KINGSTON – Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger has announced actions aligned with directives of her climate executive order that are aimed at strengthening the county’s green fleet and green purchasing policies.
Both need legislative approval.
She is also proposing an Ulster County Climate Corps internship program to give young people hands-on experience in developing climate policies and programs.
“These updates to the country’s laws governing green fleet and green purchasing policies will help us reduce climate-damaging emissions and save taxpayer dollars, while our new Ulster County Climate Corps internship program will provide valuable opportunities for young people to gain job skills and experience while positively contributing to our communities.”
The proposed updates to the green fleet policy will accelerate the electrification of the county’s passenger vehicle fleet by requiring new county vehicle purchases to be zero-emissions beginning in 2023.
Metzger also announced proposed amendments to the county’s green purchasing policy aimed at reducing waste and greenhouse gas emissions while growing the market for recycled materials.
Among the new provisions are a requirement for 100 percent recycled content for all county office paper purchases and a prohibition on purchasing single-use food and beverage plastics for county government uses.
