Implementing Idea from District 4 Environmental Leader Cathy Tuttle; Climate Crisis Warrants Swift Action

SEPTEMBER 21, 2020 UPDATE / PRESS RELEASE:

Council Unanimously Adopts Pedersen’s Climate Change Resolution in Wake of Historic Wildfires; New policy will require City to formally consider impacts of all new legislation on carbon emissions and resiliency to climate change

SEATTLE – The Seattle City Council unanimously approved Resolution 31933 crafted by Councilmember Alex Pedersen (District 4, Northeast Seattle). The Resolution will, for the first time, require the City Council to formally consider the crisis of climate change when reviewing new legislation. The recurring wildfires that choked Seattle’s air with harmful smoke were an ominous backdrop as Councilmembers recognized the urgent need to contemplate new legislation through the lens of climate change.

Currently, all the Council’s legislation requires a “fiscal note,” which measures the financial implications of proposed legislation. Pedersen’s legislation expands this analysis by asking City departments to assess whether new legislation would increase or decrease carbon emissions and whether it would strengthen or weaken Seattle’s resiliency to climate change.

“The harmful wildfire smoke that’s been contaminating our air for weeks is a jolting reminder that the climate crisis is here and now,” said Pedersen. “Our city government must consider the environmental impacts of every decision we make or risk finding ourselves in a devastating and irreversible situation. By asking these basic questions about carbon emissions and resiliency to climate change with each new piece of legislation, Councilmembers will be better informed about the impact when casting their votes. I was happy to craft this resolution because it exemplifies another common cause shared between our City Council and Mayor. Working together, we can improve Seattle’s environment for everyone.”

Councilmember Pedersen chairs the Council’s Transportation and Utilities committee, which carries a portfolio of issues impacting the environment. This resolution was inspired by this scope of work and the “carbon note” concept from Dr. Cathy Tuttle, a climate activist who ran for City Council in the 2019 primary. Tuttle said, “While climate action requires global solutions, right now American cities and large companies need to take the lead on decarbonizing our transportation, building, and utility sectors. By adding carbon impacts to its Fiscal Notes, Seattle City Council will give decision-makers and the public good information about how to reduce greenhouse gases as we grow our economy and build healthy communities. I’m optimistic this bold proposal from Councilmember Pedersen and the Seattle City Council will lead to greener, cleaner legislation and funding decisions.”

The Washington State Director of Climate Solutions, Vlad Gutman-Britten, said, “Seattle must act with urgency to cut our climate pollution and accelerate the clean energy transition we need. We must ensure that future policies our city adopts cut climate pollution, and so adding climate considerations to Fiscal Notes is a good first step to better understanding how City policies impact the climate–and thereby our health, finances, safety, and more. We look forward to offering our expertise to the city departments as they implement this policy and strive to improve their tools for analyzing emissions.”

The City Council’s Governance and Education Committee passed Resolution 31933 unanimously on Friday, September 11. CLICK HERE to read the Resolution.

# # #

SEPTEMBER 11, 2020 UPDATE:

Councilmember Pedersen’s Climate Change Resolution unanimously recommended by City Council’s Governance Committee (Gonzalez, Juarez, Mosqueda, Sawant, and Strauss)

To simplify his proposed Resolution to address climate change, Councilmember Pedersen presented to the City Council’s Government Committee on Sept 11 his substitute version of his original Resolution introduced in February. This substitute version focuses the Resolution (and revised Summary & Fiscal Note) exclusively on the two climate-related questions (carbon emissions and resiliency/adaptation to climate change). To view the new version of Pedersen’s Resolution 31933 unanimously supported by the Committee, CLICK HERE (Resolution) and HERE (Summary & Fiscal Note template; see page 4). The harmful wildfire smoke contaminating Seattle’s air this week is a physical reminder of the urgent need to address climate change. To watch the Committee meeting and hear the positive testimony in favor of Pedersen’s Resolution from Cathy Tuttle, Katie Wilson, and more, CLICK HERE.

FEBRUARY 18, 2020 UPDATE:

NEWS RELEASE: Councilmember Alex Pedersen (District 4, Northeast Seattle) today introduced his Resolution (31933) that would enable the City Council to consider the crisis of climate change when reviewing new legislation.

Currently, all the Council’s legislation requires a “fiscal note,” which measures the financial implications of proposed legislation. Pedersen’s legislation asks the City Departments to assess whether new legislation would increase or decrease carbon emissions and resiliency to climate change.

“We are in the midst of a climate crisis and every decision the city government makes should keep our environment in mind,” said Pedersen. “By enhancing our analysis, Councilmembers will be better informed when making decisions. For example, when proposals such as expanding transit come forward, we will consider not only the fiscal costs, but also the benefits of transit such as reducing carbon emissions. The climate crisis cannot wait, and neither should this legislation.”

Councilmember Pedersen adopted the “carbon note” concept from Dr. Cathy Tuttle, a climate activist who ran for City Council in the 2019 primary. In a statement Tuttle said, “While climate action requires global solutions, right now American cities and large companies need to take the lead on decarbonizing our transportation, building, and utility sectors. By adding carbon impacts to its Fiscal Notes, Seattle City Council will give decision-makers and the public good information about how to reduce greenhouse gases as we grow our economy and build healthy communities. I’m optimistic this bold proposal from Councilmember Pedersen and the Seattle Council will lead to greener, cleaner legislation and funding decisions.”

The Washington State Director of Climate Solutions, Vlad Gutman-Britten, said, “Seattle must act with urgency to cut our climate pollution and accelerate the clean energy transition we need. We must ensure that future policies our city adopts cut climate pollution, and so adding climate considerations to Fiscal Notes is a good first step to better understanding how City policies impact the climate–and thereby our health, finances, safety, and more. We look forward to offering our expertise to the city departments as they implement this policy and strive to improve their tools for analyzing emissions.”

Pedersen’s proposed legislation was referred to the Governance and Education Committee.

For more information, please visit the Introduction and Referral Calendar.

JANUARY 2, 2020 (original post):

News Release: Councilmember Pedersen Calls for Analysis of Climate Impacts with New Legislation

SEATTLE – Councilmember Alex Pedersen (District 4, NE Seattle) today announced he is introducing a resolution in the coming weeks to include climate change and carbon footprint considerations as part of an expanded “Fiscal Note” the City Council uses to review legislation.

“Over the past year, I heard from residents all over District 4 who demanded more accountability from our city government — which includes meeting environmental goals such as reducing Seattle’s carbon footprint,” Councilmember Pedersen said. “The Green New Deal Resolution adopted by the City Council in August 2019 produced a positive blueprint of our City’s aspirational goals. Implementing a Fiscal and Environmental Note will allow us to view new legislation through a climate lens, and will be a concrete step in fighting climate change locally. I look forward to working out the details with my new colleagues at City Hall as we craft more specifics on addressing the crisis of climate change.”

Currently, legislation considered by the City Council is accompanied by a “Summary and Fiscal Note” that assesses the financial and other policy implications of the proposed resolution or ordinance. The climate change impact of proposed legislation, however, is not measured. Adding a climate change component would have the City government explicitly consider fossil fuel use and carbon emissions. A new and improved “Fiscal and Environmental Note” would also strengthen the financial analysis of projects seeking tax dollars.

Councilmember Pedersen adopted the “carbon note” concept from Dr. Cathy Tuttle, a climate activist who ran for City Council in the 2019 primary. In a statement Tuttle said, “While climate action requires global solutions, right now American cities and large companies need to take the lead on decarbonizing our transportation, building, and utility sectors. By adding Carbon Impacts to Fiscal Notes, Seattle Council will give decision-makers and the public good information about how to reduce greenhouse gases as we grow our economy and build healthy communities. I’m optimistic this bold proposal from Councilmember Pedersen and the Seattle Council will lead to greener, cleaner legislation and funding decisions.”

The Washington State Director of Climate Solutions, Vlad Gutman-Britten, said, “Seattle must act with urgency to cut our climate pollution and accelerate the clean energy transition we need. We must ensure that future policies our city adopts cut climate pollution, and so adding climate considerations to Fiscal Notes is a good first step to better understanding how City policies impact the climate–and thereby our health, finances, safety, and more. We look forward to working with Councilmember Pedersen and the rest of the city council as this proposal evolves.”

# # #

Posted: February 18th, 2020 under Councilmember Pedersen