HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0279.020 2022-2024 bill 1i
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Comments on Bill 48: Office of Sustainability, Climate, Equity, and Resilience
for Governmental Operations and External Affairs Committee , 1 PM Tuesday, May 16, 2023
from Cory Harden
Please support this bill.
It is on solid footing--in the works for almost two years,and based on negotiations with County
departments and community leaders. 'c
There is funding available now to deal with the increasing impacts of climate change and support \--11
sustainability--money from government and private sources.
The funders will be looking for recipients who have authority, resources,and accountability, who write
professional proposals, and who can ensure that grant requirements are met. iv
That's OSCER.
Not only can OSCER attract money--as a cabinet-level agency, it can foster collaboration among
departments and agencies which are now at odds because of competing objectives.
OSCER can maintain its focus, and take a systems approach, since its staff will not change with every
election.
OSCER can be a source for information and technical assistance.
O'ahu and Maui already have offices similar to OSCER.
O'ahu: Office of Climate Change,Sustainability, and Resiliency
Maui: Office of Climate Change, Resiliency, and Sustainability
Bill 48 wisely spells out policy to deal with any future questions: the policy of the County as a guiding
principle, "regular stakeholder engagement", "...in a manner that is immediate, direct, coordinated, and
equitable in...impact..." (37-1-2 Declaration of Policy p. 2
Bill 48 also wisely proposes considering existing County, State, and international initiatives, and utilizing
"place-based and Native Hawaiian guiding principles,tools,and frameworks".
(37-2-21 Duties pp. 3-4)
There is much to recommend OSCER. But there are also important questions:
What are examples of actions OSCER would take?
Would funding go to community organizations with good track records,or government agencies?
How much funding is anticipated from OSCER cost savings?
How will common County problems be avoided:
Administration sometimes says it can't act due to no funding and no staff
Procurement is difficult
Coordination with other agencies is difficult
Is it correct that followup bills are planned for targets,approach, success metrics,and accountability
protocol? Q 1�
Comm. N . �� `'�"
Ref. To: PSD�/
Ref. Date AY 1 6 2023
How will conflicts be handled--with Resolution 73 (Yummet waste-to-energy) and Resolution 163
(hydrogen)?
Minor changes may also be needed:
37-1-2 Declaration of policy p. 2
Add "reduce greenhouse gas emissions"
37-1-3 Definitions p. 2
Change "severabilty"to "survivability"
37-2-21 Duties...
p. 3 (a) (1) add "reduce greenhouse gas emissions"
(a) (2) add "greenhouse gas reduction"
p. 4 (e) Grants and funding
Add "programs and contracts with the State government"