Climate measure heads back to committee

A resolution that would have reaffirmed Kingston’s commitment to the principles of sustainability and environmental stewardship has been sent back to a Common Council committee for further discussion.

During a meeting Tuesday night, the council voted 7-1 to send the resolution back to the General Government/Public Safety Committee. Voting against the move was Alderwoman Lynn Eckert, D-Ward 1.

Alderwoman Nina Dawson, D-Ward 4, was absent.

In moving to send the matter back to committee, Alderman Steven Schabot, D-Ward 8, said lawmakers wanted to further consider the wording of the resolution.

During a caucus meeting Monday, Alderman Douglas Koop said the local policy to counter President Donald Trump’s planned U.S. withdrawal from the Paris climate accord should be more than just a memorializing resolution pledging to adhere to the 2016 multinational deal.

Koop, D-Ward 2, said city policy should include specifics about types of clean energy that would be used in place of fossil fuels, for example.

The resolution, as currently written, would reaffirm the city’s commitment to taking action to further reduce climate pollution, to continue to support the principles of the Paris agreement, and “to stand with cities and other publicand private-sector partners throughout the world to advance action in accordance with the goals outlined in the Paris agreement.”

The city already has a Climate Action Plan and was named a “Climate Smart Community” by New York state, as well as a “Clean Energy Community.”

Prior to the council’s vote, some city residents urged lawmakers to adopt the resolution.

Pat Courtney Strong, who serves on the Climate Smart Kingston Commission, said the resolution would save the city money by saving energy and would comply with the state’s goals.

“There’s nothing untoward about this resolution at all,” Strong said.