Media Contact: Emily Pomilio, 480.286.0401, emily.pomilio@sierraclub.org
Brookhaven, NY-- Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine (R – Center Moriches) signed a pledge today supporting the town to move to 100% clean, renewable energy across all sectors. With a population of 500,000, Brookhaven would become the largest municipality in the state to aim for 100% clean energy.
The pledge asks the municipality to work with state agencies to access existing renewable energy programs and funding in order to implement near-term solutions as well as advocating for support from state and federal resources to achieve the goal. Several municipalities have already used state resources to move toward a renewable future.
“In Brookhaven Town, our commitment to 100% renewable energy is a top priority and I will continue to stay the course until we reach our goal,” Brookhaven Supervisor Ed Romaine said. “Thousands of solar panels have already been installed on Town properties including the Holtsville Ecology Site, Manorville Compost Facility and Town Hall, and by August, we’ll have 10,000 more at Brookhaven Calabro Airport. As a long-time supporter, I pledge to continue working with the Sierra Club to keep Brookhaven Town on the leading edge of the most innovative clean energy solutions.”
Signing this pledge is another proofpoint of Supervisor Romaine’s years of environmental support and his commitment to act on climate. Currently, the town’s operations are projected to result in a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2020 and they are already seeing a 30% reduction in street light energy consumption from 2013 levels. Brookhaven has plans to purchase all-electric vehicles and integrate them into the municipal fleet as well as continue installing electric vehicle charging stations on the town’s properties. Through Supervisor Romaine’s work, the town recently added solar to its Town Hall facilities and will expand the installation to the Brookhaven Amphitheater and Calabro Airport.
“Signing this pledge proves Supervisor Romaine’s commitment to acting on climate and supporting New York’s goal of reaching 100% clean, renewable energy,” Jessica Enzmann, Long Island Organizing Representative at the Sierra Club said. “Supervisor Romaine has been a clean energy champion in his hometown of Suffolk County through his constant support of offshore wind, and now he’s flexing his climate muscle even more by being the largest municipality in New York to pledge 100% clean energy. It’s time for other municipalities to step up and take the pledge. We’ve already seen them take steps toward making it a reality.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.