The Suffolk County Energy and Climate Action Office identifies opportunities for improved energy policies for the County and coordinates with the Department of Public Works to execute and implement those policies. Suffolk County has an Energy Initiatives Working Group composed of six stakeholders from various departments that utilize all tools and programs available to further the goal of developing renewable energy and making County buildings and fleet more energy efficient.
The overarching goal is to reduce energy use and energy costs to the County, while achieving lower carbon emissions from County operations. It is these smart government investments that lead to a cleaner environment and increase overall quality of life for County residents, support of the growing green energy sector of the local economy, all while reducing energy costs to the taxpayers.
Encouraging Solar Power Use
Solar-Up Suffolk is a three-pronged program that encourages solar power use by Suffolk County residents and businesses.
Please check back for updates.
"The threat of climate change is not in the future. We are experiencing it right now with more intense storms, worse and worse flooding events, and extreme heat in the summer. There is no silver bullet, but I believe that solar energy is one key piece of the puzzle. Solar-Up Suffolk is a way for the County to encourage more residents and businesses to explore the benefits of solar power."
Edward P. Romaine
Suffolk County Executive
Energy Savings for Homeowners and Small Businesses
The Long Island Regional Clean Energy Hub is a team of trusted, knowledgeable, community-based organizations in and from your region of the state. They have experience with clean energy, energy efficiency, workforce and economic development, education, home weatherization, health, and housing. Hubs help and provide information to individuals, small businesses, and affordable housing owners about the benefits of the clean energy economy, ways to reduce energy use and costs, and how to make more informed energy decisions.
Visit https://www.lismartenergychoices.org/ to learn more or call (516) 832-2591 ext. 125, e-mail LICleanEnergy@cornell.edu, to request information about new opportunities to benefit from this transition including clean energy careers, home improvements, and even rebates for businesses and personal transportation.
Offshore Wind is Storming to Suffolk County
New York State is moving ever closer to meeting its offshore wind power goal of 9,000 MW by 2035. Suffolk County, and other local and regional businesses, have an exciting opportunity to play a huge part in this booming industry. The resources here can help supply chain businesses and those looking to work in this thriving sector to be successful.
Click image to view flyer.
Community Choice Aggregation Task Force
Final Report 2020
Community Choice Aggregation, or CCA, is an energy procurement strategy allowing local communities to choose their source of energy, including renewable and lower cost options. Here is more information including the CCA Task Force Final Report and Suffolk County municipalities that are working to create CCA’s.
Links to Town programs in Suffolk County:
https://brookhavencommunityenergy.com/
http://www.ehamptonny.gov/667/Community-Choice-Aggregation-CCA#:~:text=The%20Town%20of%20East%20Hampton,remain%20with%20the%20current%20utility
http://www.southamptontownny.gov/1406/Community-Choice-Aggregation-CCA
New York State information:
https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Clean-Energy-Communities/How-It-Works/Toolkits/Community-Choice-Aggregation
Fact Sheet [PDF]
This fact sheet provides a brief description of the Community Choice Aggregation action along with the benefits communities can expect to achieve.
CCA Frequently Asked Questions [PDF]
This document provides answers to commonly asked questions pertaining to CCA in New York State.
Resources and Programs
Suffolk County’s local businesses and not-for-profits can participate in Commercial PACE program.
Undertaking a clean energy project can reduce a building’s energy bill, improve its operations, reduce its carbon footprint, and increase property value. EIC NY (PACE) Finance offers low cost, long-term capital for energy-related building improvements that is secured through a benefit assessment lien on the improved property.
Community Inventory
This Executive Summary offers a quick and interesting format to provide a snapshot of the sources of emissions from community activities.
Government Operations
Read the report. It tracks key aspects of the County’s emissions.
Detailing the County Commitment
This Climate Action Plan (CAP) is the result of a two-year process. It was prepared in accordance with the commitment made by the Suffolk County Legislature when it adopted the Climate Smart Communities pledge on November 20, 2012 through Resolution No. 960-2012, “Adopting Climate Smart Community Goals in the County of Suffolk
Benchmarking
Read the current year’s report. Suffolk County is leading by example and has a robust, ongoing energy efficiency program. This NYSERDA report shows building energy use metrics.
Cleaner, Greener Long Island Regional Sustainability Plan
An ambitious undertaking by the Cleaner, Greener Consortium of Long Island to articulate a community-based vision for a more sustainable future.