The plans to expand Stewart Airport in the Hudson Valley are huge, potentially region changing. In spite of that scary unknown change factor, it seems that a lot of stakeholders and editorial boards are on board. That's good. But it's no coincidence.

The Port Authority, which will take over control of Stewart in October (it runs the other three big NY airports), is doing a top-notch job of sending an anxiety-reducing "smart growth" message: more jobs, minimal environmental impact. If done right, Stewart could qualify as green on two fronts -- dollar-wise and enviro-wise. It's tough to argue with that.

Anthony Shorris, the Port Authority's executive director, was the headliner at the recent Hudson Valley Regional Economic Summit. He toed the smart growth line on Stewart. Here's what he said:

• Stewart will be an economic engine (for every 100,000 passengers, 20,000 jobs will be created)
• It will be developed using a sustainable development strategy
• It will transform the Hudson Valley's economy while preserving its environmental characteristics
• Local businesses and communities will have a say in the Stewart plans
  
• Stewart will not become as big as the other three airports

Let's hope the smart growth message translate into actual smart growth policies. Anything else would be, well, err, not smart for the Hudson Valley and for the entire state.