By Deputy County Executive Lisa Chimera
I am proud to announce the completion of the Erie County Community Climate Action Plan (CCAP). This high-level plan is the result of several years of collaboration between multiple county departments, guided by 70 community organizations across Erie County. The county also hosted presentations and events to gather feedback from interested community members. We were pleased to see the great attention to this project from residents, including hundreds of public comments that were received and considered in the creation of the CCAP.
The CCAP will strengthen local climate planning efforts and aid immensely in obtaining grants and potential funding to advance these projects. Grant funding obtained with the CCAP now in place will assist in growing existing programs such as those focused on food waste and methane emissions, energy affordability, renewable energy, development of green jobs, resilience initiatives for extreme heat and more.
The CCAP has already aided in securing a $5.2 million USDA Community Forestry Grant to increase tree canopy in disadvantaged communities. These funds will help to prepare recommendations for priority planting, tree maintenance, shared service opportunities and climate change adaptation strategies. Selected communities will also benefit from workforce development, addressing food insecurity through the cultivation of fruit trees, as well as intensive outreach to make sure that community members are aware of these opportunities and that their voice is heard as the project rolls out.
In county government we acknowledge that we are at a critical juncture for the preservation of our local climate and ecosystems. I am proud of the great work being done with a large part of those efforts occurring behind the scenes. I regularly participate in meetings with our Erie County Green Team, and last month as the result of major energy efficiency improvements to county buildings, we were able to receive an energy rebate check of $636,673 from our partner JW Danforth. We also expect to see annual energy savings of more than $400,000 going forward.
In more exciting news for residents, the county has once again partnered with Western NY Stormwater Coalition to offer discounted Rain Barrels and Compost Bins. Orders must be placed by April 15, with select municipalities receiving between 50 to 75-percent off their purchases. You can go to www.erie.compostersale.com to learn more.
With the climate and sustainability in mind, let me be the first to wish everyone a very happy Earth Day on April 22! You can get a head start by joining the county’s Earth Day Challenge! Enjoy nature, participate in a clean-up, go somewhere new or learn something about your environment. Every action is rewarded with a raffle entry and the chance to win a prize! Go to www3.erie.gov/recycling/wnyearthdaychallenge to register. Once again, my greatest thanks to all county staff, residents and community partners who worked together to finalize a plan that will keep Erie County sustainable and strong!