Tom Sollitt — Candidate for City Council, District 3
Endorsed 350PDX CJ platform? No
Will you support PCEF? Yes
Candidate statement:
Climate change is already affecting Portland, and I want the City to take it seriously while making sure the solutions actually work for the people who live here.
I support continued investment in clean energy, energy efficiency, building electrification and climate resilience, including through the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund. We should make sure these investments reach the communities that need them most and regularly ask whether they are delivering results. If something is not working, we should be willing to change it.
I support reducing our dependence on fossil fuels and addressing the risks of the Critical Energy Infrastructure Hub, especially given Portland’s earthquake risk. I also support protecting our tree canopy, restoring natural areas and waterways, including Portland Harbor, and preparing neighborhoods for extreme heat and other climate impacts.
Transportation is another important part of this. Portland should make walking, biking and public transportation safer, more reliable and more convenient. We also need to recognize that not everyone has the same transportation choices. Making alternatives better is more effective than simply telling people what they should do.
I believe adaptive reuse should be part of our climate strategy. We should make better use of buildings and infrastructure we already have instead of assuming demolition and replacement is always the answer. The Lloyd Center is a good example. Thoughtful redevelopment could create a mixed-use community while providing a large, climate-controlled space where people could gather and find refuge during extreme heat, cold or other emergencies.
I also believe Portland needs transparency and accountability when considering major industrial or energy-intensive projects. Whether it is a data center or a facility like Zenith, the public should understand the energy and water use, environmental and safety risks, infrastructure costs and commitments being made. There should not be secret deals or NDAs that prevent meaningful public scrutiny. If a company is going to receive the benefit of operating here, Portland should clearly explain what the public gets in return, with commitments that can actually be enforced.
My own connection to this work has come through participating in projects like Depave, bike buses and the Human Access Project. I see these as important entry points. Not everyone starts by attending a climate policy meeting. Sometimes it starts with riding a bike together, restoring a place or getting involved in a neighborhood project. Those experiences can make climate and environmental issues more personal and help people feel like they have a role in the solution.
That same principle should guide City Hall. Residents should have a meaningful voice before major decisions are made, not after. I will work with environmental organizations, labor, businesses and community groups, while making sure elected officials remain accountable to the public.
Climate action works best when people can see themselves in it. I want Portland to make the investments that reduce emissions and prepare us for what is coming, while giving residents a real role in building a healthier, more resilient city.
