(5th in a series about Bethlehem’s Climate Action Plan)
“There is no reason why good cannot triumph as often as evil. The triumph of anything is a matter of organization.” (Kurt Vonnegut)
With that sketch of past doin’s over, Gadfly brings you to the December 4 meeting of the Human Resources and Environment Committee in Town Hall chaired by CM Reynolds, with CPs Callahan, Negron, Van Wirt, and a “green” crowd attending.
Gadfly provides here audio of the meeting.
CM Reynolds’s presentation was keyed to the four pages of a PowerPoint entitled COB Climate Action Plan 12-4-18:
CM Callahan spoke of the need to put pressure on national leaders and praised the high quality of our water supply:
CW Van Wirt asked questions about local industry commitment to providing data, the involvement of the EAC, City progress on energy-saving lighting, and the status of thought about electric vehicle. Head of Public Works Mike Alkhal provided information.
CW Negron expressed confidence in industry participation, the shift in the recycling department to sustainability concerns, and local things like grocery stores asking us to bring bags.
Brian Hillard talked about the role of the EAC.
Peg Church, Peter Crownfield, and Mike (?) asked questions about impervious surfaces, availability of records, and rain barrels (!)
Enjoy!
It’s Friday, December 14, do you know where your local Climate Action Plan is?
Thank you, Gadfly, for posting parts of the audio for the CAP update. I was unable to attend and appreciate your efforts in educating myself and others on the happenings in Bethlehem. Councilwoman VanWirt bought an excellent point on the subject of electric city vehicles. I’ve been to a couple of presentations where it was explained that a city could pay for an expert to analyze their fleets and make recommendations to reduce the costs by switching to electric vehicles, and the changes would pay for themselves in a timely manner and then save money for the city; less maintenance, less fossil fuels, etc. An RFP for an energy consultant with specific expertise this year, and implementation of a plan to transition next year sounds good to me. I’ve written to PPL to ask when are they going to start building infrastructure for electric vehicles. Citywide electric vehicle charging stations are necessary as many residents are like me live on a small property with no garage. I keep hearing the old adage, it is like the chicken or the egg, which comes first – people buying electric vehicles or building the infrastructure. Some money the state has received from the Volkswagon settlement should be spent on modernizing our infrastructure to include EV charging stations. As for pervious surfaces – could the city recommend this alternative to the public when they are applying for permits to resurface driveways, replace sidewalks, patios, and seek to get contractors onboard? I think much more education of the public needs to be done.