The Town of Henrietta was awarded a New York State Energy Program grant in the amount of $14,127 to save electricity by implementing two projects. In the Town Hall, 20 incandescent lighting fixtures will be replaced with high bay 4-lamp T5 fluorescent fixtures. The yearly utility savings are projected to be $2,281 per year.

The second project is to convert 85 inefficienct incandescent and mercury-vapor streetlights to metal halide and/or high-pressure sodium fixtures recommended by RG&E. The project will save the Town $3,037 per year while providing better lighting.

Total cost of both projects is $16,627 and the Town's share of that will only be $2,500. Projected savings will be over $5,500 per year for each year going forward.

Town of Henrietta is upgrading the air conditioning system at the Library building. The current air conditioning system dates back to when the Library building was first constructed in the 1970's. In June of 2009 the town commissioned an energy efficiency study of the Library's air conditioning system. According to the study, the town could potentially save 70,000 kWh and 1,500 Therms of energy annually by replacing the existing outdated system with a modern and much more energy efficient system. The anticipated savings equals to 26% of the Library's 12-month electricity and natural gas utility cost.

The town will use Federal Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) funds to help pay for the cost of the air conditioning upgrade. Additionally, the savings of the new air conditioning system is expected to also qualify the town for additional $8,000 of rebates from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).

Town of Henrietta is upgrading the lighting equipment at the Library building. Approximately 150 of the older 4-lamp fluorescent fixtures will be retrofitted with new high efficiency 4-lamp T8 fixtures. Each new lighting fixture will save 80 watts compared to the old fixtures. Total annual energy savings is estimated at 48,000 kWh.

The town will use Federal Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) funds to help pay for the cost of upgrading the lighting equipment. Additionally, the new lighting equipment will qualify the town for an additional $5,000 of rebates from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).

Town of Henrietta is upgrading the lighting equipment at the Department of Public Works (DPW) building. The retrofit will replace one 400 Watts HID (High Intensity Discharge) lighting fixture with a 6-lamp, Highbay fluorescent T8 fixture. Also eight 2-lamps 8-foot T12 strip fixtures will be replaced by eight 8-foot T8 strip fixtures with reflectors, and eight 2-lamps 8-foot T12 strip fixtures will be replaced with eight 8-foot T8 strip fixtures with reflectors. The lighting upgrade is expected to reduce electricity consumption by almost 37,000 kWh per year.

The town will use Federal Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) funds to help pay for the cost of upgrading the lighting equipment. Additionally, the new lighting equipment will qualify the town for another $5,700 of rebates from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).

Town of Henrietta has replaced the main and backup pumps at the Pump Station located at 1 Wendelin Drive. The pump station known as "Oakwood Manor Pump Station" had two vintage 1992 7.5 HP pumps. The new pumps manufactured by ITT Water & Wastewater U.S.A. Inc. are guaranteed to decrease energy use by at least 25%.

The town will use Federal Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) funds to help pay for the cost of replacing the pumps. Additionally, the new pumps will also qualify for rebates from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).

Town of Henrietta plan to install 10KW solar photovoltaic (PV) electric generation system on top of the Town Hall's east wing roof. The system is anticipated to produce about 11,000 kWh annually, which will reduce the electricity the town has to purchase from RG&E. By generating 11,000 kWh from a renewable and non-polluting source, Henrietta effectively avoided the equivalent of over 7,600 kg of CO2 emission.

The town will use Federal Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) funds to help pay for a large portion of the cost for the solar electric system. The remaining cost will be financed by an incentive program administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).

Henrietta is recognized as a Green Community by Audubon International. The Henrietta town government, the Rush-Henrietta School District and local businesses were all credited for cutting vehicle emissions, preserving land space and educating children on environmental concerns, among other things.

Henrietta is the first town in New York to win the award. Past winners included Spruce Peak, Va.; Williamston, N.C.; and Sarasota County, Florida. Suzi Zakowski, manager of Audubon International's Sustainable Communities Program, said Henrietta has worked with her organization for four years and is now recognized for meeting certain goals for sustainability. In dispensing the award, Audubon International cited the following groups in Henrietta for their accomplishments:

• The town for deeming certain areas "no-mow" habitat zones reserved for wildlife.
• The Rush-Henrietta School District for opening the Wetland Education Trails in August 2007.
• The 4-H club for taking underprivileged local children on nature walks.
• The Henrietta Foundation for maintaining the Lehigh Valley Trail, along with 22 acres of wetlands and woodlands located nearby.
• The Chamber of Commerce for hosting seminars on green business practices on efforts to preserve land and on conserve energy.

Henrietta citizens, civic organizations and businesses join together to launch Henrietta Pride. The organization is a collaborative effort to promote a feeling of Pride, Stewardship and Responsibility for the Town of Henrietta’s natural resources and community assets.

The goal of Henrietta Pride is to prepare Henrietta to become the first Audubon Certified Sustainable Community in the North East. The organization's effort includes:

• • Rivers Run Meadows and Pathways
• • Rush-Henrietta Outdoor Environmental classroom at the Transportation Center
• • Rush-Henrietta Cooperative Wetlands Education Program
• • Rotarians build bridge for Lehigh Valley Trail
• • Henrietta’s Locust Hill (Home of the LPGA)
• • RIT’s LEED Certified CAST building
• • Pumpkins on Parade

Henrietta Pride Participants:

• • Audubon International
• • Sustainable Communities
• • Rush Henrietta Rotary
• • Henrietta Garden Club
• • Henrietta Neighbors United
• • Henrietta Foundation
• • Henrietta Chamber of Commerce