By Molly Culton
Spending decisions are among the most effective tools consumers have to influence pollution reduction. State and local governments are consumers who can reduce pollution by putting their money where their policy is.
On Tuesday, July 10, the Richmond City Council will vote on a "Buy Clean" resolution. It's an opportunity for the city to reduce greenhouse gas pollution by implementing policies that require products used in public works to come from manufacturers who have invested in cleaner energy and technologies to cut their climate pollution.
The resolution aligns with a state law, Assembly Bill 262, the Buy Clean California Act. The bill was introduced by Assemblymember Rob Bonta and signed into law last year by Governor Brown. Moving forward, the products California purchases for infrastructure projects will come from manufacturers who have invested in cleaner energy and technologies to cut their climate pollution.
What You Can Do:
We need your help to take the Buy Clean effort local!
If you're a resident of Richmond, tell your elected city officials that you support the Buy Clean California Act and that Richmond should support it too and pursue ways to adopt a similar policy at the local level. Tell them that you want your tax dollars to support clean and sustainable infrastructure projects. You can use our online form to send your message.
Please also plan to attend the upcoming City Council meeting on July 10th at 5 pm. The meeting will be held at the Community Services Building, 440 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond, CA 94804. Please email Molly Culton at molly.culton@sierraclub.org to RSVP.