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Orange County accepts NYSERDA Clean Energy Communities awards for vehicles, lifts, chargers
Summary
Legislators approved acceptance and appropriation of roughly $200,625 in New York State Energy Research and Development Authority Clean Energy Communities grants to buy electric vehicles, lifts and charging stations; the county has now received several rounds of CEC awards totaling about $1.19 million.
Orange County legislators voted April 23 to accept and appropriate grant funds awarded through the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) Clean Energy Communities (CEC) Program and authorized the county executive to execute required contracts and documents. The item was filed as Legislative Request 076 and was approved by voice vote.
Presenters said the current set of five approved projects totals $200,625.50 and will be added to existing planning projects; no local match is required. County planning and operating departments will procure equipment under the award. Staff described planned purchases that include Workman MDX utility vehicles (UTVs) with accessories, one or more man lifts, electric vehicles (including Ford F-150 Lightning and Chevrolet Bolt models mentioned in the packet), and multiple charging stations.
Officials identified locations for some charging stations and equipment: a charging station at the Maple Building in Newburgh, a charging station at the Goshen Department of Public Works, man lifts and a UTV slated for county park or facility yards referenced as Winding Hill and Kronemer Hill in the presentation, and additional chargers to serve the listed sites. Staff said these items will allow departments to expand their electric-powered fleet and meet operational goals.
A legislator asked whether alternatives to lithium-based vehicles were available under the grant. Stacy Butler, Commissioner of Planning, replied, "Not under this particular program because it's Clean Energy Communities," noting the program's preapproved project types limit purchase options.
Presenters also said this is the third set of awards the county has received through the CEC program; with prior rounds, the cumulative awards to date total $1,191,613 as reported at the meeting. The motion was approved by voice vote with no opposition recorded in the transcript.
The county will use the grant funds toward the listed equipment purchases and add the awards to existing planning projects; departments will handle procurement and installation as required by the program.
