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SUSTAINABILITY
Environmental protection and sustainability should be a cornerstone of everything we do – from stormwater infrastructure to solar on new facilities, increasing Cary’s tree canopy by providing trees to our Cary community, and expanding our electric fleet. We will lead the region in sustainability and build a climate-resilient future. We must lead the region in environmental sustainability– and build a climate-resilient future for us and our children. Cary should create a Community Climate Action Plan, a “Green Cary” with a net zero target by 2040.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS ACHIEVED OVER THE LAST TERM
- Originated the purchase of our South Cary Solar Facility and championed new solar installation at Town facilities
- Cary distributed 1,200 trees in FY2022 in the “My Tree, Our Tree” program. I also worked with the Habitat for Humanity organization, to bring extra trees to that community, and to help them with planting and maintenance.
- Pushed for Solar on new Town owned buildings – several projects completed, including the new 90 solar panel maintenance shed in west Cary
- Stormwater Internet of Things sensors to help with Storm water management
- Facilitated the Food Waste Pilot (and its expansion into west Cary this year)
- Worked to create a Watershed Protection Fund to protect our clean water upstream, allowing us to purchase land for green infrastructure both in and out of Cary.
- Hiring of an Urban Forester, who helped us with many programs, including “My Tree, Our Tree” (which we doubled this year!), an Energy specialist, and many new programs to improve our canopy.
- Supported adding 2 Tesla police vehicles to our fleet (and our first Electric Garbage Truck), and additional carbon reducing vehicles
