Sustainable Hudson Valley identifies “system conditions” that get in the way of the rapid changes that are needed to turn the corner in addressing climate change. We work in a flexible, customized way with agencies and organizations to redesign operational systems.

The future is renewable

Lack of coordinated planning for the shift to renewable energy has created a disconnect between land use and utility grid planning, which restricts siting options and helps drive NIMBY sentiments; disinformation increases opposition to larger-scale renewables and battery storage, and confusion among consumers about solar and electric options for their homes. These political headwinds have eroded support for New York’s important Climate Law.

We expand consumer and political support for renewable energy and battery storage as the lowest-cost, safest and most efficient way to power our communities. We do this by:

Designing new options for more proactive planning and coordination to align renewable energy development with utility grid modernization, by means of a working group representing energy developers, public agencies and Central Hudson.

Making it easier and more convenient for households to go solar through a Solarize public education and marketplace support campaign.

Helping communities get on top of battery storage technology, safety, zoning, permitting, business models and more, so that Battery Energy Storage System proposals can be handled with more wisdom and fewer divisions.

Telling the story of the value of solar and all the ways it can be utilized – from parking lot canopies to public art surrounding solar fields to “agri-voltaics” -- framing a new narrative: YES in my backyard.

Collaborators and allies: Scenic Hudson, Ulster County Dept of Environment, City of Kingston Sustainability Coord., Mid-Hudson Energy Transition, Clean Energy Hub, Central Hudson, Municipal Solar Partners, RETI Center.

The future is resilient

Climate emergencies and system breakdowns are creating widespread stress while the emergency management system has been hamstrung by federal cuts, and that system was not created for the magnitude and complexity of disasters we see today.  Overwhelm and limited resources are barriers to the preparation that can save lives and build community.  But more and more communities are coming up with breakthrough approaches that combine grassroots and institutional leadership,  such as the “resilience hub” model and the Bainbridge Island Prepared Neighborhoods program.   

We inspire and support widespread grassroots organization for community-led preparedness, and especially replication of the “Prepared Neighborhoods” initiative, to prepare for emergencies in ways that create significant everyday benefits for community, security and quality of life.  We do this by: 

  • Running book discussion groups with Scott James’ Prepared Neighborhoods and facilitate followup planning webinars to help community teams activate;

  • Create a peer to peer communication network;

  • Survey local groups’ resource needs and seek out creative ways to improve access such as group purchase programs (e.g. rain barrels, home batteries and balcony solar systems);

  • Advocate for policy and additional funding programs in support of this network.

The future is circular

The waste management system is responsible for 12% of New York’s climate pollution, and that system is designed to make prevention and diversion the exceptions, not the norms. “Circular economy” is an exciting approach to

We’re leading in the development of a regional partnership to build up repair, reuse- and recycling-based industries, as well as to stop emissions of climate superpollutants – refrigerants – and to recycle carbon itself through long-term storage methods such as biochar and carbon-negative building materials. We do this by:

Supporting the Repair Café and repair economy. 74 communities strong, the Repair Café is where people bring their “beloved but broken” items to be fixed with the help of an expert who is also their neighbor. We provide training for volunteer fixers; and plan a larger repair skills program in conjunction with the work force development system. We’re part of the leadership group producing the annual national Repair Economy Summit.

Working with Ulster County to develop and implement a Circular Economy Strategic Plan, working first with the construction industry to develop the practice of building deconstruction and salvage, as leading communities have done.

Creating a regional Circular Economy Strategy that can engage economic development organizations to cultivate replacement industries for hard-to-recycle materials starting with building materials and textiles.

Creating a model refrigerant management program for the City of Kingston, a model ready to replicate as we provide technical assistance to more municipalities.

Introducing the new and important pathway of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) through long-term storage in soils or building materials, demonstrating important methods such as biochar on farms and in urban areas. We have found funding to apply biochar demonstration plots on nine farms to serve as ambassadors and educators, and will be demonstrating the uses of biochar this year in urban land management such as helping street trees to retain water.