 2180 Milvia Street, Berkeley, CA 94704 TEL: (510) 981-7100, FAX: (510) 981-7199, TDD: (510) 981-6903 Office Hours: Mon-Fri 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Email: mayor@ci.berkeley.ca.us |
 |
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
Press
Contact: |
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE Berkeley
City Council Approves Greenhouse Gas Initiative Implementation Plan On Tuesday night, the Berkeley City Council approved a plan put forward by Mayor Bates to implement Measure G - the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Initiative approved by voters.
Berkeley, CA -- In November, Berkeley voters issued a strong mandate for the City to aggressively reduce greenhouse gas emissions by passing Measure G with over 81% of the vote. The Measure directs the mayor to work with the community to prepare an emissions reduction plan with specific targets by the end of 2007 for submission to the City Council.
On Tuesday night, the City Council approved the Mayor's request to begin implementing Measure G by authorizing a partnership with Sustainable Berkeley to engage the community in developing the plan, approving grant applications, and setting aside $100,000 to fund the planning effort through the rest of the year.
"The voters gave the City a clear mandate to aggressively cut greenhouse gas emissions," said Mayor Tom Bates. "While this ballot measure was advisory, I am interpreting it as binding to the City. We are moving quickly to implement the will of the voters."
Following
the Council approval, the City will formally partner with Sustainable
Berkeley to begin the community planning process.
Sustainable Berkeley was created last year as a multi-sector, local
collaborative dedicated to accelerating our community's sustainability
goals. Its purpose is to
gather civic, private sector, education, and other community leadership to
make Berkeley the greenest city in the country and a center for green
businesses, entrepreneurship and innovation. Sustainable Berkeley will
hire a staff person to lead these efforts.
In addition, the Mayor's office is reorganizing to focus more efforts on our greenhouse gas reduction efforts. Beginning February 1st, chief of staff Cisco DeVries will work half time on greenhouse gas reduction efforts for the remainder of 2007. Some of his current duties will be transferred to other staff.
#
# #
|
|
Please
note: If you are unable to access information on this website, please
contact the Mayor's Office. City of Berkeley Home / Departments / Mayor Home
|
||
