, and it's good enough for me. 3) I have/will purchase an inexpensive countertop induction burner to reduce my fossil fuel cooking and become familiar with the technology. 4) I have/will install an electric or electric convection oven 5) I don't own my building, but I have talked/will talk to the owner about signing up with an energy coach. Step 8B: My Laundry Plan Unless you do a lot of laundry, a gas dryer is not a gigantic energy user, but don’t miss the opportunity to upgrade if you are already planning to replace it. ___________________________________________________________ I want to make a plan, I will sign up/have signed up for an appointment with an energy coach (move to next step). I have made a plan, it is (select all the numbered choices that apply): I have implemented a plan, it is (select all the numbered choices that apply): 1) I have/will buy a heat pumpThese transfer heat from outside rather than converting it from fuel. Resources: • Air Source Heat Pump Buying Guide clothes dryer 2) I have/will buy a condensing clothes dryer 3) I have/will buy a traditional electric clothes dryer 4) I have/will buy a clothesline/drying rack 5) I don’t need a clothes dryer 6) I don't own my building, but I have talked/will talk to the owner about signing up with an energy coach. Step 9: My Yard and Power Equipment Plan Recent advances in batteries have made many electric lawnmowers, snowblowers, etc. work as well or better than their gas powered cousins, while often costing the same or less to buy. While quality varies widely, the best ones are a joy to use.________________________________________________ I want to make a plan, I will sign up/have signed up for an appointment with an energy coach (move to next step). I have made a plan, it is (select all the numbered choices that apply): I have implemented a plan, it is (select all the numbered choices that apply): 1) I don't own or need any fossil fuel powered equipment not covered in the previous steps. 2) I have inventoried my lawnmower, snowblower and other power equipment that uses fossil fuels, and any replacements will be electric or bought used until electric equipment that meets my needs is available. 3) I don't own my building/yard, but I have talked/will talk to the owner about signing up with an energy coach. Step 10: Learning, Sharing, and Beyond (Optional) By sharing what you have learned through your own process, others will be more informed and better equipped to make the switch themselves. There are also many other actions you can take that may not directly affect your own energy use, but can greatly help the environment._______________________________________________ I have helped/will help others shift to renewable energy by sharing what I have learned. I have lowered my carbon footprint with other lifestyle changes. I vote/will vote and the environment is an important part of how I vote. I invest/ will invest with the environment in mind. I volunteer/will volunteer or am politically engaged on environmental issues. I purchase/will purchase carbon offsets to cover fossil fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions that I can't otherwise eliminate. I have relevant skills and am involved/will to get involved with public education on this topic. The 100% Renewable Energy Pledge I have made a complete plan that fits within my budget and willingness to reduce my footprint. I pledge to implement it. ________________________________________________ I am an individual and will apply the pledge to my personal life. I am a business and will apply the pledge to my business operations. If I sell anything that uses fossil fuels, I will also carry an electric or renewable option and offer it to my customers first. I will provide them with the information they need to make an informed decision between the options. I am not ready to take the pledge yet...just making a plan. May We Publicize Your Pledge? Your private information will stay private. Marbletown ECC and Sustainable Hudson Valley will not use any of your private information without permission.________________________________________________ You may publish my name and town as a pledge-taker. You may publish my initials and town as a pledge taker. You you publish my pledge as "Anonymous from [My Town]" Please keep all my information private. 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