Sarah Trafton is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media the Thomas Cole National Historic Site in Catskill has announced the installation of an electronic vehicle charging station. It is the first charging station in Catskill, and was made possible through a donation by local residents Sara and Tom de Swardt. The two-port charging station is available to the general public for an hourly fee, and accessible to members of the Thomas Cole National Historic Site at no charge. “We believe that actions are important and that our work as a non-profit extends beyond our arts programming,” Executive Director Betsy Jacks said. Cole site board of trustees member Hudson Talbott called the development exciting. The charging station will help support community members in reducing carbon emissions to the environment, according to a statement from the Thomas Cole House. Village of Catskill officials last fall discussed the possibility of installing two electric car chargers in the municipal lot on Willard Alley. Work on that charging station continues, Village President Vincent Seeley said, adding that its progress has slowed due to the pandemic. The chargers would help the village establish its bronze designation status in the state Department of Environmental Conservation’s Climate Smart Communities Program. The Cole site’s new charging station is part of its Greening Initiative, inspired by the artist. Future steps include converting to renewable energy, using only sustainably sourced and recycled materials for printed materials, switching to environmentally friendly office products and starting a composting system. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.