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St. Lawrence County part of consortium awarded $1 million to develop regional sustainability plan

Posted 7/3/12

St. Lawrence County is part of a consortium of North Country counties, towns and organizations that has received $1 million from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) …

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St. Lawrence County part of consortium awarded $1 million to develop regional sustainability plan

Posted

St. Lawrence County is part of a consortium of North Country counties, towns and organizations that has received $1 million from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to create a comprehensive plan for regional sustainability.

"In addition to being well positioned for new opportunities for wind and solar, St. Lawrence County's natural resources include an abundance of potential biomass products. Bolstering support for clean energy initiatives such as these will keep more of our energy dollars local and help homeowners and businesses that are struggling with high heating costs," said Keith Zimmerman, Director of the St. Lawrence County Planning Office.

The funding is part of the Cleaner, Greener Communities Program, a major environmental initiative announced by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo in his 2011 State of the State address.

The consortium, led by representatives from each of the seven North Country counties – St. Lawrence, Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson and Lewis -- will develop a plan that encompasses the North Country Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) area. Essex County is the municipal sponsor for the initiative.

Said Clarkson University Pres. Tony Collins, co-chair of the North Country Regional Economic Development Council, "The North Country is a special place to visit, live, work and study because of its people and their stewardship of the natural environment. Governor Cuomo's Cleaner, Greener Communities Program supports the North Country Regional Economic Development Council's goal to create the greenest energy economy in the State. This initiative gives each region the ability to identify projects that will help communities become stronger and more resilient, as well as promote and enhance local business. We have a distinct opportunity to use emerging technologies and encourage innovative entrepreneurs to create new jobs that will sustain our environment under this plan."

The development of a comprehensive regional sustainability plan is the first phase of the Cleaner, Greener Communities program and is intended to provide resources that each New York State region can use to develop its own vision, goals and objectives for a sustainable future, identify actions needed to achieve that future and outline metrics to measure success. Only one award was made in each region of the state.

"This funding is an excellent opportunity for the North Country to develop a plan that improves environmental quality by reducing air, water and land pollution and improves quality of life through smart growth and sustainable development," said Francis J. Murray Jr., President and CEO of NYSERDA. "Under Governor Cuomo's leadership, all New Yorkers will benefit, as the regional plans will examine each region's available resources and provide a specific vision to reduce carbon emissions and increase energy efficiency and renewable energy."

The development of a comprehensive regional sustainability plan is the first stage of the Cleaner, Greener Communities program and is intended to provide resources that each New York State region can use to develop its own vision, goals and objectives for a sustainable future, identify actions needed to achieve that future and outline metrics to measure success. Only one award was made in each region of the state.

The Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA) and Ecology and Environment, Inc. (E&E) will provide consulting support to the coalition by organizing stakeholder engagements processes and technical expertise required to undertake a greenhouse gas inventory, develop sustainability indicators and identify projects to be in included in the Plan that will assist the region in meeting both its target for GHG reductions and economic growth and will provide required reporting to the state over the eight month project timeframe.