Clarkstown Adopts Energy Star Building Codes
Last night, the Clarkstown Town
Board adopted a local law advancing town building codes to be more energy
efficient. The purpose of the local law
is to require new one or two family homes and multiple single family homes
(townhouses) of three or less stories, be built to achieve a Home Energy Rating
Score. The rating is established by the
National Home Energy Rating Technical Guidelines.
Supervisor Alex Gromack said, “Clarkstown
is proud to be the first town in Rockland County to initiate building of more
energy efficient homes. As a result,
residents will have lower energy costs and better air quality in their homes,
while providing environmental benefits for all.”
Energy Star homes are 20% more
efficient than the code requires. Energy
Star homes have more effective insulation, high-performance windows, tighter
construction and ducts, efficient heating and cooling equipment, and energy
star lighting and appliances.
With the leadership of our Town Building
Inspector, the Clarkstown Energy Conservation Committee, formed earlier this
year by Council members Shirley Lasker and Frank Borelli, studied the
importance of energy star buildings codes and the positive impacts energy
efficient homes have on our environment.
Councilwoman Lasker said, “Mandatory
Energy Star codes will ensure that Clarkstown fulfills one of its goals of the
US Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement, and that all new homes will be more
efficient to run and have lower electric and heating bills. Developers will build to higher standards and
the residents will be the beneficiaries of lower costs. We will also be reducing our emissions
overall. This is a win-win situation for
all in view of the high cost of energy and climate change.”
Councilman Frank Borelli said,
“Amending the building code to adopt Energy Star standards is not only
environmentally sound, but fiscally responsible. The adoption of building codes that require
homes and businesses to conserve energy will not only protect the environment,
but substantially reduce operating costs in the long run. It is the only responsible direction to
proceed.”
“Clarkstown is always looking for
ways to save our taxpayers money. As a
leader on environmental issues, we can help protect our environment while
cutting costs for Clarkstown residents,” concluded Supervisor Gromack.
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