Regional Advocacy

The Hudson Valley Regional Council provides regional platforms for our counties to address issues that impact the entire region.  We host a very active Materials Management Working Group that has participants from all seven counties.  This Working Group studies issues involving solid waste, including recycling, recycling education, hazardous waste, composting, and diversion of food and organic waste.  Participants share resources, as well as issues and opportunities. Representatives of NYSDEC’s Division of Solid Waste in Region 3 often attend and participate in these sessions.  This Working Group is unique in New York State, and we are proud to host and facilitate their work.

HVRC spearheads the County Sustainability Working Group, bringing together the principal sustainability staff from each county to meet about projects, issues, and opportunities.  The Working Group fosters open discussion, resource sharing, and a regional perspective on intra-jurisdictional matters.

In 2014 Governor Cuomo initiated the development of State-wide sustainability plans under the guidance of NYSERDA.  The Mid-Hudson Regional Sustainability Plan was developed with input from hundreds of volunteers representing the Region's seven counties.  Drawing on volunteers' expertise, the plan established goals and objectives designed to advance New York State's greenhouse gas reduction targets.

One of the outgrowths of that report has been the Mid-Hudson Regional Sustainability Coalition, which meets to discuss, study, and advocate for the goals of the original plan.  This group is unique in New York State, and we are proud to support and facilitate this work into the future.