Assembly Proposal
Dear Editor: Please urge the Assembly to approve the Sustainability Commissions goal proposal on tonight’s agenda. Here’s the letter I submitted to them regarding the benefits of approving the proposal:
The dedication and valuable work of the Sustainability Commission has resulted in the proposal of three goals, achievable in a year. I believe the first goal in particular, the community renewable energy strategy, is an urgent and crucial first step in crafting a long-term plan for a thriving and healthy community and in keeping with the goals of the comprehensive plan. The need for expanded energy sources to accommodate expected growth in the community is clear, and renewable, non-fossil fuel technology is the only viable long-term solution.
The second, reducing our solid waste, is a win for city coffers (within the limits of our current waste management contracts, for now) and a win for the planet in that we’re not paying (as much) to ship our waste all the way to Washington state landfills, incurring the carbon emissions of transport and the significant greenhouse gas emissions of food waste decomposition (a demonstrably large part of our municipal waste stream, I am sure).
Lastly, a municipal EV fleet and the charging infrastructure to support it will greatly reduce fleet maintenance costs, savings that can be much better utilized elsewhere. It will also lessen our dependence on fossil fuels and reduce harmful carbon emissions.
While not addressed in this proposal, community wide transition to economical heat pumps and other efficient electric appliances, electric vehicles and marine fleet conversions is the real requirement for a fossil fuel free Sitka. This ties back to the importance of the Commission’s first priority, a community renewable energy strategy, to guide us as we plan for the future and increase our clean and renewable energy sources. I urge you to vote in favor of this proposal.
Barbara Bingham, Transition Sitka,
Citizens’ Climate Lobby
