SOURCE:
https://patch.com/new-york/smithtown/town-smithtown-named-one-top-solar-friendly-towns-li
By Michael DeSantis - January 22, 2020
The Town of Smithtown was named one of the top "Solar Friendly Towns on Long Island" by the Citizens Campaign for the Environment. (Town of Smithtown)
TOWN OF SMITHTOWN, NY — The Town of Smithtown has been named one of Long Island's most solar-friendly towns in the Citizens Campaign for the Environment 2019 L.I. Solar Report Card, the Town Supervisor's office announced. This annual report offers a comprehensive evaluation of 19 municipalities throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties, using data from the leading solar companies on Long Island.
"Smithtown has a proud reputation as a Clean Energy Community, with initiatives like our CNG fleet, Electric Vehicle Charging Station, as well as our alternative energy programs," Supervisor Ed Wehrheim said via press release. "But it is no small feat to be recognized by the Citizens Campaign for the Environment as one of Long Island's most Solar-Friendly Towns. We look forward to taking new strides in protecting and improving our environment as well as making alternative energy a simple process for the residents of Smithtown."
In the 2019 Report Card, Smithtown was ranked in the top-four towns, island-wide. The report grades for criteria such as adopting a Unified Solar Permit (USP), turn-around time and having solar panels installed on municipal buildings. To read the full report card, Visit: Citizenscampaign.org or CLICK HERE
Additional energy-efficient Smithtown projects include:
The installation of a 50 KW solar electric system on the roof of the Town Recycling Center on Old Northport Road in Kings Park.
The installation of a 10KW wind generator (also at the Town Recycling Center on Old Northport Road in Kings Park)
The upgrading of ALL Town street lights to LED lighting. The Town of Smithtown was one of the first communities in the nation to accomplish this, according to the Town.
The fielding of electric cars in place of gasoline-powered cars for certain Town functions (Federal studies indicate that electric cars are markedly more energy-efficient than gasoline-powered cars, and require less maintenance: no oil changes, no spark plugs to replace, and brakes that last much longer).
The installation of an electric vehicle charging station at Town Hall that is available and free to the general public for charging for two years.
Smithtown has one of first 100 percent CNG-fueled refuse collection fleets in the nation (CNG vehicles reduce the need for diesel fuel and emit far fewer air pollutants than diesel-powered trucks)
Named a Tree City USA for 26 years in a row by the National Arbor Day Foundation.