While the federal and state governments set emissions control policies and the State makes decisions on the siting of power plants, there are some measures local government can take to promote energy conservation and reduce air pollution. With respect to air quality, Westchester, along with the rest of the New York metropolitan region, qualifies as a non-attainment zone under the EPA’s new particulate matter standards (PM2.5). Fine particulate emissions are linked to the high incidence of asthma and other lung ailments and are also classified as a “likely carcinogen” by the EPA. While new EPA guidelines will mandate reduced emissions from many mobile sources of pollution in future years, the County and municipalities should act promptly to reduce diesel emissions from government fleets and encourage private fleets to do the same. Similarly, the government should play a leading role by making its own facilities and operations energy-efficient and by establishing policies that encourage the private sector to go green as well.
The League urges the County and municipalities to:
- Convert non-emergency government operated or controlled fleets to alternative fuel vehicles and prohibit non-essential SUV purchases.
- Educate citizens regarding current incentives to purchase and operate hybrid vehicles within the county.
- Commit to build all new government construction and major renovation projects to LEED standards. Begin implementation of Resolution 281-2003; which states that the County will use 25% renewable energy by the year 2010.
- Promote the use of renewable sources of power locally, in both the public and private sectors.
- Work with school districts and private school bus companies to convert to cleaner technologies and take advantage of available state funding to facilitate upgrade.
- Implement air quality legislation reducing vehicle idling, lowering levels of allowable sulfur in home heating fuel, and requiring county vehicles to use ultra low sulfur fuel and install best available retrofit technology.
- Pass legislation requiring that all new government construction and major renovation projects to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards.
- Provide incentives to the commercial sector encouraging the use of green building technology.