EPA grants $3M to Hudson Valley Regional Council

MILLERTON — The Hudson Valley Regional Council was selected to receive $3 million through the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant program under the Biden-Harris administration.

On Sept. 13, Regional Administrator Lisa Garcia, Hudson Valley Regional Council Executive Director Carla Castillo, and County Commissioner of Planning and Development Eoin Wrafter invited local community leaders to attend the press conference, which included Chris Kennan, the North East Supervisor.

“We are one of 14 different towns that have closed landfills that are seeping out methane,” Kennan said in a previous board meeting. “We are going to put biofilters on top of those ‘candy canes,’ and it is amazing what that does for methane.”

The grant will allow the Hudson Valley Regional Council to install biofilters that will decrease the amount of methane being released into the atmosphere from the closed landfills within the Hudson Valley area. The council will also promote the installation of solar arrays, battery storage, pollinator gardens and long-term ecosystems plans at former landfill sites.

“The Town of North East has been in the forefront of efforts to clean up our environment and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said Kennan. “We are proud to be part of a cohort of Hudson Valley communities that are focused on mitigating GHG emissions from our closed landfills. We are deeply grateful to the Hudson Valley Regional Council and to the EPA for this initiative and for the recognition that there are practical and affordable technologies to accomplish this goal.”

Ninety-three percent of the emissions produced by the Town of North East come from its landfill. The filters will be piles of mulch and woodchips containing methane-eating bacteria. By next year, the town is hoping to cover the venting hooks with mulch, sending the emissions directly into the bacteria-eating area.

According to experts at the Environmental Protection Agency, methane is 30 times more harmful to the atmosphere than carbon dioxide.

“Investing in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and harmful air pollution is critical to combat climate change and create a greener future for all,” said U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand in a press release. “I am thrilled to see that the Hudson Valley Regional Council has been selected for this grant to reduce fugitive methane emissions and help protect Hudson Valley communities from pollution.”

The Climate Pollution Reduction Grant selections were made after a rigorous competition of nearly 300 reviewed applicants. Entities around the country could submit applications, and the applicants requested around $33 billion in funding.

Based on the applications that were accepted and their estimates, the grants should be able to reduce greenhouse gas pollution by 148 million metric tons by 2030 and by 971 million metric tons by 2050.

The press release stated that out of the 14 closed landfills that were targeted, half of them were in historically disadvantaged communities. The participating municipalities are: the Town of Amenia, Town of Bethel, City of Beacon, Town of Cornwall, Dutchess County, Town of Gardiner, Town of Hurley, City of Mamaroneck, City of New Paltz, Town of North East, Town of Philipstown, Town of Rhinebeck, Town of Wallkill, Town of Woodstock.

Latest News

'Un Real' paintings

'Un Real' paintings
Photo by Leila Hawken

Local art lovers were attracted to the Millbrook Library for the opening of the gallery’s latest exhibit, “Un Real,” on Friday, May 8.The works of six area artists are being shown, including left to right, Laura Von Rosk, Betsy Brandt, Daniel Walworth, Sharon Bates, Monica Miller Link and Fern Apfel. Sponsored by the Millbrook Arts Group, the exhibit features the works of six area artists and will continue until June 28.

Amenia officials prepare for impending Comprehensive Plan update
Amenia Town Hall on Route 22.
Photo by Nathan Miller

AMENIA — Town Board members began to discuss their duties in updating the town’s comprehensive plan in preparation for an update to the document that serves as a guide for officials.

The discussion began on Thursday, May 7, as volunteers work to complete the first update to the town’s comprehensive plan since 2007.

Keep ReadingShow less
Two democrats seek open seat on Amenia’s Town Board
Amenia Town Hall on Route 22.
Photo by Nathan Miller

AMENIA — Voters will have a chance to fill the vacant seat on the Town Council this year after the board has spent nearly two years with an incomplete roster of four voting members.

Two candidates — democrats Damian Gutierrez and Kimberley Travis — are eyeing the seat. Both are seeking the democratic party line on the ballot in November, and will face off in a primary election on June 23.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

Legal Notices - May 14, 2026

Legal Notices - May 14, 2026

Legal Notice

Notice of Formation of Limited Liability Company Name: Bluestem Fieldworks LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on March 6, 2026 Office Location: Dutchess County, NY. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 22 Market Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Keep ReadingShow less

Gregory Phillip Sheridan

Gregory Phillip Sheridan

NEW MILFORD — Gregory Phillip Sheridan died peacefully surrounded by family on May 5th in New Milford, Connecticut at the age of 77. He was born on March 19th, 1949 in Poughkeepsie, NY, to Phillip and Catherine Sheridan.

Gregg is survived by his wife of 54 years, Judy, his son Matthew Sheridan of Glastonbury, CT, his son Lucas Sheridan and his wife Allison of Malverne, Long Island, his daughter Anne Sheridan and her husband Aaron Miller of Boston, MA. He is also survived by his sister, Regina Hagstrand and her husband Charlie of Rexford, NY, his sister-in-law Barbara Steele and her husband David, and by seven adoring grandchildren; Colin, Delaney, Elliot, Lucy, Leo, Abel and Eliza.

Keep ReadingShow less

John Michael Barry

John Michael Barry

NORFOLK — John Michael Barry, 83, of The Villages, Florida, passed away peacefully on Jan. 1, 2026, at Moffitt Cancer Center, after a brief period of illness, in the presence of his loving family.

John was born on June 4, 1942, in Winsted, Connecticut, and raised in Norfolk, Connecticut, where he developed the values of faith, service, hard work, and deep devotion to family that defined his life.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.