N.Y. Town Law § 209-i

§ 209-i. Refuse and garbage improvement districts. The purpose of a\nrefuse and garbage improvement district created pursuant to this article\nmay include, after complying with the provisions of this article for the\nestablishment of such a district, the prevention or reduction of waste\nmatter consisting of carbon components of energy waste from residential\nproperties and the performance of energy audits and the purchase and\ninstallation of energy efficiency improvements on such residential\nproperties. The term "energy efficiency improvement", as used in this\nsubdivision, shall mean a material improvement made to an existing\nresidential property that reduces energy consumption, including but not\nlimited to caulking, weatherstripping, air sealing, insulation, heating\nand cooling systems upgrades, solar thermal systems and conservation\nmeasures, in a cost-effective manner as determined by the town,\nprovided, however, that "energy efficiency improvement" does not include\na household appliance, such as a washing machine or refrigerator, that\nis not permanently fixed to real property. The term "energy audit", as\nused in this subdivision, shall mean a formal evaluation by a qualified\ncontractor, who shall be approved by the town board, of the energy\nconsumption of a residential property for the purpose of identifying\nmethods to improve energy efficiency and reduce energy waste.\n