An employee-based effort to develop sustainable practices in Tompkins County government has gained key support from a committee of the county legislature.

The Legislature’s Government Operations Committee, meeting on Wednesday, endorsed the program by unanimous vote, recommending that the County Administrator formally appoint the Tompkins County Sustainability Team and that the team be charged with developing an action plan to promote sustainable practices by Tompkins County government.

Two months ago, employees from several county departments, assisted by Cooperative Extension’s Energy Smart Program, informally began to investigate how to promote sustainable practices in government operations, benefiting future generations through social, environmental and economic stewardship.

“This ‘bottom-up’ effort is something everyone stands to gain from,” states committee chair Kathy Luz Herrera.  “Energy and sustainability are clearly issues that are important to all of us and are values that county government should support.”

As envisioned by the employee working group, sustainable practices to be developed would include

• Energy reduction and conservation in county facilities and fleets, with utilization of alternative and renewable energy sources;
• Solid waste reduction through increased reuse and recycling;
• Environmentally preferable purchasing programs;
• Efficient infrastructure design and service delivery;
• Employee involvement and endorsement;
• Natural resources protection and community development in accordance with the Tompkins County Comprehensive Plan.

If approved by the Legislature next month, the resolution would direct the team to report on progress in developing the sustainability program each year by Earth Day.