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Energy and Climate

Tompkins County 2020 Energy Strategy

In order to track progress in meeting the County's greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal of 80% reduction by 2050, the Tompkins County Planning Department has developed a strategy to achieve the first 20% reduction in emissions by 2020.

By proactively implementing programs and solutions to reduce energy use, it is possible for the Tompkins County community to meet its emissions goal. In order to do so, actions must be undertaken by all sectors of the community to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 277,512 metric tons CO2e (MtCO2e) in order to achieve the target emissions in 2020 of 938,334 MtC02e; emissions that are 20% below 2008 levels. The strategies described in this document total 290,691 MtCO2e, or 5% over the required emissions reduction.

Draft Tompkins County 2020 Energy Strategy

10-year Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reports

Reports reviewing the past ten years of greenhouse gas emissions work provide a succinct look at efforts to date to curb emissions and reduce energy use in County government operations and in the community at large.

Draft Community 10-year GHG Emissions Report

Draft County Government 10-year GHG Emissions Report

Tompkins County Planning Dept comments to NYSDEC regarding dSGEIS for development of Marcellus Shale

Comment Letter to NYSDEC

Potential land area impacted by well drilling pads in Tompkins  County under densities of development that would be allowed under the dSGEIS.

Map showing 3 acre well pads at 40 acre intervals (pdf)

Map showing 5 acre well pads at 1 mile intervals (pdf)

Commissioner of Planning and Public Works, Ed Marx, makes presentation on Drilling for Natural Gas in the Marcellus Shale at New York State Association of Counties Conference - February 9, 2010 in Albany, NY.

Presentation on Drilling for Natural Gas in the Marcellus Shale at New York State Association of Counties Conference (pdf)

Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Element

Final Element

We welcome your comments. Please send to: planning@tompkins-co.org.

Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Element Receives Award
The New York Upstate Chapter of the American Planning Association awarded its 2009 Planning Excellence Award for Innovation in Sustainability to the Tompkins County Comprehensive Plan 2008 Amendment – Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Element. The awards commitee noted that the element clearly articulates the goals of reducing energy demand, increasing efficiency, transitioning to renewables, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.  Seventeen action items are identified to help the community achieve the stated goal of an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Local Action Plan to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emission
In April 2001, Tompkins County joined the Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) Campaign, a project of the International Council on Local Environmental Initiatives. This action recognizes the need to address the global warming problem swiftly and effectively, and the County’s unique position to play a role. The CCP 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.

The links below provide information on the steps that have been taken to further the County’s efforts in reducing its contribution to global warming:

Climate Change and the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign Power Point Presentation

Local Action Plan to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions for County Government Operations:  A plan to, by 2008, reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases generated by county operations by 20 percent compared to the base year of 1998.

Tompkins County Emissions Inventory:  An inventory of greenhouse gas emission for the Tompkins County Community and County Government.

Tompkins County
Planning Department

121 E. Court Street
Ithaca, New York 14850

Phone: (607) 274-5560  
Fax: (607) 274-5578