[This letter, written in February of this year, is no less important now than it was then. In fact, one may say that the issue is even more important today. In response to this letter and in light of the importance of the issue the Environment Committee of the County Board of Legislators embarked upon a program of self education with respect to energy matters. This effort culminated in the creation of a new committee of the Board, the Energy Committee, which met for the first time this month and began its discussions with reference to this letter.]

February 19, 2002

Honorable Andrew Spano
Westchester County Executive
Michaelian Office Building 9th Floor
148 Martine Avenue
White Plains, New York 10601

Honorable Michael Kaplowitz
Chair, Environment; Health Committee
Board of Legislators
Michaelian Office Building, 8th Floor
148 Martine Avenue
White Plains, New York 10601

Energy Recommendations

Dear County Executive Spano and Legislator Kaplowitz:

The current climate has created enormous concern about energy usage and energy sources. The events of September 11 have led to increased pressure to reduce dependence on foreign sources of oil and to close Indian Point. The siting of the Millennium Pipeline has sensitized all of us to the disruptive effects of siting additional energy infrastructure in our settled community. The energy shortfall in California heightened everyone's awareness of the real possibility of energy shortages. As a result of these and a host of other concerns, all are united in paying lip service to energy conservation and efficiency. However, in the face of the current concerns in the County about energy, the time has come to do more than pay lip service; the time has come for action.

We believe that Westchester County should take a leadership role and embark upon initiatives that would send a strong message to Westchester businesses and individuals that all of us must be committed to a national effort to improve efficiency and increase conservation. Westchester should also take steps to ensure that there is intelligent regional planning for our energy future.

There are several initiatives that we would recommend:

1. Becoming an Energy Star Partner- The federal government has been promoting efficiency initiatives for several years through the EPA Energy Star program. Energy Star creates a partnership with governments and businesses to provide tools for improving energy efficiency. The program has been very successful. In 1999 alone, the Energy Star program prevented the emission of 93 million tons of carbon dioxide, which is equal to taking 18 million cars off the road.

As an Energy Star partner, a governmental body or business commits to (1) measuring, tracking and benchmarking its energy performance by using tools such as those offered by Energy Star; (2) developing and implementing a plan to improve energy performance in its facilities by adopting the strategy provided by Energy Star; (3) educating its staff and the public about its partnership with Energy Star and highlighting its achievements with the Energy Star label where available.

We suggest that the time has come for Westchester to take a leadership role in promoting energy conservation and efficiency by making Westchester an Energy Star partner and work towards making Westchester County Energy Star compliant. By participating in the program, Westchester will, we believe, be the first county in the state of New York to implement the program and will join the long list of local and state governments that have done so. The list of governmental bodies that have become Energy Star partners includes large well known counties and cities such as Los Angeles County, San Diego County, Miami- Dade County, Philadelphia, Houston and Chicago as well as smaller counties and cities such as Arlington County in Virginia, Boulder County in Colorado, Union County in New Jersey, Chester County in Pennsylvania, Douglas County in Oregon, Polk County in Wisconsin, Portland, Tucson, Burlington, and the Town of Fairfield in Connecticut. Many other governmental bodies have joined as listed on the EPA web site.

2. Set goals for reduction- The Energy Star initiative will set the stage for announcing county goals for energy reductions and purchases of energy from renewable sources. New York State has issued an executive order setting a goal for the reduction of energy consumption in state owned government buildings of 35% as of 2010 as compared to 1990 and a goal for the procurement of 20% of state energy needs from renewable resources by 2010. The county should commit to comparable levels of efficiency achievement and renewable energy procurement for county owned or operated facilities.

3. Encourage energy efficiency and conservation by others - Westchester County can set the example by publicly announcing its participation in the Energy Star Program and by publicly announcing its progress in becoming Energy Star compliant. While it mounts its own efforts, the County should promote a program to encourage building owners and businesses to also join the Energy Star program; it should use its resources to connect private businesses with NYSERDA and other agencies that would help finance and otherwise encourage these activities. By using its position, Westchester County can have an enormous multiplier impact on reducing the consumption of energy.

4. Buying Energy Efficient Products - The County can play a significant role in supporting energy conservation and efficiency by pledging to buy those products that achieve the highest levels of efficiency taking into account long-term costs. Procurement from light bulbs to transportation vehicles should be made with an eye to conserving and sending a message to the community. Bidding specifications should take into account life-cycle costs so that projects can be successfully bid even if employing higher cost materials that are more energy efficient.

5. Creation of a Committee to advise on County energy needs and planning - There are a host of issues today swirling around the question of energy for which analysis focused on our regional needs is essential. The recently released New York State Energy Plan does not serve this purpose. Westchester should have a group which studies energy issues from Westchester's perspective and is ready to advise as matters require solutions and answers.

We would be very pleased to meet with you to discuss these proposals in greater detail and look forward to hearing from you as to your reaction to these suggestions.

Sincerely yours,