Climate Smart Communities
Sign in

Climate Smart Communities Certification Report

Download PDF Version

silver Certified

This is the Climate Smart Communities Certification Report of Beacon, City (Dutchess). Beacon, City (Dutchess) is a silver certified Climate Smart Community.

Beacon, City (Dutchess) was certified on September 24, 2020 with 322 points earned from 38 completed actions. Listed below is information regarding Beacon, City (Dutchess)’s Climate Smart Communities efforts and materials associated with its certified actions.

The certification for Beacon, City (Dutchess) will expire on September 30, 2025.

Contact Information

The designated Climate Smart Communities contact for Beacon, City (Dutchess) is:

Name:Chrs White
Title:City Administrator
Address:1 Municipal Center
Beacon, NY 12508

Actions Implemented

Each approved action and supporting documentation for which Beacon, City (Dutchess) was approved for in 2020 appears below. Note: Standards for the actions below may have changed and the documentation listed may no longer satisfy requirements for that action.

  • 1. Build a climate-smart community.

    1.1 Pass a Resolution Adopting the CSC Pledge

    4 Points

    Program Summary:

    PE1 Action: CSC Task Force

    20 Points
    Bronze Mandatory Silver Mandatory

    Program Summary: The City's Conservation Advisory Committee is serving as the Climate Smart Taskforce. Here is the resolution appointing them and a screenshot of the website with information about the committee and the members. http://www.cityofbeacon.org/Government/cac.htm Minutes from the latest meetings are attached.

    PE1 Action: CSC Coordinator

    10 Points
    Bronze Mandatory Silver Mandatory

    Program Summary: City of Beacon resolution authorizing the city to enter into a contract with Climate Smart Coordinator and the job description.

    PE1 Action: National/Regional Climate Program

    3 Points

    Program Summary: Map of Clean Energy Communities showing that Beacon is a Designated CEC (https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Programs/Clean-Energy-Communities/CEC-Map).

  • 2. Inventory emissions, set goals, and plan for climate action.

    PE2 Action: Government Operations GHG Inventory

    16 Points
    Bronze Priority Silver Priority

    Program Summary: Beacon has completed government operations GHG inventories for 2012 and 2018. These inventories are in the attached document. The inventories are available on the City's Website: https://www.cityofbeacon.org/index.php/departments/sustainability/

    PE2 Action: Community GHG Inventory

    16 Points
    Bronze Priority Silver Priority

    Program Summary: Beacon completed Community GHG inventories for 2016 and 2018. Both inventories are in the attached document. It is available on the City's website: https://www.cityofbeacon.org/index.php/departments/sustainability/

  • 3. Decrease energy use.

    PE3 Action: Government Building Energy Audits

    16 Points
    Bronze Priority Silver Priority

    Program Summary: Wendel Energy conducted a comprehensive energy audit of 8 of Beacon's buildings in 2011. This represents 92K sq feet, most of Beacon's buildings, including our Municipal Center, all three fire houses, the memorial VFW building, and the water treatment plan and water well sites. The only major buildings not included in the audit are the highway garage and the transfer station ( as well as some buildings like the salt shed and yard fixtures.)

    PE3 Action: Interior Lighting Upgrades

    2 Points

    Program Summary: The City hired a contractor via Central Hudson to upgrade City Hall lighting fixtures in 2015. The details are attached, including a page detailing the building square footage. Our highway garage was built after the list was compiled, but its square footage is estimated to be 20,000 sq ft. At 112,000 total sq. ft, we estimate the 20,000 sq foot municipal center makes up about 10-15% of the total square footage of city government buildings.

    PE3 Action: Benchmarking - Municipal Buildings

    2 Points

    Program Summary: Adopted Resolution on May 15, 2017.

    PE3 Action: LED Street Lights

    10 Points

    Program Summary: The City hired Wendell Energy to assist in purchasing all (100%) of our 1450 street lights and converting them to LED. The details are attached in documentation, including a spreadsheet of all streetlights with type and installation, flex tech study from NYSERDA detailing the changes, and the NYSERDA high impact action email. NEED CEN HUD BILL.

    PE3 Action: LED Traffic Signals

    4 Points

    Program Summary: The City hired Wendell Energy to assist in converting all (100%) our traffic signals to LED. The documentation attached includes the flex tech study as well as the signed scope of work contract from Wendell that shows the traffic lights were part of this conversion. We also have a list of all traffic lights in Beacon and photos of some of them in use taken on 7-2-20.

  • 4. Shift to clean, renewable energy.

    PE4 Action: Renewable Energy Feasibility Studies

    3 Points

    Program Summary: Central Hudson completed a CESIR study before approving the solar farm at Dennings Point Landfill. The study is attached here.

    PE4 Action: Solar Energy Installation

    9 Points

    Program Summary: The City has a PV Solar array on top of our Municipal Center, installed by Hudson Valley Clean Energy (now Suncommon). The PV Meter documentation photo and installation photo were taken in late 2019 and show that the array is still operational.

    PE4 Action: Power Purchase Agreement for Renewables

    9 Points

    Program Summary: The city entered into a Power Purchase Agreement with BQ Energy on the old Dennings Point Landfill in 2018. The documents here include the PPA contract, Lifetime production of solar field graph, and drone photograph of solar field.

  • 5. Use climate-smart materials management.

    PE5 Action: Residential Organic Waste Program

    6 Points

    Program Summary: The city has yard waste pick up and drop off. The documentation is a description of the program and a link to the website for residents. http://www.cityofbeacon.org/index.php/departments/transfer-station/ and http://www.cityofbeacon.org/index.php/departments/highway/

  • 6. Implement climate-smart land use.

    PE6 Action: Comprehensive Plan with Sustainability Elements

    18 Points
    Bronze Priority Silver Priority

    Program Summary: Attached is a memo detailing how the City of Beacon's comprehensive plan update in 2017 meets the requirements and tiers for additional points. We have also attached the minutes from the meeting whether the plan update was approved, the resolution approving it, and the plan itself.

    PE6 Action: Smart Growth Policies

    8 Points

    Program Summary: City of Beacon zoning code: https://ecode360.com/7066171 Description attached.

    PE6 Action: Green Building Ordinance

    6 Points

    Program Summary: The City of Beacon passed the NYStretch building code in April 2020. We were the first municipality outside of NYC to do so. It applies to every building. Information about NYStretch is here: https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Programs/Energy-Code-Training/NYStretch-Energy-Code-2020 The signed resolution is attached, as is the letter from Dept. of State authorizing the stretch code for Beacon.

    PE6 Action: Complete Streets Policy

    4 Points
    Bronze Priority Silver Priority

    Program Summary: The City adopted a Complete Streets Resolution and Policy.

    PE6 Action: Infrastructure for Biking and Walking

    3 Points

    Program Summary: The city installed new sidewalks along the east end of Main Street in the summer of 2019. The details are attached in a payment form and the photos are attached. Also, in 2013, the city received a $500K+ grant for Safe Routes to School by NY DOT for pedestrian improvements and safety education at the J.V. Forrestal Elementary School. https://www.dot.ny.gov/news/press-releases/2013/2013-01-14

    PE6 Action: Alternative-fuel Infrastructure

    8 Points
    Bronze Priority Silver Priority

    Program Summary: The city has installed two Level-2 charging stations at the Visitors Center and behind city hall for public use. Attached is our submitted clean fleets NYSERDA high impact action documentation along with a screenshot from charge point showing the stations are available. Here is a link to a local blog's post about the first station: https://www.alittlebeaconblog.com/blog/car-charging-station-activated-13-South-avenue?rq=charging *note, the second charging station came online after our last submission, which is why we are resubmitting for 8 points.

    PE6 Action: Access to Public Transit

    5 Points

    Program Summary: The City works with the County to have the Beacon Free Loop Bus, which runs Monday through Saturday providing incentives for the public to use alternatives to private vehicles to get around town (1 pt). This bus also stops at the train station, providing transit connections (3 pts). Documentation here includes the resolution approving this bus and the contract with the county (1 pt) , as well as the schedule of the bus.

    PE6 Action: Local Forestry Program

    4 Points

    Program Summary: Beacon is a TREE CITY USA city. Screenshot of Tree City website as documentation. We also completed a tree inventory in 2013 with USDA funding. That is also attached as documentation.

    PE6 Action: Zoning for Protection of Natural Areas

    6 Points

    Program Summary: The City has preserved natural areas through zoning by adopting the Fishkill Creek Development District: https://ecode360.com/15154780. This is based off the Fishkill Creek & Greenway Trail Master Plan: http://www.cityofbeacon.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Fishkill_Creek_Greenway_Heritage_Trail_Master_Plan_Combined.pdf and also included in the City's NRI.

  • 7. Enhance community resilience to climate change.

    PE7 Action: Climate Vulnerability Assessment

    16 Points
    Bronze Priority Silver Priority

    Program Summary: The City participated with the Town of Fishkill in a day long Community Resilience Building Workshop put on by the Nature Conservancy and Cornell Cooperative. The summary of findings document is attached. It details multiple vulnerabilities (6pts) including the top hazards of: sea level rise and storm surge, inland flooding, and drought and wildlires. It also details strengths as well as future projections and details recommendations. The City's LWRP http://www.cityofbeacon.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Beacon_Final_LWRP_2012.pdf focuses on the danger from flooding (4pts) on pgs 9-10, and 36 in section 1, and starting on p. 10 in section 3, plus strting on page 3 in section 5.

    PE7 Action: Evaluate Policies for Climate Resilience

    6 Points
    Bronze Priority Silver Priority

    Program Summary: Beacon completed Climate Smart Resiliency Planning with Cornell Cooperative Extension in 2018. Please find the completed tool and recommendations attached here.

    PE7 Action: Conserve Natural Areas

    8 Points

    Program Summary: The Fishkill Creek Greenway Trail is mostly privately held land with easements. It is prioritized for conservation in the comprehensive plan (section 6 and 7). The city's zoning code protects it. ECODE: https://ecode360.com/15154780 (the last reviewer could not access, so a screenshot of the section is also attached here.) MASTER PLAN: http://www.cityofbeacon.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Fishkill_Creek_Greenway_Heritage_Trail_Master_Plan_Combined.pdf A photo of a portion of the trail is attached and the easement for one of the currently preserved parts of the trail is attached as well. The City also owns the Hiddenbrooke Preserve, a passive use park. The DEC holds the easement on the property. The easement and the purchase/sale agreement are attached here.

  • 8. Support a green innovation economy.

    PE8 Action: Farmers’ Markets

    3 Points

    Program Summary: Beacon has had a Farmers Market for many years. Attached as confirmation is a resolution Approving the Farmers Market continuing in 2019. The Farmers Market is active year round most Sundays. In the summer it is open 10-3 and in the winter it is open 10-2. It is in municipal plaza in the summer months and the VFW hall in the winter months. http://www.beaconfarmersmarket.org/ provides documentation of this, as does their instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/beaconfarmersmarket/

    PE8 Action: Brownfield Clean-up & Redevelopment

    10 Points

    Program Summary: 1 pt for a comprehensive plan that prioritizes brownfield redevelopment. E.g., see page 39 of Beacon's 2017 Comp Plan. 2 pts for cleaning up a brownfield site. Scenic Hudson has developed Beacon's Long Dock Park, which was a brownfield. See attached for the NYS DEC Brownfield Cleanup Program Certificate of Completion for Scenic Hudson Land Trust at Long Dock Beacon Park at the Beacon Waterfront. 2 pts for green redevelopment at the Long Dock site. Scenic Hudson is a green business and they built a LEED and SITES certified building on the property . NEWLY SUBMITTED IN JULY 2020: 3 pts for long dock remedial action workplan - find the workplan here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/y5d65mq2xfiqohu/Longdock%20RAWP.pdf?dl=0 It was too big to attach despite multiple compressing attempts. 2 pts since the city worked with BQ Energy to build a solar field on the city-owned old decommissioned denning's point landfill, PPA agreement attached https://www.scenichudson.org/explore-the-valley/scenic-hudson-parks/scenic-hudsons-long-dock-park/

    PE8 Action: PACE Financing

    7 Points

    Program Summary: Map of Energize NY status and the resolution approving it. Beacon is active.

    PE8 Action: Community Choice Aggregation

    18 Points

    Program Summary: Beacon has a CCA with Joule Assets/HV Community Power: https://www.hudsonvalleycommunitypower.com/about. We have approx. 15K residents, making us eligible for 18 points. Attached is approval from NYSERDA for the CCA as a high impact action as well as confirmation of our population size. .

    PE8 Action: Rooftop Solarize Campaign

    5 Points

    Program Summary: Email confirming Clean Energy Community high impact points for solarize program

  • 9. Inform and inspire the public.

    PE9 Action: Climate-related Public Events

    3 Points

    Program Summary: On July 23, 2019, The City of Beacon held a sustainability forum with municipal leaders. https://www.facebook.com/beaconny/photos/a.659372707413530/2899987746685337/?type=3&theater

    PE9 Action: Local Climate Action Website

    3 Points

    Program Summary: Beacon has a sustainability webpage: https://www.cityofbeacon.org/index.php/departments/sustainability/ It contains information about our efforts related to local climate change mitigation and adaptation, gives information about how local residents and businesses can participate in those efforts, and contains a summary of actions that residents and businesses in the community can take to reduce their GHG emissions. It was added to the City website in 2020.

    PE9 Action: Social Media

    3 Points

    Program Summary: Attached is a PDF with the City of Beacon's facebook page link and screenshots of posts that have been used to educate the public about sustainability issues.

  • 10. Engage in an evolving process of climate action.

    PE10 Action: GHG Tracking System

    5 Points

    Program Summary: Beacon utilizes the Clearpath tool by ICLEI, as an ICLEI member, to track our GHG emissions. 2 screenshots (of 1 webpage) are attached here showing that Beacon has inputted information for 2018 to determine GHG emissions. This is also shown via our GHG inventory. The city is making changes to city processes to make our next GHG inventory easier based on undertaking the GHG inventories of 2012 and 2018.

  • 11. Innovation

    Innovation: New Innovative Actions

    3 Points

    Program Summary: There was a climate justice assessment completed for the City of Beacon in 2012 with funding support from EPA. This was completed by Hudson Clearwater and the Beacon Climate Justice Council, with support from the city government. Climate resilience at the local level is stronger when communities are inclusive and equitable and when there is greater social cohesion (3 pts). Please find it linked here: https://www.clearwater.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Final-Beacon-EJ-and-CJ-Report.pdf

  • 12. Performance

    Performance: Reduce GHGs from Government Facilities

    40 Points

    Program Summary: Between 2012 and 2019 the City of Beacon converted traffic lights and signals to LEDs to save energy. The city also installed a solar farm on a decommissioned landfill via a Power Purchase Agreement. In 2012 the City's facilities (buildings, solid waste, waste/water treatment, street lights) emissions were: 1448 MTCO2E In 2019 the City's facilities emissions were: 938 MTCO2E This is a 35% reduction in Scope 1 and Scope emissions from city facilities. https://www.cityofbeacon.org/index.php/departments/sustainability/ - All inventories are available on the City's website.

Climate Smart Communities