Making Bethel a More Environmentally Sustainable Community
What is the Bethel Green Committee?
The Bethel Green Committee is a group of volunteers and Town Board members, appointed by the Town Supervisor, who investigate opportunities and provide suggestions to the Town Board aimed at conserving energy, moving to renewable energy sources, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and otherwise making Bethel a more environmentally sustainable community.
What are some of the Committee’s Accomplishments to Date?
How Can You Participate?
If you’d like to join the Committee, please reach out to Supervisor Sturm. We will post our progress, especially as we expand our work from government sustainability measures to community sustainability measures. And if you support our efforts, please let the Town Supervisor and Board know.The station is part of the Chargepoint network and can be accessed by anyone with the appropriate Chargepoint account. Charging is free for the first few months of operation.
The installation of the EV charging station will allow the Town to apply for designation as a New York State Clean Energy Community.
According to Supervisor Daniel Sturm,” The EV station is an important step forward for Bethel. We have established ourselves as a leader in the move to create a more energy efficient and climate friendly environment in Bethel and across Sullivan County. We also anticipate that it will lead to increased visitation to local businesses and thereby help to stimulate the local economy”
The Town of Bethel Green Committee is working on a number of important renewable energy projects, including: the development of a solar array on the capped Town of Bethel landfill, changing streetlights over to more cost-efficient LED technology, and purchase of an electric vehicle and the development of a Green Fleets policy for town vehicles.
In August 2017, Bethel Green Committee Co-Chairs Karen London and Jeff Allison, along with Stephen Stuart from the Sullivan County Office of Sustainability, traveled to Clarkstown, NY in Orange County to observe that town's 2.34 MW/ 8700 panel solar array on its capped landfill. Guiding the tour was Clarkstown Town Supervisor George Hoehmann. Also joining the group were representatives of the Environmental Protection Agency, Fernanda Cabanas and Vincent Pitruzello who arranged for the tour and previously worked on the no-cost EPA evaluation of Bethel's landfill for a similar solar array. Bethel's Green Committee is continuing its due diligence, exploring the exciting prospect of the Town of Bethel generating renewable energy on otherwise unusable town property.
Clean Energy Community Press Release - December 2017
Streetlight Conversion Press Release - January 2018
Sustainable Bethel Mission Statement
Sustainable Bethel Members
Climate Smart Pledge Resolution
Climate Smart Community Report
2013-2016 Benchmark Data Comparison
*May 2018 - Bethel Green Committee Name Changed to Sustainable Bethel