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10/16/2011 Candidates Talk Green:

Questions sent to the candidates:

Questions for the 10/16 forum:

Please include in your answer to each question the following:

As a legislator representing Yorktown (or County if running for County legislator), what legislation and strategies would you like to see implemented locally to address this issue?

Climate Change/Energy Question

The impacts of climate change are growing more worrisome for local governments – these include increased rainfall for our area, increase in extreme temperatures both in summer and winter, changes in the growing season, a rise in insect populations, air quality’s effect on public health. Since Yorktown signed the US Mayors' Climate Protection Agreement in February 2008, thereby pledging to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in their communities to 7% below 1990 levels by 2012, the Town has begun to take steps to reduce its carbon footprint.

What additional practices would you employ in our municipal buildings and vehicles to reduce energy use?

Should Yorktown implement stricter energy efficient building standards for new construction? And for retrofits? Do you support Yorktown’s membership in NWEAC (Northern Westchester Energy Action Consortium)? How would you support both local and regional energy efficient projects and programs such as SmartGrid and PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) programs? How would you help the community benefit from NYSERDA programs?

Development

Our town code and zoning requirements have been criticized for fostering car-dependence with resulting excess energy usage and green house gas emissions. The Comprehensive Plan attempts to redress this, at least in part, by favoring development in denser, mixed-use pedestrian- and transit-friendly hamlets.

What is your vision of future development for Yorktown? Do you see open space and development as complimentary or a contradiction? How do you balance your position on open space with your position on development?

Natural Resource Protection

How do you plan to protect open spaces, including wildlife habitat, as well as preserve endangered and threatened species in this area? Describe your point of view on the tree cutting policies of the Public Service Commission and Con Edison. What forestation and reforestation policies and plans would you like to see implemented? What is your position on Gas Drilling in New York State, i.e. the Marcellus Shale and the practice known as Hydrofracking? What can you do as a legislator to influence Albany? What is your policy on wetland protection and does it include an increase in buffer zone? What other steps would you take to protect our water?

Waste/Plastic Bag Issue

Recycling is the law for all residents, businesses and schools in Westchester County, and Yorktown has good compliance by its residents. What steps do you support government taking to help our residents, businesses and schools increase their compliance and reduce the waste stream? Do you support regulation of single use plastic bags in the stores in Yorktown? What strategies would you employ to reduce or ban their use?

Indian Point Issue

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has called for closing the Indian Point nuclear power facility, saying that replacement energy can be found if the plant is forced to shut its doors. Indian Point is said to provide about a quarter of New York City's total energy needs, but Cuomo and others say it poses too big of a safety risk to keep open. The plant sits near the Ramapo fault line. What is your position on its re-licensing and how could it be made safer? Do you favor its closure and if so, how would you replace the energy and jobs lost from this action?

Proposed Town of Yorktown Tree Ordinance 10/24/08