CHRIS RILEY ON THE ECONOMY AND ENVIRONMENT
We’re facing serious problems with both the economy and the environment. We need solutions that will address both at the same time. Here’s what I will do for Austin:
- Support our local workforce with green initiatives. We need to seize opportunities to partner with local businesses to put Austinites to work and reduce our carbon emissions. One example is in our recycling bins: Every day, some 150 tons of our recyclables are hauled off to Garland and San Antonio for processing. By working with businesses here in Austin, we could build a regional Materials Recovery Facility that would allow that work to be done locally, getting those trucks off the interstate and creating jobs here in town.
- Get to work on energy efficiency. Roughly half of our greenhouse gas emissions come from our built environment. Here in Austin, we’ve set aggressive targets for energy efficiency improvements, but we’ve got a lot of work to do to meet those targets. The city can help by promoting awareness of efficiency programs; offering loans and credits on utility bills for efficiency improvements; and working more closely with Austin Community College and local businesses to share the institutional knowledge of Austin Energy’s GreenBuilding program.
- Build and maintain our transportation infrastructure. Our current road network needs maintenance, and our emerging rail network needs to be built and expanded. That work will entail jobs as well as environmental benefits. The proposed Green Line to Manor and Elgin, for example, would bring jobs to a historically underserved area – in both the short term and the long term, as development takes shape along the line — and would result in an estimated reduction of 113 million to 194 million Vehicle Miles Traveled annually.
- Support clean energy and tech industries. One of Austin’s main economic strengths for decades has been its role in energy and high-tech industries, and we’ve got to give new life to that role to meet new challenges. We need to maintain Austin Energy’s commitment to renewable sources, and consider new initiatives like a gaming incubator district that could build upon both our tech base and the creative, fun spirit that Austin is known for.
- Support local businesses. As times get tougher, we need to redouble our efforts to foster a climate that supports local businesses and entrepreneurs. In addition to maintaining our Small Business Development Program, we need to work cooperatively with local businesses in addressing regulatory issues like sidewalk vending.
- Strengthen education. A strong economy requires an educated workforce, and the city can help with that through better coordination with local schools, and by strengthening proven educational successes like Capital IDEA, which has lifted countless Austin families out of poverty.
Download my Position Paper: Economy and Environment
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