Croton-on-Hudson is the highest-ranking clean energy community in New York state, according to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.

Mayor Brian Pugh says the village has taken advantage of $500,000 in state grants that help communities produce green energy and reduce their carbon footprint.

"We are really proud to have achieved that honor but the real message here is that other communities can achieve this," he said.

The village has plans to invest in community solar projects and add solar panels to the canopy of the Croton Harmon Metro-North train station. It would produce enough energy to power nearly 700 homes.

Another project in the works will bring 24 public electric charging stations to the Croton-Harmon train station. That project is expected to be completed by March 2024. For the first two years, charging there will be free.

Lindsay Audin, of the village’s Sustainability Committee, says that the burden of climate change is no longer something that can be swept aside.

"This is happening now, it's no longer in the future. We got to do something now. Every little thing helps," she says.