By the Bronxville Green Committee

Oct. 4, 2023: In a public meeting on October 16, the Bronxville Green Committee will present for the Trustees’ consideration a Climate Action Plan for Municipal Operations, which proposes steps to take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions caused by government operations 40% by 2030.  Bronxville residents are encouraged to read the PLAN on the Village website and offer comments via email before this date or in person during the Trustees’ meeting.

Bronxville is Certified as a Climate Smart Community

In September 2022, Bronxville was awarded Bronze Certification in New York State’s Climate Smart Communities program in recognition of the program actions the Village and Climate Smart Communities Task force completed.  Some of the actions completed include conversion of all traffic and streetlights to LEDs and Greenhouse gas inventories for both municipal operations and the entire Village, based on 2018 data. More information about Bronze certification and the actions completed, can be found on the Green Committee website.

To maintain our certification, progress to the higher Silver status, and do our part to mitigate climate change, the Village seeks to continue to implement climate smart actions. As a next step, this Climate Action Plan for Municipal Operations represents a major milestone in Bronxville’s efforts and is consistent with New York State goals established in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) signed into law in 2019. 

How Was the Plan Developed?

In a series of webinars held last winter into the spring, Bronxville’s Climate Smart Task Force worked with staff from NYSERDA and residents from other Hudson Valley municipalities, who are also developing Climate Action Plans, to identify the actions steps that make the most sense for Bronxville.

The goal is to reduce emissions in four sectors—transportation, buildings, natural resources, and waste.

Since more than 90% of our emissions come from the transportation and building sectors, these are priority areas, while other sectors can contribute smaller reductions. The proposed actions are estimated to reduce Village annual municipal operations greenhouse gas emissions from 765 megatons to 457 megatons by 2030.

Some of the Action Steps the Plan Proposes

Transportation

*As the municipal fleet, which includes police cars and garbage trucks, ages out, replace them with hybrid vehicles.  Purchase plug-in electric vehicles as they become available for these specialized purposes.

*Install a Level 2 EV charger on Village Hall property and plan for a Level 3 fast charger to be installed in the near future.

*Encourage employees to reduce emissions from their commute by choosing mass transit or switching to more energy efficient vehicles.

Buildings

*Adopt a Green Purchasing Policy requiring that when purchasing supplies and equipment, the Village must give first consideration to the most energy efficient, sustainably produced products available.

*Investigate the possibility of installing solar panels on the roof of the DPW building and over a portion of the Village Hall parking lot.

*Adopt energy saving practices in all municipal buildings, such as turning off computers at night and ensuring that all interior lights are LEDs.

Natural Resources

*Seek to conserve water in the irrigation of public parks and other outdoor spaces.

*Gradually replace aging Village-owned lawncare equipment with electric battery-powered equipment.

*Adopt policies that promote a healthy tree canopy and “green infrastructure” that reduces storm runoff.

Waste

*Expand participation in Bronxville’s Food Scrap Recycling program and collection of yard waste for composting.

*Continue to inform residents about laws and programs that seek to reduce waste, such as the new “Upon Request” law for dining take-out orders.

*Expand drop-off for recycling programs to include additional commonly used items.

Once it’s passed by the Trustees in a resolution, Bronxville’s Climate Action Plan for Municipal Operations will act as a guide for the Village’s ongoing work to reduce emissions and promote sustainability. We encourage you to read the plan and attend the Green Committee’s presentation to the Trustees on October 16^th, 7 p.m. at Village Hall.

The Bronxville Green Committee is a volunteer organization that is part of the Village of Bronxville. We work to propose and implement environmentally sustainable programs in our community.