After securing a major vote of confidence last month, the Bedford 2020 coalition is working hard to detail its vision to reduce carbon emissions in the town 20 percent by the year 2020.

It's aggressive but doable, Mary Beth Kass, chair of the Bedford Energy Advisory Board, said at a recent meeting at the Cyrus Russell Community House in Cross River.

If everyone in the town converted to renewable sources such as solar or hydropower, we'd have our solution, said Mark Thielking, director of Energy Resources in Bedford. But, he admitted to an audience of about 40, such a solution isn't currently workable.

Starting small, there are a number of individual actions we can all take. Driving slower, installing energy efficient light bulbs, washing clothes in cold water, inserting power strips and unplugging unused appliances all have their place, but concerted efforts in that regard still leaves us far short of the goal.

On the other hand, conservation serves as the most renewable source of energy that we have and most of it is escaping unchecked from our homes and buildings.

The New York State Energy and Resource Development Agency is working to foster a connection between home/business owners and contractors who are qualified to do energy retrofits. Unfortunately, Kass said, "less than 1 percent of the population is participating."   

The estimated average cost in Westchester County per residential retrofit is $12,000, a significant outlay, but in four years, sealing your home of escaping air and adequately insulating will yield a complete return on investment. In annual terms, a yearly loan payment of an estimated $1,130 is offset by an average $1,575 in fuel cost savings.  

Still, getting credit can remain an obstacle to many home and business owners. In response, the town has received approval for a program that will streamline the complicated process of getting a loan and is now in the process of setting that up.

Homeowners will be able to payback the loan—a mid-range estimate for interest is about 7 percent—through their property taxes. As prerequisites, the debt to loan ratio on the structure must be positive, an applicant must have good standing on property taxes for the past three years and the estimate energy savings must be higher than annual assessment.    

Once satisfied, a state certified contractor must be used. All in all, Thielking said, banks want to get involved because they realize the soundness of the investment.

If the homeowner moves, the loan – and the energy savings – are passed onto the new owner. Furthermore, any energy efficient upgrades to a structure do not add to the appraised value – leaving property taxes set.  

Additionally, Bedford 2020 will act to connect home and building owners to contractors through the state program but it's also important that an engaged community frames their concerns in a context wider than just the temperature of the earth.

For instance, Thielking said, "Every year we (in Westchester County) fail on air quality standards." In turn, healthcare costs rise and as the quality of life declines, so does the economic viability of the town. With fuel costs always on the rise, he added, the same can be said if energy efficiency and forward-thinking policy and action aren't part of the plan.  

Residents can say up-to-date on the latest work of the coalition here.