Draft Resolutions

• Climate Change
• Sustainability

Action for Tomorrow’s Environment draft 4-2004 - Climate Protection

Resolution No. _________________- 2004

Whereas, the County of Westchester currently promotes environmental protection, resource conservation, new environmental technologies and community preservation through such approaches as the Legacy Program, Patterns for Westchester, legislation and executive orders relating to toxics such as pesticides, lead and mercury, the ISO 1400 program at the Westchester County Airport, Native Plant, the H2OK campaign on water quality protection, ___________________________ among others; and

Whereas on December 19, 2003, this board passed resolution 281-2003 reciting the basis for advancing policies to promote energy efficiency, clean energy production and clean renewable energy markets and establishing a renewable portfolio standard for the county; and

Whereas there are additional avenues that should be pursued to achieve the goals set forth in resolution 281-2003 that would be established as part of the larger planning process provided for in this resolution, and

Whereas, energy consumption, specifically the burning of fossil fuels, e.g. coal, oil and gas, for such uses as transportation, heating and cooling and electricity, accounts for more than 85 % of the United States greenhouse gas emissions; and

Whereas County departments, through changes in daily operations, ongoing programs and long range planning are able to simultaneously have a positive impact on the environment, economic efficiency of county government and the character of our communities, and

Whereas, Westchester County can influence communities’ energy usage by exercising its management of transportation and waste and by providing guidance on land use and building construction, and

Whereas, local government actions taken to reduce green house gases and increase energy efficiency provide multiple benefits by reducing air pollution, creating jobs, and reducing energy expenditures;

Now therefore be it resolved that the County of Westchester:

1. Will take a leadership role in increasing energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from municipal operations, and
2. Will develop and implement a local action plan which describes the steps Westchester County will take to reduce both green house gases and air pollution emissions and increase energy efficiency and utilization of renewable energy sources. The plan will include:

· a greenhouse gas emissions analysis and forecast to determine the source and quantity of greenhouse gas emissions in the county
· a CO2 or green house gas emission reduction target
· a strategy for meeting the County’s green house gas emission target
· a process for measuring progress towards the target and making any necessary adjustments in educating others as to such practices
· a strategy for acquiring power from non-polluting “green” sources and an effort to coordinate such acquisition with the municipalities in the county

3. Will take an active role in educating businesses, institutions and residents in the county as to steps they can take to increase energy efficiency, increase utilization of renewable energy sources and reduce greenhouse gases.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Clerk of the Board of Legislators forward the text of this resolution to all relevant and concerned parties, so that the intent of this Honorable Board be widely known.

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Action for Tomorrow’s Environment draft 4-2004 - Sustainability

Resolution No. _________________- 2004

Whereas, the citizens of Westchester have a right to clean air and water and the natural scenic, historic and aesthetic qualities of their environment, and

Whereas, the County of Westchester currently promotes environmental protection, resource conservation, new environmental technologies and community preservation through such approaches as the Legacy Program, Patterns for Westchester, legislation and executive orders relating to toxics such as pesticides, lead and mercury, the ISO 1400 program at the Westchester County Airport, Native Plant, the H2OK campaign on water quality protection, ___________________________ among others; and

Whereas sustainability as defined by the United States Commission of Environment and Development “meets current need without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs”

Whereas, long term environmentally sustainable practices help insure that future generations enjoy clean air, clean water, open space and have access to the same, if not better, quality of life our citizens enjoy today,

Whereas the county should lead by example and provide a model for business and citizens by promoting policies and practices that promote sustainability by attempting to minimize or eliminate the negative environmental and health impacts and by seeking to maintain the environmental economic and community health of the County, and

Whereas on December 19, 2003, this board passed resolution 281-2003 reciting the basis for advancing policies to promote energy efficiency, clean energy production and clean renewable energy markets and establishing a renewable portfolio standard for the county; and

Whereas there are additional avenues that should be pursued to achieve the goals set forth in resolution 281-2003 that would be established as part of the larger planning process provided for in this resolution, and

Whereas County departments, through changes in daily operations, ongoing programs and long range planning are able to simultaneously have a positive impact on the environment, economic efficiency of county government and the character of our communities, and

Now therefore be it resolved that the County of Westchester:

1. Will consider the long term impacts of choices to ensure a sustainable legacy and the county will be guided in its decision making by a mandate to maximize environmental benefits and reduce or eliminate negative environmental impacts.
2. Is committed to promoting a sustainable future by accepting its responsibility to:
o Support a stable, diverse and equitable economy
o Protect the quality of the air, water, land and natural resources
o Conserve, where possible, and enhance ecosystems
o Reduce the production and disposal of materials which degrade the environment
o Promote energy efficiency and resource conservation
o Minimize adverse human impacts on local and regional ecosystems
o Promote quality housing for all of its citizens (consistent with its infrastructure), sensitive to resource and energy efficiency
o Promote the protection of open space and the development of environmentally beneficial transportation systems and opportunities for non- motorized travel.
o Promote biodiversity and protection of native species
3. The county adopts the precautionary principle that requires a careful examination of environmental consequences and the selection of the alternative that presents the least potential threat to human health and natural systems.
4. When evaluating potential alternatives, will utilize full cost accounting including all reasonably foreseeable costs, including raw materials, manufacturing, transportation, use, cleanup, disposal and where possible, health costs, even if such costs are not reflected in the initial price.
5. The county will lead by example and will wherever and whenever possible operate its services and facilities in a sustainable manner.
6. The county will evaluate its current practices and programs with respect to sustainability.
7. The County will be a leader in educating others and will encourage individuals, businesses, municipal governments, schools and institutions to consider the potential impacts of their activities in the context of sustainability.
8. The county recognizes that the health of the environment and the economy are interdependent. In achieving a healthy environment, the county will be sensitive to not placing inequitable burdens on any one geographic or socioeconomic sector of the population.
9. The county recognizes that community participation is essential and will facilitate stakeholder and citizen participation in the development of a long term program for sustainability.
10. The county will undertake to explore and develop incentive programs to support environmentally beneficial practices by businesses and individuals.
11. Criteria for measuring progress on sustainability goals will be established.
12. Sustainability goals will be reviewed after set periods of time to review the extent to which they have been attained and to modify them to reflect changes in societal circumstances.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Clerk of the Board of Legislators forward the text of this resolution to all relevant and concerned parties, so that the intent of this Honorable Board be widely known.

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