Issues: Past Position Statement 2
Commissioners Forum: LWV & DLN
Question 10 • Global Warming
10/21/2007
Global warming is a concern of many Chester County residents, and local government and businesses have begun "going green" to combat its spread. What specific initiatives, if any, will you encourage as commissioner both among the public and the county government itself to conserve energy?
Bill's Answer
In January, Kathi Cozzone and I began campaigning for County Commissioner. From the beginning, the call for a County-level committee on reduction of greenhouse gas emissions was often repeated. As part of the discussion, we predicted, and then noted with pleasure, Al Gore's Oscar for An Inconvenient Truth. Now he is a Nobel Laureate. (Gore's book is published by Rodale, Inc., for which Kathi is the Corporate Business Manager.)
On this [Daily Local News] page, Kathi has explained that the County Global Warming Task Force is belatedly being formed during this election season in response to outside pressures that began several years ago. The Commissioners had been repeatedly approached by concerned citizens, the League of Women Voters, 4CP (Chester County Citizens for Climate Protection), and members of the Sierra Club. (We are proud that the Sierra Club has endorsed the Cozzone/Scott Team.) Because some past appointees to County Authorities, Boards and Commissions had been chosen for the wrong reasons, we will make certain that the Task Force is composed only of members who have a sincere interest in addressing global warming.
Kathi and I will support the work of the Task Force and carefully study its recommendations with the goal of making County Government a leader by example in conserving energy and reducing global warming. Most likely initial recommendations will be to change over to fluorescent bulbs, less harmful fuels, and more energy efficient vehicles and appliances.
The concept behind the Task Force is not new. Barbara McIlvaine Smith initiated, and I supported, a West Chester Borough Council Resolution that became the basis for the BLUER Committee (Borough Leaders United for Emissions Reduction). BLUER will soon issue its report about ways Borough government can reduce greenhouse gas emissions. At least one other of the County's 73 municipalities is now engaged in a similar undertaking. Kathi and I, with the Planning Commission, will provide active leadership to encourage all of our municipalities to do their part.
"Green construction" does more than reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Water conservation, pollution control and other environmental concerns are involved. Kathi and I will require that all County construction be "green," including the new Public Safety Training Facility. With the Planning Commission, we will promote "green construction" throughout Chester County.
Keeping down the cost of government will be our constant focus. We believe that the environmental initiatives described above will actually result in a savings to the taxpayer.
Thanks to the Daily Local News and the League of Women Voters for the opportunity to explain our views over the last 10 weeks.
Commissioners Forum: LWV & DLN
Question 10 • Global Warming
10/21/2007
Global warming is a concern of many Chester County residents, and local government and businesses have begun "going green" to combat its spread. What specific initiatives, if any, will you encourage as commissioner both among the public and the county government itself to conserve energy?
Kathi Cozzone's Answer
On July 24th, 2007, Bill Scott addressed a regular meeting of the Chester County Board of Commissioners to request the immediate creation of a task force to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Bill urged the Commissioners "to begin the process of forming a citizen-led task force to assist the County in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and in investigating other environmentally-friendly initiatives." Bill cited the complete absence of controversy on the subject and said controlling greenhouse gas emissions should be initiated without delay because time was critical. The Board's response, given by Chairperson Aichele, was simply to thank Bill for his comments.
Bill Scott and I have been critical of the Commissioners, especially candidate Aichele, for repeatedly rebuffing efforts of environmentally-conscious citizens who have sought action on this issue for several years. In fact, the Commissioners could have accepted the necessity of the task force well before their recent action; their vote to do so last month was obviously politically-prompted. Fortunately, the Cozzone/Scott Team and others have been there to publicly hold them accountable.
The Cozzone/Scott Team's commitment to a healthy environment has never been just a campaign promise. Our Four-Part Action Plan for Protecting and Improving Chester County's Environment—which focuses on promoting clean air, water and earth, urban-center development, clean energy and energy conservation—is proof.
To combat global warming, specific initiatives that we, as Commissioners, will take include: 1) A strong focus on conservation based on recommendations from our new Task Force; 2) The appointment of knowledgeable, dedicated and competent citizens to serve on environmental boards, task forces and commissions; 3) Ensuring adherence to an aggressive timeline for action by conducting regular review sessions with task force leaders; 4) Encouraging full engagement by the business and agricultural communities; 5) Learning from the lessons of prior, similar efforts now underway in Montgomery County and West Chester Borough and 6) Promoting emissions-reduction efforts to the 73 municipalities in Chester County.
Regarding Urban-center development, the good news is that the majority of future housing demand points to smaller homes and lots in urban neighborhoods where jobs and activities are nearby, and which require less automobile use. To encourage this trend, we as Commissioners will continue to support the full mission of Landscapes by increasing spending on urban-center development, prioritize County grants and funds to promote smart growth and multi-municipal planning around our urban centers, encourage redevelopment of Brownfield sites and advocate for a renewed commitment to public transportation.