CRRP-LWV
Chris Mason <cmason@northamptonma.gov>
Comments on NCRRP
1 messageNancyPolan<nancypolan@gmail.com>Thu, Nov 14, 2019 at 3:22 PM To:cmason@northamptonma.gov
Northampton Area League of Women Voters comments on Northampton Climate Resilience and Regeneration Plan
Dear Mr. Mason,
I am writing on behalf of the Northampton League of Women Voters with comments on the draft climate plan (NCRRP). Thank you to all who contributed to this comprehensive plan to reach
climate and resiliency goals for 2050. We applaud the deep commitment and dedication of our community leaders to making Northampton carbon neutral by 2050, while growing the economy,
and providing equity.
The efforts by Northampton to work regionally is commendable, particularly with the Community Choice Aggregation 3.0 Program. We urge the town of Northampton to take leadership in launching
this program within the next year. It is very encouraging that Representatives Mindy Domb, Lindsay Sabadosa, and Senator Jo Comerford are champions of this program and want to hold it
up as a model to be used across the state. Now is the time to put it into action!
We offer the following recommendations to make the NCRRP more powerful.1.Addtotheintroductionastatementthatacknowledgesthatfromthisdayforth,everythingthecitydoeswillbetoreducethe severity
and speed of our climate crisis. This plan directs how Northampton will take actions that reflect the immediacy of the situation and make it a resilientcity.2. Declare that all actions
will be made on evidence-based, current climate science. The excellent comments submitted to you by the Tree Committee are based on current science, specifically the latest report on
the major role of forests to sequester carbon, and provide many ecosystem services. The Tree Committee recognizes the important role of trees in cities and their plan should be incorporated
into this plan and the MasterPlan.3. Without a roadmap, this plan is powerless. It is critical that this plan be built on a strong, clearly defined roadmap with a detailedtimelinethatdescribeswhenmeasurableoutcomeswillbeassessed,whethergoalsweremet,andadjustmentsmadebased
on new science and technology, and falling prices. How and when will data be collected to track carbon emissions? In what year will thecity:
begin to transition to zero-emission vehicles in its municipal fleet? will all school buses be zero emission vehicles?
will all Northampton properties operate with 100 percent renewable energy?
How aggressively will the city find state grants for these and other clean energy projects? What is the specific timeline for improving building efficiency and all net-zero construction?
The good news for the committee writing this draft plan, is that they can build a powerful roadmap and timeline using the excellent format found in the climate plan for the city of Evanston,
IL Climate Action and Resilience Plan.
Creating a strong roadmap for climate action should be done at all levels of government. Representative Sabadosa and
Senator Comerford are champions of a bill to create a state-wide roadmap and timeline for reaching our climate goals for 2050. The League of Women Voters are strong supporters of this
bill - H. 832.
With the addition of these changes, the Northampton climate plan will be a very effective tool for guiding Northampton in the energy revolution, meeting it’s climate goals, and making
it a resilient, prosperous community.
Thank you for considering our comments.
Nancy Polan nancypolan@gmail.comLegislative Director
Northampton Area League of Women Voters
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