Environment

By Shane Brinton

Getting serious about clean energy and greenhouse gas reduction, continuing our longstanding commitment to the environment, and next steps for recycling and waste diversion.

• Clean Energy and Greenhouse Gas Reduction

The big utility companies like PG&E aren't going green quickly enough. A rapid transition to renewable energy is possible if we demand greater democratic control over our energy system. That's why I support Community Choice Aggregation, an energy purchasing method that allows local governments and individual customers to collectively buy renewable energy.

I am one of the main proponents of the Excessive Electricity Users Tax, which will appear on the ballot this November. While most customers will pay no additional tax, those using massive amounts of electricity will be required to pay for their waste.

See the "Transportation" section at http://www.electshane.org for information on sustainable transportation policy.

• Wetland, Creek, and Forest Stewardship

The Arcata Baylands Restoration and the McDaniel Slough Restoration projects are two recent examples of our continued commitment to environmental stewardship. These projects improve conditions for hundreds of birds, amphibians, and fish, including threatened species.

We are also working to reduce runoff impacts on our wetlands and creeks by using Low Impact Development techniques. I am committed to making sure LID becomes commonplace in our projects over the next few years.

I am also a supporter of our sustainable forest management practices. Our mix of working forest areas and conservation areas strikes the right balance for our community and the forest ecosystem.

• Recycling and Waste Reduction

Local recyclables processing should be central to such a system. I have advocated for local processing and I have not given up on reopening the Samoa facility at some point. However, if that ends up being infeasible, I would support the construction of a new facility in the Northern Humboldt area.

Food waste is another significant part of the waste stream that needs to be diverted. That's why I support the Food Waste Digester project being spearheaded by the Humboldt Waste Management Authority.

We must also work to get plastic bags out of our waste stream and our waterways. The best way to do that is with an ordinance banning them, which is something I've been working on with HWMA.