Westchester Action Plan, 2008 - Westchester County Government

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Purchase Carbon Offsets Consider purchasing carbon offsets. The Task Force recommends that businesses, private educational institutions and households consider purchasing offsets for GHG emissions from transportation. Some transportation requirements such as air travel do not lend themselves to easy substitutes. In cases such as these, carbon offsets can be purchased to offset the emissions associated with travel. Some organizations even purchase offsets for meetings and conferences. Carbon offsets are avoided or mitigated emissions that can be purchased to offset actual emissions. For example, a tree farm can sequester carbon and sell the resulting reduction in CO 2 to offset the emissions associated with jet travel. Numerous vendors of offsets, both non-profit and for-profit, can be identified on the internet. Since these programs are voluntary, reliability and quality of offsets may vary. At a minimum, only vendors with third party verification of offsets should be considered. Substitute Virtual Technology Consider substituting virtual technology for travel. When used properly, information and communication technology can eliminate the need for travel. For example, an investment in video conferencing equipment can allow an organization to hold virtual meetings whose quality approximates face-to-face meetings. GeSI xi , the Global e- Sustainability Initiative within the Information and Communications Technology Sector, in cooperation with the United Nations, is developing, a methodology to calculate and track emissions reductions associated with the use of the technology produced by the sector. Funding these Actions Take advantage of the federal government tax credit for the purchase of some advanced technology vehicles. A list of qualifying vehicles and forms to claim the credit can be found at the IRS website xii . Even federally tax exempt organizations such as schools and government may be able to take advantage of this credit by negotiating a price reduction with the seller. The seller will then take the tax credit. Take advantage of employer programs to allow employees to set aside pretax income to pay for mass transit. Such programs make use of the Qualified Transportation Fringe Benefit in the IRS Code. Take advantage of other funding available through the Federal Transportation Administration xiii (FTA) and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Specifically, the FTA and FHWA offers many options for funding and grants through the Safe, Accountable, Attachment 6: Transportation Westchester Action Plan, 2008 6-6
Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA: LU). SAFETEA: LU guarantees funding for highways, highway safety and public transportation, totaling $244 billion. Potentially applicable programs under this Act include Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ), Surface Transportation Program (STP), Transportation Enhancements, Safe Routes to School and Clean Fuel for Buses. These opportunities are generally restricted to public entities. Building the Capacity (Get Westchester Moving, Keep it Moving) The actions described above will directly reduce Westchester County’s greenhouse gas emissions. To make sure that these direct actions can be implemented, the Task Force has identified actions that will remove barriers and support and encourage the achievement of these reductions. Evaluate Improved Infrastructure and Support Programs To ensure that individuals and organizations are able to effectively implement the proposed actions, supporting infrastructure will need to be in place to encourage the needed changes in the behavior of transportation users. Develop or Support Programs for Partnering to Reduce or Eliminate Transportation Needs Establish web-based ride sharing, car sharing and trip planning capabilities. Consider developing a flexible work program that allows commuting in non-rush hours and working from home. Evaluate Strategies for Improving Mass Transit Evaluate potential strategies for improving bus transit with particular attention to diverting automobile commuters and attracting discretionary riders. The Task Force recommends including the following: • Changes to bus routes; • Traffic signal coordination and transit signal priority systems; • Real time arrival messages at bus stops; • Low floor buses to minimize step height and reduce boarding time; • Bicycle racks on buses to encourage bicycle use and increase access to the bus system; • Dedicated bus lanes; Attachment 6: Transportation Westchester Action Plan, 2008 6-7
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Contents Westchester Action Plan fo
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As a community, we need to respond
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a) Enhance current regional plannin
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To find out how the actions of all
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County Government Action Summary Pr
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♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ Require all utiliti
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Evaluate potential strategies for i
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Implement adaptation strategies in
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Evaluate creating a model ordinance
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Replace incandescent bulbs with com
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Transportation Take Direct Transpor
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Provide information and training to
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Waste Reduction, Recycling and Gree
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Business Action Summary Provided be
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♦ ♦ Promote in grant programs,
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Develop contractual requirements fo
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To find out how the actions of all
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Perform an energy audit on all exis
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Change staff and student vehicle op
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Waste Reduction, Recycling and Gree
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Households Action Summary Provided
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Change vehicle operating behavior b
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Climate Change, Global Warming, and
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• Contraction of the Greenland ic
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A second related hazard for Westche
Page 52 and 53: Sources i Intergovernmental Panel o
Page 54 and 55: The mission of the Task Force was t
Page 56 and 57: Early in the process, the subject c
Page 58 and 59: Representing County Executive Andre
Page 60 and 61: Sector Committees Government Sector
Page 62 and 63: The County retained a consultant to
Page 64 and 65: GHG Inventory and Reduction Goal We
Page 66 and 67: About the Inventory Process The fir
Page 68 and 69: Electricity Westchester County is s
Page 70 and 71: This category also includes emissio
Page 72 and 73: Sources i ICLEI—Local Governments
Page 74 and 75: ICLEI, in conjunction with the U.S.
Page 76 and 77: Step 4: Implement Actions Members o
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Page 80 and 81: work well in traffic signals, parki
Page 82 and 83: What kind of actions might be recom
Page 84 and 85: As with existing buildings, NYSERDA
Page 86 and 87: • Geothermal - Geothermal heat pu
Page 88 and 89: Funding these Actions All individua
Page 90 and 91: Promote Realignment of Regulation a
Page 92 and 93: Develop New Sources. Business shoul
Page 94 and 95: Education and Information Sharing A
Page 96 and 97: xxviii New York Power Authority: Se
Page 98 and 99: us fleet by using ultra-low-sulfur
Page 100 and 101: Replace Vehicles To reduce GHG emis
Page 104 and 105: • Proof of payment and off board
Page 106 and 107: Showcase Successes and Lead by Exam
Page 108 and 109: Sources i ii iii NuRide http://www.
Page 110 and 111: use patterns and a presentation of
Page 112 and 113: Model Code Examples Clustering: Rec
Page 114 and 115: development goals. In establishing
Page 116 and 117: ♦ ♦ Municipalities should partn
Page 118 and 119: Sources i Pound Ridge http://www.e-
Page 120 and 121: Currently, the wastewater treatment
Page 122 and 123: Protection of Infrastructure Develo
Page 124 and 125: • Review building stormwater rete
Page 126 and 127: Sources i ii iii Center for Watersh
Page 128 and 129: The County Government has enacted t
Page 130 and 131: Improve Waste Reduction, Reuse and
Page 132 and 133: Specific green purchasing recommend
Page 134 and 135: • Identify opportunities to devel
Page 136 and 137: Education and Information Sharing A
Page 138 and 139: Business: Waste Reduction Opportuni
Page 140 and 141: Government: Green Purchasing Opport
Page 142 and 143: Guidance for Using the Action Plan
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Westchester Action Plan, 2008 - Westchester County Government

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