Spokane Mayor Mary Verner has selected 13 people to serve on a citizen task force that will help create a strategic action plan to identify and address the impacts of climate change and energy security on City government.
The task force will be led by Chair Roger Woodworth, Vice President of Sustainable Energy Solutions at Avista. The other members include:
- Mary Carr, Dean of Instruction Services at Spokane Community College.
- Denny Dellwo, who serves on the Eastern Washington Growth Management Hearings Board.
- Terry Lawhead, the Eastern Washington representative for the Washington State Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development.
- Larry Luton, an Eastern Washington University Public Administration Professor.
- Susan Meyer, CEO of Spokane Transit Authority.
- Sara Orrange, who works in government affairs at Spokane Home Builders Association.
- Mike Peterson, Executive Director of the Lands Council.
- Katherine Rowden, a staff engineer with CH2M Hill.
- Bob Scarfo, a Washington State University Interdisciplinary Design Institute Professor.
- Juliet Sinisterra, architect and Co-Editor of the Go Green Directory and Out There Monthly.
- Jim Wavada, Environmental Planner with the Washington State Department of Ecology.
- Gerald Winkler, President of Integrus Architecture.
"I am very excited about this group and the work the members have agreed to take on," says Mayor Verner. "We're talking about steps that will save energy, improve the environment, and save taxpayer dollars."
A $75,000, one year GMA Planning Grant from the Washington State Dept. of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED) is paying for the planning work, which will include many opportunities for citizen involvement. The goal is to determine affordable and sustainable solutions to the economic, environmental, and social challenges posed by climate change and rising energy prices.
The citizen task force will lead the strategic planning effort, supported by work groups and technical assistance from city staff and other experts. A kickoff event for the year-long planning effort was held in early February and was attended by more than 150 people. The task force members will be introduced to the community at the City Council's 6 p.m. meeting on Monday, April 7, in the City Council Chambers in the lower level of City Hall, 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.
This project is consistent with Governor Chris Gregoire's recent climate change challenge that encourages local jurisdictions to develop plans to mitigate the impacts of climate change, and also with commitments the City made when it signed on to the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement last February. |
