Mayor Harrell is showing his focus on the issue of climate change. He signed the $6.5 million Green New Deal into law recently. The goal is to reduce the impact of climate change. The law aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Seattle and build the communities’ resilience against the effects of climate change. There is also a focus on health as well as allowing the city to further it’s efforts to advance climate justice and reduce greenhouse gas impacts.
The key projects set to begin under the city’s Green New Deal are as follows:
– $2.4 million to identify and develop resilience hubs in Seattle: Harrell said “Resilience Hubs” help ensure communities are supported in preparing for, responding to and recovering from climate change-related emergencies such as extreme heat events and wildfire smoke. Mayor Harrell has also proposed $2 million in his Parks District budget proposal toward the Resilience Hub effort.
– $2.3 million to support efforts to get all city-owned buildings off fossil fuels by 2035. The City of Seattle owns 650 buildings, including 27 public libraries which are increasingly on the front lines of community care during climate emergencies. Harrell said the money will provide heating, cooling and clean air at the NE and SW Library branches to support communities during times of climate crisis.
– $2 million to increase the number of city-funded affordable housing projects. Harrell said investing in multi-family affordable housing electrification will lead to fewer new fossil fuel systems “that will lock newly created affordable housing – and its residents — into decades of climate pollution.”
– $300,000 to support climate data and Community Health Indicator project. Part of the Green New Deal’s goal is to collect data to track the climate impact on transportation, community health and other programs. Officials said these metrics will allow the city to hone in on advancing climate justice and lowering greenhouse gas impacts.
– $100,00 for community engagement to inform climate elements of the One Seattle Comprehensive Plan update. This investment sets aside funds to support community engagement that will inform climate components incorporated into the One Seattle Comprehensive Plan – an effort fundamental to shaping land use, transportation, and infrastructure investments over the next 20 years.
The new climate change law represents a portion of the jumpstart payroll expense’s investment. The payroll expense, which passed in 2020, has already committed $14.5 million this year, nearly $20 million in 2023 and over $20 million in 2024 to further reduce greenhouse emissions.
The Oversight Board has provided recommendations for 2023 funds. The 2022 Green New Deal Opportunity Fund investments are the first to be funded by proceeds from Jumpstart funds. As part of the 2022 budgeting process, the Green New Deal Oversight Board was asked to make recommendations on $6.5 million for investments to help to advance the principles of the Green New Deal for Seattle.
