The Taghkanic Climate Smart Communities (CSC) task force is a committee of local volunteers working toward the goals of reducing the town’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and enacting measures to adapt to climate change. Since 2021 the committee has sponsored multiple community-wide campaigns and Taghkanic Talk presentations promoting initiatives such as the adoption of community solar and heat pump systems for residents, home weatherization, and a local Homegrown National Parks program highlighting the benefits of native plants for a healthy and sustainable ecosystem. The CSC oversaw the conversion of lighting for Town Hall and the Highway Garage to all LED systems, and they enlisted the help of community members to create a native pollinator garden behind town hall, which is now in full bloom.
Based on projects completed, in the summer of 2022 the CSC was awarded two grants of $5,000 each from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). This money was applied toward the purchase and installation of the Mitsubishi mini-split heat pumps now in operation at Town Hall.
As a result of completing additional project milestones, the CSC applied for and was recently awarded three additional NYSERDA grants:
$50,000 for the installation of a 17kW solar panel system and office and break-room heat pumps at the Highway Garage,
$10,000 for the purchase of battery-operated tools for the Highway Garage and Fire Department, and
$5,000 to create a Green Account, to help support native planting activities and community education presentations.
This brings the total grant funding awarded to the CSC in the past two years to $75,000. Taghkanic is a small town, with only two municipal buildings. As a result there are limited things the CSC can do to reduce municipal GHG emissions. Looking to the future, the CSC hopes it may be able to secure grant funding to help with the costs of energy efficient features of a new town hall.
Bravo Taghkanic CSC!!
Bravo Taghkanic CSC!!