City Council Tonight - No to Greenhouse Gas Reduction?

City Council's Legislative Committee recommends that City Council oppose with a "high priority" the provisions of House Bill 3311, which seeks to reduce greenhouse gases by cars and light trucks:

(1) 10 percent below the 1990 levels by 2020;
(2) 50 percent below the 1990 levels by 2035; and
(3) 75 percent below the 1990 levels by 2050.

The Committee says:

While this is a worthwhile goal, it is extremely difficult for a local government to achieve. The vast majority of green house gases from an urban area come from automobiles. Unless the automobile industry significantly improves emissions from its vehicles the goal cannot be achieved.

Assuming that this bill does not assume a substantial reduction in vehicle emissions what would then be required is extensive reliance in mass transit and compact development....

Staff recommends that Council strongly oppose this bill.

HB 3311 may or may not be a good bill. But what is most interesting is the flat-out refusal of interest in mass transit and bike-friendly development patterns. How can we expect Cherriots to prosper if the City shows this kind of indifference? Or maybe it's defeatism.

It's probably too late, but let your Councilor know that scientists just released a new study showing arctic ice could be gone in 30 years. Transit, bike-friendly development, and a reduction in vehicle miles traveled are good things!