HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB Packet 2025-10-06MEETING OF THE ITHACA TOWN BOARD
October 6, 2025, 5:30 p.m. at 215 N Tioga St.
YouTubeLive ZOOM
AGENDA
1. Call to order and pledge of allegiance
2. Persons to be heard
3. Public Hearing and consider adoption of a proposed local law creating a new Chapter 221
of the Town of Ithaca Code entitled “Large Scale Solar Energy Systems PILOT and Host
Community Agreements”
4. Consider amending TB 2024-140 – Cornell Botanic Garden Deer Management Program
to allow for archery equipment beginning Oct 1st
5. Discuss the 2026 Preliminary Budget for the Town of Ithaca
a. Consider any changes to the Preliminary Budget and setting a public hearing
6. Consider setting public hearings regarding: the proposed increase to Town of Ithaca
Water Rates and Sewer Rents, the 2026 Assessment Rolls for the Town of Ithaca’s
Special Benefit Districts and Special Benefit Areas
7. Consider award of the Inlet Valley Sewer Improvement Project Materials Contract
8. Consider Approval of the Contract Documents and Bid Specifications for the Inlet Valley
Improvement Project Construction Contract
9. Consider authorization to sign an Engineering Services Agreement for the Joint
Interceptor Study
10. Consider adoption of the revised Distributed Energy Response (DER) Plan
11. Consent Agenda
a. Approval of Town Board Minutes
b. Town of Ithaca Abstract
c. Bolton Point Abstract
d. Proclamation – October is Community Planning Month
12. Reports by Town Officials
13. Correspondence
Item 3
1
MEETING OF THE ITHACA TOWN BOARD
October 6, 2025
TB Resolution 2025- : Adoption of Local Law of 2025 creating Chapter 221 of the Town
of Ithaca Code, entitled “Solar Energy Systems (Large-Scale) Pilot and Host Community
Agreements”
Whereas, the Planning Committee, during meetings on March 20, 2025, April 17, 2025, May 29,
2025, and August 21, 2025, along with Town staff, researched and considered legislative options
for capturing revenue from large-scale renewable energy installations through payment-in-lieu-
of-taxes (PILOT) agreements and host community agreements, and
Whereas, the Town Board, at a meeting held on August 25, 2025, reviewed and discussed a
preliminary draft of the legislative language prepared by the Planning Committee, and
Whereas, at a meeting on September 8, 2025, the Town Board reviewed the local law and
scheduled a public hearing for October 6, 2025, at 5:30 pm to hear all interested parties on the
proposed local law entitled “A Local Law Creating a New Town of Ithaca Code Chapter 221
Entitled “Solar Energy Systems (Large-Scale) Pilot and Host Community Agreements”,” and
Whereas, said public hearing was duly published, posted and held on said date and time, and
Whereas, pursuant to the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (“SEQRA”) and
its implementing regulations at 6 NYCRR Part 617, adoption of said local law is a Type II
Action pursuant to 6 NYCRR Part 617.5 c (26) and (33), which requires no further
environmental review, and
Whereas, the Town Board finds it is in the best interest of the Town and its citizens to adopt the
local law, now, therefore, be it
Resolved, that the Town Board adopts said local law entitled “A Local Law Creating A New
Town of Ithaca Code Chapter 221 Entitled “Solar Energy Systems (Large-Scale) Pilot and Host
Community Agreements.”
Moved: Seconded:
Vote:
TOWN OF ITHACA
LOCAL LAW NO. ___ OF THE YEAR 2025
A LOCAL LAW CREATING A NEW TOWN OF ITHACA CODE CHAPTER 221
ENTITLED “SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS (LARGE-SCALE) PILOT AND HOST
COMMUNITY AGREEMENTS”
Be it enacted by the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca as follows:
Section 1. Chapter 221 of the Town of Ithaca Code is created with the following new Chapter
Solar Energy Systems (Large-Scale) PILOT and Host Community Agreements.
“CHAPTER 221 SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS (LARGE SCALE) PILOTS AND HOST
COMMUNITY AGREEMENTS”
ARTICLE 1
GENERAL PROVISIONS
§ XXX-1. Statutory authorization and purpose.
A. This chapter is intended to be consistent with and is enacted by the Town Board of the
Town Ithaca pursuant to its authority to adopt laws under the New York State
Constitution, the New York State Municipal Home Rule Law, the New York State Town
Law, and the New York Real Property Tax Law. It is intended and hereby declared to
address matters of local concern only and is intended to act in furtherance of the Town's
authority with respect to zoning and land use laws and its police and taxation powers,
related to large-scale solar energy facilities.
B. This chapter is adopted to ensure that the benefits of the community's solar energy
resource are available to the entire community, by promoting the installation of solar
energy generating equipment through a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT), thereby
granting reduced development or operating costs to system developers and clean and
reduced cost energy options to residents and consumers, while mitigating environmental
and other impacts from such projects and providing a revenue stream to the entire
community.
§ 221-2. Conflict with Other Laws.
Where this Local Law differs or conflicts with other laws, rules and regulations the more
restrictive applicable law, rule or regulation shall apply. This section shall be inapplicable
where County, State or Federal Law preempts the application of a more restrictive law, rule
or regulation, include the provisions contained in this Local Law.
ARTICLE 2
DEFINITIONS
§ 221-3. Word Usage and Definitions.
For the purposes of this Local Law, and where not inconsistent with the context of a
particular section, the terms, phrases, words, abbreviations and their derivations defined
below shall have the meaning given in this Article. When not inconsistent with the context,
words in the present tense include the future tense, words used in the plural number include
words in the singular number. The word “shall” is always mandatory and not merely
directory.
ANNUAL PAYMENT
The payment due under a PILOT agreement entered into pursuant to Real Property Tax Law
§ 487(9).
ANNUAL PAYMENT DATE
January 1 of each year.
CAPACITY
The manufacturer's nameplate capacity of the solar energy system as measured in kilowatts
(kW) or megawatts (MW) AC.
COMMERCIAL SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM
A solar energy system that primarily produces energy that is fed directly into the grid
primarily for off-site sale or consumption, or any solar energy system with a nameplate
generating capacity of 500 kilowatts or more. Commercial solar energy systems include
building-mounted, rooftop, and ground-mounted solar energy systems that meet or exceed
the above-stated nameplate generating capacity.
GROUND-MOUNTED SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM
A solar energy system that is anchored to the ground and attached to a pole or other
mounting system, detached from any other structure for the primary purpose of producing
electricity.
HOST COMMUNITY AGREEMENT
A contract between a Commercial Solar Energy System owner/developer and the Town,
whereby such owner/developer agrees to provide the community with certain benefits and
mitigate specified impacts of the solar project. A PILOT or any PILOT payments shall not be
considered or construed as part of, or as counting towards, any Host Community Agreement
needs, requirements, or payments.
NON-COMMERCIAL SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM
A solar energy system with a nameplate generating capacity of less than 500 kilowatts that is
incidental and subordinate to another use on the same parcel and which primarily produces
energy for on-site consumption. Non-commercial solar energy systems include building-
integrated, roof-mounted and ground-mounted solar energy systems that do not meet or
exceed the above-stated nameplate generating capacity.
OWNER
The owner of the property on which a solar energy system is located or installed, or their
lessee, licensee or other person authorized to install and operate a solar energy system on the
property.
PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM
A solar energy system that converts solar energy directly into electricity using photovoltaic
cells.
ROOF-MOUNTED SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM
A solar panel system located on the roof of any legally permitted building or structure for the
purpose of producing electricity for onsite or offsite consumption.
SOLAR ENERGY EQUIPMENT
Electrical energy storage devices, material, hardware, inverters, or other electrical equipment
and conduits of photovoltaic devices associated with the production of electrical energy.
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM
All components and subsystems required to convert solar energy into electric energy suitable
for use. This term includes, but is not limited to, solar panels and solar energy equipment.
The area of a solar energy system includes all the land and/or structures inside the perimeter
of the solar energy system, which extends to any interconnection equipment.
ARTICLE 3
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS (LARGE-SCALE) PILOT AGREEMENTS
§ 221-4. PILOT required.
A. In every instance where this local law applies, the applicant shall be required to propose a
payment in lieu of taxes ("PILOT") agreement. The developer shall also comply with the
notice requirements of NYS Real Property Tax Law § 487. The applicant will then
contact the Town's legal counsel to negotiate, or start the process to negotiate, the terms
of said PILOT agreement and any Host Community Agreements, as required under
Articles II and III of this local law, as well as any provisions of the Town Code, New
York State law or regulations, or the administrative requirements or orders of ORES or
the PSC, among other state agencies and departments.
B. Any proposed solar energy system subject to review by the New York State Board on
Electric Generation Siting and the Environment pursuant to Article 10 of the New York
State Public Service Law, or the Office of Renewable Energy Siting pursuant to § 94-c of
the New York State Executive Law, shall be subject to all substantive provisions of this
local law and any other applicable provisions of the Town Code of the Town of Ithaca, in
each case only to the extent not preempted by state or federal law.
C. The owner of a property on which a solar energy system is located or installed (including
any improvement, reconstruction, or replacement thereof), shall enter into a PILOT
agreement with the Town of Ithaca consistent with the terms of this chapter, except for
1. Non-Commercial Solar Energy Systems.
2. Solar energy systems that do not seek or qualify for an exemption from real property
taxes pursuant to Real Property Tax Law § 487(4).
D. The lessee or licensee of any owner of a property required to enter into a PILOT
agreement by this section, which owns or controls the solar energy system, may enter into
the PILOT agreement on behalf of the owner of the property.
E. Pursuant to Real Property Tax Law § 487(9)(b), the Town of Ithaca hereby expresses its
ongoing intent to require a contract for PILOT for such solar energy systems, and this
chapter shall be considered notification to owners or developers of such systems and no
further action is required on the part of the Town of Ithaca with respect to the notification
requirements by the Town of Ithaca as set forth in Real Property Tax Law § 487(9)(a).
F. Nothing in this chapter shall exempt any requirement for compliance with state and local
codes for the installation of any solar energy equipment or a solar energy system, or
authorize the installation of any solar energy equipment or a solar energy system. All
solar energy systems must file a real property tax exemption application pursuant to Real
Property Tax Law § 487 to receive a tax exemption.
G. Nothing in this chapter shall act to prohibit the Town of Ithaca from also requiring a Host
Community Agreement, in accordance with its authority otherwise granted by state and
local law.
H. The Town will require a PILOT at the amount of taxes that would be due if the property
was subject to full taxation.
I. A PILOT shall not count or be considered as payment towards, or as part of, the
obligations or payments due under any Host Community Agreement. Similarly, payments
due or made, and consideration delivered, under or in relation to any Host Community
Agreement shall not count towards fulfillment of PILOT requirements or payments.
§ 221-5. Contents of PILOT agreements.
Each PILOT agreement entered into shall include:
A. Name and contact information of the owner or other party authorized to act upon behalf
of the owner of the solar energy system.
B. The tax identification number for each parcel or portion of a parcel on which the solar
energy system will be located.
C. A requirement for not more than fifteen successive annual payments, of equal or
decreasing value, notwithstanding the provisions of Section XXX-5(D), to be paid
commencing on the first annual payment date after the effective date of the real property
tax exemption granted pursuant to Real Property Tax Law § 487.
D. The capacity of the solar energy system, and that if the capacity is increased or decreased
as a result of a system upgrade, replacement, partial removal or retirement of solar energy
equipment, the annual payments shall be increased or decreased on a pro rata basis for the
remaining years of the agreement.
E. That the parties agree that under the authority of Real Property Tax Law § 487 the solar
energy system shall be considered exempt from real property taxes for the fifteen-year
life of the PILOT agreement.
F. That the PILOT agreement may not be assigned without the prior written consent of the
Town of Ithaca, which consent may not be unreasonably withheld if the assignee has
agreed in writing to accept all obligations of the owner, except that the owner may, with
advance written notice to the Town of Ithaca but without prior consent, assign its
payment obligations under the PILOT agreement to an affiliate of the owner or to any
party who has provided or is providing financing to the owner for or related to the solar
energy system, and has agreed in writing to accept all payment obligations of the owner.
G. That a notice of this agreement may be recorded by the owner at its expense, and that the
Town of Ithaca shall cooperate in the execution of any notices or assignments with the
owner and its successors.
H. That the Town of Ithaca Town Board may establish by resolution the payment amount
and terms of PILOT agreements by developers of solar energy systems with the Town of
Ithaca or may delegate to the Tompkins County Industrial Development Agency the
authority to negotiate such agreements on behalf of the Town of Ithaca.
I. That if the annual payment is not paid when due, that upon failure to cure within 30 days,
the Town of Ithaca may cancel the PILOT agreement without notice to the owner, and the
solar energy system shall thereafter be subject to taxation at its full assessed value.
ARTICLE 4: HOST COMMUNITY AGREEMENTS
§ 221-1 Host Community Agreements
In addition to a PILOT agreement, the applicant shall propose to the Town, on projects
involving one megawatt and above, a host community agreement benefit package for
consideration by the Town Board as part of the approval process. Once the application
package materials are deemed complete and while the Planning Board/Zoning Board of
Appeals are completing their reviews, the project/application shall be referred to the Town
Board to decide on the completion and terms of a host community agreement. This
agreement shall be in addition to a PILOT agreement.
Section 2. In the event that any portion of this law is declared invalid by a court of
competent jurisdiction, the validity of the remaining portions shall not be affected by such
declaration of invalidity.
Section 3. This Local Law shall take effect immediately.
Item 4
MEETING OF THE ITHACA TOWN BOARD
October 6, 2025
TB Resolution 2025 - : Amend TB Resolution 2024-104 to allow archery equipment and
clarify when non-archery season starts – Cornell Botanic Gardens Deer Management
Program
Whereas the Town Board passed TB Resolution 2024-104 extending the prior Waiver for access
through the Culver Road Preserve by the Cornell Botanic Gardens Deer Management Program
(Program) participants, with a condition setting the terms of the waiver from November 1st
through April 30th of each year, and
Whereas archery season begins on October 1st of each year in this region, and the Program has
requested an amendment to the existing condition to allow archers to carry their equipment
beginning on October 1st of each year to manage the deer population, and
Whereas non-archery firearms are not allowed to be used by New York State regulations until the
3rd Saturday in November, as opposed to November 1 as the resolution currently reads,
now, therefore be it
Resolved that the Town Board amends TB Resolution 2024-104’s Condition 4 to read:
4. This variance is valid for three years, from October 1st through April 30th for archery
hunting implements and from the third Saturday in November through April 30th, for non-
archery, New York State approved firearms.
Moved: Seconded:
Vote:
MEETING OF THE ITHACA TOWN BOARD
December 9, 2024
TB Resolution 2024 - 140: Approval of a variance from the Town of Ithaca Code, Chapter
200 “Parks & Recreation Areas” to allow access through Culver Road Preserve for
participants of the Cornell Botanic Gardens Deer Management Program
Whereas, since 2018, Cornell Botanic Gardens (Gardens) requested and received a variance
from Town Code Sections 200-3.A and 200-5.E to allow the participants of the Gardens’
deer management program (Program) to travel through the Culver Road Preserve (Preserve)
outside the permitted period of ½ hour before sunrise through ½ hour after sunset with
unloaded firearms (including archery equipment, shotguns, rifles and muzzleloaders), to
access Cornell’s adjacent Coy Glen Natural Area, and to allow the use of motorized vehicles
to retrieve deer, and
Whereas, the Gardens is requesting an extension of the existing variance for another three
years, and
Whereas, there have been modifications and changes to the variance since its issuance, an
Whereas, the Preserve is being improved and therefore some terminology in the existing
variance is no longer accurate, and
Whereas, there have been no complaints or issues communicated to the Town to date
regarding this variance, its implementation, or its extensions, now therefore be it
Resolved, that the Town Board finds good cause to grant a new variance to the Gardens
from Town of Ithaca Code Section 200-3.A "General Regulations" and Sections 200.5- C &
E "Prohibited Activities" to allow the Garden’s Participants to travel through the Preserve
outside of the allowed period of ½ hour before sunrise through ½ hour after sunset with
unloaded firearms and any other legal deer hunting implements and to permit the use of
motorized vehicles in the Preserve to retrieve deer, with the following
Conditions:
1. Program participants must adhere to all DEC regulations related to hunting activities
contained in the permit issued to Cornell Botanic Gardens, and
2. This variance is limited to travel through the Preserve to access the Coy Glen Natural
Area, and
3. All firearms possessed by Program participants must be unloaded/armed while on the
Preserve, and
4. This variance is valid for three years, from November 1st through April 30th, with the
following
Findings:
The Town Board finds good cause to grant this variance, specifically:
1. That the benefit to the Town outweighs any detriments that could result from the
strict enforcement of Chapter 200 for the reasons stated in Cornell Botanic Gardens’
original application dated January 26, 2021, and
2. Cornell currently has an access easement across the Culver Road Preserve granted by
a previous property owner that does not restrict Cornell’s ability to drive vehicles,
possess loaded or unloaded firearms, or the hours of access through the Preserve, but,
that access easement is located in an area of steep topography and this broader
variance is safer for participants, and
3. This safer access and requirement that firearms must be unloaded benefits the Town
by reducing the possibility of accidents on the Preserve.
Moved: Pamela Bleiwas Seconded: Eric Levine
Vote: Ayes – Levine, Rosen, Howe, DePaolo, Bleiwas, Johnson and Gutenberger
Item 06
MEETING OF THE ITHACA TOWN BOARD
October 6, 2025
TB Resolution 2025 –_ : Set Public Hearings – Budget related actions
Resolved that the Town Board will hold public hearings at its meeting on October 27, 2025,
which begins at 5:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 215 N. Tioga St., and via the ZOOM video conference
program for the publics’ convenience, at which time anyone wishing to comment on the
following budget related actions shall be heard:
1. Proposed increase to the Town of Ithaca Water Rates
2. Proposed increase to the Town of Ithaca Sewer Rents
3. The 2026 Assessment Rolls for the Special Benefit Districts and Special Benefit Areas
4. The adoption of the 2026 Town of Ithaca Budget
Moved: Seconded:
Vote:
Item 07
MEETING OF THE ITHACA TOWN BOARD
October 6, 2025
TB Resolution 2025 - : Authorization to Award 2024 Inlet Valley Sewer Improvement
Project: Materials Contract
Whereas, on October 2, 2025, the Town of Ithaca Director of Engineering (Director) received bids
for the 2024 Inlet Valley Sewer Improvements Project: Materials Contract. and
Whereas, pursuant to the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (“SEQRA”) and its
implementing regulations at 6 NYCRR Part 617, approval, construction and implementation of the
Improvement and establishment of the Town of Ithaca 2024 Inlet Valley Sewer Improvement
Area, together with the related actions and approvals required by other boards and agencies is an
Unlisted action for which the Town of Ithaca Town Board, acting in an uncoordinated
environmental review with respect to the Project, made a negative determination of environmental
significance on October 7, 2024, and
Whereas, at its meeting on October 7, 2024, the Town Board adopted a Public Interest Order (TB
Resolution 2024-101) establishing the Improvement and the Town of Ithaca 2024 Inlet Valley
Sewer Improvement Area and authorizing a maximum amount of $1,278,685.00 to be expended
on this Improvement this was subject to permissive referendum in the manner provided in Town
Law Article 7 and Town Law Section 209-q, no referendum was requested, and
Whereas the Director reviewed the sole bid and qualifications received and has determined the bid
in the amount of $366,840.00 made by Koester Associates Inc, 3101 Seneca Turnpike Canastota,
NY 13032 is both responsive and responsible, and now, therefore be it
Resolved, that the Town Board authorizes the award of the contract for the 2024 Inlet Valley
Sewer Improvement Project: Materials Contract to Koester Associates Inc.; and be it further
Resolved, that the Town Supervisor is authorized to execute such contract subject to review of the
final contract documents by the Director and the Attorney for the Town.
Moved: Seconded:
Vote:
Item 08
MEETING OF THE ITHACA TOWN BOARD
October 6, 2025
TB Resolution 2025 - : Approval of Contract Documents and Bid Specifications for the
2024 Inlet Valley Sewer Improvement Area Improvement Project Construction Contract
Whereas New York Town Law Article 12-C, § 209-q(7) states that after a resolution authorizing
a sewer, drainage or water improvement becomes effective, contracts for the improvement may
be let in the manner provided by Town Law § 197, and
Whereas Town Law § 197 requires that the Town Board adopt definite plans, specifications,
estimates and the proposed contracts for sewer, drainage and water improvements, and
Whereas plans, specifications, estimates, and the proposed Construction Contract for the 2024
Inlet Valley Sewer Improvement Project are on file in the Town Clerk’s office and have been
available for review by the Town Board since October 1, 2025, now therefore be it
Resolved that the Town Board approves and adopts the plans dated September 02, 2025 last
revised September 18, 2025, and the specifications and proposed contract dated November 2025,
and authorizes the Town Clerk to advertise the request for bids for the project, and be it further
Resolved that the Director of Engineering is authorized to make minor changes to the plans,
specifications, and proposed contract.
Moved: Seconded:
Vote:
Item 09
MEETING OF THE ITHACA TOWN BOARD
October 6, 2025
TB Resolution 2025 - XXX: Approval and authorization for the Town Supervisor to sign a
contract with LDG Engineers and Architects, P.C. dba Larson Design Group for
Professional Services for the Sanitary Sewer Joint Interceptors Study Task 1
Whereas, on June 20, 2025, the Director of Engineering (Director) received responses to a
request for qualifications for the Sanitary Sewer Joint Interceptor Study (Project), and
Whereas, Larson Design Group (Larson) has been selected based on adequately outlined related
work experience, project objectives, and timelines that meet and/or exceed our expectations, and
Whereas, Larson provided a proposal for the scope of work to be performed, dated September
29, 2025, and
Whereas, the Director has reviewed the proposal and recommends the Town Board award Task 1
of the Project for the preliminary investigation scope as identified by Larson, now, therefore be it
Resolved, that the Town Board approves and authorizes the Supervisor to execute a contract for
Task 1 of the Project to LDG Engineers and Architects, P.C. dba Larson Design Group, with an
office at 1 West Market Street, Corning, NY 14830, for an amount not to Sixty-Eight Thousand
Four Hundred Dollars and Zero Cents ($68,400), subject to review by the Attorney for the Town.
Moved: Seconded:
Vote:
Item 10
MEETING OF THE ITHACA TOWN BOARD
October 6, 2025
TB Resolution 2025 –_ : Adoption of the Revised Town of Ithaca Local Distributed Energy
Resource (DER) Plan for Community Choice Aggregation
Whereas, among the foremost policies and models to increase access to affordable community-
wide energy transition in the state of New York is Community Choice Aggregation (CCA),
which allows local governments to determine the Supplier(s) of electricity on behalf of Eligible
Consumers, and provide a significant opportunity to diversify electricity supply based on larger
local DERs that may be incorporated into CCA supply, and
Whereas the Town first adopted the DER Plan on September 11, 2023, which details the roles
and responsibilities of the Administrator of Tompkins Green Energy Network (T-GEN) - the
local Community Choice Aggregation Program - the Town, and other municipal partners and the
legal documents and agreements that will be required to launch T-GEN, and
Whereas, the Town of Ithaca replaced Chapter 135 with a new Chapter 135 “Community Choice
Aggregation (Energy) Program and Distributed Energy Resource Program,” on June 9, 2025,
and
Whereas, Local Power and the Town of Ithaca reviewed and amended the DER Plan to align
with the new Chapter 135 of the Town Code, now, therefore, be it
Resolved that the Town of Ithaca adopts the Revised Town of Ithaca Local Distributed Energy
Resource (DER) Plan for Community Choice Aggregation.
Moved: Seconded:
Vote: ayes –
Adopt 2025-10-06 Pg. 1
TOWN OF ITHACA
LOCAL DISTRIBUTED ENERGY RESOURCE PLAN
Introduction
The Town of Ithaca approved a local law in 2022 establishing a Community Choice Aggregation
(CCA) program, which allowed for collective purchasing of electricity and natural gas supplies
and sought to achieve town-wide decarbonization through Distributed Energy Resources
(DERs), which are locally sited renewable energy and energy efficiency measures. The law also
provided for the participation of other Tompkins County municipalities in these programs
through a program known as Tompkins Green Energy Network ("T-GEN"). The local law was
codified as Chapter 135 in the Ithaca Town Code. On September 11, 2023, the Ithaca Town
Board approved its “Local Distributed Energy Resource Plan for Community Choice
Aggregation” (the “2023 Plan”).
In June of 2025, the Town deleted and replaced Town Code Chapter 135 to comply with New
York State Public Service Commission rules. The new Chapter 135 is titled “Community Choice
Aggregation (Energy) Program and Distributed Energy Resources Program.”
Because the 2023 Plan tracked the 2022 law that is no longer in effect, the Town Board will
rescind the 2023 Plan and adopt this Local Distributed Energy Resource Plan (“Local DER
Plan”) as the next “step” in the process for the formation of the Town’s CCA and DER
Programs. Chapter 135 sections that are reproduced in this document are italicized. Definitions
of terms appear at the end of this document.
The Local DER Plan reflects recognition of the limitations of town-wide decarbonization
through Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) that are referred to as “green” or “renewable”
centralized grid power and “net metering.” Instead, the Plan follows a localization and self-
consumption of energy strategy for DER design that seeks to provide (1) savings to DER Users,
and (2) a return on investment to DER owners, which result from the avoided cost of natural gas,
electric grid power and vehicle fuel purchasing, relative to the cost of DER installation,
operation, and administration.
The Local DER Plan recognizes that the Town’s climate goals depend upon the effective
engagement of energy consumers that live and work here. The Plan recognizes obstacles to
engagement and seeks collaboration between the Town and the City of Ithaca to simplify and
standardize participation to maximize the number of residents and businesses that are eligible
and have the opportunity to participate. To be inclusive, the Plan employs both individual
investment and cooperative investment. The Plan’s references to “Cooperatives,” “Shares” and
“investments” are descriptive; details about the precise legal forms are being explored.
The Local DER Plan will be augmented by Article I (Community Choice Aggregation) of Town
Code Chapter 135. Article 1 provides for a form of cooperation through aggregation of energy
demand and the collective purchasing of electricity and gas Supply through the passive
mechanism of opt-out enrollment. This has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
from electricity use. The Local DER Plan will result in a program that offers any Eligible
Adopt 2025-10-06 Pg. 2
Investor in the Town of Ithaca an entirely voluntary option to become a Share owner and/or User
of DERs. This is a deliberate facilitation to physically reduce the amount of grid power and
natural gas supplied to CCA customers or others who become DER Investors. Use of DER-
connected electric vehicles (EVs) will also physically reduce DER Investors' gasoline and diesel
use.
By uniting these services under the Local DER Plan, the Town enables an organized and
deliberate transition from conventional supplies to DERs for all "addressable" sources of carbon
in the Town of Ithaca: power, heat, transportation, and waste (Addressable Carbon).
The Town’s next steps following the adoption of the new Town Code Chapter 135 will be (1)
adoption of this Local DER Plan, (3) selection of a CCA Administrator and a DER
Administrator, (4) participation in communication and outreach for CCA and DER programs, (5)
selection of electricity and gas Supply following Request(s) for Proposals submitted by the CCA
Administrator, and (6) oversight of ongoing DER program activities. This Local DER Plan
focuses on the DER program.
Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) as Authorized by the Local Law
In 2025, the Town of Ithaca and City of Ithaca adopted similar Local Laws to create CCA and
DER programs, define their purposes, articulate their structures, and authorize activities of the
City, Town, CCA Administrator, and DER Administrator to implement the program. Article 2 of
Town Code Chapter 135 states:
§ 135-11. Legislative findings; intent and purpose; statutory authority.
A. The purpose of the Town of Ithaca's DER program is to administer the energy service in a
manner that expands access to solar and other local renewables and energy efficiency
technologies by offering optional enrollment of Eligible Investors in voluntary investments in
DER, with access to financial mechanisms, including the financial mechanism developed
under the City of Ithaca's Energy Efficiency Retrofitting and Thermal Load Electrification
program, approved by that City's Common Council.
B. This chapter establishes a Distributed Energy Resources program (DER program) that
gives Town of Ithaca electricity and gas users the option to choose from a mix of onsite and
neighborhood-sited renewable heating, power and transportation technologies to meet a
significant portion of their energy needs, and will investigate opportunities to divert
municipal sewage and solid waste exports as potential feedstock sources of hydrogen for use
by the DERs.
C. The Town of Ithaca is authorized to implement its DER program pursuant to §
10(1)(ii)(a)(11) and § 10(1)(ii)(a)(12) of the New York Municipal Home Rule Law.
§ 135-13.A. The Town of Ithaca hereby establishes a DER program that is governed by the
Town’s Local Distributed Energy Resource Plan, which Plan the Town Board may adopt and
amend from time to time by resolution.
§ 135-13.B. The Town of Ithaca may select a third party as DER Administrator.
Adopt 2025-10-06 Pg. 3
This Local DER Plan is a voluntary act of the Town of Ithaca to further define, support, and
promote the DER program and to encourage and facilitate DER ownership opportunities within
the Town. This Local DER Plan specifies how the Town will provide support and oversight for
the DER program to launch, and how continuing DER development will be maintained for the
duration of the DER program.
To accomplish these goals, the Local DER Plan provides for the use of a DER Administrator to
manage the DER activities on behalf of the Town. The Local DER Plan creates a process for
municipal support and oversight of DER activities by the DER Administrator. This Plan also
defines the method of compensation for a DER Administrator for DER implementation, the
specific figures for which will be determined by negotiation with the DER Administrator that is
selected to run the program.
The Local DER Plan specifies how it will be implemented by the DER Administrator. Among
other things, the DER Administrator will implement a town-wide DER voluntary investment
program.
This program will employ standard agreement templates that the DER Administrator will draft
for co-investment by different kinds of customers for different kinds of DERs. The DER
Administrator will submit proposed templates to a designated Town representative for a sign-off
before they are made executable by Eligible Investors. Proposed templates will be adapted to
customer and DER types to provide a voluntary investment opportunity for all Eligible Investors.
The core decarbonization mission as stated in Chapter 135, and implementable through the Local
DER Plan, is to decarbonize buildings through the development of onsite and nearby DERs
designed primarily for Self-Consumption through Interoperabilty of onsite and nearby power,
heat, transportation and waste systems, including appliance automation, demand dispatch,
nanogrids, microgrids, thermal loops and minidistricts, on and where desired and feasible within
properties, and between adjoining properties throughout the Town. It is the purpose of this
program to design and install DERs in a manner that significantly reduces DER Users’ demand
of greenhouse gas-producing heating and transportation fuels, by providing all or part of DER
Users’ energy needs with onsite DERs. It is also the intention of this Plan to install EV chargers
at or near DER sites on sidewalks, public properties, and municipal rights of way, as well as on
municipal properties and municipal meters, where desired and feasible. Where necessary, the
Town will obtain easements for EV charger installations. This program establishes a planning
process between the DER Administrator and Town of Ithaca to accomplish this mission.
This program is town-wide, extending eligibility for DER Share ownership to all Eligible
Investors, and encompassing power, heat, transportation, and waste. A robust and cooperative
relationship between the DER Administrator and the Town is a critical component to provide
residents and businesses with adequate support to participate in a successful community-wide
energy transition. Engagement must be actively supported and coordinated in a sustained manner
to provide public awareness of and trust in the DER program and effectively engage residents
and businesses over time.
Adopt 2025-10-06 Pg. 4
The DER Administrator will provide similar assistance to other municipalities that join the Town
and City of Ithaca, or with a group formed by Intermunicipal Agreement (IMA) if one is created.
Details on a potential IMA follow in subsequent sections.
§135-13.D. The Town of Ithaca's intermunicipal agreement with the City of Ithaca and other
municipalities in Tompkins County, and potentially municipalities in adjoining counties may
also support Eligible Investors' access to DERs, including potentially the City's Energy
Efficiency Retrofitting and Thermal Load Electrification Program resources, and shall
include a process for other municipalities in Tompkins County to offer their Eligible
Investors such resources to join the DER program.
Description of Town of Ithaca Local DER Plan
I. Approach
The Local DER Plan will offer Eligible Investors the ability to share Distributed Energy
Resources in order to localize investment and economic benefits for energy Users and DER
Investors in their neighborhood and Town. In coordination with the Town's CCA electricity and
gas Supply program under PSC oversight, the DER Administrator will administer a local DER
program under municipal oversight.
The program offers a broad range of technologies configured for maximum physical
decarbonization across all four sectors of “Addressable Carbon,” including electricity,
heating/cooling/hot water, transportation, and waste. This will provide Town residents and
businesses with more choices and more flexible ways to participate, in order to achieve the high
level of participation required to reach community-wide climate goals.
The program is focused on community and online engagement and robust use of municipal
communication platforms to provide ongoing education and outreach, in order to both inform
and simplify participation for all community members.
The DER program is focused on facilitating physical sharing by neighbors and collocation of
DERs, where desired and feasible, and co-investment, to achieve economies of scale that may
increase the affordability of DER technologies for more people, which can also increase
participation levels in the community.
The program is focused on DER systems designed for onsite Self-Consumption in order to make
a community-wide DER build out possible by 1) avoiding the imposition of costs on distribution
utility system customers, and 2) minimizing grid upgrade delays by utilities to achieve the
Town's more accelerated climate goal timeline. The avoidance of unnecessary costs and delays is
appropriate for the Town-wide approach to building decarbonization that the Town has adopted
to meet its greenhouse gas emissions reductions targets.
Finally, the program’s inclusiveness and flexibility will enable a multi-site acquisition approach
to DER development in order to achieve a desired scale of climate impact in a timely way.
Adopt 2025-10-06 Pg. 5
II. Decarbonize All Addressable Carbon through DER
Paths to decarbonizing electricity are blocked by the legacy energy system. The grid has reached
its limits as a business model and is itself a cause of carbon emissions as a result of losses during
energy transmission and the need for Spinning Reserves, not to mention the direct carbon
emissions associated with building high voltage transmission lines and clearcutting transmission
corridors. Much of a building’s energy requirements can be generated on-block, making strictly
centralized business models of renewables, like net metering, increasingly economically
obsolete. Renewable Energy Certificate trading regimes dilute carbon benefits, cause new
environmental justice issues, confuse consumers and undermine public trust in renewables as a
climate pathway. Energy from renewable technologies is already competitive with market power,
and much more stable in price. Sharing technologies like electric vehicles sharing and renewable
nanogrids, microgrids, thermal loops, micro-districts, and mini-districts are widely demonstrated
niche markets. An effective program for engaging and aggregating DER Investors to help them
design and solicit proposals from DER Vendors can reduce engineering costs to make energy
from DERs more competitive in price and potentially increase community participation levels.
The DER Administrator is charged with facilitating this physical transition of building
decarbonization as defined in chapter 135.
§135-13. DER program established.
E. The DER Administrator may evaluate local DER opportunities, facilitate DER
procurement, and advise Eligible Investors regarding bids for DER projects.
F. The DER Administrator may directly enroll Eligible Investors through an opt-in
procedure into the following DER investment options:
(1) To Opt-Up to purchase Shares in a neighborhood DER project; and
(2) To Opt-With neighbors in a Cooperative to own and operate on-site DERs.
The DER Administrator may also directly enroll Eligible Investors through an opt-in procedure
to purchase an individually-owned DER project. The DER Administrator will engage DER
Lenders and other prequalified financial partners designated by the Town to provide loans or
other financing for DERs, and track ongoing performance of each DER Investor's investment
including a list and analysis of DER costs, avoided energy costs, and net savings.
A. DER Program Eligibility
Any resident, business, institution, or government agency in the Town that is an Eligible Investor
and is a ratepayer for electricity, heating, transportation or waste services, is eligible to
participate in the DER program, provided that such participation shall depend upon the
availability of DER projects, and the availability of Shares that some DER projects may employ
to facilitate co-investment.
§ 135-13.K. All Eligible Investors shall be eligible to participate in DER Shares and
Cooperatives, provided that their ability to participate shall depend upon the availability of
DER projects and financing.
Adopt 2025-10-06 Pg. 6
B. Aggregating Local DER Demand
Third party DER Vendors are typically siloed by technology, dependent on utility tariffs, and are
often either not advanced enough in their technology applications (e.g., stand-alone solar PV), or
are prohibitively expensive for many consumers (e.g., solar PV plus a wall battery).
Disorganized customers generally lack information to choose or evaluate advanced local
renewable energy systems. Disintegrated energy choices in current markets separate decision-
making about electricity, heat, transportation, and waste into isolated acts. Disaggregated
customers lack market power to achieve project economies of scale and often cannot afford
additional engineering costs associated with more advanced, Interoperable DERs.
The DER program approach to these decarbonization challenges is to engage the community as
Eligible Investors and DER Users in replacing multiple fossil fuel uses with DERs onsite or in
the neighborhood. Renewable electricity sharing systems require cooperation in a building.
Power and heat sharing systems require aggregation and facilitation. Sharing in a neighborhood
requires an agreement between DER Users and interested neighbors. Changes in waste
management practices and public sector energy projects require ongoing coordination between a
municipality, local and regional agencies, and service providers. The DER Administrator will
prioritize the support of local agencies and services in order to facilitate coordination of DER
investment.
C. Serving “All Energy”
The DER program will decarbonize town-wide through diversified local DER investment to
decarbonize power, heating and vehicles through electrification bundled with onsite renewables
and efficiency measures. On a parallel track, the program will seek to help local waste managers
decarbonize waste management through waste separation and conversion practices. DER
measures by carbon source include:
● Onsite renewable electric plug loads
○ Energy efficiency measures
○ Appliance integration
○ EV integration
○ Onsite renewable microgrid
○ Onsite renewable nanogrid
● Onsite solar electric powered, geothermal, and solar heat
○ Heat pumps
○ Thermal loops, micro-districts, and minidistricts
● Switch to onsite EVs
○ Onsite renewable energy chargers for self-consumption, or “Vehicle to
Building” (V2B)
○ EV sharing and renting
Adopt 2025-10-06 Pg. 7
● Engagement of T-GEN member municipalities to reduce solid waste and sewer
waste dumping and incineration
○ Separation
○ Re-use (e.g., composting)
○ Conversion to hydrogen for DERs
○ Detoxification and/or sequestration of toxic residues
D. DER Design
DERs will be designed to avoid distribution system obstacles to town-wide decarbonization (e.g.,
upgrade costs). Self-consumption, rather than net metering and export of electricity, will
incorporate electrification to onsite renewable heat, and use of DER-connected electric vehicles.
A DER will significantly reduce but is unlikely to eliminate grid use, although it may entirely
eliminate a User’s natural gas consumption. The program will facilitate both individual DER
investment and sharing by neighbors, as well as collocation of shared heat, power, and EV
facilities, by designing DER technology to fit Users’ onsite and nearby energy needs. Facilitating
neighbor sharing and the Interoperability of DER components will facilitate self-consumption.
DER systems will be designed primarily under a non-exporting electricity specification, and
where feasible, will incorporate an “islanding" capability for onsite resilience and/or grid
autonomy.
DER sharing platforms will consist of combined stakeholder nanogrids, microgrids and/or
thermal loops using multi-stakeholder cooperative agreements to enable joint co-investment,
ownership and use of DERs. Sharing will employ a multi-benefit microgrid ledger in which
ownership is split between Cooperative Members, with DER energy savings and dividends
resulting from DER use divided contractually between them. Owners, partners, and stakeholders
may include citizens, businesses, technology services providers, institutions, and government
entities. DER systems, whether shared or individual, will range from installations in single- and
two- family homes or small to medium sized businesses, to larger DERs on multi-residential
buildings, mixed use buildings, large commercial and institutional buildings, and/or government
facilities.
III. Individual Voluntary Investment
Individual consumers may also voluntarily invest singularly in DER products that provide onsite
renewables packaged with Interoperable electrified heating and/or transportation.
Renewable energy technologies adapted to DER site conditions and User group energy needs
will be combined with electrification and efficiency measures to maximize savings from demand
reduction and onsite DER Self-Consumption.
All DERs, including DER designed for individual voluntary investment participants, will be
primarily designed for Self-Consumption.
Adopt 2025-10-06 Pg. 8
The use of an electric vehicle and a switch in heating systems, as well as implementation of
energy efficiency measures, will be bundled together in packages to deliver self-consumption to
the DER User.
Depending on an individual investor type and size, a DER package may include a nanogrid,
microgrid, thermal loop, microdistrict, or mini-district.
For purposes of this document, individual DER investment will also be facilitated for Eligible
Investors wishing to finance and own a DER project, meaning they are the sole DER User and
100% Share owner, exercising site control at a location where DERs are installed.
IV. DER Cooperation and Sharing: Users, Sharers, Site Owners
While the Town of Ithaca has less urban density than the City of Ithaca, cooperation between
neighbors will be possible both between adjacent properties and between neighbors. Cooperation
between fewer parties will involve simpler formation procedures and approvals.
DER Cooperatives will facilitate universal access to DERs by enabling greater stakeholder
diversity, and enhancing community education, inclusion and sharing for the program.
Cooperative Agreements will be entered into through mutual negotiation between Members, in
compliance with the required legal instruments, and will be signed by authorized representatives
of the parties. There are three different types of Members in a Cooperative, defined by using the
DER, owning Shares in the DER, and owning the host location where DERs are installed:
● Share owners who are Users of the DERs
● Share owners who are not Users of the DERs
● Site Owner(s) who may be Sharers and/or Users of the DERs
The approach will be flexible and sensitive to site control options. Site Owners may own, use,
and share DER at their discretion. A Share owner may or may not be a DER User, but only Share
owners may be DER Users. Sharers who, for example, do not own or hold a long-term lease for
their dwelling/enterprise, or own or lease a building ill-suited to DERs, may purchase Shares
without being Users, may be partial Users (such as sharing an electric vehicle or thermal loop) or
may in the future become Users if conditions permit. The DER Administrator will work with
Sharer/Users and Site Owner(s) to determine how many Share/Non-User applicants are
allowable for individual DER projects. Sharers/Users and Site Owners may also organize their
own Sharer group and work with the DER Administrator as such.
Sharer/Users will be off-takers of energy from a DER system and will enter mutually into an
agreement to determine compensation terms between Sharers, User/Sharers and Site Owners.
EVs included as components of DERs may be used by DER Investors whether or not such DER
Investors inhabit a building hosting the DERs.
Thermal loops and mini-districts included in components of DERs may be used by DER
Investors whether or not such Investors inhabit a building hosting electricity-generating DERs.
Adopt 2025-10-06 Pg. 9
Every Share, whether owned by a User, Sharer, or Site Owner, will have equal value and receive
equal treatment. Apart from DER loan repayment, savings from avoided electricity consumption,
natural gas consumption and vehicle fuel consumption will be divided between the Shares. The
DER Administrator will prepare and submit standard Cooperative Agreement template(s) for
review and sign-off by designated Town staff, for use by DER Cooperative groups to define the
terms between Users, Sharers, and Site Owners of a DER project.
The process of creating Cooperative Agreements will be as follows:
● Cooperative Agreement standard template sign-off by a representative of the municipality
● Cooperative Agreement signed by Sharer/Users and Site Owners
● Sharers who are not Users then enrolled
● DER Loan or other financing application to a prequalified lender or designated Town
finance partner is processed
Under the Shares approach, prospective Sharer/Users will form a Cooperative, with agreement of
the Site Owner(s), which will mutually establish the terms of DERs usage. Sharers must agree to
the terms of the Cooperative Agreement, join as Members of the Co-op as Sharers, and purchase
Shares that are defined within the terms and limitations of the Co-op’s adopted Cooperative
Agreement. Loans or financing will be executed either individually or as a group, as desired and
feasible.
The DER Administrator manages procurement on behalf of residents, businesses and institutions
that sign up to voluntarily invest in local and onsite DERs.
A Cooperative group will contract with prequalified DER Vendor(s) and DER Lender(s)
solicited by the DER Administrator, who will employ an RFI/RFP or RFQ and “Job Order”
procurement approach.
V. Roles of the DER Administrator
The DER Administrator will manage DER supplier procurement as described in Article 2 of
Town Code Chapter 135 and will prioritize inclusivity in the energy transition.
The DER Administrator will be responsible for regulatory compliance with state agencies for
DER activities, DER procurement, solicitations, management, analysis, DER Vendor and Lender
prequalification, Cooperative Agreements, contracts, and DER Investor support.
The DER Administrator will be responsible for managing DER site acquisition and will provide
a supporting role in DER site planning and permitting activities for multi-site acquisition of Site
Owners and building occupants (DER off-takers).
The DER Administrator will be responsible for representing the program to the Town’s staff and
Town Board, managing communication processes and participating in any public hearings, and
providing support to Town staff for coordinating municipal agency cooperation and partnership
Adopt 2025-10-06 Pg. 10
activities, including Tompkins County agency, state agency and university cooperation and
partnerships, and applications for state, federal and non-profit funding.
The DER Administrator will manage data, data collection, analysis and reporting with the Town,
Eligible Investors, DER Investors, Suppliers, DER Vendors, DER Lenders and Town-designated
finance partners, including the following:
● Data analysis including Geographic Information System (GIS) content, Profits and
Losses Modeling, customer-specific confidential data collection, management, and use
for DER facility siting, design, tracking and reporting to customers
● Data sharing with DER Vendors and Lenders for billing, updating DER Investor web
portals and reporting purposes
○ DER project performance reporting to DER Investors
○ Summary of DER projects and program performance to the municipality,
analyzing performance and recommending program improvements, needed
changes and new procedures to improve program performance for municipal sign-
off or Town Board action
○ Contractor performance evaluation, database of warranties and agreements
● Direct communication to diverse Eligible Investor and DER Investor groups
The DER Administrator will utilize, among others and as needed, the following steps for DER
development:
● Data, survey, site analysis
● User enrollment
● Site acquisition
● Planning
● Cooperative Agreement or individual customer commitment to consider DER Vendor
proposal(s)
● RFP/solicitation bid acceptance
● Permits
● Shares enrollment by neighbors
● Finance/loan
● Finalize contract with DER Vendor(s)
● Track DER installation
● DER data tracking/reporting
A. DER Administrator Enrollment of Participants in DER Voluntary Investment
The DER Administrator will manage enrollment of Eligible Investors as DER Investors and
administer dedicated billing and reporting for Sharers, Users and Site Owners of a DER.
All Consumers of electricity and/or natural gas within the geographic boundaries of the Town of
Ithaca shall be eligible for DER Voluntary Investment as described in Chapter 135:
§135-12 Definitions.
Adopt 2025-10-06 Pg. 11
ELIGIBLE INVESTORS (INVESTORS) — Consumers of electricity and/or natural gas who
receive Default Service from the Distribution Utility, at one or more locations within the
geographic boundaries of the Town of Ithaca.
§135-13. DER program established.
C. The DER Administrator may establish a system of Energy Loan Accounts to engage
Eligible Investors, prequalify lenders, and track the performance of DER investments by
Eligible Investors who elect to voluntarily invest in DERs.
E. The DER Administrator may evaluate local DER opportunities, facilitate DER
procurement, and advise Eligible Investors regarding bids for DER projects.
K. All Eligible Investors electing to participate in a DER Investment shall be enrolled on an
affirmative voluntary, opt-in basis, whether through a decision to Opt-Up to own DERs as an
individual or to Opt-With to own DERs through Membership in a Cooperative.
The DER Administrator may provide a DER Sharer and User ledger for use by the Members of
each Cooperative, and may collect and report pertinent data to such Members for use by the
ledger according to the terms of its Cooperative Agreement. The provision of energy usage data,
DER data, and lender data to Users, Sharers and Site Owners may be administered by the DER
Administrator.
§135-13.G. The DER Administrator may create a system of Cooperative ownership to
facilitate transactions and settlements by Share owners of a DER project to compensate each
other for ownership and use of such DER Equity, and may facilitate funding, including
through the City of Ithaca's Energy Efficiency Retrofitting and Thermal Load Electrification
Program or other sources.
The DER Administrator will separately prequalify and engage DER Lenders to provide loans to
Eligible Investors. The DER Administrator will also prequalify Town-designated finance
partners to offer DER financing products to Eligible Investors and/or Cooperatives, such as the
City of Ithaca's Energy Efficiency Retrofitting and Thermal Load Electrification Program or
other sources.
The DER Administrator may choose to engage with one or more Program Organizers to educate
and engage both Customers in the Town of Ithaca and the municipal governments in and around
Tompkins County to join or participate in the DER program.
§135-13.H. The DER Administrator may designate one or more Program Organizers to
assist in the education and engagement of Eligible Consumers, Eligible Investors and
municipalities in Tompkins County to participate in the DER program.
The DER Administrator will provide a dedicated bookkeeping platform for DER Investors.
The DER Administrator will organize DER Investor Cooperatives through “Opt-With”
enrollment. Opt-With customers will voluntarily invest in a local DER project through a
Adopt 2025-10-06 Pg. 12
Cooperative. For Customers unable to be Users but wishing to invest in Shares, the DER
Administrator will enroll Sharers as an “Opt-Up” enrollment, based on the availability of Shares
in local DER projects. Opt-Up and Opt-With customers will enter into a Cooperative agreement
to allocate payments and dividends amongst Members, and to secure an Energy Loan or other
financing, as desired and feasible, in order to voluntarily invest in a local DER project
The DER Administrator will assist participants relative to Cooperative, Vendor and Lender
engagement processes.
B. DER Data Management
The DER Administrator will coordinate data collection with Suppliers, the Town and NYSEG.
The DER Administrator will make all collected data available to the Town at its request.
§ 135-15. DER data protection requirements.
A. Town of Ithaca departments and other CCA program member municipalities involved
in supporting the CCA program and DER Shares service and DER Cooperative service
will share energy data and other data with their respective CCA and DER Administrators
to tailor DER products to Eligible Consumers and Eligible Investors, and to facilitate
Investor engagement, program administration, operations, billing and collection,
provided that any use of an Eligible Consumer's Customer-Specific Data will be
conditioned upon receipt of affirmative permission from each customer who elects to
receive DER investment offers and/or become a DER Investor.
B. Customer-Specific Data shall be protected in a manner compliant with, collectively:
(1) All national, state and local laws, regulations or other government standards
relating to the protection of information that identifies or can be used to identify an
individual with respect to the CCA Administrator's, DER Administrator’s and
Town of Ithaca’s processing of confidential utility information;
(2) The utility's internal requirements and procedures relating to the protection of
information that identifies or can be used to identify an individual with respect to
the Town of Ithaca or its representative's processing of confidential utility
information; and
(3) The PSC CCA Orders and PSC rules, regulations and guidelines relating to
confidential data.
C. DER Administrator Customer Service
The DER Administrator will establish and manage a customer call center and a customer-
specific online account system. Customer service will include direct mail and be referenced in
Town of Ithaca DER Outreach and Education activities.
§ 135-14. DER Investors shall be provided Investor account support by the DER
Administrator, including a toll-free telephone number available during normal business
hours (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday) to resolve concerns,
answer questions, and transact business with respect to the service received from the
DER provider, as well as a secure Investor-specific online account, scheduled direct
Adopt 2025-10-06 Pg. 13
mail, and messages inserted into Town of Ithaca scheduled direct mail and public
notices.
The DER Administrator’s DER Outreach and Education activities - via municipal
communications, web communications and direct mail - will include the following:
● Prospective Cooperatives engaged by group based on building occupancy and Site Owner
authorization
● Shares participants engaged individually based on sign-up and enrollment authorization
● Monthly educational messages about program using municipal channels
● Cooperative group facilitation and data sharing between participants
● Performing requested data analysis for any customer
● Enterprise web site management with customer specific accounts
● Free media, direct mail, monthly live public webinars
● Recorded webinar series
D. DER Administrator Engagement Activities
The DER Administrator’s Voluntary Investor engagement activities will include the following:
● Assist in public community meetings
● Create and manage DER RFPs/solicitations with DER Vendors
● Engage Town Board/Common Council/ Intermunicipal Agreement participants and an
advisory group(s) in developing community DERs on municipal properties, equipment,
and fleets
● Solicit Site Owners
● Solicit DER Users
● Solicit DER Shares
● Engage social service agencies and community organizations, as appropriate, to solicit
Assistance Program Participant (APP) and Low to Moderate Income (LMI) shares
investors to participate
● Engage neighbors to sign Cooperative Agreements including occupants and owners,
residential, commercial and institutions
● Engage individuals to participate in local DER voluntary investment
● Engage (non-APP) Low- to Moderate Income residents
● Engage large commercial customers in DER voluntary investment
● Provide the municipality, on a monthly basis, all materials and messaging for its
municipal public distribution, web site, notices, and communications platforms
The DER Administrator’s primary customer engagement method will be as follows:
● DER Investors who are Users - web, mail, email
● DER Investors who are Sharers - web, phone, email
● DER Site Owners - phone, mail, email
Adopt 2025-10-06 Pg. 14
The DER Administrator will maintain a website and online customer relationship management,
and/or customer engagement system to augment customer service.
The DER Administrator’s Eligible Investor and DER Investor engagement, including Outreach
and Education, Site Owner consent and contracts, will be as follows:
● Site acquisition, lease writing, support for planning, permitting
● Co-op education, outreach, engagement, and implementation
● Cooperative Agreement writing including Shares, Users and Site Owners
● Shares customer education, outreach, engagement, and enrollment
● Shares term sheet based on Cooperative Agreement
The DER Administrator’s Sharer engagement, including waitlisting, enrollment, and Sharer
Agreement, will be as follows:
● CCA-related Opt-out notification information and links to DER web page and Customer
Service number
● Customer-specific web account
● Explanation of Cooperative, Sharing and individual investment terms
● Web and phone support for contract signing
The DER Administrator’s Individual DER Voluntary Investment engagement will provide DER
procurement for Eligible Investors who wish to own and use DERs individually.
The DER Administrator will facilitate communication in collaboration with the Town to engage
with Eligible Investors. Approved communications will reflect recognition of the program as
community-driven and as facilitating community-wide decarbonization, in which residents,
businesses and institutions are eligible to own and and/or use neighborhood-sited DERs. A
municipally-designated representative of the Town may review and sign-off on these messages
ahead of release.
E. DER Administrator Engagement of DER Vendors and Lenders
The DER Administrator’s engagement of DER Vendors, Lenders, and Site Owners may include
the following activities:
● Define Vendor program
● Prequalify DER Vendors
● Issue RFPs
● Negotiate contracts
● Confirm Data Sharing Agreement
● Define Lender program
● Solicit bank participation
● Prequalify DER Lenders
● Secure DER leases
● Solicit additional (off-site non-user) owner participation in DER voluntary investment
Adopt 2025-10-06 Pg. 15
● Negotiate building owner provisions in Cooperative Agreement
F. DER Administrator DER Reporting
The DER Administrator will separately provide annual Local DER reports to an individual
customer and the Town.
§ 135-17. An annual report shall be prepared by the DER Administrator, which report
shall be filed with the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca by March 31 of each year and
cover the previous calendar year. DER annual reports shall include, at a minimum,
number of Eligible Investors served, number of complaints received, carbon reductions
resulting, and administrative costs collected. Information shall be broken down by
municipality, where applicable.”
G. DER Administrator Compensation
The funding source of the DER Administrator’s compensation for work performed on behalf of
the DER Voluntary Investment program is described in the Local Law as follows:
§ 135-16. The DER Administrator may collect, or cause to be collected, funds from DER
Investor payments, DER developers or DER lenders, to pay for administrative costs
associated with running the DER program.
The contract with a DER Administrator will involve a five-year term with an option by the Town
to renew. The DER Administrator will charge a DER procurement fee that is a fixed percentage
of project value, to be negotiated between the Town and DER Administrator in a DER
Administrator Agreement, which will be paid to the DER Administrator irrespective of which
DER Vendor, DER Lender or Town-designated finance partner is selected. Compensation shall
be paid either upon commissioning of DER as an upfront payment by the DER Vendor, Lender
or other Town-designated financial partner, or otherwise on an ongoing basis as a percentage of
monthly loan repayment for the full maturity, as is required by the Town and accepted by the
DER Administrator. Customers who self-finance DERs and do not require an energy loan likely
will pay the DER procurement fee as part of the installed system cost up-front or in installments.
VI. Roles of the Municipality
A. Engagement with DER Administrator and T-GEN Municipalities
The DER Administrator will report to an advisory group designated by the Town, as well as
individually to a designated Town representative. The DER Administrator will continue to have
regularly scheduled Zoom meetings every two weeks with the advisory group and once a week
with the designated Town representative. A CCA Advisory Group was established by the City of
Ithaca’s Local CCA Law to develop and review CCA related proposals, to act as the City of
Ithaca’s agent in approving proposals, and where appropriate to forward information regarding
such approvals to the Common Council for ratification. If the City expands the scope of topics
covered by the advisory group to also cover DER programs, the Town of Ithaca will authorize
Adopt 2025-10-06 Pg. 16
participation in this advisory group, and the Town Board will consider the advisory group’s
information and any requests for ratification. Advisory group membership should include Town
Staff and Ithaca Town Board members. The advisory group will host the meetings on the City’s
and/or Town’s Zoom account or in person, as its members deem appropriate.
An Intermunicipal Agreement for the City and Town of Ithaca will be signed to coordinate and
cooperate around their DER programs. The Intermunicipal Agreement will be developed
following the approval of this Local DER Implementation Plan and selection of a DER
Administrator.
The DER Administrator will engage interested municipalities within or near Tompkins County to
join the City and Town of Ithaca by seeking to join T-GEN.
B. Governance, Outreach, Education
1. Two-Year Governance Schedule
A Two-Year Governance Schedule includes continuing biweekly meetings of the CCA (and
DER) Advisory Group, Committee meetings or Town Board Meetings by request of the
Advisory Group or designated entity, and if created, monthly meetings of an intermunicipal
group.
2. Public Outreach and Education Schedule (coordinated with City of Ithaca
Schedule)
“The Tompkins Green Energy Network” or “T-GEN” is the name of the program, including the
City of Ithaca CCA Advisory Group. The Public Meetings and Tabling Schedule for the Town of
Ithaca from _____, 2025 to ___, 2025, is as follows:
MTG O&E DETAILED TIMELINE
# O&E ITEM
PHASE I O&E (INITIAL - MIN. 60 DAYS, up to 90) Months One and Two
*All Meetings & Sessions live broadcasted & recorded by municipality & posted on LP
& Municipal Websites
*All 10 Day Notices on LP website, Municipal CCA and DER web pages, Municipal
printed/posted notices, ROBOCALL
1: 10 Day Notice of In-Person Hybrid Public Meeting 1
Physical Supplemental - Municipal tax or water bill insert
Electronic Supplemental - TV or radio interviews (suggestions?)
Physical Supplemental - Poster/Municipal Flyer
Physical Supplemental - Newspaper print ad
Public Meeting 1 City (in person)
Adopt 2025-10-06 Pg. 17
Public Meeting 1 Town (in person)
DER City
DER Town
2: 10 Day Notice Zoom Information Session 1
Electronic Supplemental - Municipal email
Physical Supplemental - Newspaper print ad
Information Session 1 City (Zoom)
Information Session 1 Town (Zoom)
DER City
DER Town
3: 10 Day Notice Zoom Information Session 2
Electronic Supplemental - Municipal social media
Physical Supplemental - Poster/Municipal flyers
Information Session 2 City (Zoom)
Information Session 2 Town (Zoom)
DER City
DER Town
4: 10 Day Notice in-Person Hybrid Public Meeting 2
Electronic Supplemental - Municipal digital newsletter
Physical Supplemental - Municipal postcards?
Public Meeting 2 City (in person)
Public Meeting 2 Town (in person)
DER City
DER Town
Month Three
PHASE II O&E (POST AWARD - MIN. 30 DAYS) Month Four
5: 10 Day Notice of In-Person Hybrid Public Meeting 3
Physical Supplemental - Municipal tax or water bill insert
Electronic Supplemental - TV or radio interviews (suggestions?)
Physical Supplemental - Poster/Municipal flyers
Physical Supplemental - Newspaper print advertisement
Public Meeting 3 City (in person)
Adopt 2025-10-06 Pg. 18
Public Meeting 3 Town (in person)
DER City
DER Town
6: 10 Day Notice Zoom Information Session 3
Electronic Supplemental - Municipal email
Physical Supplemental - Posters/Municipal Flyers
Information Session 3 City (Zoom)
Information Session 3 Town (Zoom)
DER City
DER Town
7: 10 Day Notice Zoom Information Session 4
Electronic Supplemental - Municipal social media
Physical Supplemental - Newspaper print advertisement
Information Session 4 City (Zoom)
Information Session 4 Town (Zoom)
DER City
DER Town
8: 10 Day Notice in-Person Hybrid Public Meeting 4
Electronic Supplemental - Municipal digital newsletter
Physical Supplemental - Municipal postcards?
Public Meeting 4 City (in person)
Public Meeting 4 Town (in person)
DER City
DER Town
Month Five
PHASE III O&E (OPT-OUT - MIN. 30 DAYS) Month Six
9: 10 Day Notice Public Meeting 5 (add notice in Opt-Out Notification Letter)
Physical Supplemental - Municipal tax or water bill insert
Electronic Supplemental - Municipal digital newsletter
Physical Supplemental - Newspaper print advertisement
Electronic Supplemental - TV or radio interviews (suggestions?)
Physical Supplemental - Municipal postcards
Adopt 2025-10-06 Pg. 19
Public Meeting 5 City (in person)
Public Meeting 5 Town (in person)
DER City
DER Town
10: 10 Day Notice Information Session 5 (Zoom)
Physical Supplemental - Tabling with flyers
Electronic Supplemental - Municipal social media
Electronic Supplemental - Municipal email
Information Session 5 City (Zoom)
Information Session 5 Town (Zoom)
DER City
DER Town
*This schedule is a working draft, dates and meetings are subject to change.
Town representatives will participate in DER Outreach and Education meetings as follows:
● City and Town meetings may be on the same day at separate times and locations
● Some are physical meetings with webinars, some just webinars
● All meetings are open to the public, with a focus on different kinds of local
energy users and local market participants
● A Town representative will sit on a panel at each meeting in its jurisdiction
● The DER Administrator will facilitate the meetings, in person or remote
● After launch, a shift to web-, direct mail-, email- and phone-based engagement
3. Why Municipal Governance of Local DER Plan is Important
While the Town is not required to submit a DER implementation plan to the PSC, successful
implementation will require municipal involvement, particularly the use of municipal
communications channels to conduct outreach, education and marketing of the DER
Administrator’s DER program to local residents and businesses. The DER Administrator will
engage the Town, Cooperatives, and individuals/businesses/institutions in an ongoing energy
transition planning process to navigate the several elements of a town-wide energy transition,
year to year, until the Town’s climate goals are met.
A successful energy transition will involve many ongoing activities and be iterative in nature,
with evolution and learning based on experience to be more climate impactful and increase
participation levels. DERs use public space, like EV charging sites. Town departments may
choose to own and share DERs based upon ongoing collaboration with the DER Administrator.
Coordination of these activities will involve important local procurement, permitting, planning
coordination and cooperation.
Adopt 2025-10-06 Pg. 20
4. Municipal Roles in Local DER Program
Roles by the municipality in the Local DER program include the following.
● Town Board/Common Council: ongoing oversight, staff reports, agenda items,
action items
● Advisory Group: focused on Town development of DERs across T-GEN member
jurisdictions and will approve DER Cooperative and Shares agreement templates
● Scheduled meeting management
● Sign-off DER Administrator’s proposed DER Voluntary Investment agreement
templates
○ DER Cooperative Agreement
○ Other agreements with Users, Sharers and Building Site Owners that are
requested by the DER Administrator on an ongoing as-needed basis, as
different kinds of customers and projects present new approaches that
require the signature of a designated Town representative
● Process for DER Administrator to share data and explore development of DER
proposals to municipality on Municipal Buildings and Fleets
● Reports to Town Board/Common Council
● Intermunicipal Agreement (if formed) will add a layer of meetings
5. The DER Governance Process
The DER voluntary investment process will be solely focused on DER development as defined,
across “addressable carbon” sectors: power, heat, vehicles, waste. Periodic public hearings will
be held. The DER Administrator will attend meetings, in person or by internet, of the Advisory
Group / Intermunicipal Agreement group to focus on increasing DER adoption, cooperation and
oversight. Ongoing web public meetings with evolving educational content will be provided by
the DER Administrator based on local experiences and project development, to maintain current
and engagement-oriented content. The DER Administrator will be provided with a Town
representative to request sign-offs as required by this Local Plan. The Advisory Board may vote
to recommend actions to member municipalities. Municipally-initiated changes or DER
Administrator-requested changes by a representative of the municipality will be overseen by the
Advisory Group, Intermunicipal Agreement (if and when created), or where deemed appropriate,
Town Board.
C. Municipal Staff Roles
The Town of Ithaca Sustainability Planner (or successor position) will facilitate communication
and coordination processes for internal communications and decision making. When questions or
potential changes arise within municipal departments, the DER Administrator and lead staff will
communicate to resolve questions in a timely manner.
D. Municipal Properties
Adopt 2025-10-06 Pg. 21
§135-13 DER program established.
I. The Town of Ithaca may designate all Town-owned properties and rights-of-way
available, where allowed by law, for accommodation and connection of DERs, including
microgrids, electric vehicle chargers, and geothermal microdistricts, and authorizes the
Department of Public Works to develop protocols for DER access.
J. The Town of Ithaca may make up to 49% of Equity in any municipally sited DERs
available for voluntary Share investments by Eligible Investors.
E. Municipal Communication Roles
The Town of Ithaca will provide communications support to the DER Administrator for DER
program outreach, education, and promotion to the public.
● Municipal Insert Process
○ DER Administrator will provide a municipal representative with updated short
announcements to distribute interdepartmentally for distribution and/or verbal
announcements at public meetings
○ Municipality will place announcements, where appropriate and as space
allows, in its public meeting agendas on a continuing basis for the duration of
the DER program, to announce DER program updates and explain people’s
eligibility to participate in a local DER project, announce upcoming meetings,
and provide contacts
○ Municipality will insert a DER Administrator message on the front page of its
web site for the duration of the program, linked to a dedicated municipality
web page that features links to DER Administrator’s designated DER and
associated CCA outreach and education web page
● Scheduled Municipal Mail Inserts
○ Where feasible and appropriate, the municipality will insert announcements
into any regularly scheduled mail to local residents and businesses.
○ Announcements will include information about the DER Administrator's
name and location, the DER roles designated by the municipality, and where
technically feasible, a QR code linking to the DER Administrator Outreach
and Education web page for their municipality
○ May also include opportunities, news, announcements, information, events,
contacts, regarding DER Share, Cooperatives and individual investment.
Designated Town staff will work with appropriate Town Departments, Committees, and Boards
to share information through approved DER Administrator outreach and education insertions in
their materials.
● Town Forms to be Considered for DER Administrator Insertions
○ Tax bills
Adopt 2025-10-06 Pg. 22
○ Building permits
○ Electrical permits
● Town Departments Materials / Postings
○ Planning
○ Public Works
○ Sustainability
○ Town Administration
○ Town Clerk
○ Code Enforcement
● Town Boards and Committees, Agendas, Meeting Announcements
○ Town Board
○ Budget Committee
○ Planning Committee
○ Public Works Committee
○ Economic Development Committee
○ Agricultural Committee
○ Conservation Board
○ Tompkins County Council of Governments
VII. DER Consulting Schedule
A. September-November 2025
Sessions: One with City (Mayor, City Attorney, Planning, DPW, Sustainability) and one with
Town (Supervisor, Deputy Supervisor, Planning, Public Works, Sustainability
Subjects: DER program planning - data sharing, research needs, designation of staff liaisons,
communications support, initial discussion of municipal DER projects, buildings, properties,
fleets, procurement activities, existing projects.
B. December 2025-March 2026
Sessions: One with City (Mayor, City Attorney, Planning, DPW, Sustainability) and one with
Town (Supervisor, Deputy Supervisor, Planning, Public Works, Sustainability)
Subjects: DER program structure, role of City and Town, specific departments, Municipal DER
projects, and ownership sharing, as well as additional options like Green Bonds and franchise
opportunities.
Adopt 2025-10-06 Pg. 23
VIII. Definitions
ADDRESSABLE CARBON — Greenhouse gas emissions from electricity, heating, cooling, hot
water, transportation vehicles, sewer waste and solid waste.
ADVISORY GROUP — Group established by the City of Ithaca’s CCA Local Law to support
the Common Council and Town Board, as well as other municipalities that may join T-GEN in
the future, with CCA governance. ASSISTANCE PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS (APPs) —
Low- and medium-income residents designated by the Tompkins County Department of Social
Services.
COMMUNITY CHOICE AGGREGATION PROGRAM (CCA) — The program authorized by
Article 1 of Town Code Chapter 135, and which will implement the Master Implementation Plan
of the Town’s chosen CCA Administrator provided that Plan has been approved by the PSC.
CCA ADMINISTRATOR — A third party designated by the Town of Ithaca which shall be duly
authorized to put out for bid the total amount of electricity and natural gas being purchased by
participating consumers and larger local DERs that may be incorporated into the CCA supply.
The CCA Administrator shall be responsible for CCA program organization, public outreach,
data, administration, procurement, and communications.
COOPERATIVE — A group formed by building owners and Eligible Investors to invest
mutually in onsite DERs.
COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT — Agreements between DER Sharers/Users, DER Sharers,
and Site Owners.
CUSTOMER-SPECIFIC DATA — Energy account-specific information, personal data and
utility data for all Eligible Consumers in the municipality eligible for opt-out or opt-in
enrollment based on the terms of the PSC CCA Orders, and the CCA program design, including
the customer of record's name, mailing address, telephone number, account number, and primary
language, if available, and any customer-specific alternate billing name, address, and phone
number.
DEFAULT SERVICE —See definition in Town Code § 135-2.
DISTRIBUTED ENERGY RESOURCE(S) (DER(s)) — Local renewable energy projects and
energy efficiency measures, shared renewables like community solar and shares and
cooperatives, renewable heat and hot water systems, energy management, energy storage,
microgrid projects, geothermal heat loop projects, electric vehicles and charging systems, local
renewable hydrogen fuel cells, and other innovative Reforming the Energy Vision (REV)
initiatives that optimize system benefits, target and address load pockets/profile within the Town
of Ithaca, and reduce cost of energy for DER Users.
DER ADMINISTRATOR shall mean a third party designated by the Town of Ithaca to
administer, under municipal oversight, DER activities within Town boundaries, including DERs
Adopt 2025-10-06 Pg. 24
implemented in coordination with the Town's CCA program.
DER LENDER — A local lending institution that is prequalified by the DER Administrator to
provide loans to Voluntary Investors.
DER INVESTOR — An Eligible Investor who invests in a DER project under this program.
DER USER—See User. DER VENDOR — A DER provider, developer, integrator, consortium
or component seller.
DISTRIBUTION UTILITY — New York State Electric and Gas Corporation (NYSEG), or any
successor thereto.
ELIGIBLE CONSUMERS — Consumers of electricity and/or natural gas who receive service
from the Distribution Utility.
ELIGIBLE INVESTORS — Consumers of electricity and/or natural gas who receive Default
Service from the Distribution Utility, at one or more locations within the geographic boundaries
of the Town of Ithaca.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY RETROFITTING AND THERMAL LOAD ELECTRIFICATION
PROGRAM — The City of Ithaca's program along with financial partners to determine potential
energy efficiency improvements on residential and commercial buildings and provide financing
for voluntary loans and leasing programs available to eligible consumers in the City of Ithaca, as
well as in the Town of Ithaca, to pay for efficiency and electrification projects, with an emphasis
on serving disadvantaged communities.
ENERGY LOAN ACCOUNT — An individual Customer’s DER investment repayment, Shares
loan repayment or Cooperative loan repayment account voluntarily subscribed by an Eligible
Investor to finance their DER investment.
ENERGY SERVICES COMPANY (ESCO) — An entity duly authorized to conduct business in
the State of New York as an ESCO.
EQUITY — Ownership benefits, financial and/or physical, from participating in voluntary
investments in local DER.
INTERMUNICIPAL AGREEMENT (IMA) — An agreement between the Town of Ithaca and
one or more other New York municipalities.
INTEROPERABILITY (INTEROPERABLE) — A characteristic of an energy product or
system, such as a photovoltaic array, to work with other energy products or systems, such as
appliances or an electric vehicle.
MASTER IMPLEMENTATION PLAN — A document submitted to the New York Public
Service Commission as part of the approval of a CCA Administrator.
Adopt 2025-10-06 Pg. 25
MEMBER or COOPERATIVE MEMBER — A member of a DER Cooperative who owns
Share(s), or uses DERs, or both, and may include a Site Owner.
MUNICIPAL ACCOUNTS — Electricity and gas accounts that serve municipal government-
related operations.
OPT-UP — An affirmative decision of an Eligible Investor to voluntarily invest in a local DER
project in the form of Shares.
OPT-WITH — An affirmative decision of an Eligible Investor to voluntarily invest in a local
DER project in the form of Cooperative membership.
PROGRAM ORGANIZER —A designated local nonprofit organization responsible for
educating energy users about participation in the DER program's voluntary investment
opportunities, as well as supporting the organization of Cooperatives by neighbors. This group
will typically secure participation from local governments and engage in preliminary outreach
and education around DERs.
PSC CCA ORDERS — The several Orders concerning Community Choice Aggregation by the
New York State Public Service Commission’s (Case 14-M- 0224) including the “Order
Authorizing Framework for Community Choice Aggregation Opt-Out Program,” issued on April
21, 2016; the “Order Approving Community Choice Aggregation Programs with Modifications”
issued on January 18, 2018; the “Order Modifying Community Choice Aggregation Programs
and Establishing Further Process” issued on January 19, 2023; and the “Order Modifying
Outreach and Education Requirements and Directing Program Evaluation” issued on November
19, 2024.
PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION (PSC) — New York State Public Service Commission.
RENEWABLE ENERGY CERTIFICATE (REC) — A market-based instrument that represents
the property rights to the environmental, social, and other non-power attributes of renewable
electricity generation. RECs are issued when one megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity is
generated and delivered to an electricity grid from a renewable energy resource somewhere in
the United States, allowing sellers of nonrenewable energy holding RECs to claim that they are
selling renewable energy.
SELF-CONSUMPTION — Producing and consuming electricity and/or heat onsite, as opposed
to exporting power onto the grid for sale to a third-party off-taker, such as through net metering.
SHARE(S) — Unit(s) of ownership by an Eligible Investor in local DERs, whether through
investment in a designated DER project that is located in a nearby building, or through
membership enrollment in a designated on-site DER Cooperative.
SHARER — An owner of DER Share(s).
Adopt 2025-10-06 Pg. 26
SITE OWNER — The owner of a building or property who consents to participate in a DER
project either alone or by joining a DER Cooperative.
SPINNING RESERVES — The extra generating capacity that is available by increasing the
power output of generators that are connected to the power system, for a variety of purposes
including the provision of balancing capacity for intermittent renewable generators such as a
solar farm or wind farm.
SUPPLIERS/SUPPLY — ESCOs that procure electric power and natural gas for Eligible
Consumers in connection with Town Code Chapter 135.
T-GEN – Tompkins Green Energy Network.
USER – A DER Share owner who is also an off-taker of energy from a DER.
VOLUNTARY INVESTOR - An Eligible Investor who invests in a DER.
Item 11
MEETING OF THE ITHACA TOWN BOARD
October 6, 2025
TB Resolution 2025 - : Adopt Consent Agenda
Resolved that the Town Board adopts the Consent Agenda actions:
a. Approval of Town Board Minutes
b. Town of Ithaca Abstract
c. Bolton Point Abstract
d. Proclamation – October is Community Planning Month
TB Resolution 2025 - : Approval of Town Board Minutes of September 29, 2025
Resolved that the Town Board approves the draft minutes of September 29, 2025 as final, with
any non-substantive changes made.
TB Resolution 2025 - b: Town of Ithaca Abstract No. 19 for FY-2025
Resolved that the Town Board authorizes payment of the audited vouchers in total for the
amounts indicated:
VOUCHER NOS. 2025 917 - 946
General Fund Town Wide 29,250.25
General Fund Part-Town 5,014.64
Highway Fund Town Wide DA 175.73
Highway Fund Part Town DB 13,895.28
Water Fund 1,627.95
Sewer Fund 469,805.83
TOTAL 519,769.68
TB Resolution 2025 - c: Approval of Bolton Point Abstract
TB Resolution 2025 - d: Resolution Proclaiming October as Community Planning Month
Whereas, change is constant and affects all cities, towns, and counties; and
Whereas, planners can help navigate this change with data-driven insights and expertise that
provide better choices for how people work and live; and
Whereas, the Town of Ithaca Chronology of Policy Decisions Establishing and Supporting
Comprehensive Planning Process dates to 1937, established the Town of Ithaca as a leader in
community planning; and
Item 11
Whereas, community planning provides an opportunity for all residents to be meaningfully
involved in making choices that determine the future of their community; and
Whereas, the full benefits of planning require public elected and appointed officials who
understand, support, and demand excellence in planning and plan implementation; and
Whereas, the month of October is designated as National Community Planning Month
throughout the United States of America and its territories, and
Whereas, the American Planning Association endorses National Community Planning Month as
an opportunity to highlight how planning is essential to every community, and how planners are
uniquely positioned to identify solutions to communities’ most difficult housing, transportation,
and land use questions, and
Whereas, the celebration of National Community Planning Month gives us the opportunity to
publicly recognize the participation and dedication of appointed Planning Board members who
have contributed their time and expertise to the improvement of the Town of Ithaca; and
Whereas, we recognize the many valuable contributions made by the professional planners of the
Town of Ithaca and extend our heartfelt thanks for the continued commitment to public service
by these professionals; now therefore be it
Resolved that each year, the month of October is hereby designated as Community Planning
Month in the Town of Ithaca in conjunction with the celebration of National Community
Planning Month.