Sustainable bethel

The Sustainable Bethel Committee (formerly known as the “Bethel Green Committee”) is a group of volunteers and Town Board members, appointed by the Town Supervisor, that research opportunities and advises the Town Board on initiatives to conserve energy, move to renewable energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and otherwise make the Town of Bethel a more environmentally sustainable community. 

On September 26, 2018, the Town of Bethel was recognized by New York State as a “Bronze Certified” Climate Smart Community—then only the 20thmunicipality in the entire state to achieve certification status. Given that there are over 1500 municipalities in New York State, achieving this level of “sustainability” was a significant milestone! The Committee has been working together since 2013 to reduce government and community greenhouse gas emissions, prepare for a changing climate and save taxpayer money through energy -saving measures. 

 Contact committee member Chris Cunningham at (845) 583-4350 Ext. 110, E-Mail:  bldcmanager@hvc.rr.com

“Friend” us (Like our Page) and follow us on Facebook:  SustainableBethelNY

•  Pursuing the construction of a community solar project on the Town’s capped landfill and sand mine, potentially offering a 12% discount on electricity rates to Bethel residents, businesses and the Town itself and a 9% discount for non-Bethel subscribers. As a further benefit, the Town will receive $27,000 each year for 25 years ($675,000) for leasing otherwise unusable acreage. Ground-breaking on this important project is projected for spring 2021.
• Converting 100% of the Town's existing and aging street lights to extremely efficient, cost- and energy-saving LED street lights. The Town’s purchase of its street lights from NYSEG and conversion to LED fixtures through NYSERDA will be completed in spring 2021.
• Developing a Government Climate Action Plan that will strategize and prioritize actions that the Town will take to lower its greenhouse gas emissions, promote sustainability and reduce energy costs.
• Renovating and expanding 50 year-old Town Hall. This renovation/addition will incorporate state of the art materials and systems that will greatly reduce the structure’s energy consumption, thus reducing its GHG emissions.  A conscious effort is being made to incorporate sustainable materials and techniques into the project. Additionally, it is being designed to Passive House standards, which is recognized as one of the most stringent gauges of energy efficiency. The new building will also serve the Town’s operations much more effectively for years to come.
• Adopting a Green Building Standard for new or renovated government buildings (features used in the Town Hall project serving as a model for incorporating sustainability features into the construction, renovation and expansion of any other municipal buildings).
• Establishing a “Re-Use Center“ or “Dumptique”, a place where residents can leave furniture, small appliances and other items in good condition for others to take for free. A “re-use center” inspires us to re-think our “throw-away” mentality, keeps usable items out of landfills, assists those of limited means, and provides opportunities for social contact and community building.
• In partnership with the County, completing a “Climate Vulnerability Assessment” and “Climate Smart Resiliency Planning” to determine climate-related risks to town residents and businesses and adaptive measures that can implemented, such as a heat emergency plan.
• Undertaking a Natural Resources Inventory.
• Undertaking a Community Climate Action Plan; Informing and educating Bethel residents regarding Town and community initiatives and opportunities to promote sustainability.

•  Encouraged the Town to participate in the “Climate Smart Community” program launched by NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. By implementing Climate Smart Community “Action Items” outlined by the DEC, the Town earns points towards certification status. Our recognition as a “Bronze Certified” Climate Smart Community demonstrates that Bethel has taken steps to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy costs (saving taxpayer money in the process), and enhances the Town‘s eligibility for State funding opportunities to take on even more projects.
• Completed a Local Government Operations GHG inventory which is an accounting, analysis and baseline report of the GHG emissions resulting from the day-to-day operations of the Town government. The inventory is used as a baseline for developing climate mitigation strategies and as a benchmark for tracking the Town’s progress in reducing GHG emissions. We track this data annually, and it is available for public review on the Town’s website and Sustainable Bethel’s Facebook page.
• Worked to craft and enact, a widely praised solar installation law for the Town encouraging roof and ground mounted solar installations. The law addresses appropriate set-backs, height limitations, de-commissioning requirements and other protections for the Town and adjoining landowners.
• Secured NYSERDA funding to help undertake energy audits of Town Hall, Highway Barn and the Wastewater Treatment Plant which suggested energy conservation measures for those facilities.
• Secured hundreds of hours of free consultation from the Federal EPA, DEC, NYSERDA, Mid-Hudson Regional Council and Cornell University engineering students, enabling the Town to evaluate its LED street lighting conversion and select a developer to construct the community solar project on the Town’s otherwise unusable landfill site. 
• Successfully promoted the installation of an electric vehicle recharging station in Kauneonga Lake and the purchase of the Town’s first fully electric vehicle.

 Sustainable Bethel is always looking for new and innovative ways to achieve our objectives. If you have ideas for projects or for collaborations with civic groups,please contact us .