WHITE PLAINS, NY — The Westchester County Board of Legislators (BOL) in partnership with County Executive Rob Astorino are poised to pass legislation at tonight’s BOL meeting which will save tax payers millions of dollars. The two part initiative dissolves a 33 year old county energy agency which had outlived its function and creates an “executive level” position within county government that will ensure county operations follow best practices in regards to energy consumption and sustainability.
The move would repeal a local law passed in 1982 which established the County of Westchester Public Utility Service Agency (COWPUSA). The dissolution of COWPUSA will immediately return more than $1.8 million dollars to the county. COWPUSA’s mission was to acquire low-cost hydroelectric or other economical forms of electricity from New York State and state agencies for resale to utility customers in the Con-Ed service area within Westchester County. The customer base for COWPUSA dwindled over the years to a level that the agency’s existence was no longer necessary. In 2012 COWPUSA’s few remaining customers were enrolled in the State’s “ReCharge New York Program”.
The second part of the initiative establishes the Office of Energy Conservation and the position of Energy Director. The Energy Director’s mission will be to save taxpayers money by coordinating the County’s energy policy across all departments, facilities and operations with a focus on reduction of fossil fuels and water consumption through conservation, energy efficiency measures and alternative energy sources. Additionally, the Energy Director will establish policies on green purchasing, solid waste recycling, green building, and greenhouse gas reduction. The Office of Energy Conservation will also pursue government funding through grants. Outside of County operations, the Energy Director would provide assistance, leadership, and coordination to community agencies, local governments, and businesses in the area of environmental sustainability.
Board of Legislators Chairman Michael Kaplowitz first proposed the Office of Energy Conservation and the position of Energy Director back in 2005 and has continued to advocate for this position for the past decade. “I am thrilled that after ten years of pushing for this policy, it has finally come to fruition. While no law is perfect, this dual legislation is an excellent solution to two problems and as close to perfect as I could have hoped for.” Kaplowitz said, “As with every success in government, this required collaboration and compromise. I thank County Executive Rob Astorino and my colleagues on the Board, especially Environment and Energy Committee Chair Catherine Parker for their hard work, determination and leadership in passing this very important legislation. The immediate return of $1.8 million to Westchester County is a tremendous savings but it will be dwarfed by the savings that will be achieved through a comprehensive and proactive energy policy applied throughout county operations.”
The Office of Energy Conservation will be a part of the administration and the Energy Director will be appointed by the County Executive. “This simple reform was a no brainer. In one broad stroke we have eliminated an outdated bureaucracy and set Westchester on a committed path of environmental sustainability and cost savings for taxpayers, and I want to thank Chairman Kaplowitz for his partnership in helping to get this done,” said Astorino.
County Executive Astorino is expected to appoint Tim Carey who was the Executive Director of COWPUSA to the Energy Director position. Mr. Carey also served as the Chief Operating Officer of the New York Power Authority (NYPA) a statewide public power utility, which provides up to one-quarter of New York State’s electricity. Mr. Carey also served five terms as a Westchester County Legislator from 1984-1993.
The two pieces of legislation will be on the agenda for the regular BOL meeting tonight, Monday, April 27th.
Live streaming video of the meeting on the BOL website can be viewed at, http://www.westchesterlegislators.com/
