Green New Deal  

Proposal 1: Accelerate the progress of Resolution 124, known as “Ready For 100,” and 
transition the resolution to a binding bill  
 
 
OVERVIEW 
Resolution 124, passed by Lewis Reed in 2017, was supposed to create a plan by the end of 
2018 on how to get Saint Louis to using 100% renewable energy by 2035. Reed has failed to 
deliver the plan. 

CHANGE 
Transition Resolution 124 into a binding bill and accelerate the progress of the creation and 
implementation of the plan. 

ARGUMENTS
1. Transitioning Resolution 126 to a binding bill allows the Resolution to become legally
binding and gives legal power to the policies that are a part of, and as a result of, the
resolution.
2. Resolution 126 has a solid grasp of the timeframe necessary to transition to a carbon
neutral city. Those involved in the planning of the Resolution must review the current
state of the plans made through the Resolution and align them with climate data and
discoveries made during the three year lifespan of the Resolution. Where possible, those
involved in the planning must find ways to accelerate the process.  

ACTION ITEMS 
1. Introduce and pass a bill that mirrors Resolution 126, essentially converting it to a bill
2. Form a committee consisting of leaders from various intersectional communities that
looks to develop a plan on how to accelerate the progress and transition to carbon
neutral before 2035
3. Review the current plans derived from the Resolution and align them with updated
climate science and data.
 Green New Deal  
Proposal 2: Require that buildings receiving tax subsidies are built green.  
 
 
OVERVIEW 
There is no reason for a building planner to adopt green building technology without raising 
the costs of the project upfront. Continuing on this trend will construct non-green buildings 
that will not reduce emissions in any meaningful way. By forcing tax subsidies to be gated off 
through green building code criteria, planners will have a stronger incentive to construct 
buildings that meet a planned set of environmental standards. Doing so will also lower the 
maintenance costs of the building over time, thus lowering the prices of new affordable 
housing projects. 

CHANGE 
New buildings must meet specific green building code criteria if they want to receive any tax 
subsidies. 

ARGUMENTS
1. Commercial buildings currently account for ​40% of the nationwide emissions​, with
residential buildings accounting for an additional 23% of the city emissions. The vast
majority of these buildings were not built with environmental standards in mind.
2. Requiring that one of the criteria for qualifying for tax subsidies be having to meet a set
of environmentally guided criteria will incentivize planners to rethink the upfront
cost/benefits of not building green and gives them a much stronger reason to do so.
3. Planning new buildings to meet forward thinking environmental standards has long-term
implication through lower electricity bills, which would create lower-cost, affordable
housing, for residents.

ACTION ITEMS 
1. Develop a set of green standards that buildings must use in order to enjoy the benefits
defined in the action items below.
2. Tie eligibility for tax incentives to meeting green building standards.
3. Offer an expedited review process for building plans that commit to planned green
standards, thus cutting down the financial costs of waiting through a lengthy review
process.
 Green New Deal  
Proposal 3: No further usage of municipal bonds on projects that are not green  
 
 
OVERVIEW 
Municipal bonds are debt securities used by the local government to fund projects for the 
common good, such as schools, hospitals, bridges, roads, or utility services.   

CHANGE 
Create and enforce a policy that prevents municipal bonds from being used to fund projects 
that do not utilize at least one of the following: renewable energy sources, such as wind or 
solar power; energy efficient windows to supply natural light and reduce the amount of energy 
needed to light, heat, and cool the building; the exclusive use of energy efficient equipment; 
building supplies that are sustainable, such as recycled materials, bamboo, precast concrete or 
concrete substitute, and/or plant-based insulation. 

ARGUMENTS 

1. Gas and electric that has been generated by non-renewable resources pollutes our 
planet and contributes to global climate change.  
2. Public money, in the form of bonds, loans, grants, tax abatements, or scholarships are 
often provided with conditions in order to receive the money; adding a green 
requirement to the funding is neither too burdensome when the public is paying for it 
nor is it outside the scope of traditional contracts. 
3. Increasing the need for green energy and highly efficient products would help create 
local jobs.  

ACTION ITEMS 

1. Create an enforceable policy that requires projects funded by municipal bonds to meet 
green standards.  
2. Research to find and remove St. Louis City County and State ordinances that prevent, 
reduce, or impede the implementation of renewable energy sources, such as solar 
power panels on buildings and construction of wind power generators.  

   
 Green New Deal  
Proposal 4: Create jobs thorough green bonds issued to upgrade buildings and support the 
development of affordable housing  
 
 
OVERVIEW 
The many of the buildings in Saint Louis are outdated and in substantial need of repair. 
Governmental buildings and public housing units are in immediate need of repair. Our city has 
also given too much money to luxury apartment buildings and hotels, and needs to redirect 
funding towards affordable housing. In addition, our city is almost exclusively run on electric 
generated through non-renewable energy resources. These things combined, provide us with 
an opportunity to upgrade our city, fight climate change, provide quality housing, and 
generate hundreds of new jobs in different industries.  

CHANGE 
Issue bonds specifically for the use of training regional residents to manufacture, install, 
upgrade, repair, and use green building materials and renewable energy resources. Issue 
bonds for the city to hire these trained residents to repair and upgrade existing buildings to be 
greener. Issue bonds that aid in the development of public and affordable housing units.  

ARGUMENTS 

1. Saint Louis has one of the highest rates of child asthma, which is related to the amount 
of emissions and pollution our city generates.  
2. Saint Louis needs substantial upgrades.  
3. Saint Louis drastically needs to reduce reliance on non-renewable energy sources. 
4. Saint Louis needs more middle-class sustaining jobs that do not require a college 
degree, previous experience, or a clean criminal record.  
5. Funding can entirely or partially be generated through legalized marijuana taxes.  
6. A city of green buildings would help fight climate change. 
7. A city of green buildings would save taxpayers and business owners in the long run.  
8. Saint Louis needs affordable housing and public housing in order to improve the 
quality of lives, reduce crime, and fight homelessness.   

ACTION ITEMS 
 1. Allocate funds for bonds that directly fund jobs for the purpose of upgrading buildings 
in Saint Louis City.  
2. Designate unused and underused areas of our city for green public shelters, public 
housing, and affordable housing units. 

   
 Green New Deal  
Proposal 5: Create and support bus lanes in order to increase reliance on public transit  
 
 
OVERVIEW 
Many cities create bus lanes throughout their cities that make public transit faster and reduce 
traffic. Designated bus lanes would shorten route times, which would help incentivize 
residents to increase their use of public transit and reduce the amount of gasoline used on a 
daily basis.  

CHANGE 
Upgrade the road system in Saint Louis City to include a lane dedicated to buses and other 
forms of public transit.   

ARGUMENTS 

1. In Saint Louis, cars generate millions of gallons of greenhouse emissions. By making 

public transit more useable, more people will utilize public transit, and thus there will 
be fewer cars on the road. Fewer cars actively being used each day will reduce 
greenhouse emissions. 
2. An increase in public transit use would mean a fewer number of cars on the road at 
any given time. Fewer cars would result in greater public transit safety. 
3. An increase in public transit use would mean a fewer number of cars on the road at 
any given time. Fewer cars would result in shorter emergency vehicle transport times.  
4. Saint Louis roads are in need of repair, as they are filled with potholes and steel plates. 
Repairs and expansions already need to happen, and it would be cheaper and more 
efficient to add these lanes in now. 

ACTION ITEMS 

1. Allocate local, regional, or federal funding for improving and updating the existing 
roadway structure to include public-transit-only lanes, such as bus lanes.  
2. Encourage an increase in use of public transit systems through public education, metro 
pass programs, and other methods to reduce trip times. 

   
 Green New Deal  
Proposal 6: Push legislation to begin transitioning public transportation to be upgraded to 
using green vehicles  
 
 
OVERVIEW 
Saint Louis City utilizes the Metro Transit as the main source of public transportation. The 
system encompasses buses, trains, and ADA/Call a Ride that spans multiple counties, including 
Saint Louis County, Saint Louis City, East Saint Louis, and Alton. The city does not have 
jurisdiction over the entirety of Metro Transit, but it does have the ability to encourage a shift 
to green vehicles.   

CHANGE 
Push legislation and grassroots campaigns in Saint Louis City to upgrade Metro Transit to 
green vehicles.   

ARGUMENTS 

1. As outlined in Proposal 5, there are many benefits to upgrading and expanding public 
transportation, including public safety and the reduction of greenhouse gases.  
2. If Saint Louis is to upgrade and expand public transit and implement bus lanes, Saint 
Louis should also encourage the shift over to green vehicles.  
3. Greener vehicles, such as buses that run on electric power, are being used in other 
cities, such as Atlanta, Nashville, Louisville, and Tallahassee. Other cities have paved 
the way in development and experimenting with electric vehicles with great success. 
The investment would not be a gamble.  

ACTION ITEMS 

1. Pass legislation for Saint Louis City to upgrade our public transit vehicles to green 
vehicles, with electric buses in particular.  
2. Pass legislation that encourages Metro Transit to upgrade all their vehicles to green 
vehicles. 
3. Pass legislation to either attract commercial electric vehicle charging stations or build 
and maintain public electric vehicle charging stations.  
 Green New Deal
​  

Proposal 7: All water and trash decisions that affect the well being of citizens must occur 
democratically and with full transparency  
 
 
OVERVIEW 
Water and trash services are two services that affect everyone in Saint Louis. A lack of access 
to clean water would rapidly kill most of the population, spread serious diseases, contaminate 
food sources, and endanger the lives of everyone. Waste removal is also important because 
we need a way to remove trash, medical waste, yard waste, and home furnishings. Such 
services help reduce the spread of disease and improve the quality of our lives through 
cleaner homes, streets, parks, hospitals, and workplaces. Water and trash services impact 
everyone.  

CHANGE 
Establish and enforce policies that require a public vote before privatization of trash and 
water services that can have negative impacts on the wellbeing of citizens.  

ARGUMENTS 
1. Privatization water is more likely to lead to expensive water, contaminated water, and a 
lack of both accountability and transparency. 
a. For example, the Bridgeton (Missouri) water is privatized. Coldwater Creek is 
contaminated with toxic waste from the Manhattan Project. While much of the 
contamination has harmed residents through flooding and skin-to-skin contact, 
cancer has been spreading throughout the region. Saint Louis County does not 
test for unnaturally occurring radiation in the water, such as the types of 
radium from Coldwater Creek, despite the county taking water near Coldwater 
Creek to be filtered and chlorinated and pumped into the homes of thousands 
of people. This process removes dirt and most bacteria, but not radiation.  
2. If there had been better waste management with the Manhattan Project waste, we 
might not have the current issues we have with the West Lake Landfill and the nuclear 
waste. A democratic choice on decisions made for waste may prevent similar disasters 
from happening in the future.  

ACTION ITEMS 
1. Create legislation that ensures transparency in both the water and trash services.  
2. Create legislation that ensures a democratic option, such as a public vote, when a 
decision must be made that affects the services in a way that impacts the wellbeing of 
residents.  
3. Host routine town halls and submit public reports on the management of trash and 
water services.  
4. Call local and regional representatives about the importance of transparency for these 
services. 
5. Join or assist grassroots movements that fight water privatization. 
6. Spread awareness about water privatization. 
7. Spread awareness about how privatized waste management has impacted our region.    
  
 

Green New Deal  

Proposal 8: Create a publicly owned local bank and continue divestment efforts from banks 
and other investments that are not environmentally friendly 

OVERVIEW 
By using the services of private banks, Saint Louis and its citizens are funding activities and 
projects that are supported by these banks that fund the fossil fuel industry.  

CHANGE 
Create a local, publicly funded bank that is not constricted by federal regulations or a drive for 
profit.  

ARGUMENTS 

1. Creating a centralized public bank would allow Saint Louis to spend less on 
infrastructure improvements and be allowed to make decisions for the public good 
instead of private creditors 
2. Having a publicly controlled bank would make it easier for the city and its residents to 
move forward with solutions to climate change without the influence of fossil fuel 
companies 
3. Divest city investments from companies that have fossil fuel interests 

ACTION ITEMS 

1. Hold public forums across a six month timeline to educate citizens and answer 
questions on the creation of a public bank 
2. Execute a two part study on the operational and legal logistics in creating a public bank, 
answering questions about costs, benefits, and risks 
3. Formulate committee tasked with the planning of all aspects of the creation of the 
public bank and creating a detailed roadmap of the creation timeline 
4. Legalize marijuana on the local or state level. 
5. Establish a local bank not subject to federal finance laws that prevent banks from 
accepting funds generated by legalized marijuana.  
 Green New Deal  
Proposal 9: Create a comprehensive traffic plan in order to cut down on emissions from 
idling vehicles and improve route efficiency 
 
 
OVERVIEW 
A comprehensive review of the current traffic situation in Saint Louis is in dire need. Vehicles 
idle for far too long at stops that run far too long. Main roads are far too congested with 
arterial roads not providing proper traffic relief. Reviewing the traffic plan of the city can help 
significantly reduce the emissions of vehicles through improved road usage and a revamping 
of the public transit system. 

CHANGE 
Meet with traffic planning officials and community leaders to create a traffic plan aimed on 
reducing emissions through lowered idling vehicles and improved route efficiency. 

ARGUMENTS
1. Idling vehicles are an unnecessary source of emissions in Saint Louis City; in the United
States, cutting just three minutes of daily emissions would reduce country-wide fuel
usage by 1.5 billion gallons.
(https://afdc.energy.gov/files/u/publication/which_is_greener.pdf)
2. Revamping public transport and improving primary and arterial roads increases route
efficiency, which reduces travel time for cars and lowers emissions usage.

ACTION ITEMS 
1. Define a set of realistic, scoped goals in coordination with traffic planning officials and
community leaders in order to ensure marginalized communities do not take on the brunt
of the revamping of the traffic system.
2. Develop a plan to revamp the public transport system in order to alleviate traffic issues
and reduce emissions from single passenger vehicles.
3. Develop a plan to divert traffic from congested areas and reduce vehicle idle times.
4. Improving primary, arterial and other important roads (particularly radial and ring
roads) by providing grade separation, junction improvements, adding missing links,
widening and other road side facilities wherever necessary. (taken from:
http://www.urbantransport.kar.gov.in/Executive%20Summary%20-%20CTTP.pdf​)
 Green New Deal  
Proposal 10: Lobbyists are no longer allowed to be in the Board of Aldermen chambers  
 
 
OVERVIEW 
Lobbyists from various energy companies attend Board of Aldermen meetings in order to 
influence t policies with no regard to the damage caused to those affected and how it shapes 
our progress towards a green future. Lobbyists should not have the power to influence 
politicians through financial means in order to boost their own company’s profits. 

CHANGE 
1. Effective immediately, lobbyists are no longer allowed to be in the Board of Aldermen 
chambers.  
2. Limit lobbyist gifts to $5  

ARGUMENTS
1. Lobbyists do not have the public’s best interests in mind when lobbying aldermen to
support their positions.
2. Lobbying stacks the deck against those who want their voices to be heard, but do not
have the financial means to be able to afford a lobbyist or donate hundreds of thousands
of dollars to a political issue.

ACTION ITEMS 
1. Introduce and pass a bill that bans lobbyists entering the Board of Aldermen chambers,
effective immediately.
2. Force lobbyists to register themselves in a database to avoid circumventing the rules
and attending a meeting as a “concerned citizen” rather than a lobbyist.