A green game plan for government
Sam Magavern of the UB Law School has just released a smart working paper called "Greening Buffalo: What Local Governments Can Do." It's loaded with good ideas, practical ideas that our pols and other decision makers should take a close look it.
Magavern's big picture:
"Buffalo's potential as a green city is remarkable. Buffalo should be one of the world's alternative energy capitals, with its abundant hydropower, high wind speed, and (for a Northeastern city) plentiful sunshine."
His call to arms:
"No one can wave a magic wand to green Buffalo; it will take a massive, concerted effort by government, non-profits, schools, churches, businesses, labor unions, and individuals. Many exciting efforts are already underway. To maximize their potential, the environmental community should form a coalition with a unified, annual platform for change and a set of sustainability targets and measures used to hold the public sector accountable."
Among the recommendations made by Magavern and his team of collaborators:
-- Create sustainability offices in local government.
-- Focus economic development incentives on green initiatives, eco-tourism and small business.
-- Make government new builds meet the LEED silver standard.
-- Adopt green purchasing policies.
-- Market the region as a clean energy center.
-- Revise the city's recycling program so that it, among other things, complies with state law.
There's a lot to digest. Read on. And comment below. This would be a good time for dialogue.
