Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly’s Climate Action Plan — a long-term strategy aimed at reducing the city’s carbon footprint, promoting growth of green jobs and boosting alternative transportation options — prompted 90 minutes of public comment Tuesday.
Dozens of people spoke during a public hearing in front of the Chattanooga City Council, which is set to vote on whether to adopt the policy during its regular meeting at 6 p.m. March 28.
The plan aims to make all city operations carbon neutral by 2040 and decarbonize the entire community by 2050. Kelly’s office also hopes to ensure Chattanooga is a more sustainable city, that it is a leader in the green economy and that it takes steps to reduce social and economic disparities among vulnerable communities.
Representatives from EPB, the Tennessee Valley Authority and the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce were among those expressing support.
“We recognize the need for affordable, reliable, resilient and clean energy,” Carol Eimers, TVA regional vice president, told council members. “We also recognize that there’s no one answer for achieving the nation’s decarbonization goals, which is why we’re committed to developing all potential pathways to a clean energy future.”