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Members of the Northern Westchester Energy Action Consortium had many achievements to celebrate during their first anniversary party in Cortlandt Thursday.Chairman Herb Oringel of Somers said the idea for the group came about during a conference call two years ago as a way for smaller municipalities to get stimulus grants normally reserved for larger municipalities.The (Department of Energy) representative said if you are a community of 35,000 people or more, you get a share of the funds simply based on your population, Oringel said. So I said I live in northern Westchester where most of the towns have the same energy and environmental issues. Could we combine forces and apply for grant money as a coalition?Oringel said the consortium idea was immediately met with approval from government agencies and municipalities alike since it reduces work on both ends.The consortium, which was formed through an inter-municipal agreement signed in Bedford a year ago, is made up of representatives from the countys northern municipalities: Bedford; Cortlandt, Croton-On-Hudson; Lewisboro; Mount Kisco; New Castle; North Salem; Ossining; Peekskill; Pound Ridge; Somers and Yorktown. Northern Westchester Energy Action Consortium members collaborate on ways to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, save money for county residents and businesses and increase energy efficiency in the communities.The organization assists municipalities in the grant process by sharing grant writing services and pooling resources. These grants help municipalities fund their energy efficiency and emissions reductions projects and help get local energy initiatives off the ground.Since forming, the group has acquired several state and federal grants for projects such as recycling programs, a planned energy-saving micro grid in Peekskill and a regional greenhouse emissions study. Members expect to win additional grants in the coming months.In April, the organization received the Environmental Protection Agencys most prestigious honor, the Environmental Quality Award, for work by United States Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee.NWEAC has been a model of what can happen when issues are approached in a collaborative way, said Bedford Supervisor Lee Roberts. Everyone benefits when we join together to conserve energy, save money and work for the benefit of our region in a positive and constructive alliance.
The group also honored several volunteers for being team players. Program Committee Director Mike Gordon, Energize Bedford Program Director Tom Bregman, micro-grid Project Director Maria Fields of Katonah, Cortlandt Department of Environmental Services Deputy Director Lee Beauchamp and Peekskill City Planner Jeremy Doxsee were honored for their hard work on various projects.The celebration ended with a group musical performance featuring several consortium members and the serving of house-shaped cakes, complete with fudge solar panels.For more information or to volunteer with NWEAC, go to www.NWEAC.org.
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