Dutchess County Earns Silver Certification as Climate Smart Community- Highest Level Award in NYS
Highest Award Level in New York State

Poughkeepsie, NY … Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino has announced the County has earned New York State’s highest Climate Smart Community honor for its work in environmental preservation and climate action. Earlier this month, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) certified Dutchess County as a “Silver” Climate Smart Community (CSC) – the highest-level award available. Only 17 communities statewide, including just six counties, have earned the Silver distinction.

Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino stated, “Earning this Silver Certification is a significant milestone that demonstrates Dutchess County’s commitment to a cleaner and greener community for this and future generations. This was achieved by developing practical goals and executing action plans that deliver real results. We are grateful to all who have helped Dutchess County earn this recognition – our County employees, our dedicated Climate Smart Task Force volunteers, and of course, our residents – together, we are continuing to make our environment healthy for our children and their children.” 

To qualify for Silver Certification, a local government must complete a minimum of six “priority actions” and earn a minimum of 300 points. Dutchess County’s application well exceeded that criteria, achieving 10 priority actions and 326 points.

Recent accomplishments contributing to this certification include:

• launching the County’s Natural Resources Inventory website and Environmental Mapper application earlier this year, which support land-use planning and conservation efforts;
• publishing the County’s first greenhouse gas emissions inventory report; and
• adopting a climate action plan for County Government operations.

These newer initiatives complement established efforts, such as the County’s triannual Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Recycling collection events, environmental and recycling education programs, ongoing energy efficiency upgrades, and environmental infrastructure installations, including a 1.6-megawatt solar array at the Hudson Valley Regional Airport and electric vehicle charging stations in various locations throughout the county.  

Dutchess County’s environmental commitment is ongoing and ever-expanding. As part of its newly adopted Climate Action Plan, the County has announced several recent environmental initiatives, including:

• A methane emissions study at the closed municipal landfill at the County’s Hudson Valley Regional Airport in Wappinger, which, if appropriate, will include the installation of biofilters to significantly reduce the amount of methane emitted into the air. This project will be funded as part of a $3 million U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) “Climate Pollution Reduction” grant recently awarded to the Hudson Valley Regional Council.
   
• A composting program grant to support local municipalities and public school districts in providing composting opportunities for residents with funding toward the purchase of an in-vessel composting machine or establishment of a food scrap drop-off site program.

The County has worked collaboratively with local organizations, including the Hudson Valley Regional Council and Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County, on many of these projects and initiatives.

Dutchess County’s Environmental Program Director and Climate Smart Coordinator, Devin Rigolino, said, “Dutchess County’s longstanding commitment to environmental preservation has evolved into a comprehensive strategy for climate adaptation and mitigation. We have established a strong cohort model with our community partners – enabling us to take on large projects like our Natural Resources Inventory and the methane emissions study/biofilter project.  While Silver certification is the highest level awarded, we will keep the bar set high and continue our collective efforts to advance and achieve the County’s sustainability goals.”

Local residents are also encouraged to get involved with environmental protection efforts through County programs, such as: 

• Safe disposal of hazardous household materials and electronic waste at the County’s next Hazardous Household Waste and Electronics Disposal event on Saturday, October 26th. Online registration opens on Thursday, September 26th.
   
• K-12 students can participate in the Division of Solid Waste Management’s first-ever America Recycles Day Art Challenge by creating art out of used materials, keeping them out of the waste stream. Contest rules and registration are available on Solid Waste Management’s webpages.

Dutchess County remains dedicated to enhancing its environmental efforts and addressing climate change through achievable and impactful projects. For more information on Dutchess County’s environmental initiatives, please visit the County’s Environment webpage.