[Adopted 11-20-2012 by Res. No. 960-2012]
The County of Suffolk, in the interest of reducing greenhouse
gas emission and adapting to a changing climate, shall engage in the
following activities:
A.Â
Pledge to combat climate change by becoming a Climate Smart Community
(CSC): set goals to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and adapt
to predicted climate change, work with other local CSCs to develop
complementary and compounding climate-based policies, and sign on
to a widespread climate campaign to show commitment and obtain technical
resources to aid in accomplishing these goals.
B.Â
Set goals, inventory emissions, move to action: gather data, inventory
County GHG emissions, and establish baselines for County government
operations; develop interim GHG targets consistent with emission reduction
goals and propose a schedule and financing strategy to meet same;
develop an emissions action plan; report emissions to the Climate
Registry and use related tools to track and evaluate the County's
progress.
C.Â
Decrease energy demand for County government operations: adopt a
goal of reducing electricity use by 15% from projected levels by 2015;
inventory electricity usage at existing County facilities and consider
opportunities to increase energy efficiency and conservation; achieve
LEED standards for new facility construction; incorporate energy-efficient
technology, operations and maintenance practices for County infrastructure;
and improve fuel efficiency and sustainability of County fleet vehicles.
D.Â
Encourage renewable energy for County government operations: supply
as much of the County government's power requirements as possible
through renewable energy sources, either by purchase or direct generation.
E.Â
Realize the benefits of recycling and other Climate Smart solid waste
management practices at the County level: reduce solid waste generation
by County government; promote the reuse of items when possible; provide
recycling containers in County government buildings; and promote expanded
"Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle" initiatives to the public.
F.Â
Promote climate protection through County planning: combat climate
change through County planning, when possible, and preserve and protect
open space, biodiversity and water supplies.
G.Â
Plan for adaptation to unavoidable climate change: evaluate risks
for unavoidable climate change and set adaptation goals and a plan
for adaptation; identify climate change impacts that could affect
Suffolk County, including critical impact areas such as water supply
or sewer infrastructure that may be at risk due to rising sea-levels
or other changes; factor climate risks into long-term investments
and decision making; execute adaptation plan and preparedness measures
through County planning, development and operations, prioritizing
the highest risk areas.
H.Â
Support a green innovation economy in Suffolk County: identify opportunities
to incorporate climate protection, sustainability and environmental
goods and services industries to the County's economic development
plans; encourage workforce development training and school curricula
that support the green collar job sector, including renewable energy,
energy efficiency and climate smart solid waste management practices;
obtain climate smart goods and services for County government operations
and support modernization of local and national electricity grids.
I.Â
Inform and inspire the public on Climate Smart Communities: lead
by example; highlight County commitments to reducing energy use, saving
tax dollars and adapting to changing conditions; demonstrate the benefits
of energy savings, energy efficiency and renewable energy projects
increasing community awareness, working with school districts, colleges
and universities to develop climate change curricula and programs,
and regularly communicate County climate protection goals and progress
to constituents.
J.Â
Commit to an evolving process: acknowledge that research and policy
on climate protection are constantly improving and evolving; be willing
to consider new ideas and commit to update plans and polices as needed;
compare successes, cooperate and collaborate with neighboring communities
to redirect less-effective actions and amplify positive results.
A.Â
In the furtherance of the activities set forth in this article, the
County shall establish a Climate Smart Community Standing Committee
("Committee") comprised of County officials and community members
to examine climate change issues and propose a plan of action.
B.Â
The Committee shall be comprised of the following nine members:
(1)Â
The Chairperson of the County Legislature's Committee on Economic
Development and Energy, or his or her designee, who shall serve as
Chair of the Committee;
(2)Â
The Presiding Officer of the County Legislature, or his or her designee;
(3)Â
The Minority Leader of the County Legislature, or his or her designee;
(4)Â
The Chairperson of the County Legislature's Environment, Planning
and Agriculture Committee, or his or her designee;
(5)Â
The Commissioner of the County Department of Public Works, or his
or her designee;
(6)Â
The Director of the Division of Planning in the Department of Economic
Development and Planning, or his or her designee;
(7)Â
The Director of the Office of Legislative Budget Review, or his or
her designee;
(8)Â
A community member, to be selected by the County Legislature; and
(9)Â
A community member, to be selected by the County Executive.
C.Â
The Committee shall be charged with examining the issues of climate
change and greenhouse gas emissions as they relate to County government,
propose a plan of action and update same as necessary.
D.Â
The members of this Committee shall serve without compensation and
shall serve at the pleasure of their appointing authority.
E.Â
Meetings.
(1)Â
The Committee shall hold its first meeting no later than 30 days
after the oaths of office of all members have been filed, which meeting
shall be convened by the Chairman of the Committee, for the purpose
of organization and the appointment of a vice chairperson and a secretary.
(2)Â
The Committee shall hold regular meetings, keep a record of all its
proceedings, and determine the rules of its own proceedings with special
meetings to be called by the Chairperson upon his or her own initiative
or upon receipt of a written request therefor signed by at least three
members of the Committee. Written notice of the time and place of
such special meetings shall be given by the secretary to each member
at least four days before the date fixed by the notice for such special
meeting.
(3)Â
Five members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum to transact
the business of the Committee at both regular and special meetings.
F.Â
Clerical services involving the month-to-month operation of this
Committee, as well as supplies and postage as necessary, will be provided
by the staff of the County Legislature.
G.Â
Informal hearings and meetings.
(1)Â
The Committee may conduct such informal hearings and meetings at
any place or places within the County of Suffolk for the purpose of
obtaining necessary information or other data to assist it in the
proper performance of its duties and functions as it deems necessary.
(2)Â
The Committee may delegate to any member of the Committee the power
and authority to conduct such hearings and meetings; and be it further.
H.Â
The Committee shall cooperate with the legislative committees of
the County Legislature and make available to each committee's use,
upon request, any records and other data it may accumulate or obtain.
I.Â
The Committee shall submit a written report annually to the County
Executive, each member of the County Legislature and the Clerk of
the County Legislature which will detail the Committee's work over
the previous year and the Committee's findings and recommendations
to implement Climate Smart initiatives in County government.[1]
