In early 2023 Erie County released its draft Community Climate Action Plan (“CCAP”), which highlights ways the County can reduce its carbon footprint and transition to a clean energy economy, protect the community from future extreme weather, and ensure this transition to clean energy makes our community more equitable and prosperous. The Erie County Department of Environment and Planning (“ECDEP”) has been presenting the draft CCAP to the public, as well various organizations, since its release and will be accepting feedback until June 18, 2023.

A virtual public meeting on the Community Climate action Plan is scheduled for Wednesday, May 24, 2023 from 6:00pm – 7:00pm. This is a free event, open to the public and all attendees will be entered into a raffle for a shop 716 eGift card.

All participants should register in advance at: https://www.tinyurl.com/2xaspj73 .

“We are proud to showcase the full draft plan to the public and are grateful to the volunteers who helped the County create it. This plan addresses one of the most important threats facing our community, climate change, and will help make us safer, healthier, and more prosperous,” said Deputy County Executive Lisa Chimera.

The draft CCAP is the culmination of a three-year process that involved ongoing collaboration with over 100 volunteer community stakeholders and public comments from many others. This equity-centered plan was developed by the County but guided by the Community Climate Change Task Force, a committee of the Erie County Environmental Management Council. Ten working groups, made up of County staff, community stakeholders, academic researchers, nonprofit organizations, a utility, and a local businesses organization, developed each chapter of the CCAP. Chapters of the CCAP focus on:

• Agriculture and Food Systems
• Climate Justice
• Climate resiliency
• Commercial Energy Conservation & Renewable Energy
• Communicating Progress
• Consumption & Waste Reduction
• Economic & Workforce Development
• Housing & Neighborhood Resiliency
• Nature Based Solutions, and
• Transportation

“Erie County’s draft Community Climate Action Plan outlines a path to help our community reduce greenhouse gas emissions and become more resilient to the impacts of a changing climate,” said Dan Castle, Commissioner of the Department of Environment & Planning.

For example, Erie County will work with federal, state, and local governments to bring in resources to accelerate the transition to clean energy, will take actions to make our transportation system better serve transit riders, bicyclists and pedestrians, and will work to make our community safer, especially for vulnerable populations like seniors, when we experience extreme weather. In regards to extreme weather, as a recommendation from this climate plan the County has already secured grant funding to analyze current programs and assets, identify improvements needed, and develop procedures to protect the community from extreme heat events.

This project has been funded in part by the Climate Smart Community Grant Program, Title 15 of the Environmental Protection Fund through the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

County residents can view the entire plan at www.erie.gov/ccap  and learn more about the initiative at www.erie.gov/climateaction .

Feedback can be submitted in the comment sections on the website or by emailing sustainability@erie.gov  or by calling 716-858-1551 and leaving a message.

For more information:

On the Erie County Department of Environment and Planning, visit

https://www3.erie.gov/environment/ 

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