Suffolk County, NY

Mayor: Steve Levy - County Executive

Date of Adoption:
2006-10-01

Primary Contact:
Jane Fasullo

Why My City is Cool

As part of a larger environmental improvement effort, Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy signed the Mayors Climate Protection Agreement at a prestigious ceremony and memorable press event on December 14 in Hauppauge, New York. As the most easterly of the Long Island counties encompassing hundreds of miles of shoreline and marshes as well as many fresh water ponds and streams, it has an extremely heavy population density and an extended farming and industrial history. These factors have lead to pollution of its grounds, drinking waters, natural waters, and air. The current government is taking many steps to correct the situation including buying development rights, cleaning up the rivers, working with the Baykeepers to improve water quality.

Executive Levy invited Sierra Club and friends to the podium. Sierra Club was proud to share the lime light with our friends at USGBC, NN, and even school personnel who kindly came to support the cause. Executive Levy outlined his Energy Action Plan which includes initiatives to lessen emissions, reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, conserve energy use, and encourage the use of alternative renewable forms of energy. Suffolk is the first County on Long Island to develop a Clean Energy Action Plan. Suffolk has many retrofit programs already underway which will save the county money and energy. Examples include the Medical Examiners Building which is the largest user of energy, other energy upgrades include solar installations at the police headquarters in Yaphank. Home owners can receive sales tax breaks for solar installations. Suffolk is preserving open space and reducing urban sprawl. Over three thousand acres has been preserved in three years and over a thousand acres of farmland has been preserved. Suffolk is promoting public transportation and car pooling. Suffolk has a biodiesel program for its heavy fleet and a restaurant grease program. Grease is taken from McDonalds and other fast food restaurants and recycled into product. The county has 35 hybrid vehicles so far. There are plans in 2007 to replace up to 100 cars and vans with hybrid in the fleet. The County has replaced 40% of the bus fleet with cleaner burning diesel buses that release 80% less emissions into the atmosphere. There are plans to add 4 hybrid electric buses as part of a pilot program. Executive Levy credits these ideas to his partnership with his environmental leaders. So it was with great pride that he signed the Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. You are very cool County Executive Steve Levy. We say a job well done to you and we congratulate you.