Be Part of the Conversation as
Western New York Plans for a More Sustainable Future!
A coalition of Western New York municipalities and organizations in Erie, Niagara, Allegany, Chautauqua, and Cattaraugus counties has received funding from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to create a regional sustainability plan as part of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Cleaner, Greener Communities Program. The Western New York Regional Sustainability Planning process is underway and community input is needed to help shape our region’s economic and environmental future.
The Cleaner, Greener Communities Program promotes smarter growth practices by funding sustainability planning at the regional level. Regional planning teams can partner with state and federal agencies, municipalities, non-profit organizations, private businesses and residents to break down barriers and develop a sustainability plan that reflects their area’s needs. This partnering helps to create more integrated, sustainable solutions and accelerate investment and actual development.
When completed, the Western New York Regional Sustainability Plan will:
- Plan for energy production and conservation, transportation, waste and water management, land use and livable communities, agriculture and forestry, economic development, and open space;
- Build upon Regional Economic Development planning efforts to integrate our work toward economic prosperity with efforts to promote long-term sustainability;
- Measure key indicators of sustainability, including greenhouse gas emissions and energy use, available natural resources and economic assets, liabilities, and opportunities; and
- Prioritize eligible projects that can apply for Cleaner, Greener Communities implementation funding from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.
Planning teams are looking for ideas from community members and input from experts across a wide range of fields. Please plan on attending a public workshop and sharing your ideas to help shape the Western New York Regional Sustainability Plan. The following workshops are scheduled:
Wednesday, July 18, 2012, 6-8 pm
Starpoint Central High School, Cafeteria
4363 Mapleton Rd, Lockport, NY 14094
Tuesday, July 24, 2012, 6-8 pm
Millennium Hotel Grand Ballroom
2040 Walden Ave., Buffalo, NY 14225
Wednesday, July 25, 2012, 6-8 pm
Ramada Jamestown Hotel
150 West Fourth St., Jamestown, NY 14701
Thursday, July 26, 2012, 6-8 pm
Moonwinks Restaurant
9302 Jackson Hill Rd., Cuba, NY 14727
The Western New York regional planning team is led by Allegany County, with support from Southern Tier West Regional Planning and Development Board, Ecology and Environment, Inc., and the University at Buffalo Regional Institute.
To learn more about the project or to submit input via email, please visit www.sustainable-ny.com. For questions about the project or the upcoming public meetings, please contact Elizabeth Santacrose at (716) 684-8060.
2 comments:
I hope that people attending these public workshops will speak up in favor of the Sierra Club's plan to encourage Governor Cuomo to initiate a feed-in tariff (FIT) program for renewable energy in Western New York. FITs are a pricing policy that has been demonstrated, again and again, to be the best way to promote rapid development of renewable energy while also stimulating local businesses and creating jobs. Learn more here: http://bit.ly/nyfeedin. Our neighbor, Ontario, has created more than 20,000 jobs and brought in more than $20 billion in new investments since it started its FIT program in 2009. Let's reap some of those benefits here in WNY!
For a two-page summary about FIT, Click Here.
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