Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 01-18-22; 8-k - West End Revitalization Association Letter of Support 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: January 18, 2022 Action Agenda Item No. 8-k SUBJECT: West End Revitalization Association Letter of Support DEPARTMENT: Board of Commissioners ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Draft Letter of Support Renee Price, BOCC Chair, 919-245- WERA Request 2130 WERA Flyer PURPOSE: To authorize the Chair to sign a letter supporting the West End Revitalization Association's Clean Energy and Climate Justice initiative. BACKGROUND: In early January, the West End Revitalization Association (WERA) distributed an email requesting that the County"formally endorse and support our collaborative Clean Energy and Climate Justice initiative in writing." According to the Association's website (www.wera-nc.orq), the West End Revitalization Association, Inc. (WERA) is Alamance County's first and only community development corporation (CDC). WERA services residents, homeowners, and landowners of five African American communities in Alamance County and Orange County. These communities were settled by former slaves, just beyond Mebane's city limits, shortly after the Civil War and are 85% to 95% African American. The Association's original request and description of the Clean Energy and Climate Justice initiative is attached. It is proposed that the Board authorize the Chair to sign the attached Letter of Support on behalf of the Board of Commissioners. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this item. SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goals are applicable to this item: • GOAL: FOSTER A COMMUNITY CULTURE THAT REJECTS OPPRESSION AND INEQUITY The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race or color; religious or philosophical beliefs; sex, gender or sexual orientation; national origin or ethnic background; age; military service; disability; and familial, residential or economic status. 2 • GOAL: ESTABLISH SUSTAINABLE AND EQUITABLE LAND-USE AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of people of all races, cultures, incomes and educational levels with respect to the development and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, policies, and decisions. Fair treatment means that no group of people should bear a disproportionate share of the negative environmental consequences resulting from industrial, governmental and commercial operations or policies. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: The following Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal impacts are applicable to this item: • ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND WASTE REDUCTION Initiate policies and programs that: 1) conserve energy; 2) reduce resource consumption; 3) increase the use of recycled and renewable resources; and 4) minimize waste stream impacts on the environment. • CLEAN OR AVOIDED TRANSPORTATION Implement programs that monitor and improve local and regional air quality by: 1) promoting public transportation options; 2) decreasing dependence on single-occupancy vehicles, and 3) otherwise minimizing the need for travel. • RESULTANT IMPACT ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND AIR QUALITY Assess and where possible mitigate adverse impacts created to the natural resources of the site and adjoining area. Minimize production of greenhouse gases. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board authorize the Chair to sign the attached Letter of Support. 3 January 18, 2022 West End Revitalization Association PO Box 661 Mebane, NC 27302 1 am writing today on behalf of the Board of Orange County Commissioners to convey the Board's support for the Clean Energy and Climate Justice initiative being led by the West End Revitalization Association. We understand that this initiative is being funded by the Environmental Defense Fund, Winward Fund, and the Z Smith Reynolds Foundation. We also understand that this project includes three major components as Federal, State, and Local governments make decisions about funding provided through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act: 1. Bundling infrastructure for Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and low wealth communities including investments in broadband and environmental protections 2. Electric charging stations for electric vehicles and solar energy cells in public and private developments 3. Benefits to an equitable quality of life including better air quality and lower energy costs Orange County supports these goals as evidenced by a commitment to make a significant investment in broadband access to unserved and underserved parts of the County,the installation of electric vehicle charging stations in all new or redeveloped County facilities, and the application of the highest regulatory standards allowed by law to maintain environmental quality. We look forward to working with you to further advance these goals. Sincerely, Renee Price, Chair Board of Orange County Commissioners 4 West End Revitalization Association weralusa@gmail.com (WERA) (336) 675-1608 PO Box 661 www.weranc.org Mebane, NC 27302 (Non-Profit 5010-31995) "Cherish every drop of water you drink, Cherish every leaf that's green, Cherish every hand keeping it clean." December 23, 2021 Jamezetta Bedford,Vice Chair jbedford@orangecountync.gov Orange County Commissioner P.O. Box 8181 Hillsborough, NC 27278 The West End Revitalization Association (WERA) recently established a Clean Energy and Climate Justice (CECJ) initiative with collaborative funding from the Environmental Defense Fund, Windward Fund, and Z Smith Reynolds Foundation.This CECJ initiative supports numerous federal government agency and local, state, and national grassroots efforts. WERA is requesting your government agency or organization to formally endorse and support our collaborative Clean Energy and Climate Justice initiative in writing. The Mebane, NC area's mega industrial and distribution centers and 119-bypass interstate highway corridor construction present specific challenges that can be addressed to implement Clean Energy and Climate Justice mitigations for local, state, and national environmental safeguards. Construction on the 119-bypass interstate project began a few years ago after a 16-year moratorium resulting from a 1999 Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 administrative complaint that referenced Environmental Justice Executive Order 12898 filed by WERA at the U.S. Department of Justice.That administrative complaint brought attention to the NCDOT plan targeting destruction of Black, Indigenous, and Latinx communities in Mebane, NC that were denied access to basic public health amenities infrastructure (safe drinking water, sewer connection, paved streets, and stormwater management). Thousands of acres of farmland and forests are being cleared for the construction of the 27-mile four-lane highway corridor from 1-85-40 in Mebane, NC to Danville,VA. Walmart, Lidl, UPS, Chick-Fil-A, and many more mega industrial and distribution centers being constructed overburden the environment and existing public health infrastructure of the area without substantial implementation of measures to engage in green and equitable energy practices to reduce their carbon footprint. These major construction sites are recognized as among the largest on the east coast and in the nation. US Congressional Senators Thom Tillis and Richard Burr voted for the$1.2-trillion Infrastructure Bill. Sen.Tillis praises infrastructure bill as"big win for North Carolina" (wect.com): "As a member of the bipartisan infrastructure group in the Senate, 1 worked hard to ensure this package improves North Carolina's roads, highways, and bridges, as well as major funding for clean water. 1 am proud we could get this important legislation signed into law, ....,"Tillis said (Nov. 15, 2021,WASHINGTON, D.C. (WITN)) WERA and collaborative partners are requesting that local, regional, and state government planning and zoning authorities formally include the following in their policies for permitting and zoning of major construction projects for accessing and using funding for the H.R.3684- 117th Congress (2021-2022): Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act I Congress.gov I Library of Congress A. Bundling Infrastructure for Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and low wealth communities: 1. First-time safe drinking water and sewer services. 2. Residential street paving and repair. 1 5 3. Broadband & internet services for residential areas and schools. 4. Storm water management B. Electric charging stations for electric vehicles(EV) and solar energy cells: 1. Distribution and Industrial centers 2. Schools and colleges/universities 3. Grocery stores and malls 4. Equitable neighbor Siting C. Benefits to Equitable Quality of Life! 1. Diesel Emission Reduction 2. Less Asthma, Lung Disease, and Cancer 3. Ecosystems Renewal 4. Reduction of Heat Waves, Superstorms, and Wildfires 5. Energy Costs Reduction for Homes, Schools, Government Agencies, Businesses, and Industry We are looking forward to valuable collaborative, collective efforts, and processing of this request of your government agency or organization in the next sixty days. Please feel welcome to contact us to arrange further discussions and be sure to see the attached flyer. Respectfully, Ayo B Wilson, WERA Director of Clean Energy&Climate Justice, avobwilson@yahoo.com Omega and Brenda Wilson, WERA Co-Founders, weralusa@gmail.com or (336) 675-1608 Evon P Connally, WERA Board Chair& Healthcare Professional at Alamance Regional Medical Center NOTE: Omega and Brenda Wilson are the first couple to receive the Damu Smith Award from the Environmental Section of the American Public Health Association (APHA) WERA co-founders receive American Public Health Association award I News I mebaneenterprise.com Damu Smith Award recognition for Alumnus Omega and Brenda Wilson, Co-Founders of the West End Revitalization Association (WERA) (shawu.edu) 2 6 SUPPORT> Infrastructure Bundle for Clean Energy & Climate Justice Black, Indigenous, and Latinx POC communities often lack access to basic .J'- public public health infrastructure: a) First-time safe drinking water and sewer services. b) Residential street paving and repair. `4 c) Broadband & internet services for residential areas and schools. d) Storm water management What Should be New! Electric charging stations for electric vehicles (EV) and solar energy cells: a) Distribution centers b) Industrial centers ' c) Schools and colleges / universities K d) Grocery stores and malls `' `` � _` e) Equitable Neighbor Siting 4 L Benefits to Equitable Quality of Life! ✓ Human Health Improves Less Asthma and Lung Disease Less Cancer ✓ Ecosystems Renew Heat Wave Reduction Diesel Emission Reduction Hurricanes Subside ' Superstorms Reduction Wildfire Containment ✓ Energy Costs Reduction Homes & Schools Government Agencies Businesses ^� -- t1 Industry West End Revitalization Association (WERA) collaboration and funding: Environmental Defense Fund Windward Foundation Z Smith Reynolds Foundation www.weranc.org (336) 675-1608 wera1 usa@gmail.com