August 5, , 2026 Energy, Environment and Sustainability

The Ulster County Legislature's Energy, Environment and Sustainability Committee met on August 5, 2026, to discuss several procurement and policy matters related to energy and waste management. Key procurement-related discussions included a presentation on virtual power plants (VPPs) and their potential to reduce grid costs and emissions by aggregating distributed energy resources, with a request for the county to support state-level policy advocacy to enable VPP deployment. The committee also reviewed the Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency's budget, which proposed no increase in municipal solid waste or construction and demolition debris tipping fees but a $2 per ton increase for biosolids, and discussed challenges related to declining waste tonnage and funding for the Repower project. Additionally, the committee considered a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) agreement for a 1.98 MW solar energy system at 262 Libertyville Road, generating $29,250 over 15 years, and authorized a grant application to the Federal Transit Administration for $1.76 million to fund electric buses, solar panels, and EV charging equipment. Policy discussions included potential updates to the county's food waste law and the establishment of a guiding philosophy recognizing the inherent worth of nature. The committee also discussed air quality initiatives, including HEPA filter distribution to municipalities. Several motions passed unanimously, including the PILOT agreement and the grant application authorization.