FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: April 22, 2025
Contact: Nicole Draina, ANCA Clean Energy Communications Coordinator, [email protected] or Carlie Leary, ANCA Climate Smart Communities Coordinator, [email protected]
Town of Jay Earns Bronze Climate Smart Communities Certification
More Climate Mitigation-Adaptation Actions to Come in 2025
Jay, N.Y. — Around the globe people are making sustainable choices in honor of Earth week. The Town of Jay and their Climate Smart Communities Task Force are also making strides towards climate smart initiatives in order to create a healthier, more resilient North Country community.
The Town of Jay in order to receive Bronze Certification for the state funded Climate Smart Communities (CSC) program by completing a series of community focused, climate mitigation and adaptation actions. In 2021, The Town of Jay committed to their CSC Pledge. However, it was recently reinvigorated by Town Councilor, Knut Sauer, who sought initiatives for the climate plans to come to fruition. Sauer worked closely with employees, assembled a volunteer taskforce with community members, and received guidance from the Adirondack North Country Association in order to earn Bronze Certification.
“The Town of Jay is an excellent example of how a rural North Country community can become climate smart through the hard work of a few dedicated individuals,” said ANCA’s Climate Smart Communities Coordinator, Carlie Leary. “It only takes a few community champions to drive climate action at the local level. Communities of every size can take steps to be more resilient in the face of climate change and the CSC program provides a roadmap for making that happen.”
The significant progress made on climate smart actions in 2024, and plans to finalize these actions in the spring/summer of 2025, demonstrate the strong dedication the Town of Jay and the Climate Smart Communities Task Force has for their small town. Some of these actions include a solar installation project on the Highway Department garage roof; electric vehicle charger installations–including a grant application for a level 1 high-speed charger; community campaigns focused on lowering resident energy usage through community solar and heat pump installation; and community outreach on how to lower energy bills and create safer, healthier homes with the assistance of the North Country Clean Energy Hub’s Energy Advisors. The Town of Jay has established a plan to launch a resident compost drop-off pilot program. If successful, it could offer opportunities for a larger composting and recycling operation.
“Achieving Bronze Certification is a significant milestone for the Town of Jay,” said Matt Stanley, Town of Jay Supervisor. “It not only recognizes our commitment to sustainability and smart growth, but it also strengthens our ability to secure additional grant funding. This designation has already helped us move forward with key initiatives that improve quality of life for our residents and support long-term resilience while saving taxpayer’s money.”
The CSC program asks communities and municipalities to act on mitigating and adapting climate change at the local level by committing to a pledge, which then needs to be implemented through a suite of potential actions in order to receive certification as a “Certified Climate Smart Community.” The CSC Certification program is led by NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) along with interagency collaboration with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of State (DOS), the Department of Transportation (DOT), the Department of Public Service (DPS), the Division of Home and Community Renewal (HCR), and the New York Power Authority (NYPA).
Funding for a large portion of these projects was awarded through another state program: NYSERDA’s Clean Energy Communities (CEC), which the Town of Jay has also been an active participant in. CEC required actions that aim at reducing energy use and investing in future-focused clean energy solutions for their communities. Unfortunately, the funds for the CEC program were exhausted in late 2024, meaning the Climate Smart Communities Task Force is now searching for alternative grants through various other NYS agencies. One example is the “Safe Street” grant through the US DOT. A majority of these projects are completed through long administrative focused efforts.
“Becoming Bronze Certified is a major achievement for a small town like Jay and it would not have been possible without the support and guidance from the staff at ANCA,” said Town Councilor, Knut Sauer. “We have strong community engagement and a Climate Smart Task Force that is hardworking and committed. We look forward to leading the new climate and infrastructure working group, as part of the Town of Jay’s comprehensive plan and are eager to continue the progress we have made. The group now has a target of becoming Silver Certified by 2027.”
After achieving Bronze Certification, the Climate Smart Communities Task Force plans to complete many more milestones moving forward into 2025. Their focus is on community engagement and sustainable practices. They aim to create a transportation master plan for climate smart land use, inventory emissions to create a goal for climate action, establish infrastructure aimed at both expansion and climate resiliency, including flood mitigation, and enhance the community through litter/trash receptacles, walking and bike friendly streets.
For more information about the Town of Jay’s Climate Smart Communities program or pursuing climate action in your own community, contact Carlie Leary at ANCA or visit www.townofjayny.gov/climate-smart-task-force/.
ANCA is an independent, nonprofit corporation with a transformational approach to building prosperity across northern New York. Using innovative strategies for food systems, clean energy, small businesses, and equity and inclusion, ANCA delivers targeted interventions that create and sustain wealth and value in local communities.
Attached: one (1) photo, courtesy of ANCA
Left to right: Knut Sauer, Chair for Town of Jay CSC Taskforce and Town Councilor; Olivia Dwyer, Town Board Member; and Matt Stanley, Town of Jay Supervisor at the Town of Jay Sustainability Fair in 2024 .
