Sullivan County joins Ulster as ‘climate smart’
Sullivan County has been declared a Certified Climate Smart Community by the state Department of Environmental Conservation.
Kelly Turturro, regional director of the state agency, on Tuesday made the announcement, recognizing Sullivan County for its actions to strengthen resiliency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
County Legislature Chairman Luis Alvarez said the county deserves the designation.
“We are well-known for our air, our rivers, our cleanliness, our beauty, our seasons people come here to see this — so this is a welldeserved honor for Sullivan County,” Alvarez said.
Legislator Catherine Owens, who chairs the Agriculture and Sustainability Committee, said the environment must be protected as the county’s economic development grows.
“We are nearing an era in which we are guaranteed a population spurt, which we are assured will benefit us after our long, patient wait, with great economic benefit,” Owen said. “This is all the more reason to hold tight to our environmental goals, to preserve a delicate ecological balance in the beauty and health of our county.”
Sullivan is now the 15th community in New York to be so designated. Ulster County is among the counties that share the status.
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority also has designated Sullivan a Clean Energy Community.