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data-toggle="nav-69"></span><span>About</span></a><ul class="nested-primary" data-togglable="nav-69"><li><a href="/about/background/" class="nested-toggle">Background</a></li><li><a href="/about/contact-us/" class="nested-toggle">Contact Us</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="/actions-certification/" class="nested-toggle open"><span class="icon-caret" data-toggle="nav-169" data-toggle-open></span><span>Actions & Certification</span></a><ul class="nested-primary" data-togglable="nav-169"><li><a href="/actions-certification/why-become-certified/" class="nested-toggle">Why Become Certified?</a></li><li><a href="/actions-certification/getting-started/" class="nested-toggle active" data-toggle="nav-{field:uid}" data-toggle-open><span class="icon-caret" data-toggle="nav-426"></span><span>Getting Started</span></a><ul class="nested-secondary" data-togglable="nav-426"><li><a href="/actions-certification/getting-started/register/" class="nested-toggle">Register</a></li><li><a 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Archive</a></li></ul></li> </ul> </nav> </aside> <main class="main">  <div id="c2337" class="csc-typography"><div class="csc-header csc-header-n1"><h1 class=" class="csc-firstHeader" tx-t3site-header-style-">Getting Started</h1></div><p class="bodytext">The Climate Smart Communities (CSC) Certification program supports your local government in building a sustainable, balanced climate action program, one step at a time. </p> <hr /> <p class="bodytext"><b>Step 1: Pass a Resolution:</b> Pass the CSC pledge as a municipal resolution to join the program and become a Registered Climate Smart Community. Use the <a href="/fileadmin/csc/documents/CSC_Model_Resolution/ModelResolutionCSC-Oct2018.docx" title="Opens internal link in current window" class="download">model CSC resolution</a> as a template for drafting your local resolution. Municipalities may amend the “whereas” statements in the preamble, but all ten points of the CSC Pledge must be adopted verbatim. The final resolution document must include a signature from the municipal clerk verifying the authenticity of the resolution and indicating the date of passage. </p> <p class="bodytext"><b>Step 2:</b> <b>Register</b>: After the resolution is adopted, designate a primary contact person to <a href="/actions-certification/getting-started/register/" title="Opens internal link in current window" class="internal-link">sign up for a portal account</a>, complete the online registration form, and upload the adopted municipal resolution. Please refer to the <b><a href="/fileadmin/csc/documents/CSCC_Applicant_Guide-v6.pdf" title="Opens internal link in current window" class="download">Certification Application User Guide</a> </b>for more guidance on registering your community and preparing an application for CSC certification. Additionally, the Hudson Valley Regional Council developed the <a href="https://hudsonvalleyregionalcouncil.org/cec-institute/#csc-tutorial-vids" title="Opens external link in new window" target="_blank" class="external-link-new-window"><b>Climate Smart Tutorial Videos</b></a> to help you navigate the certification portal.  </p> <p class="bodytext">After your registration is reviewed, your primary contact will receive an email with next steps. Once your resolution is approved, your community will be designated a Registered CSC by New York State and your community will be added to the map on this website. </p> <p class="bodytext"><b>Step 3:</b> <b>Review and Select Actions:</b> Log in to your account to review and select <a href="/actions-certification/actions/" title="Opens internal link in current window" class="internal-link">actions</a>. Each action has a description that includes guidance about who should be involved, costs, resources, tools, and documentation requirements. After becoming a Registered CSC, communities can implement certification actions at their own pace. There is no time limit between adoption of the pledge and commencement of the certification process. The <a href="/actions-certification/getting-started/priority-actions/" title="Opens internal link in current window" class="internal-link">mandatory and priority actions</a> are a good place to start because they are fundamental to a successful municipal climate change program. If you have questions, you can email a NYSERDA Clean Energy Communities Coordinator at <a href="mailto:cec@nyserda.ny.gov">cec@nyserda.ny.gov</a> for assistance navigating the program. </p> <p class="bodytext"><b>Step 4: Collect Documentation</b>: Once you identify your selected actions, review the requirements for each action and begin organizing and uploading your documentation. In the municipal dashboard, the "Action Totals" calculator on the right-hand side of your community's application will help keep track of progress toward becoming a Certified CSC. As you assess your progress, start to develop a timeline for when you expect to meet the requirements of your chosen certification level and select an <a href="/actions-certification/certification-overview/application-cycle/" title="Opens internal link in current window" class="internal-link">application deadline</a> that you plan to meet. </p> <p class="bodytext"><b>Step 5: Submit Application</b>: Using the web portal, upload the required documents associated with each CSC certification action. Upon submittal of your application for certification, you will be locked out of editing those actions while staff review your application. After review, staff will contact you with further information. If your local government did not earn full points for an action, staff will provide details on what was missing and coach you on next steps.</p></div>  </main> </div> </div> <div class="site-footer"> <div class="footer-container"> <a class="logo-csc" href="/"> <span> Climate Smart </span> <span class="break"> Communities </span> </a> <div class="menu-container"> <ul class="footer-menu"> <li class="footer-menu-item"> <a href="/accessibility/">Accessibility</a> </li> <li class="footer-menu-item"> <a href="/disclaimer/">Disclaimer</a> </li> <li class="footer-menu-item"> <a href="/privacy-policy/">Privacy Policy</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="nygov-footer-container"> <div id="nygov-universal-footer" class="nygov-universal-footer"> <noscript> <iframe title="NYS Universal Footer Navigation" width="100%" height="200px" src="//static-assets.ny.gov/load_global_footer/ajax?iframe=true" frameborder="0" style="border:none; overflow:hidden; width:100%; height:200px;" scrolling="no"> Your browser does not support iFrames </iframe> </noscript> </div> </div> <script src="https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/scripts/nys-global-nav-header.js"></script> <script src="https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/scripts/nys-global-nav-header-ms.js"></script> </div> <script type="text/javascript" src="/typo3conf/ext/t3site/Sites/Main/Resources/Dist/assets/sustainable-x-theme.js"></script>  <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=UA-117903546-1"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments)}; gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'UA-117903546-1'); </script> </body> </html>