Whereas energy waste costs citizens, businesses and governments money that can be captured to enhance local economic security;

Whereas our community has made a commitment to energy/ climate action [if so, e.g. Climate Smart Community, Energy Star, appointing energy task force];

Whereas the Hudson Valley 10% Challenge is a cost-effective way to raise the profile of our commitments and build participation;

Now be it resolved that _____________ [name of community] adopts the 10% Challenge and commits to its two principles:  cutting our fossil fuel use and increasing energy-efficiency 10% communitywide in the next year or less; and getting at least 10% of our citizens involved as models and leaders.

The Conservation Advisory Council [or other governmental body] is charged with creating a cost-effective, realistic Action Plan to meet the Challenge and recommending specific strategies to do so, seeking opportunities in the buildings, electricity use, transportation, materials use and other sectors throughout the community. 

• The Action Plan should include a credible approach to measuring or estimating initial energy use in order to document reductions.

• The Action Plan should include regular public communication within the community,  and sharing of news among the competing communities through the 10% Challenge website.  

The community agrees to register its commitment with Sustainable Hudson Valley, an educational nonprofit organization coordinating the Challenge.  This registration will  make the community eligible to compete for prizes awarded to the first community to meet the Challenge, including a solar thermal system, a sail on the Sloop Clearwater for the winning community's schools, and other prizes that may be arranged at no cost to the community.  

No funds are authorized by this enabling legislation.   If affordable investments in efficiency are recommended within the Action Plan, these will be subject to subsequent review and approval by this body.