The Sierra Club is proud to endorse Betsy Hodges for re-election as Mayor of Minneapolis!
Why Betsy?
Mayor Hodges has delivered on the promises she made when she earned our endorsement for Mayor in 2013. Under her leadership, Minneapolis has continued to distinguish itself as a leader on combating climate change, addressing environmental inequities within the city and putting Minneapolis on a path to true environmental sustainability through thoughtful planning and budgeting.
Here are just a few of the compelling reasons we support her for re-election this year:
Clean Energy Partnership
Hodges brought Xcel and CenterPoint Energy to the table in a first-in-the-nation Clean Energy Partnership and won an increase in the franchise fee these utilities pay the City. This revenue will provide resources to purchase additional renewable energy. By the end of 2018, fully 67% of the City's electricity will be renewably sourced and be on track to reach 100% by 2022.
Environmental Justice
Hodges's leadership on rolling out Green Zones in North Minneapolis and East Phillips and on the closure of Northern Metals' North Minneapolis plant are good steps toward alleviating some of the historical environmental injustices in the city, and an indicator of more progress to come.
Organics recycling and zero waste
As a Council member, Hodges championed a pilot organics recycling program. As mayor, she fully funded the program. Through her leadership, we are positioned to become a Zero Waste City.
Complete Streets and Transportation & Parks Funding
Hodges championed a robust new Complete Streets policy which will lead us to an ever-more walkable, bike-able, and accessible Minneapolis. She helped craft the 20-year funding plan approved last year by the City and Park Board that provides long overdue and urgently needed investments in our neighborhood streets and parks.
Climate Change and Resilience
Hodges joined a group of 377 U.S. mayors who have agreed to uphold the goals of the Paris Climate agreement. The relationships Mayor Hodges has built over her first term--from Van Jones to the League of Mayors to environmental champions in our communities and on our City Council--are inherently valuable and not easily replaced.