[Adopted 11-20-2012 by Res. No. 960-2012]
The County of Suffolk, in the interest of reducing greenhouse gas emission and adapting to a changing climate, shall engage in the following activities:
A. 
Pledge to combat climate change by becoming a Climate Smart Community (CSC): set goals to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and adapt to predicted climate change, work with other local CSCs to develop complementary and compounding climate-based policies, and sign on to a widespread climate campaign to show commitment and obtain technical resources to aid in accomplishing these goals.
B. 
Set goals, inventory emissions, move to action: gather data, inventory County GHG emissions, and establish baselines for County government operations; develop interim GHG targets consistent with emission reduction goals and propose a schedule and financing strategy to meet same; develop an emissions action plan; report emissions to the Climate Registry and use related tools to track and evaluate the County's progress.
C. 
Decrease energy demand for County government operations: adopt a goal of reducing electricity use by 15% from projected levels by 2015; inventory electricity usage at existing County facilities and consider opportunities to increase energy efficiency and conservation; achieve LEED standards for new facility construction; incorporate energy-efficient technology, operations and maintenance practices for County infrastructure; and improve fuel efficiency and sustainability of County fleet vehicles.
D. 
Encourage renewable energy for County government operations: supply as much of the County government's power requirements as possible through renewable energy sources, either by purchase or direct generation.
E. 
Realize the benefits of recycling and other Climate Smart solid waste management practices at the County level: reduce solid waste generation by County government; promote the reuse of items when possible; provide recycling containers in County government buildings; and promote expanded "Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle" initiatives to the public.
F. 
Promote climate protection through County planning: combat climate change through County planning, when possible, and preserve and protect open space, biodiversity and water supplies.
G. 
Plan for adaptation to unavoidable climate change: evaluate risks for unavoidable climate change and set adaptation goals and a plan for adaptation; identify climate change impacts that could affect Suffolk County, including critical impact areas such as water supply or sewer infrastructure that may be at risk due to rising sea-levels or other changes; factor climate risks into long-term investments and decision making; execute adaptation plan and preparedness measures through County planning, development and operations, prioritizing the highest risk areas.
H. 
Support a green innovation economy in Suffolk County: identify opportunities to incorporate climate protection, sustainability and environmental goods and services industries to the County's economic development plans; encourage workforce development training and school curricula that support the green collar job sector, including renewable energy, energy efficiency and climate smart solid waste management practices; obtain climate smart goods and services for County government operations and support modernization of local and national electricity grids.
I. 
Inform and inspire the public on Climate Smart Communities: lead by example; highlight County commitments to reducing energy use, saving tax dollars and adapting to changing conditions; demonstrate the benefits of energy savings, energy efficiency and renewable energy projects increasing community awareness, working with school districts, colleges and universities to develop climate change curricula and programs, and regularly communicate County climate protection goals and progress to constituents.
J. 
Commit to an evolving process: acknowledge that research and policy on climate protection are constantly improving and evolving; be willing to consider new ideas and commit to update plans and polices as needed; compare successes, cooperate and collaborate with neighboring communities to redirect less-effective actions and amplify positive results.
A. 
In the furtherance of the activities set forth in this article, the County shall establish a Climate Smart Community Standing Committee ("Committee") comprised of County officials and community members to examine climate change issues and propose a plan of action.
B. 
The Committee shall be comprised of the following nine members:
(1) 
The Chairperson of the County Legislature's Committee on Economic Development and Energy, or his or her designee, who shall serve as Chair of the Committee;
(2) 
The Presiding Officer of the County Legislature, or his or her designee;
(3) 
The Minority Leader of the County Legislature, or his or her designee;
(4) 
The Chairperson of the County Legislature's Environment, Planning and Agriculture Committee, or his or her designee;
(5) 
The Commissioner of the County Department of Public Works, or his or her designee;
(6) 
The Director of the Division of Planning in the Department of Economic Development and Planning, or his or her designee;
(7) 
The Director of the Office of Legislative Budget Review, or his or her designee;
(8) 
A community member, to be selected by the County Legislature; and
(9) 
A community member, to be selected by the County Executive.
C. 
The Committee shall be charged with examining the issues of climate change and greenhouse gas emissions as they relate to County government, propose a plan of action and update same as necessary.
D. 
The members of this Committee shall serve without compensation and shall serve at the pleasure of their appointing authority.
E. 
Meetings.
(1) 
The Committee shall hold its first meeting no later than 30 days after the oaths of office of all members have been filed, which meeting shall be convened by the Chairman of the Committee, for the purpose of organization and the appointment of a vice chairperson and a secretary.
(2) 
The Committee shall hold regular meetings, keep a record of all its proceedings, and determine the rules of its own proceedings with special meetings to be called by the Chairperson upon his or her own initiative or upon receipt of a written request therefor signed by at least three members of the Committee. Written notice of the time and place of such special meetings shall be given by the secretary to each member at least four days before the date fixed by the notice for such special meeting.
(3) 
Five members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum to transact the business of the Committee at both regular and special meetings.
F. 
Clerical services involving the month-to-month operation of this Committee, as well as supplies and postage as necessary, will be provided by the staff of the County Legislature.
G. 
Informal hearings and meetings.
(1) 
The Committee may conduct such informal hearings and meetings at any place or places within the County of Suffolk for the purpose of obtaining necessary information or other data to assist it in the proper performance of its duties and functions as it deems necessary.
(2) 
The Committee may delegate to any member of the Committee the power and authority to conduct such hearings and meetings; and be it further.
H. 
The Committee shall cooperate with the legislative committees of the County Legislature and make available to each committee's use, upon request, any records and other data it may accumulate or obtain.
I. 
The Committee shall submit a written report annually to the County Executive, each member of the County Legislature and the Clerk of the County Legislature which will detail the Committee's work over the previous year and the Committee's findings and recommendations to implement Climate Smart initiatives in County government.[1]
[1]
Editor’s Note: Former Art. IV, Use of Hydraulic Fracturing Brine on County Property, adopted 11-20-2012 by Res. No. 1006-2012, which immediately followed this section, was superseded by L.L. No. 13-2014. See now Ch. 446, Art. III, of the County Code.