Ulster County Launches New Climate Task Force as Federal Climate Policies Are Rolled Back

Kingston, NY — Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger has issued a new executive order reaffirming the county’s commitment to climate action, even as federal climate initiatives and environmental protections are being rolled back.

The order builds on a 2023 directive aligning county operations with New York State’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. It establishes two new bodies to guide and expand Ulster County’s climate work: a Climate Smart Community Task Force and a Local Government Climate Action Partnership housed within the Ulster County Environmental Management Council.

The Climate Smart Community Task Force will bring together county departments and partner organizations to coordinate climate mitigation and resiliency initiatives, renew Ulster County’s Silver-level certification as a New York State Climate Smart Community, prioritize climate-smart projects, and support the county’s forthcoming Community Climate Action Plan.

A second body, the Local Government Climate Action Partnership, will serve as a technical and best-practices hub for municipalities working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate impacts. The county Department of the Environment will provide administrative support, and the Hudson Valley Regional Council has been contracted to offer additional technical assistance.

The executive order comes amid sweeping changes at the federal level. Over the past year, the federal government has eliminated hundreds of billions of dollars in climate and clean energy funding and moved to weaken or rescind major environmental regulations. Those efforts include attempts to overturn the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2009 endangerment finding — the legal basis for regulating greenhouse gas emissions — and expanded access to federal lands for oil and gas drilling.

Against that backdrop, Metzger said local leadership has become increasingly critical.

“At a time when the federal government has walked away from national and global efforts to avoid the severe consequences of run-away climate change, Ulster County remains steadfast in its commitment to reduce harmful emissions and build climate resilience in our communities,” Metzger said. “We know what’s at stake for our communities, our economy, and future generations.”

She added that climate solutions also deliver immediate benefits, including lower energy costs and improved public health.

Kristen Schara, chair of the Ulster County Environmental Management Council, said the order reinforces the county’s long-term direction.

“Executive Order 03-2026 reinforces the County’s leadership and keeps us on a clear path toward a safer, more resilient future,” Schara said.

County legislators also voiced support, emphasizing the role of coordination and technical assistance for municipalities.

“Our communities are on the front lines of climate action,” said Legislature Chair Peter Criswell. “This task force will provide the technical assistance, coordination, and shared expertise they need to succeed.”

Environmental advocates praised the county’s approach, pointing to recent investments in clean transportation, building electrification, and energy efficiency.

“Ulster County is supporting the transition to clean energy while helping local towns adopt best practices for climate action and resiliency,” said Betta Broad, campaign director for New Yorkers for Clean Power.

Measurable Progress Since 2023

County officials highlighted significant progress since the first climate-focused executive order was issued in 2023. Ulster County has reduced greenhouse gas emissions from county operations by more than 29 percent since 2012, expanded its electric vehicle fleet, and installed more than 90 EV charging stations at county facilities.

County buildings now use 15 percent less energy per square foot than in 2012, and 16 percent of electricity used in county buildings comes from on-site solar generation. The county has also launched a Community Climate Action Plan, strengthened sustainable purchasing policies, expanded organics diversion, and created an $18 million County Decarbonization Fund to support building electrification and energy efficiency.

Ulster County has also prioritized youth engagement through its Climate Corps program, a paid summer internship now in its fourth year that places high school and college students in county departments working on climate-related projects.

Image: An EV charging station in Ulster County. (Credit: Ulster County Government)