“This is a really big day for the city of Grand Rapids.”
Kent County Environmental Action Team Chair Terry Gates says the Grand Rapids Commission is showing the way by approving a climate action and adaptation plan.
“You are leading an effort to try to do something about our climate.”
Commissioner Milinda Ysasi says it took three years of discussion and community input to agree on the twenty environmental priorities in the CAAP, as its called.
“The plan aims to mitigate the harmful effects of climate change.”
All commissioners except Drew Robbins support the plan. He has concerns about the cost:
“The cost is something we can’t get around. That cost has to be passed down to someone, whether that’s a business tenant homeowner.”
And Josh Lunger with the Chamber of Commerce does not want businesses facing more regulations:
“More hoops to jump through.”
But Mayor David LaGrande says no one is forced to abide by the climate action and adaptation plan.
“There are not mandates in this cap.”
The twenty priorities include bike lanes, backyard composting, and using electricity to generate steam heat for downtown buildings.
“There are the first twenty action items in here. I am excited to get to work.”
