Thank you again for your comments on the sustainability amendment to Lincoln and Lancaster County's Comprehensive Plan.
The public hearing for the city and county Comprehensive Plan amendments will be held July 14th, 2009, 5:30 p.m., at the City-County Building in the City Council Chambers. This hearing is a chance for the community to voice its opinion to the Lincoln City Council and Lancaster County Commission. Comprehensive plans have recognized the importance of building sustainable communities - communities that conserve and efficiently utilize our economic, social, and environmental resources so that the welfare of future generations is not sacrificed. In a new century where these factors are likely to affect economic opportunities, we need to think about building communities that are resilient and adaptable to change. We should encourage a sustainable economy, an attractive quality of life, and a healthy environment so that long-term benefits are achieved for our community. Sustainability, as a part of the Community Vision, now requires added attention.
We invite you to attend the hearing on July 14th or submit your comments to the City Council and Lancaster County Board.
"A Sustainable Lincoln: Meeting Our Needs Today for A Growing Economy and Insuring Our Children's Future"
Mayor Chris Beutler's speech for the Lincoln/Lancaster County Health Department Environmental Leadership Awards June 4, 2009.
Thank you very much for the opportunity to speak today. This awards luncheon is a wonderful example of how Lincoln and Lancaster County has long supported environmental stewardship, and it is an honor to be with so many friends today who share these values.
As we all know, Lincoln is a growing and dynamic city. Every year we add several thousand people who come here to share in our high quality of life, and every year our community expands to accept them, and our opportunities grow.
Read the Public Comments
Public comments as of 5/26/09 are available here.
Mayor Announces Priorities for Stimulus Energy Efficiency Grant, Seeks Public Input and Ideas by May 27
May 12, 2009
The "Cleaner, Greener Lincoln" initiative is our local effort to insure city government is a leader in helping to create a more sustainable city. This initiative is building upon Lincoln's extraordinary community commitment to everyone enjoying a high quality of life in a clean, affordable, healthy, and prosperous community.
One critical first step in this vision is to immediately act to improve our energy efficiency and boost the use of renewable and clean energy technologies across the city. In my 2008 Executive Order launching Lincoln's sustainability and climate protection efforts, I set a target for reducing our greenhouse gas emissions to seven percent below where we were in 1990 by 2015. It's an aggressive goal, but we can do it.
Partnership Between City and Attorney General to Create Sustainability Initiative
April 1, 2009
Mayor Chris Beutler and Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning today announced a partnership that will create the Cleaner Greener Lincoln Initiative. The Attorney General's Office is providing $50,000 from a lawsuit settlement to launch the initiative. The City also will use about $2.4 million in stimulus funds to support the effort. Those funds are available through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program.