Advertisement
The County Board of Commissioners will vote Tuesday on the resolution,and may be the first county board in the state to take a formal stance on global warming pollution.
It would be the third area government or institution to do so, after the city and Winona State University recently signed pacts pledging to protect the climate.
“This is something that one person or one group can’t do,” said Commissioner Dwayne Voegeli. “I’m looking forward to the county board stepping up to the plate and doing its part.”
The resolution is aimed at finding local solutions to a global issue. And in this case, even the resolution is local.
County Administrator Bob Reinert drafted the language with the help of several county staff and board members after discovering that there’s no organized effort asking county governments to sign global warming pacts, as there is for cities and universities.
Reinert checked with the two largest county advocacy organizations in the state — the Minnesota Inter-County Association and the Association of Minnesota Counties — and was told that no other board had passed such a resolution.
The resolution calls on the county to reduce carbon emissions through a variety of initiatives, including:
-Back renewable energy initiatives, such as the current project to build a 2-megawatt wind turbine
-Promote sustainable and mass transit including bike trails and carpools
-Educate residents on ways to reduce global warming pollution
-And increase recycling and fuel efficiency of county vehicles
Winona Mayor Jerry Miller, with unanimous backing from the city council, signed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement last month. Also around that time, WSU President Judith Ramaley signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment.
They each joined hundreds of other cities and universities, respectively, in signing the agreements.
Voegeli said the county board’s resolution is a step toward possibly signing a joint resolution with the city and WSU, which could also be a first in the state.
Reporter Brian Voerding can be reached at (507) 453-3514 or at bvoerding@winonadailynews.com
