5/29/2007 5:32:00 PM County approves climate change resolution
On May 29, Jefferson County commissioners unanimously approved a resolution to work toward addressing energy use and climate change issues.
The motion was intended to be a joint resolution with the City of Port Townsend, but the city has not yet adopted the resolution. Several City Council members had questions about the resolution during a joint meeting between the county and the city.
County Commission Chairman Phil Johnson said yesterday that City Councilor Geoff Masci had asked him to wait on approving the resolution and to revise the wording.
County Administrator John Fischbach suggested the board wait to approve the resolution, but commissioners concluded the resolution could be amended if necessary.
The resolution calls for the county and city to collaborate with local Climate Protection Campaign volunteers to conduct a baseline energy use and greenhouse gas emissions inventory and forecast.
It also calls for appointing a citizens committee to develop a local Climate Action Plan.
"Specifically, the committee should provide recommendations for achieving a community-wide standard of cutting greenhouse gas emissions to levels 80 percent lower than 1990 levels by 2050, with preliminary targets to be set for earlier years," the resolution states.
The resolution also calls on the two government entities to implement policies and measures to meet the reduction targets and monitor and verify results.
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