Senators Will Smith & Sarah Elfreth: Protecting Environmental Rights in Maryland

This session, the Maryland legislature will consider making access to clean air and water part of the state constitution. The Maryland Environmental Human Rights Amendment, co-sponsored by NewDEALers Senator Will Smith and Senator Sarah Elfreth, would help the legislature pursue significant climate solutions, while also providing legal protections for residents disproportionately affected by pollution, usually communities of color. Because it is a proposed constitutional amendment, the legislation will need to pass both legislative chambers before appearing as a ballot measure this November. Read more about the Maryland Environmental Human Rights Amendment here.

Senator Ben Allen: Cracking Down on Plastic Pollution

NewDEAL Leader California Ben Allen scored a victory for a cleaner environment, as Governor Gavin Newsom signed his bill to reduce plastic packaging and foodware last Thursday. Requiring a 25 percent reduction by both weight and number of items within the next 10 years, the bill is the toughest plastic reduction bill in the nation thus far. The bill also mandates a 65 percent recycling rate for plastics, requires all packaging and foodware be made recyclable or compostable even if not plastic, and requires plastic companies to contribute to a pollution mitigation fund to benefit disadvantaged or low-income communities. Read more in Grist about Senator Allen’s bill, which one expert says will prevent nearly 23 million tons of plastic waste in just 10 years.

Mayor Greg Fischer: New Emissions Target in Louisville

This week, NewDEALer Louisville, KY Mayor Greg Fischer signed an executive order aimed at reducing the city’s greenhouse gas emissions over the course of the next two decades. The new order puts Louisville on track to reduce emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2040. The city plans to achieve the reduction by increasing its reliance on electric vehicles and promoting homes powered by solar energy. “When it comes to our built environment, we will build on strategies in our emissions reduction plan such as making buildings and energy more efficient and getting solar on more homes,” Fischer said. Read more about the air quality initiative here.

New Plan to Boost Local Food System in Lincoln

This week, NewDEAL Leader Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird unveiled Lincoln’s Local Food System Plan, a thorough effort to support local producers, increase equitable access to high-quality food, and reduce food waste. The plan, developed by a 10-member community committee, hopes to double the acres where local food is grown in the Lincoln area and triple the number of community gardens by 2035. “Lincoln’s new Local Food System Plan will position our community to reap the benefits of a thriving local food system — supporting local farmers, expanding markets, creating jobs, increasing food security, improving health outcomes, reducing carbon emissions and instilling a sense of pride in our community,” Gaylor Baird said. Read more about the plan here.

Outgoing Denver Mayor Michael Hancock Joins Climate Migration Council

NewDEAL Leader Denver Mayor Michael Hancock will join the Climate Migration Council, a coalition of world leaders who hope to shine a spotlight on the imminent crisis of climate change-induced migration. Hancock is a longtime advocate for local government action on the issue of climate change. In his final State of the City address last July, Hancock reiterated his concern for Denver’s most vulnerable communities given the growing threat of wildfires, droughts, and other climate-induced natural disasters. In his statement announcing the decision, Mayor Hancock reiterated the importance of community-based action, writing that “all action starts locally, and when progress stalls at the national level, cities will step in to stand in the gap. We want to ensure our community is resilient and welcoming for generations to come, which is why climate action and sustainability are core values in the City and County of Denver.” Read more about the Climate Migration Council which also includes NewDEALers Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller and former Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, here.

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CLEAN ENERGY – Tennessee: Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris – opened a new solar array project

CLEAN ENERGY – Tennessee: Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris opened a new solar array project that will generate clean energy and offset emissions equal to 664,000 miles driven in a car and 30,000 gallons of gas. “Transitioning to solar-powered energy is one way for us to reduce our shared impact on the environment, save taxpayer dollars, and increase our resilience to the worst effects of climate change,” said Harris.

New Emissions Target in Louisville

This week, NewDEALer Louisville, KY Mayor Greg Fischer signed an executive order aimed at reducing the city’s greenhouse gas emissions over the course of the next two decades. The new order puts Louisville on track to reduce emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2040. The city plans to achieve the reduction by increasing its reliance on electric vehicles and promoting homes powered by solar energy. “When it comes to our built environment, we will build on strategies in our emissions reduction plan such as making buildings and energy more efficient and getting solar on more homes,” Fischer said. Read more about the air quality initiative here.

Cracking Down on Plastic Pollution

NewDEAL Leader California Ben Allen scored a victory for a cleaner environment, as Governor Gavin Newsom signed his bill to reduce plastic packaging and foodware last Thursday. Requiring a 25 percent reduction by both weight and number of items within the next 10 years, the bill is the toughest plastic reduction bill in the nation thus far. The bill also mandates a 65 percent recycling rate for plastics, requires all packaging and foodware be made recyclable or compostable even if not plastic, and requires plastic companies to contribute to a pollution mitigation fund to benefit disadvantaged or low-income communities. Read more in Grist about Senator Allen’s bill, which one expert says will prevent nearly 23 million tons of plastic waste in just 10 years.

ARP: Boston MA, Preparing Workers for the Jobs of Tomorrow

Mayor Wu announced more than half a million dollars in American Rescue Plan funding for four organizations to provide training for green and mobility jobs. The city approved a four-fold increase in funding for its green jobs program, increasing the budget from $1 million to $4 million. The majority of that funding – $3 million – comes from the American Rescue Plan. These specific grants will target populations hit particularly hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, including individuals experiencing homelessness, residents recently released from incarceration, and women and people of color from under-represented neighborhoods. The Mayor’s office plans to have two cohorts per year, gradually increasing the number of participants in each cohort to 60. Cohort participants also receive workplace development training as well as a number of certifications, including from OSHA and conflict and de-escalation training.

Update

In June, Boston launched PowerCorps, a program to train individuals for green jobs that pay a living wage. The six-month training program began with a 21-person cohort. All the participants receive a $550/week stipend as well as work clothing and transportation to job sites. The first cohort achieved a great deal of both meaningful work and professional development: assisted 87 acres of public land by removing 284 bags of invasive material and planted 61 trees and pruning 32; earned three college credits from UMass Mount Ida in Arboriculture; participated in mock interviews and completed 16 hours of financial literacy courses.

All 21 members of the inaugural PowerCorps program graduated in December 2022, and have a new green job or are enrolled in additional job training.

Impact Testimonies:

  • “The reason I joined PowerCorps was to find out who I was personally and
    make an impact on my community.” – Iman T.
  • “I’m glad I was able to pave the way for other women in forestry. In this
    industry where women are underrepresented however, I’m glad I felt
    empowered to use my voice. Thank you PowerCorps for allowing me to be
    heard.” – Jelaine F.
  • “I knew that I wanted to find a job that would let me have my hands in the
    dirt and benefit this community.” – Tafari W.
  • “This was the first thing I’ve seen through to completion since high school. I
    have to say the experience has been ethereal!” – Erica M.

Protecting Environmental Rights in Maryland

This session, the Maryland legislature will consider making access to clean air and water part of the state constitution. The Maryland Environmental Human Rights Amendment, co-sponsored by NewDEALers Senator Will Smith and Senator Sarah Elfreth, would help the legislature pursue significant climate solutions, while also providing legal protections for residents disproportionately affected by pollution, usually communities of color. Because it is a proposed constitutional amendment, the legislation will need to pass both legislative chambers before appearing as a ballot measure this November. Read more about the Maryland Environmental Human Rights Amendment here.

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