November 9, 2006

County Legislators Rogowsky And Abinanti
Urge County To Join Chicago Climate Exchange

Contact: Sally Schecter, Legislative Aide
Tel: (914) 995-2832

County Legislators Martin Rogowsky (D, I, WF - Harrison) and Tom Abinanti (D, IN, WF - Greenburgh) are urging Westchester County to join the Chicago Climate Exchange and have introduced a resolution asking their colleagues on the Board to support the county becoming a member. Westchester would be only the second county in the country to join the Exchange.

The Exchange is a self-regulatory, rules-based entity, designed and governed by its members who make a voluntary but legally binding commitment to reduce greenhouse gases. The Exchange has the world's first greenhouse gas emission registry, reduction and trading system for all six greenhouse gases, the only one in North America. Members can buy and sell credits against self-imposed limits, thereby promoting cleaner air by placing a cost on those who do not reduce pollution.

“Westchester County must continue to lead on issues affecting all Americans,” explained Rogowsky, the Board's Majority Leader. “We’re already a leader in emissions reduction. Joining the Exchange is another way for us to lead the way."

"The Exchange is an imaginative effort to use the business marketplace to accomplish a public purpose -- clean air,” said Abinanti, Chair of the Board's Environment & Energy Committee. “The Exchange allows us to think globally and act locally – and multiply the positive impact of our environmentally-friendly actions.”