These are the projects that the EMC is currently working on.

Household burning of trash can be extremely hazardous to human health and to the environment.  Current regulations allow open burning in rural areas, and the EMC has been working to eliminate this open burning through education and legislation.

Cities for Climate Protection Campaign

The Cities for Climate Protection Campaign is a voluntary program for municipal governments to identify sources of greenhouse gas emissions within their jurisdictions and to implement actions to combat global warming at the local level.   Tompkins County joined the CCP Campaign in 2001, recognizing the need to address the global warming problem swiftly and effectively, and the County's unique position to play a role.

Cornell Wind Turbine Project

Cornell University recently ended a project to study the feasibility of installing several large-scale wind turbines to generate electricity for campus use.  Although the project was cancelled, a wind resources map of Tompkins County was created, and is available to the public here.

Reusable Basket and Bags

Plastic grocery bags are convenient, but there are several drawbacks, including increased grocery prices to pay for the free bags, petroleum use to produce the bags, and litter from dicarded bags.  To help alleviate these problems, the EMC is promoting the use of reusable shopping containers.  Plastic baskets and sturdy canvas bags are available from the EMC for only $8.