Tag Archives: municipalities

Sustainable Westchester pulling the plug on Westchester Power

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**Sustainable Westchester to End Westchester Power Program**

Sustainable Westchester, the organization responsible for the Westchester Power program, is ending the initiative that has connected more than two dozen municipalities—and many of their residents and businesses—to cleaner energy. The program is set to shut down at the end of November.

**What Was Westchester Power?**

Westchester Power served as an electricity supplier for customers of Con Edison or New York State Electric and Gas (NYSEG), even though these companies continued to deliver electricity using their own distribution networks. The aggregation program specialized in providing clean, renewable energy at steady, long-term rates to tens of thousands of residents and businesses.

**Why Is the Program Ending?**

According to Sustainable Westchester, new rules implemented by New York State governing community energy programs statewide have made it difficult to continue the program. These regulations impact all Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) administrators and their energy suppliers. The organization determined that maintaining Westchester Power under the state’s new regulatory framework is not feasible.

**What Happens Next for Customers?**

Sustainable Westchester assures residential customers and small businesses within the 26 municipalities previously served by Westchester Power that there will be no disruption to their electric service. After the program ends on November 30, affected customers will automatically return to either Con Edison or NYSEG as their electric generation supplier—whichever company they used prior to joining Westchester Power—unless they have already made alternative arrangements with another electric generation provider. This change will take place in the first billing period following November 30.

**Environmental Impact**

Since its inception, the Westchester Power program has had a significant positive effect on the environment. Sustainable Westchester calculates that the program reduced greenhouse gas emissions by more than 1.5 million metric tons—the equivalent of removing 35,000 gasoline-powered cars from the road.

**Looking Ahead: Commitment to Clean Energy**

Even though the Westchester Power program is ending, Sustainable Westchester remains committed to supporting local clean energy initiatives. The organization will continue working with member municipalities to promote and expand participation in other programs such as GridRewards, Solarize, EnergySmart HOMES, Community Solar, and MOVE. Sustainable Westchester also plans to explore additional ways to increase the adoption of clean energy throughout the region.

For updates and more information, residents are encouraged to visit the Sustainable Westchester website or contact their local municipality.
https://westfaironline.com/economy/sustainable-westchester-pulling-the-plug-on-westchester-power/

NVIDIA Expands AI Education and Innovation Across the US

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NVIDIA is taking bold steps to democratize access to artificial intelligence (AI) education and innovation across the United States. The tech giant is partnering with states, municipalities, and educational institutions to ensure that AI capabilities reach beyond traditional tech hubs.

### AI Factories and Educational Initiatives

One of the significant initiatives includes the establishment of an AI factory at the University of Utah. This collaboration with NVIDIA and HPE aims to triple the university’s computing capacity with a $50 million investment. The project will bolster healthcare and scientific research efforts, focusing on critical areas such as Alzheimer’s, cancer, genetics, and mental health.

Utah joins other states like California, Mississippi, and Oregon in partnering with NVIDIA to enhance AI education and boost economic development. The initiative also provides AI skills and certification to educators across universities and community colleges through NVIDIA’s Deep Learning Institute University Ambassador Program.

### Municipal and Community Collaborations

In Rancho Cordova, California, NVIDIA is working with the city and the Human Machine Collaboration Institute (HMCI) to build an AI ecosystem. This strategy involves developing AI infrastructure, workforce upskilling, and student training to attract AI businesses. The city plans to reinvest revenue from these businesses into further AI infrastructure and workforce development.

Micah Runner, Rancho Cordova City Manager, emphasized the city’s pioneering role in uniting industry, education, and government to drive economic growth. This initiative serves as a model for other cities aiming to integrate AI into their local economies.

### Expanding AI Education in Higher Learning

To prepare students for AI-driven careers, NVIDIA is collaborating with institutions like Miles College in Alabama. The partnership aims to integrate AI across academic programs and community engagement efforts.

With resources from NVIDIA’s Deep Learning Institute, Miles College is enhancing its AI curriculum and training faculty and students in AI technologies. Bobbie Knight, President of Miles College, highlighted the initiative’s role in preparing graduates for leadership roles and fostering regional economic strength. The college has already integrated AI into many courses, with significant research support derived from AI technologies.

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Through these widespread collaborations, NVIDIA is not only advancing AI education but also stimulating economic development and innovation across the U.S. As cities and states continue to adopt AI strategies, the potential for growth and technological advancement appears promising.

*Image source: Shutterstock.*
https://Blockchain.News/news/nvidia-expands-ai-education-and-innovation-across-the-us