Showing that he multi-tasks very well, Mayor White has announced that Houston is joining an environmental group:
Mayor Bill White announced today that the City of Houston will join ICLEI, the International Council of Local Environmental Initiatives. Working with ICLEI, the City will address the issue of greenhouse gas reductions by conducting an emissions analysis, adopting emissions reduction targets, developing and implementing an action plan to achieve the reductions, and monitoring the progress toward the targets.
“ICLEI will help us take real-world action to reduce pollution — not just talk about our good intentions to do so,” said Mayor White.
An example of Houston’s real-world action to reduce pollution is here.
“ICLEI membership gives the City an important tool in its commitment to protect the environment,” added Karl Pepple, the City’s Director of Environmental Programming. “The technical support and training offered by ICLEI has real value for the City.”
Hey! It’s an appearance by Houston’s own highly-qualified environmental dude!
Joining ICLEI and developing a greenhouse gas reduction plan will formalize and advance other projects already under way in the City that reduce greenhouse gases. These programs include:
Brace yourself…
* Reduction of roadway congestion through programs including SafeClear, subsidy of employees’ use of METRO, vanpools and carpools, and promotion of flex-time in the city and the corporate community
* Increased purchase of renewable energy (20% of total purchases)
* Implementation of the Houston Consumer Choice program to encourage residents to take initiative in their consumption of electricity
* Weatherization of 600+ homes in Pleasantville to reduce energy consumption by residents
* Reductions in NOx and VOCs in city activities through a 9% fleet reduction, replacement of old vehicles with 283 hybrids, retrofitting of heavy construction equipment, and upgrading of facilities at wastewater treatment plants and Intercontinental Airport
* Use of TexLED and Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel fuel on a voluntary basis
* Revitalized curbside recycling program
* Adopting the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED program for all new City buildings, and ten city projects are currently in the LEED program
* Development of 40 additional miles of bikeways
* Creation of a master plan for a 13-acre downtown park surrounded by residential, commercial and retail development.
Should Houstonians expect more SAFEclear-like programs?
Subsidizing Metro? Why bother? If city employees ride MetroRail, there’s no charge anyway.
And weatherization of homes in Pleasantville? Who’s paying for that?
