At their Dec. 3 meeting, Buncombe County commissioners will consider a proposed Energy Independence Initiative that would commit the county to achieving an 80 percent reduction in its carbon footprint. The county would commit to an annual carbon reduction goal of 2 percent per year until the 80 percent reduction goal is reached.
The plan “would represent one of the most ambitious clean energy commitments adopted by any local governments in the country,” says Commissioner Brownie Newman, sponsor of the initiative. The 80 percent reduction goal was chosen because it is the level of pollution reduction that scientific research indicates is necessary to avoid the most severe and irreversible impacts of global warming on future generations, says Newman.
In other business, commissioners will elect a new vice chair to succeed Commissioner Holly Jones, who is finishing up a one-year term in that role, which is largely ceremonial.
The board will meet at 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 3, in the commissioner’s chambers, located at 200 College Street, suite 326. A short pre-meeting review of the agenda will begin at 4:15 p.m.
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