Clean Energy & Cost Savings
Last winter, Upper Nyack and five other Rockland municipalities launched an innovative clean energy program, called Rockland Community Power. Over this last year, the program has delivered 100% renewable energy and cost savings, too.
The program helps communities make the transition to clean energy, while at the same time protecting ratepayers from rate increases. We can be especially proud that the Rockland Community Power program started here in our village. Upper Nyack’s action was the catalyst that eventually led to more than 20,000 households in five communities transitioning to clean energy.
The major accomplishment of the program within the Village is that nearly two thirds of Upper Nyack households transitioned off electricity powered largely by fossil fuels and onto electricity powered by 100% renewable energy. Mayor Tarapata commented, “This program gives each of us agency in the face of climate change.” In fact, New York State considers this type of program to be among the highest impact climate actions communities can take. With this action, the Village has been awarded points toward designation in two NYS climate programs, Clean Energy Communities and Climate Smart Communities.
Through this program, Village residents saved the equivalent of 1,252 metric tons of CO2 emissions, which will be avoided over two years. That’s the equivalent of the carbon stored by 1,534 acres of forest over one year.
Over the first twelve months, Upper Nyack residents also collectively saved $19,292 relative to O&R rates for ‘standard energy’ for electricity, powered largely by fossil fuels. Rockland Community Power rates are fixed, so those low rates will not go up over the life of the program. Residents who also signed up for the Community Solar component of the program saved an additional 9% on their electric bills in addition to the Rockland Community Power savings.
The Rockland Community Power program administrator also donated $1,950 to the village to plant trees at River Hook, the Hester Haring Preserve. Last spring, three oak trees and two white pines were planted in the meadow at the top of the Preserve.
The program gives each of us an easy way to make a measurable difference in our carbon footprint, while also keeping costs down. If you did not enroll earlier and would like to do so now, you can always enroll by calling our helpline at 845 859-9099 (select Option 1) or online at www.RocklandCommunityPower.com. The helpline is available Monday to Friday, 9 to 5.
There are no contracts for consumers in the program. If you are on a third-party supplier contract, you can still enroll in the program, but would have to cancel your current contract first.
As we start the new year, it’s exciting to see this program continue to grow, with new communities likely to join this movement for clean energy. Together we are creating a stronger, more sustainable, and more resilient community.