Ulster County Executive Mike Hein signed into law the Sustainable Energy Loan Program which will be known as the "Energize NY Benefit Financing Program" to advance Ulster County's clean energy economy. The County Executive was joined by Ulster County Legislator Tracey A. Bartels, Chairman of the Energy and Environment Committee and Ulster County Legislator Manna Jo Greene, member of the Energy and Environment Committee, both of whom sponsored the law. The new program, available in Ulster County towns will make financing available to commercial property owners for the installation of renewable energy systems and energy efficiency measures. It also allows the Energy Improvement Corporation (EIC), a local development corporation, to act on behalf of Ulster County and provide financing to qualified property owners. The financing will be repaid by property owners who will see a charge on their real property tax bill. The payment will be levied and collected at the same time and in the same manner as County taxes, although it will be listed separately on the tax bill."I am pleased that the County Legislature, through careful deliberation, crafted this local law under the leadership of Tracey Bartels," said County Executive Hein. "This local law allows Ulster County Government to continue its efforts to promote energy efficiency and achieve our renewable energy goals. Businesses will soon be able to obtain an application which will be made available on the Ulster County and EIC website. We are trying to make it easier for commercial property owners to take advantage of solar energy and the energy efficiency improvement /renewable energy systems that have been deemed cost effective by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. I urge Ulster County business owners to take advantage of this great opportunity.""I'm thrilled that Ulster County is becoming a member of the Energy Improvement Corporation. This program offers the opportunity for existing Ulster County businesses and commercial property owners to become more economically and environmentally sustainable. We often hear how small businesses are the backbone of our communities, PACE financing is a tool to strengthen that backbone," stated Energy and Environment Committee Chair Tracey Bartels. "The clean energy projects that this funding will support will reduce business operating costs and increase profitability.""Given the urgency of reducing our carbon footprint, the recent passage of Local Law No. 6 establishing a Sustainable Energy Loan Program in Ulster County will provide an excellent opportunity for businesses and landlords to do energy retrofits and/or install solar systems to significantly reduce their energy costs and impacts, and to pay the investment back on their tax bill with their energy savings. Residents have been utilizing NYSERDA's Green Jobs/Green NY on-bill payment system to finance their energy improvements -- now businesses have a similar way to accomplish the same," Ulster County Legislator Manna Jo Greene said. "The Energy Improvement Corporation (EIC) will help make the transition to a truly Green Energy Economy easier for our businesses to participate in -- and to thrive by doing so.""With these low interest loans, not only will existing Ulster County businesses save money on their energy bills, dollars will be infused into the local economy," stated Legislator Richard Parete. "Once an energy efficient retrofit project is approved, local contractors can be hired."For more information on the program please contact The Ulster County Department of the Environment at 845-338-7287 or email environment@co.ulster.ny.us.SourcePost from CleanTechLaw.org: www.cleantechlaw.org
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