Introduction
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Skyline of the City of Rochester. Sustainable practice is anticipated to be an “engine for economic growth” for the Greater Rochester Region |
Counties and municipalities across New York State have
initiated community-wide sustainability strategies. They have
embraced the understanding that including energy and
environmental considerations in strategic planning can
contribute to the economic revitalization of communities in
New York State .
Their strategies serve to bring the principles of sustainable
practice, such as reducing energy costs, creating healthier
indoor environments in schools and city buildings, reducing
environmental footprint, and enhancing quality of life, to the
whole community
Resources
A variety of resources are available to provide communities with the tools and assistance needed to achieve community-wide sustainability plans.
EPA Green Communities Program
The EPA Green Communities program is a web-based toolkit and planning guide that provides tools and information to help communities become more sustainable. The toolkit is structured around a 5-step approach for communities to use in developing a community wide action agenda. Resources and case studies are provided to assist the development of each step.
http://www.epa.gov/greenkit/index.htm
US Council of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement
The US Council of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement has been adopted by over 300 mayors nationwide. The agreement is a voluntary commitment to address climate change, improve local environmental quality, and reduce energy consumption.
Under the Agreement, participating cities commit to take following actions:
- Strive to meet or beat the Kyoto Protocol targets in their own communities, through actions ranging from anti-sprawl land-use policies to urban forest restoration projects to public information campaigns;
- Urge their state governments, and the federal government, to enact policies and programs to meet or beat the greenhouse gas emission reduction target suggested for the United States in the Kyoto Protocol -- 7% reduction from 1990 levels by 2012; and
- Urge the U.S. Congress to pass the bipartisan greenhouse gas reduction legislation, which would establish a national emission trading system
For more information about The U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, including how to sign it and who is already on board, click here: http://www.coolmayors.org/common/11061/default.cfm?clientID=11061
ICLEI – Cities for Climate Protection Program
The ICLEI Cities for Climate Protection program is a voluntary commitment to develop a community wide Local Action Plan towards reducing greenhouse has emissions. The CCP program incorporates a “five milestone” process to inventory current energy consumption practices, develop and implement a “local action plan” to reduce these emissions, and monitor progress over time. ICLEI provides regionally specific resources to assist local governments in achieving these five milestones.
http://www.iclei.org/
Sonoran – Economic Profile System
The Sonoran Institute’s Economic Profile System is a free tool to provide custom socioeconomic profiles at the national, regional, state, county and community levels and includes guidance for users to interpret the data.
http://eps.sonoran.org/
Energy Finder – Rocky Mountain Institute
Energy Finder is an interactive tool for determining community-specific energy solutions that benefit the local economy, the community, and the environment. Developed by the Rocky Mountain Institute.
http://www.energyfinder.org/
Energy Preparedness
Energy Preparedness is a consultancy firm that works directly with local municipalities to increase their level of preparedness for escalating oil prices and supply disruptions.
http://energypreparedness.net/
Green Communities Initiative Enterprise
Green Communities offers grants and planning support for communities who seek to develop affordable housing projects in the context of transit oriented development.
http://www.greencommunitiesonline.org/
Green Communities Technology program – Yellowwood
The Green Communities Technology Program is offered through YellowWood Associates Inc. This program seeks to help rural communities reduce energy costs, improve municipal service delivery, and create jobs.
http://www.yellowwood.org/
Sustainable Hudson Valley
Sustainable Hudson Valley (SHV) promotes sustainable regional development strategies for the Hudson Valley region of New York State. SHV serves as a resource for local policymakers and residents on sustainable economic development methods. Their website is an excellent forum for networking and information regarding community wide sustainability in the Hudson Valley Region.
http://www.sustainhv.org
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Research and Information
- Community indicators help signify a community's economic, social and environmental health. Indicators are used as a way to determine existing conditions (strengths and weaknesses) in order to develop a vision towards planning for sustainability.
- AIA Center for Communities by Design http://www.aia.org/liv_default/
- APA/EESI Planning Our Way to a New Energy Future project http://www.planning.org/energy/
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Case Studies
These case studies represent a sampling of sustainability initiatives enacted throughout the state. They demonstrate the variety of approaches, driven by a pursuit of community-wide economic and environmental sustainability.
Greater Rochester Region: Rochester Greenprint “Turning Green into Growth” is a comprehensive sustainability plan developed with local community stakeholders as an “engine for economic growth.”
- “Turning Green into Growth”:
Westchester County : County Executive Andy Spano appointed a Westchester Global Warming Task Force in 2007. The Task Force evolved out of a local non-profit, Action for Tomorrow’s Environment, which had earlier issued a comprehensive planning document entitled: “Sustainable Westchester: A Model for Implementing a County Wide Sustainability Plan. For more information contact Edna Sussman
- Global Warming Task Force:
- Action For Tomorrows Environment:
New York City: Under the directive of Mayor Bloomberg, New York City has created a comprehensive plan for sustainability that focuses on five dimensions of the city’s environment: land, air, water, energy, and transportation. The plan will contribute to a 30% reduction in global warming emissions for the City by 2030.
Town of Irondequoit: Supervisor Mary Ellen Heyman recently formed an all-volunteer, citizens’ Environmental Task Force to identify local problems, set goals, and develop recommendations to the Town Board on how to save energy, use fewer resources, and reduce pollution. The Task Force will present recommendations to the Town Board in late-September 2007. For more information, contact Tony Favro
Ulster County : The County legislature has created a Global Warming Advisory Committee, comprised of eight members representing key county stakeholders including transportation, energy, environmental management and local business. The committee will advise the Legislature on how the county should respond to mitigate and adapt to global warming, in its own operations and to assist Ulster County municipalities and citizens. As a foundation, the committee is reviewing strategies in use around the country and resources such as the national program Cities for Climate Protection. For more information, contact Global Warming Advisory Committee Chairman Melissa Everett
- Ulster County’s resolution to create a Global Warming Advisory Committee
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Contact us:
Charle-Pan Dawson
Project Manager, NYSERDA
518-862-1090 x.3244
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