Update on KC’s Climate Protection Plan, Our Local Advocacy, and How You Can Help
On February 21st, Kansas City will host a public meeting to discuss proposed updates to the City’s 2008 Climate Protection Plan. The city’s Climate Protection Plan Steering Committee will meet at City Hall for the first time in over six months to consider proposed legislation setting targets for greenhouse gas reduction and 100% renewable electricity across Kansas City. These announcements come after months of advocacy by a coalition of non-profit allies working together advocating for policies that promote equity across the city and support the wellbeing of all in our community. Proposed legislation includes a Green New Deal for Kansas City, which among other things would set a target of achieving 100% communitywide renewable electricity in Kansas City by 2030. Sunrise Movement KC has led the initiative to establish much-needed targets, with support from the Sierra Club’s Thomas Hart Benton Group Legislative Committee and Natural Resources Defense Council, among many others.
The Climate Protection Plan is meant to be about much more than switching to renewable electricity, and instead as a comprehensive roadmap, touching on everything from public transit, healthy and energy efficient homes and buildings, and urban forest, among many other areas. Sierra Club is working with allies to ensure that the city is taking action to ensure the health and welfare of all Kansas Citians is protected.
On January 29, Sierra Club’s Legislative Co-Chair Don Wallace and representatives of the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance testified at the Kansas City Planning and Development Department office to encourage the adoption of energy efficient building codes. This year Kansas City has the opportunity to become a leader in energy efficiency, building healthy, resilient communities, and addressing the climate crisis by adopting the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (2018 IECC) as part of the City’s building code. In addition to saving hundreds of dollars for home-owners in the city, this would reduce the risks of indoor air pollution and enable low-income households and renters to afford their homes. The office of the Kansas City Building Official is currently considering public testimony submitted and could submit a recommendation to the City Council as early as March, unless the office decides to seek further public input.
Sierra Club Thomas Hart Benton Group and allies are working together to ensure the voices of all Kansas Citians are heard as the Council considers policies that will impact our health and ability to reach our clean energy goals for years to come. Anyone interested in getting more involved in Sierra Club’s work to support Kansas City’s clean energy goals can reach out to Thomas Hart Benton Group members Robin Ganahl at robin.ganahl@gmail.com or Don Wallace at 123dhwallace@gmail.com, who co-chair the Group’s Legislative Committee. If you are interested in attending or speaking at the CLimate Protection Plan Steering Committee’s meeting on February 21, contact Sierra Club Organizer Billy Davies at william.davies@sierraclub.org.