Niagara County could become more environmentally friendly and save money at the same time by taking new steps toward energy efficiency, according to the
Niagara Gazette.

Advocates are urging Niagara County to increase its use of solar and wind power to 25 percent.The Working Families Party and the Western New York Council on Occupational Safety and Health are urging Niagara County lawmakers to increase the county's use of wind and solar power to 25 percent by 2013, and install pollution controls on diesel vehicles.

David Chudy, vice president of the Western New York chapter of the Working Families Party of New York, and Roger Cook, executive director of the Western New York Council on Occupational Safety and Health, plan to push for similar measures in counties across Western New York.

Niagara County Manager Gregory Lewis, who says he supports green initiatives, will review the proposal.