Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy announced that the County Legislature at their meeting tonight passed a package of three priority initiatives that he spearheaded. The first, Local Law A for 2023, is a partial county property tax exemption for new building construction and major reconstruction projects that meet global Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards of sustainability and energy efficiency. The second resolution passed authorizes the purchase of eight 2023 Chevy Bolt Electric Utility Vehicles (EUVs) for the County fleet. The final action authorizes the construction of the County’s first geothermal-heated building.

“Buildings and the transportation sector are two of the largest contributors of carbon emissions, as well as two of the toughest challenges we face to decarbonize our economy. We need to make the transition to sustainability as inexpensive as possible, and it needs to be at the forefront of our minds when it comes to new development, and this new tax exemption is another way of accomplishing that,” said County Executive McCoy. 

“Additionally, I believe strongly that Albany County has a role in leading the way for others to invest in renewable energy technology. Which is why we’re equipping our new highway garage with geothermal heating and rooftop solar array, and we continue to invest in electrifying our vehicle fleet,” he continued.

“Local Law A adds another important tool to our toolbox in Albany County to promote sustainable development.  I’m proud of the bipartisan support and unanimous approval from the legislature in passing this tonight and I thank the County Executive for his partnership on this legislation and his steadfast leadership in the fight against climate change,” said Albany County Legislator Dustin Reidy. 

In order for construction or reconstruction projects to qualify for Albany County’s new LEED tax exemption, they must be valued at no less than $10,000, and the maximum taxable value to be abated will be capped at $1 million. The tax incentive remains in effect for a maximum of ten years, and the amount of the exemption is determined by the level of LEED status achieved, as described by New York State Real Property Tax Law, Section 470. 

The purchase of the eight new Chevy Bolt EUVs was made possible through a purchasing partnership utilizing a bid conducted by the City of Yonkers, NY. The new vehicles will replace existing gas-powered vehicles, building on County Executive McCoy’s goal of transitioning Albany County’s light-duty fleet to 100% electric by the year 2030. 

The County’s Coeymans Highway Garage Replacement Project will exemplify our commitment to green construction, including a geothermal heat pump system, a roof mounted photovoltaic array, and a rainwater collection and reuse system. 

The three resolutions were passed by the full County Legislature unanimously. The LEED Local Law will go into effect upon filing with the Office of the Secretary of State.