Image
Press Release
Westchester County Honors Pace Energy and Climate Center and Partner WCA with ECO Award
On Earth Day, the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University’s Energy and Climate Center and its partner the Westchester County Association (WCA), were honored for their work developing a Clean Energy Program Portal at the 3rd annual Westchester County ECO Awards. The awards ceremony was hosted by Westchester County Executive George Latimer and Westchester County’s Department of Environmental Facilities at Glen Island Park in New Rochelle to recognize outstanding contributions to the environment and sustainability made by residents, students, schools, municipalities, businesses, and other organizations throughout the county.
The Clean Energy Program Portal is a dynamic searchable guide to clean energy incentives, tools and technical support for businesses in Westchester and the surrounding region. Pace and WCA developed the portal to support the local business community in embracing sustainable business practices in the Westchester County and beyond.
“While the Center works on a broad range of initiatives internationally, nationally and state-wide, there is no more important work than our work in our own community,” said Craig Hart, Executive Director of the Pace Energy and Climate Center who accepted the award along with Michael Romero, President and CEO of the WCA, and Horace E. Anderson, Jr, Dean of the Elisabeth Haub School of Law. “Our collaboration with the Westchester County Association is important to our encouraging greater sustainability among the business community in Westchester.”
Along with the Pace Energy and Climate Center and the WCA, Westchester County recognized several other non-profit organizations and volunteers whose innovation and support to municipalities has helped the county remain a leader in its sustainability efforts compared to many other counties, states, and regions.
More from Pace
Announcements and Statements
Elisabeth Haub School of Law deeply mourns the death of Kristina Maria Gjerde, who passed away from pancreatic cancer on December 26, 2025.
Kristina was a 2024 Laureate of the Elisabeth Haub Award for Environmental Law and Diplomacy, presented jointly to her and Singapore Ambassador Rena Lee in recognition of their leadership in advancing the United Nations Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ)—a landmark achievement in the protection of marine biodiversity on the high seas.
Faculty and Staff
The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University is proud to announce that the 2025 Ottinger Award for Faculty Achievement has been awarded to Achinthi Vithanage, Professor of Law for Designated Service in Environmental Law & Executive Director of Environmental Law Programs. The Richard Ottinger Faculty Achievement Award is awarded annually by the Faculty Development Committee, in consultation with the Dean, in recognition of a full-time professor’s outstanding service to the law school, the legal profession, or both. The award generally is based on the faculty member’s outstanding service during the previous academic year.
Students
As a child, Skyler Pozo ’26 was captivated by courtroom television, often watching alongside her mother. That early fascination stayed with her and eventually evolved into a serious interest in the law and advocacy. “Once I got to college, I joined the Mock Trial Team at Scranton,” Skyler shared. “I ultimately became captain of the team, won awards, and was the first person in Scranton history to receive an award at the Opening Round Championships.”