Kingston, N.Y – Ulster County Executive Mike Hein is pleased to announce that Ulster County has been awarded two prestigious 2015 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) in the categories of Human Services for “The Patriots Project: Transitional Veterans Housing” and County Resiliency and Sustainability for the “Carbon Footprint Reduction Program.”
“I am pleased that Ulster County has been recognized as a national leader for our environmental initiatives and our ongoing commitment to our veterans. We are appreciative of NACo for honoring Ulster County with the two Achievement Awards,” said County Executive Hein. “Ulster County has created new and innovative programs that can be replicated across the country to address problems that we all face, and it is a great honor to have the Patriots Project and our Carbon Footprint Reduction program recognized on a national level. It is my hope that these programs will be replicated in other counties nationwide helping our veterans as well as protecting our environment.”
“The Ulster County Carbon Footprint Reduction Program serves as an important model for other municipalities who wish to decrease energy consumption and reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said Amanda LaValle, Coordinator for the Ulster County Department of the Environment. “The five core tenants of the program- reduce use, employ efficient technology, use on-site renewable energy, use renewable energy credits/carbon credits, and monitor and evaluate success- are important to any organization that desires to decrease their environmental footprint and increase their operational efficiency.”
The Patriots Project, located at 67 Wurts Street in the City of Kingston, opened its doors last summer and provides transitional housing and other essential services for homeless veterans in Ulster County. To date, more than a dozen previously homeless veterans have been helped at the Patriots Project home. Ulster County has collaborated with the non-profit organization Soldier On to provide services and run the day to day operations at the home. This is an excellent example of solving a national problem at the local level.
The Carbon Footprint Reduction Program was designed to protect our environment by reducing and mitigating the carbon footprint associated with municipal government operations. The implementation of this program has successfully reduced Ulster County’s energy demand, recognized the County’s commitment to renewable energy and helped to mitigated carbon emissions where emissions are not presently avoidable. Ulster County is the first and only county in the State of New York to achieve carbon neutrality for municipal government operations, as well as purchasing 100% of its electricity from renewable resources.
Nationally, the awards are given in 21 different categories that reflect the vast, comprehensive services counties provide. The categories include children and youth, criminal justice county administration, environmental protection, information technology, health, civic engagement, human services and many more. Ulster County is one of three counties in New York to be recognized along with Suffolk County and Albany County.
You can read more about these programs and the awards on the NACo webpage http://www.naco.org/programs/recognition/Pages/Achievement-Awards.aspx
