Westchester County Board of Legislators, NY

KAPLOWITZ TO HEAD LEGISLATURE'S SUBCOMMITTEE ON ENERGY EFFICIENCY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE : April 29, 2008

Contact: Michael B. Kaplowitz
Tel: (914) 995-2848 or (914) 924-3404 cell

County Legislator and Board Vice Chairman Michael B. Kaplowitz (D-IN-WF, Somers), today was tapped to head the Subcommittee on Energy Efficiency (SEE), which was created by Legislator Tom Abinanti (D-IN-WF, Greenburgh) who chairs the County Board’s Environment & Energy Committee.

“It is time that we “SEE” the urgency in developing strong energy policies today, in order to salvage this planet tomorrow,” said Abinanti. “Legislator Kaplowitz has been at the forefront of energy issues for many years, and is the clear choice to head up this landmark initiative by this Legislature.”

“Although this County has made great strides in the area of energy efficiency, we need to do more and we need to be aggressive,” said Kaplowitz, the immediate past chair of the Environment & Energy Committee. “This country is in an energy crisis and due to the lack of leadership on the national level regarding this issue, we must roll up our legislative sleeves and provide energy leadership at the local level.”

Vice Chairman Kaplowitz, along with colleague Majority Leader Marty Rogowsky (D-IN-WF, Harrison), formerly of the United States Department of Energy, authored the famed “25/10” Resolution – calling for the County to utilize 25% green power by the year 2010. This measure was intentionally formulated to be more aggressive than former Gov. Pataki’s call for the State to incorporate 25% by the year 2013.

Since 2005, Kaplowitz has consistently worked towards obtaining a County “Energy Czar” to, among other things, develop a renewable energy portfolio for the County, as well as act as a resource for local municipalities.

“We must first lead by example. First on my agenda will be to review our own potential savings and efficiencies,” Kaplowitz stated.

Kaplowitz thanked Abinanti for his support and vision, and vowed to hit the ground running. “There is no time to waste. Our first meeting will take place on Monday, May 5th at 3:00 PM, here at the Board’s Offices, and our scheduled guest for this meeting will be the New York Power Authority (NYPA). I encourage all my colleagues, as well as the public and the press to attend and take part in these meetings,” Kaplowitz said.

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