Russ Steele
This afternoon the Board of Supervisors discussed the new items which should be put on their list of issue to focus on in the coming budget year. They have not completed the list yet, as there are still some priorities to assign, A, B or C for each issue. However, one of item that caught my attention was the development of a policy on sustainability to address the greenhouse gas reduction mandates that will be coming from the State. One Supervisor has a four page list of things the County is already doing to reduce energy consumption, which in turn reduces the amount of greenhouse gases generated. How to get recognition for these actions was part of discussion. Another item of discussion was that all future sustainable initiatives should include a cost benefits analysis. None of the Supervisors were interested in green building mandates, or mandates of any kind that will negatively impact the local economy.
This discussion on the economic impact of AB-32's, Global Warming Solutions Act, which mandates reductions in greenhouse gases is more than timely, it is vital. We have an shaky economy now and new mandates can only make it worse. The Supervisors will be discussing economic development again on Wednesday, and setting some priorities on their issues list. I hope that developing a sustainability policy with a cost benefits analysis is on the A list.
