Council Gets Climate Protection Plan

The Sustainability Working Group, which was established by the Council last April and whose members were appointed by the County Executive, released its 58-point Climate Protection Plan in January. Although not prioritized, the plan’s action steps are recommended to meet the County’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by 2050.

The SWG studied and selected the best parts of programs around the country and solicited ideas from County departments and agencies to create the plan. To have made the list of recommendations, an action must be a proven practice; must be technically and logistically feasible in the short term; and must have definable steps.

The Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy and Environment Committee, which I chair, will receive a full briefing on February 2. We do not intend to adopt the plan as a whole. Rather, individual recommendations will be studied and implemented as appropriate over time with adequate opportunity for public input. My hat is off to the SWG for its thoughtful work.