Page 48 - 2023 Westchester County Economic Development Guide

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WESTCHESTER COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDE
Cultivating and Advancing Talent Green Businesses
Committed to
Sustainability
Last year, the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) appointed Peter McCartt as an inaugural member to its newly established Climate Action Standing Committee, which will discuss ways to address climate change in New York and identify county opportunities to
work collaboratively toward creating more resilient communities. Here, McCartt discusses:
Reducing our dependency on fossil fuel.
In recent years, we have taken critical steps to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and embrace a renewable energy infrastructure that will lower costs for residents and protect our planet from the catastrophic effects of climate change. I am happy to report that a large percentage of the electricity via the New York Power Authority used by the County for daily operations is derived from renewable sources, particularly hydroelectricity.
Supporting net
emissions goals.
To help achieve our ambitious goal
of zero net emissions, Westchester County is entering the second phase of a comprehensive campaign with solar photovoltaic panels, this time adding in 35 municipalities and school districts and Community Solar,
which offers residents the ability to purchase solar power at a discount, without the need to install panels
on their homes. We will also be administering a Solarize Westchester campaign. Working with Sustainable Westchester, we’re supporting many other residential and local campaigns, including air- and ground-sourced heat pumps. Another exciting project with major implications for us is the recently announced, massive wind farm upstate, which will supply 2.2 giga watts of wind energy to half a million homes in Westchester.
Balancing our energy supply.
We have expanded our demand response program with NuEnergen, which enables us to balance energy supply and demand in the County and helps protect against and minimize unplanned power outages. is program also helps the County earn substantial money over the life of the contract, minimize the need for more fossil fuel infrastructure, and provide an opportunity to further enhance the County’s sustainability efforts.
The environment.
e County has done a lot of great work in the environment, in terms of both air and water. Beyond a more sustainable electric bus system
to reduce emissions, we are also doing a better job of maintaining our shorelines, which need to be protected from encroaching seas,
or coastal creep. To this end, we’re doing studies of the Hutchinson River and the Edith G. Reed Wildlife Sanctuary in Rye. Additionally, the County has allocated $1.1 million for improvements at Hilltop Hanover Farm and Environmental Center
in Yorktown, to educate and demonstrate sustainable and organic farming.
Getting things done.
We’re fortunate that County Executive Latimer has long been committed to environmental conservation efforts. For the 2022 budget, he has earmarked: nearly
$32 million in appropriations for the purchase of electric hybrid buses,
as well as $4.3 million to begin the process of electrifying the County’s two bus garages; and $1 million for the installation of EV charging stations at County facilities. It’s exciting to see these important projects coming to fruition, thanks to our shared vision and respect for science, as well as
our discipline and commitment to protect our environment today and for generations to come.
The Green
Business Bureau
e Business Council of Westchester has partnered with the Green Business Bureau (GBB), a trusted authority in green business, to help its members achieve their sustainability goals. Offering levels of certification
from “base” to “platinum, GBB’s online sustainability framework and customized tools will enable members to understand, prioritize, and implement green initiatives, and measure/validate results.
All BCW members are eligible for
a free 60-day trial. Learn more at: https://greenbusinessbureau.com.
Why Join?
• Reduce your impact on the environment
• Cut business costs • Engage employees • Attract customers
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