Authorizing the Committee on Transportation and Public Utilities and the Committee on the Environment to investigate and hold joint public hearings on the designation of zones or areas in which demonstration projects and sustainable strategies can be explored to increase the use of renewable energy, green building design and construction, water conservation, urban agriculture, tools to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental strategies.

WHEREAS, “sustainable development” means development that provides for our present needs without damaging the ability of future generations to provide for themselves; and

WHEREAS, The increasing costs of energy and global climate change are critical problems that need to be addressed locally as well as globally; and

WHEREAS, Sustainable development can help fight global climate change, while reducing energy use and the costs thereof; and

WHEREAS, Sustainable development considers the triple bottom line, one that is profitable but accountable to the community and the environment; and

WHEREAS, Designating zones may help facilitate the creation of sustainable development by providing incentives, such as tax abatements, to individuals and entities to use sustainable products and methods, thereby conserving energy, water and other natural resources, preserving local and global environmental quality, strengthening the local economy, promoting human health and safety, creating higher quality and enduring structures, and offering cost reductions in maintenance, solid waste disposal and energy; and

WHEREAS, Designated zones may offer neighborhoods the opportunity to better integrate environmental measures into their lives at home and at work, now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That the Committee on Transportation and Public Utilities and the Committee on the Environment are hereby authorized to investigate and hold joint public hearings on the designation of zones or areas in which demonstration projects and sustainable strategies can be explored to increase the use of renewable energy, green building design and construction, water conservation, urban agriculture, tools to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental strategies.

End