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Ulster County lawmakers have approved nearly $200,000 in funding to assist low-income residents in transitioning from fossil fuel heating systems to more sustainable options. The funding, approved by the Ulster County Legislature’s Housing and Transportation Committee on Thursday (August 7), aims to help residents of manufactured homes move away from oil, kerosene, and propane heating systems.
The initiative includes a $194,000 contract with the Ulster County Community Action Committee Inc., supported by the county’s Department of Environment. This funding will supplement existing weatherization programs by allowing upgrades to interior heating equipment, focusing on increasing energy efficiency for vulnerable residents. County Planning Commissioner Dennis Doyle explained that the goal is to move towards electric-powered heat pumps.
The project received an additional boost from a $50,000 private donation from the Bank of Greene County, bringing the total budget close to $200,000. Committee member Limina Grace Harmon inquired about the possibility of incorporating solar technology into the upgrades. Doyle noted that while solar is not excluded, it is often challenging to implement in manufactured home settings due to structural and logistical constraints.
The committee is scheduled to reconvene before the full Legislature meets on August 19, indicating ongoing efforts to support energy efficiency and sustainability in the region.
For more information, visit the Mid-Hudson News.