Sustainable energy office created in Sullivan

Sullivan County continues its greening

By FRITZ MAYER

MONTICELLO, NY — Lawmakers have taken an additional step in their efforts to push the county toward energy efficiency and in the direction of renewable energy.

At the government center on September 18, the Sullivan County Legislature voted unanimously to create an office of sustainable energy (OSE).

County research analyst Heather Brown was named as the coordinator for the OSE, which will initially be physically located in the office of county manager David Fanslau. At the meeting, there was some discussion among lawmakers about whether the office should be located in the county planning office, and lawmakers put off a final decision until the matter could be more fully examined. Brown will spend 50 percent of her time on this position.

According to county officials, the responsibilities of the OSE will be to “research, develop and recommend measures for energy conservation, generation and efficiency with the county.”

Ron Hiatt, the chair of the county’s Sustainable Energy Commission, said, “The creation of this office can truly provide a triple benefit: conserve money, protect the environment and help us meet our power needs in new creative ways.” He also said the work of the office would be available to county officials as well as to towns, school districts and residents.

The resolution that created the OSE also called for the Sullivan County Division of Planning and Environmental Management “to seek to provide education on energy conservation, generation and efficiencies, including grants, loans and a conduit for information with as many public and private entities as possible.” County chairman Jonathan Rouis said the educational component was how the recommendations of the OSE will be brought to the homes and businesses in the county.

The resolution also called for an energy audit of “selected” county buildings and vehicles, with a final plan for addressing energy efficiency shortfalls to be presented to the legislature by June 1, 2009.

Fanslau said, “It is essential that Sullivan County employ every measure that reduces utilities costs throughout all county facilities, and develop administrative directives that implement policies that will reduce the county’s carbon footprint and reliance on foreign oil.”