Mt. Kisco Village Board Endorses Energy Efficiency Program
The Mount Kisco Village Board last week unanimously approved participating in an energy conservation program that can cut electrical bills for homeowners by more than $1 million.
The board authorized the village’s participation in the Energize Partnership Pact on Sept. 4. Energize Mount Kisco is a community-based program funded through Department of Energy and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) grants.
The program, which requires local governments to pass a resolution to participate, is available to members of the Northern Westchester Energy Action Consortium, a group of 14 municipalities that promotes energy efficiency and sustainable energy. Somers, Cortlandt, Ossining, Bedford and New Castle are among the other municipalities that have already signed on, said Tom Bregman, director of Energize New York.
Last week, Bregman looked to dispel myths the public may hold about energy efficiency, which is achieved through a variety of means such as improving insulation and air sealing of houses.
“Energy efficiency is not renewable energy,” Bregman said. “It’s not turning down your thermostat in the winter and turning it up in the summer.”
Bregman said homeowners can apply for a free energy assessment from a certified contractor, then can choose from plans that would help lower their energy bills. Low interest financing of 2.99 percent is available from the state to help pay for the work. State rebates are also available to homeowners who meet certain financial criteria, Bregman said. Owners of townhouses and condominiums can also participate.
Bregman said if one in three Mount Kisco homeowners sign up, there would be cumulatively savings of about $1.2 million in energy costs.
“We want to make energy efficiency the new normal,” he said.
Mayor Michael Cindrich said the Energize program would be particularly useful in the village because many of the homes were built from the 1920s to the 1940s and are likely wasting energy.
“That’s a considerable savings,” he said.
For more information, visit www.EnergizeMountKisco.org.
Martin has more than 30 years experience covering local news in Westchester and Putnam counties, including a frequent focus on zoning and planning issues. He has been editor-in-chief of The Examiner since its inception in 2007. Read more from Martin’s editor-author bio here. Read Martin’s archived work here: https://www.theexaminernews.com/author/martin-wilbur2007/
