Suozzi Named 2008 Environmentalist of the Year
Honored at League of Conservation Voters’ Spring Gala
New York, NY – Tonight, County Executive Thomas Suozzi will be named the New York League of Conservation Voters’ (NYLCV) 2008 Environmentalist of the Year. Each year, the NYLCV celebrates individuals, organizations and businesses that have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to environmental protection. The gala will take place at The Lighthouse in New York City and is expected to have an audience of at least 500.
County Executive Suozzi has been at the forefront of creating healthy communities and improving the environment across a broad range of issues. Last year he created Healthy Nassau, a comprehensive program to sustain a healthy environment, while at the same time, encouraging healthy living.
“We have taken specific, targeted actions to improve our Air, Land and Water and our Bodies, Minds and Spirits. Healthy Nassau’s goal is to make Nassau County the healthiest county in the country by the year 2020,” stated Suozzi.
“Throughout his career in public service, Tom Suozzi has set the bar for environmental leadership,” said Marcia Bystryn, Executive Director of the New York League of Conservation Voters. “Whether it’s protecting wetlands, cleaning the air or preserving open space, he has demonstrated his passion for a better environment and the political courage to work toward it. There is a reason Nassau County is known as a national leader in the effort to fight climate change – and that reason is named Tom Suozzi. We are proud to honor Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi as our 2008 Environmentalist of the Year.”
Suozzi has also sought to make sure that the fight to reduce the “carbon footprint” of Nassau County is more than just a slogan. Nassau now controls the largest municipal fleet of “alternative fuel-vehicles” in the State, outside of New York City. Over 20% of the County government’s electrical needs come from environment-friendly “renewable energy” and it has established the first “ethanol” fueling station on Long Island. By purchasing Nassau’s electricity from wind power, using new “bio-diesel” fuels throughout the County’s diesel fleet, and investing in energy-efficiency, Nassau County has actually reduced its government’s “carbon footprint” by more than 5% since 2005.
In addition to county government initiatives, Suozzi created “Green Levittown” – a first-of-its-kind project. This partnership was forged between Nassau County government, a team of national and local corporations, Citizens Campaign for the Environment and the people of Levittown. In his 2008 State of the County Address, Suozzi illustrated his plans to make “America’s first suburb America’s first green suburb.” Part of this initiative entailed the County Executive and volunteers knocking on doors, talking to thousands of school children and holding community events to educate, and inform Levittown families on how to make their homes “green,” to increase energy efficiency and save money at the same time.
Keeping Nassau’s land and natural resources healthy has also been a priority of the County Executive. Under the Suozzi Administration, Nassau has preserved hundreds of acres of open space and improved existing open space and park land. It has planted an organic farm at Old Bethpage Village Restoration, opened two new farmer’s markets in Mineola and Roslyn and sponsored new programs to encourage better nutrition for children and teenagers. Suozzi has also improved costal waterways by reseeding them with two million shellfish and naturally filtering storm water by restoring stream beds and ponds.
Other notable environmental leadership awards the County Executive has received this year include a Certificate of Achievement from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Equinox Award from Citizens Campaign for the Environment.
