Turturro presented a plaque to Alvarez, center and
County Manager Joshua Potosek
MONTICELLO – Sullivan County has been declared a Certified Climate Smart Community by the state Department of Environmental Conservation.
Regional DEC Director Kelly Turturro came to Monticello on Tuesday to make the announcement. The county was recognized for its actions to strengthen resiliency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
County Legislature Chairman Luis Alvarez said the county deserves the designation.
“We are well-known for our air, our rivers, our cleanliness, our beauty, our seasons – people come here to see this – so this is a well deserved honor for Sullivan County,” Alvarez said.
Legislator Catherine Owens, who chairs the Agriculture and Sustainability Committee, said the environment must be protected as the county’s economic development grows.
“We are nearing an era, in which we are guaranteed a population spurt, which we are assured will benefit us after our long, patient wait, with great economic benefit,” Owen said. “This is all the more reason to hold tight to our environmental goals, to preserve a delicate ecological balance in the beauty and health of our county.”
Sullivan is now the 15th community in New York to have such a designation. Ulster and Orange counties share the same status.
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority also designed Sullivan as a Clean Energy Community.
