Public Hearing: YES ☐ NO ☒ Department: Board of Commissioners - District 6
SUBJECT:
Title
Commission District(s): All DeKalb County Commission Districts
A Resolution to Create a “Sustainability Fund” to Support Mitigating Climate Change, Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Reaching Clean Energy Goals, Improving Resiliency in Our Neighborhoods and County Facilities, and Creating Local, Green Jobs
Body
Information Contact: Commissioner Edward C. “Ted” Terry
Phone Number: 404-371-4909
PURPOSE:
To create a “Sustainability Fund” to support in mitigating climate change, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, reaching clean energy goals, improving resiliency in our neighborhoods and county facilities, and creating local, green jobs.
NEED/IMPACT:
The Earth’s climate is changing, due to human fossil fuel usage, resulting in extreme heat, flooding, and pollution. These effects are not just happening globally but are impacting DeKalb County residents and disproportionately affecting people of color and underserved communities. In 2021, DeKalb County joined in the global efforts towards fighting climate change by committing to reducing their emissions and set a goal of 100% Clean Energy and Clean Transportation by 2050. While these projects may have an upfront cost, they ultimately are proactive and provide long-term cost savings that often outweigh these upfront costs. The Federal Government has developed several plans and programs to reduce emissions, create jobs, improve infrastructure, and provide funds for local governments to deploy clean energy, resiliency, and green jobs projects. A Sustainability Fund will be able to capture these savings, awarded grant money, and / or reimbursement funds to ensure funding is ready and available for the next clean energy or resiliency project with upfront cost.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Fiscal impact unknown at this time
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommended Action
To approve the resolution to create a “Sustainability Fund” to support in mitigating climate change, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, reaching clean energy goals, improving resiliency in our neighborhoods and county facilities, and creating local, green jobs and authorize the Chief Operating Officer, or his designee, to execute all necessary documents.