Page 25 - 2024 Westchester County Economic Development Guide

Sustainability
Unleashing the Power of Sustainability
Sustainable Westchester has been at the forefront of regional and statewide efforts to achieve a clean energy transition, conserve natural resources, and promote environmental justice. Here, Executive Director Noam Bramson talks about the organization’s current initiatives, priorities and benefits to the County.
e ribbon cutting ceremony for Sustainable Westchester’s “Sunshine to EV” charging station in Mt. Kisco.
What are some noteworthy
current initiatives?
At a glance, we’ve recently been selected by the U.S. Department of Energy to lead New York’s portion of the $45 million Renew America's Nonprofits program. We also presented the City School District of New Rochelle with a rebate check for $23,943 in recognition of its leadership in reducing energy use among school buildings, and recently unveiled a new “Sunshine to EV” electric vehicle fast charging station in Mount Kisco that is powered entirely by solar energy and is the first of its kind in New York State.
What are your priorities as
Executive Director?
Since taking the helm of the organization on January 1, my goal now is to ensure that every moment our municipal members engage with Sustainable Westchester is a moment well-spent. at every penny invested in our partnership is returned many times over in tangible benefits. at every communication is clear and useful. And that our priorities coincide with our members’ priorities. Our purpose as an organization is to help every city, town, and village in our County achieve its sustainability goals, and when we act together, those positive outcomes are firmly within reach.
“An unprecedented level of national and state climate investments is creating a whole new landscape of opportunities, and we’re actively rolling out initiatives to seize upon
this momentum.” —Sustainable Westchester Executive Director Noam Bramson
What's on the horizon for 2024?
An unprecedented level of national and state climate investments is creating a whole new landscape of opportunities, and we’re actively rolling out initiatives to seize upon this momentum. A few to mention include
a green workforce development program alongside the Office of Economic Development, that includes a Clean Energy Careers Job and Resource Fair in April; Clean thermal energy networks, with public and private partners; and decarbonization programs for our essential service providers, funded by the only Renew America’s Nonprofits grant in the entire northeast.
What are the benefits of environmental sustainability to the County?
Since our formation in 2014, Sustainable Westchester
has been instrumental in delivering renewable energy
to 140,000 Westchester households, capping electricity costs for consumers, and cutting carbon emissions equal to 49,000 gas powered vehicles. We’ve developed dozens of Community Solar projects, greened our electric grid, and saved more than $1 million annually for thousands of Westchester residents. We have also upgraded more than 850 antiquated residential and commercial heating and cooling systems with modernized heat pumps, as well
as increased recycling efficiency for more than 25,000 households through Zero Waste.
Talk about your collaborations with
the County and the Business Council
of Westchester.
e County's wide-ranging environmental leadership, supported by the BCW’s deep understanding of the local business community, represents a critical formula for making positive contributions towards a more prosperous and resilient future. Sustainable Westchester has been proud to partner directly with the County on everything from the clean energy transition to green workforce development through our work with the Office of Economic Development, and we will continue to foster collaboration among all of Westchester's cities, towns, and villages, recognizing that we can accomplish far more together than on our own.
WESTCHESTER COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDE 23
© Courtesy of Sustainable Westchester