Title
Authorizing the Committee on the Environment to convene a Sustainability Task Force.
Body
WHEREAS, With the creation of the Committee on the Environment earlier this year, Council now has a formal vehicle to promote the quality of life of its residents by addressing climate change, sustainability and other ecological initiatives; and
WHEREAS, On Earth Day 2007, the Mayor issued an Executive Order, which, inter alia, created the Office of Sustainability and Environment in order to support and implement initiatives that will achieve the City’s sustainability and environmental objectives; and
WHEREAS, The Office of Sustainability and Environment, through its work with the Sustainability Working Group, is charged with developing a Sustainability Plan for the City by the end of 2007; and
WHEREAS, Development and implementation of this new Sustainability Plan requires the active participation of Council, and close coordination between Council and the Office of Sustainability and Environment; and
WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the government of the City of Philadelphia to bring together the resources and talents of academia, civic society and government to design, initiate, and carry out a broad ranging Sustainability Plan; now therefore
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, THAT the Chair of the Committee on the Environment is hereby authorized to convene a Sustainability Task Force, which shall include representatives of the Office of Sustainability and Environment, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, environmental organizations and the business community; faculty members from area academic institutions, members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly and City Council and such other members as the Chair of the Committee on the Environment shall deem appropriate. The Chair of the Committee on the Environment shall Chair the Task Force.
FURTHER RESOLVED, THAT the Task Force shall have the following duties and responsibilities:
(a) Design a coordinated strategy to develop the City’s first Sustainability Plan;
(b) Recommend state legislation, ordinances and/or other programmatic approaches and initiatives relating to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, “green” technology and other initiatives to promote sustainability in the City and its surrounding region;
(c) Report to the City Council on a periodic basis, organize educational presentations and make recommendations, as needed;
(d) Conduct such other activities as the Task Force deems necessary to further the above duties and responsibilities.
End