MONTICELLO – Public officials in Sullivan County Friday took the first step toward adopting alternate means of generating and conserving power to save money and protect the environment.

The Sullivan County Energy Conservation and Generation Commission, headed by County Legislator Ronald Hiatt, heard from representatives of the New York State Energy Research and Development Agency about energy audits to save money.

In the long term, Hiatt said the commission will explore the possibility of forming an electric cooperative and look into other forms of sustainable energy from co-generation to geo-thermal power.

“We are also going to look into bulk purchasing, and there are different models for bulk purchasing – coops and so forth – for joining in with other groups, because if you buy lots, it costs less as with anything else,” he said. “May, be if we save enough money we could throw it into generation equipment and start making our own money.”

County, local and school district officials attended the session. Representatives of Orange County were also present.