16 New Certified Climate Smart Communities Announced!

New York State's Climate Smart Communities certification program, launched in 2014, recognizes the leadership of local governments that have documented their accomplishments in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adaptating to climate change.

Last week, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced a record number of new certified Climate Smart Communities. After reviewing an unprecedented 445 action submissions, the state certified 16 local governments for successfully meeting the bronze criteria:

Capital District: City of Albany and City of Watervliet

Long Island: City of Long Beach

Mid-Hudson: Town of Bedford, Dutchess County, Orange County, Village of Piermont, Village of Pleasantville, Town of Red Hook, and Town of Saugerties

Southern Tier: Broome County, Town of Caroline, Town of Dryden, and Village of Montour Falls

Western New York: City of Buffalo and Erie County

"Achieving the goals of New York's nation-leading plan to fight climate change will only be possible if the state and local governments work together to reduce emissions and protect our communities. That is why we are continuing to partner with municipalities through this successful initiative," Governor Cuomo said. "I congratulate these 16 communities for taking bold actions and enacting ambitious policies to address climate change and build a clean energy economy at a very local level."

The specific actions that each of the 16 new bronze certified Climate Smart Communities took to achieve certification can be viewed online by accessing their certification reports at https://climatesmart.ny.gov/actions-certification/participating-communities/ .

Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul made the announcement at an event in the Buffalo Museum of Science as part of New York's weeklong celebration of Climate Week.