The Tompkins County Legislature, by a vote of 12-1, endorsed at its June 18 meeting the Cleaner Greener Southern Tier Regional Sustainability Plan, a regional, eight-county plan that seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35% over the next 20 years. 

The Cleaner Greener Southern Tier planning team worked with public and private experts, community residents, and business leaders to develop the regional plan and a set of "Top 22" priority projects that will improve the economic and environmental health of our area.

Led by the Tompkins County Planning Department, Steuben, Schuyler, Tompkins, Chemung, Tioga, Broome, Chenango, and Delaware Counties worked together to create a plan that will guide integrated, sustainable solutions, from state and local investments to regional decision-making. By building on existing plans and programs around the region, the project encouraged greater regional collaboration and action.

The Cleaner Greener Southern Tier Plan establishes 18 goals and outlines a strategy for a future that is economically prosperous, environmentally sound, and socially responsible. This plan is grounded in the strengths and challenges of the Southern Tier and builds upon success stories in the region, supplemented with model programs and best practices that have proven effective elsewhere. 

In June 2012,the Cleaner Greener Southern Tier Plan was awarded $1 million by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to develop a regional sustainability plan. Meetings were held in Corning, Binghamton, and Ithaca to update residents on the plan's numerous action items and to get feedback on short-and long-term priorities.

In partnership with the Southern Tier East and Southern Tier Central Regional Planning Boards, the plan emerged over the next 18 months, with input throughout the region. The next phase of the Cleaner Greener Communities Program will involve competitive funding, with $90 million available over three years for the 10 regions to implement their plans.