Cornett — Candidate for City Council, District 3
Candidate statement:
If elected, I will champion policies that protect our air and water, revitalize our urban rivers and streams, and enhance our parks, natural areas, trees, and green infrastructure. Additionally, I am committed to developing environmentally responsible housing policies.
Environmental Policy Priorities
1. Maintain PCEF Funding: Uphold the voter-approved PCEF in its entirety. Safeguard all generated funds for the exclusive use of the program.
2. Increase Energy Efficiency of Old and New Buildings: Run energy audits on all buildings, encourage the installation of heat pumps where feasible, and allow energy saving alterations to historic buildings.
3. Improve Public Transit Infrastructure: Collaborate with Trimet to continue to modernize and expand our city’s public transit infrastructure. We must also ensure that expansions target underserved communities.
4. Address the High-Risk CEI Hub: The Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Hub represents a significant threat to Portlanders in the case of a seismic event. It is crucial that we prioritize safety measures to decommission the most outdated and hazardous facilities, and minimize the risk to people and the environment posed by those that remain.
5. Strengthen the City’s Watershed Health Programs: Restore Portland’s place as a national leader in creating ecologically healthy, climate resilient urban landscapes.
6. Develop Appliance Emission Standard: Strengthen emission standards for HVAC systems and water heaters, with a goal of reaching zero nitrogen oxide emissions. We must also ensure the burden of cost doesn’t fall on under-resourced communities.
7. Expand Floodplain Protections: Strengthen Portland’s Floodplain Resilience Plan to protect our waterways and ensure that new construction is avoided or mitigated areas at high-risk of climate change induced flooding.
8. Enhance Air Quality, Decrease Emissions: Engage with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to expand air quality and emissions monitoring.
9. Transition Street Tree Maintenance to the Urban Forestry Division (UFD): Assign responsibility to the UFD to provide a consistent and comprehensive approach to tree care with improved long-term results.
10. Support the Equitable Tree Canopy Program (ETCP): Ensure that the ETCP plants necessary tree cover to mitigate heat-islands throughout the city, with a focus on marginalized communities.
11. Expand Portland’s System of Parks and Natural Areas: Protect sites such as Ross Island and West Hayden Island and ensure that all Portlander’s have access to parks and nature within walking distance of their homes.
12. Engage with Superfund Cleanup: Stay engaged with the EPA and the State in addressing the Portland Harbor Superfund Sites to ensure that our river is made safe for people and for wildlife.
13. Additional Biking & Walking Infrastructure: Expand our dedicated bike lane network and improve pedestrian crossings. This will alleviate traffic, enhance safety, and encourage personal health.
14. Limit the Influence of Fossil Fuel Lobbyists: Fortify Portland’s lobbying transparency laws and implement stronger conflict of interest policies.
15. Accelerate the Phase-Out of Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers: Expediting the city’s upcoming ban will allow us to begin reaping the benefits of decreased noise and air pollution now.
16. Establish a Climate Action and Equity Committee: Build upon the existing frameworks provided by PCAT, the Sustainable City Government Task Force, and the Urban Forestry Commission.
Will you ensure the Portland Clean Energy Fund (PCEF) remains climate-focused in line with what voters intended?
Yes
