Chautauqua County To Implement Three Clean Energy Projects

JAMESTOWN – A $150,000 Clean Energy Communities grant will allow Chautauqua County to implement three clean energy projects this year.

County officials say the grant projects include purchasing three Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicles to replace existing gasoline vehicles, installation of two electric vehicle charging stations for use by public facilities staff and converting to LED lighting at the Jamestown Airport’s Oak Hill Road tunnel, as well as the conversion of parking lot lighting at the DPF’s Falconer Shop to LEDs.

Because electric vehicles and LED lights are substantially more energy efficient than the vehicles and lights they respectively replace, these projects will save the County nearly $40,000 per year in energy costs, officials said.

“This is exciting news,” said Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel. “NYSERDA has led the charge in cost-saving measures as they relate to clean energy initiatives. I am excited to see the upgrades and the savings with this grant.”

County Legislator Mark Odell said among local municipalities and the county, more than $600,000 has been awarded for energy projects.

“As one of my first initiatives during my tenure on the Legislature, I am very proud of the collaborative effort that led to Chautauqua County’s ‘Clean Energy Community’ designation,” said Odell.

“We also had several towns and villages within the County that have attained this status by completing high-impact energy-related actions and have received awards ranging from $5,000 to $100,000 to further improve and modernize their energy infrastructure as well. County-wide we had an influx of over $600,000 awarded through this initiative. Our attainment of this Clean Energy Community designation will further elevate Chautauqua County’s ranking for business recruitment as well.”

“With this grant, the Department of Public Facilities is excited to help the State achieve its environmental goals by purchasing the first ever all-electric vehicles for use by DPF as well as replacing old and inefficient lighting at various county locations,” said Brad Bentley, Chautauqua County Director of Public Facilities. “This grant came at a great time, as DPF needs to replace old fleet vehicles, so this also has a direct savings.”