Website and video series provide information and resources for residents on green career and green business opportunities in addition to showcasing the County’s environmental goals
KINGSTON, N.Y. – As a part of his Green New Deal for Ulster County plan, Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan announced today that businesses and job seekers can find out more about the County’s Green New Deal plan at https://gnd.ulstercountyny.gov. The website provides information about the County’s environmental goals and resources for green career and green business opportunities. Additionally, the County is releasing two documentary-style mini-films to promote green economic opportunities. The videos feature Bread Alone’s Nels Leader, who shares why Ulster County is the perfect place for your green business (WATCH HERE) and Saugerties resident Desireé Lyle, who shares her journey building a green career in Ulster County (WATCH HERE).
Yesterday, County Executive Ryan released his Green New Deal plan for Ulster County. Joined by environmental leaders from throughout the Hudson Valley, the report consisting of over 30 goals and targets makes Ulster County the first County in New York State and among the first in the nation to release a comprehensive Green New Deal plan.
“As we continue to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, laying the foundations for a green, equitable economy is one of the most critical steps we can take to rebuild, realign, and reinvigorate our communities,” said County Executive Pat Ryan. “A Green New Deal allows us to stabilize our climate, transition to clean energy and protect and regenerate our natural resources. All while doing the work to undo generations of economic and environmental injustice and create opportunity for everyone.”
The report lays out an ambitious agenda over three critical areas to spur transformation across the Ulster County community. Each section is broken down by time frame into immediate efforts that will be launched this year, aggressive interim targets for 2025, and long term transformative goals to reach by 2040.
The “Accelerating the Transition to Clean Energy” section calls for setting new high efficiency and standards for new buildings, retrofitting and weatherizing 1,000 Ulster County homes per year by 2025, and greening 20% of Ulster County’s vehicle fleet in the next five years. The “Build the Equitable Green Economy” section builds on the success of the Ulster County Green Careers Academy launched by County Executive Ryan in 2019 by combining low-income home weatherization efforts with job training opportunities, piloting green careers education in middle and high schools, and working to make the Hudson Valley a center for green economy innovation. The final section, “Conserve our Natural Resources and Build Resilience,” looks to assess all County roadways for storm resilience, continue Ulster County’s efforts in redeveloping foreclosed brownfields, and work to ensure that all Ulster County farmers utilize climate smart practices.
Last week, County Executive Ryan signed an Executive Order that directs a prevailing wage requirement or a Project Labor Agreement for all County-run renewable energy projects. Through key investments in the 2021 Executive Budget, Ulster County is ahead of schedule in achieving the goal set by County Executive Ryan as his first act on taking office of committing Ulster County to use 100% renewable electricity by 2030. In his 2020 Executive Budget, County Executive Ryan unveiled the Ulster County Green Careers Academy, a new eight-week training program, in partnership with SUNY Ulster, that delivers the skills and expertise necessary to begin careers in the expanding clean technology industry.
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