Goshen, N.Y. – Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus and Commissioner of Planning Alan Sorensen have announced that the County has achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification.
LEED was created by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and is the world’s most widely used green building rating system. Orange County joins a global network of more than 100 certified cities and communities.
“We are pleased to receive this recognition,” Neuhaus said. “The LEED Silver Certification provides a wonderful example of what we can do to foster local climate and clean energy action, while saving local governments and residents money on their energy bills, creating local jobs and realizing the tremendous opportunities provided by expanding the green economy.”
Orange County achieved LEED certification for implementing practical and measurable strategies and solutions aimed at improving sustainability and the standard of living for residents. Orange County’s LEED submittal focused on the wealth of protected open space in the County, which contributes to healthy natural and ecological systems, and the tremendous strides the County has made toward energy efficiency and conservation.
Orange County has been a leader in sustainability through co-chairing the Mid-Hudson Regional Sustainability Group since 2013, and has created several sustainability initiatives, including the Green Star Schools Program, which works with schools in the County to reduce waste and environmental impacts. The County continues to improve sustainability by commissioning a new Climate Action Plan including a full Greenhouse Gas Inventory, updating the County Open Space Plan to include sustainability objectives, and developing a Countywide Resiliency Plan.
“We are proud of this recognition and will continue to seek innovative ways to reduce energy consumption, while encouraging clean energy use in our community,” Sorensen said.
For more information, contact Justin Rodriguez, Assistant to the County Executive for Communications and Media Relations at 845.291.3255 or jrodriguez@orangecountygov.com.
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