News from New York State Office of General Services

For more information contact: Brad Maione, 518-474-5987

Web Page Provides Updates on State Green Procurement Efforts

ALBANY, NY (08/14/2008; 1637)(readMedia)-- New York Office of General Services (OGS) Commissioner John C. Egan and Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis today announced the launch of a web page that provides the public information on the activities of the Interagency Committee for Sustainability and Green Procurement. The committee was established as part of Executive Order Number 4, which was signed on April 25, 2008 by Governor David A. Paterson.

The Executive Order directs the Interagency Committee to coordinate promotion of green policies by state agencies. The initiatives will include reducing energy consumption, preventing air and water pollution and making buying decisions that minimize impacts to the environment. The Order also requires State agencies to implement sustainability and environmental programs that reduce the health and environmental impacts of state operations.

"Our New York actions can have a global impact," said OGS Commissioner Egan. "Commissioner Grannis and I are working hard to realize Governor Paterson's charge to promote green procurement by harnessing the state's buying power."

"The example being set by New York State through sustainable practices will provide the motivation for others to follow," Commissioner Grannis said. "Our actions will improve the health and welfare of our employees and citizens throughout the state."

New York State is a major consumer of materials and energy and, as such, the Interagency Committee will establish procedures for the procurement of green goods and services to leverage the state's buying power. This will ensure that sustainable practices are considered each time a purchase is made by state agencies and those who utilize their contracts. The Committee is working to ensure that all state agencies will have the tools needed to carry out green purchasing, planning and contracting initiatives.

The committee is co-chaired by Commissioners Egan and Grannis and is comprised of the heads of State environmental, energy, economic development, transportation, budget, health and operations agencies.

The committee will implement the performance benchmarks in the Executive Order. On September 1, the committee will put forth a list of a minimum of three priority categories of commodities, services or technologies, and at least 12 priority items in each category (for a total of 36) for which green procurement specifications and green procurement lists will be developed. The order further requires similar specifications and lists be developed each year for three additional categories and 36 new items.

The web link is available at the OGS web site www.ogs.state.ny.us and at the DEC site at www.dec.ny.gov. This resource will serve to provide the public with information and updates on the implementation of the Executive Order. In addition, the page will provide committee meeting summaries, key milestones, a list of products for which the committee will develop green specifications to be offered to state agencies and contact information for the Interagency Committee at OGS and DEC.

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