ACTION ALERT: Support Bill 25- Office of Climate Change
Testimony needed to support the Office of Climate Change, which has its second budget hearing at the Honolulu City Council on Tuesday, May 16th at 9 am!
Last year, O‘ahu residents voted to create an “Office of Climate Change, Sustainability, and Resiliency” and the Mayor’s office has responded by proposing a new office for 2018 that will have 5 full-time staff, including positions to immediately focus on climate change planning, clean energy projects, and better resiliency for our coastal zones and waterways. Woohoo!Unfortunately, several Councilmembers have suggested eliminating or greatly reducing funds to support the Office of Climate Change, Sustainability, and Resiliency — an office mandated by voters and critical for Honolulu. We must show mass support for this Office now, before the budget process gets even tougher.How you can immediately help:Please submit online testimony in support for the Office of Climate Change, Sustainability, and Resiliency before Tuesday, May 16, when Bill 25 (2017)- the Executive Operating Budget Bill, will be heard in the City Council’s Budget Committee (agenda here).Bill 25 (2017) is a comprehensive budget bill that includes a request of $404,388 for the Office of Climate Change, Sustainability, and Resiliency and its 5 full-time staff for fiscal year 2018. Joshua Stanbro was recently hired as the Chief Resiliency Officer, or the Executive Director position, and he is a great choice to lead this new Office. However, the remaining budget for the office still needs be approved by the City Council so that Josh can hire additional, supporting staff.Please take two minutes to submit online support for Honolulu’s NEW “Office of Climate Change, Sustainability, and Resiliency”. Because Bill 25 (2017) is a huge budget bill, you must specifically mention that you are in support of the Office of Climate Change, Sustainability, and Resiliency within Bill 25 (2017).Link to online testimony form HERE.Details for the online testimony form:
Meeting Date: 05-16-2017
Council/Committee: Budget
Agenda Item: Bill 25 (2017) Proposed CD2
Your Position: Support
Written Testimony: “Aloha Chair Manahan and members of the Budget Committee, My name is ____ and I am a resident of _____. I am in strong support of the proposed CD2 amendments by Councilmember Manahan, specifically in regards to the Office of Climate Change, Sustainability, and Resiliency in Bill 25 (2017). Councilmember Manahan's proposed CD2 will restore the full funding for this new Office ($404,388), of which only $270,000 comes from the General Fund paid by city taxpayers. Oahu residents voted to create this office and the city has been fortunate to receive a 2 year grant to hire the Executive Director position. However, a 1 person office cannot be expected to handle all of the responsibilities of creating our resiliency strategy, focusing on all the effects of climate change, and implementing sustainability projects that will boost our local economy and save city taxpayer's money. Last year the City paid a $47 million electricity bill! If the new Energy Project Manager saves less than 1% of the city's electricity costs through energy efficiency measures, the Energy Project Manager will have paid for the entire new office! This Office has the potential to save the city millions every year. In recognizing the necessity and benefits of the Office of Climate Change, Sustainability, and Resiliency, the Honolulu City Council should prioritize its funding. I ask that you support the Office of Climate Change and restore the budget request of $404,388 in Bill 25 (2017)."
Online testimony is very helpful, but if you are able to give oral testimony it would be extremely valuable to have supporters for the "Office of Climate Change, Sustainability, and Resiliency" attend the May 16th Budget Committee meeting. Bill 25 (2017) is the fourth item on the agenda, so it could be heard as early as 9:30 am, or as late as 11:30 am, depending on the discussions of the other agenda items. We hope to see you at this important budget hearing on Tuesday, May 16th!If you have any questions, feel free to email jodi.malinoski(at)sierraclub.org