Southern Tier communities certified as climate-smart by DEC

SOUTHERN TIER, N.Y. (WIVT/WBHG) – Southern Tier communities have achieved Climate Smart Community certification at the bronze level.

Climate Smart Communities also known as (CSC) is a New York State program that helps local communities to take action and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to better adjust to this changing climate. The program gives out grants, reductions for electric vehicles, as well as free technical assistance.

Communities currently certified under the Southern Tier are the Town of Bethel in Sullivan County, Town of Dryden in Tompkins County, City of Oneonta in Otsego County, and Village of Owego in Tioga County.

The Climate Smart Grant Program is making $22.5 million available to communities to help them move forward in taking action against climate change. This grant is funded by the State’s Environmental Protection Fund and the Environmental Bond Act, and since establishing this program the DEC has been able to award $60 million to several municipalities in order to fund projects to support climate change.

Applications for climate smart community grants are due by July 31 through the New York State Consolidated Funding Application, which you can find here.

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