| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 67.45 |
| Liaison | Benjamin Newton |
| Submission Date | March 3, 2023 |
Central Community College
EN-14: Participation in Public Policy
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the municipal/local level?:
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the municipal/local level:
Benjamin Newton is on the Grand Island Area Metropolitan Planning Organization non-motorized subcommittee to increase trail access and connections in Grand Island.
Also he serves on the public transportation committee with the city of Grand Island and CRANE public transit.
Below is a summary of the March 22 subcommittee meeting.
• Members in attendance: Craig Wacker (Nebraska Department of Transportation), Ben Newton (Central Community College), Dan Petsch (Grand Island Public Schools), Brad Mellema (Grand Island Convention & Visitor's Bureau), Ken Bruce (retired), Amos Anson (FAmos Construction Inc.), Todd McCoy (City of Grand Island - Parks & Recreation), Chad Nabity (Hall County Regional Planning Commission), Allan Zafft (GIAMPO/City of Grand Island - Public Works)
• Zafft provided an overview of the GIAMPO FY 2024-2028 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). This overview included the following items – TIP overview, MPO TIP checklist, TIP development process, FY 2024-2028 highway projects and transit projects, and FY 2024-2028 TIP funding summary.
• Zafft went over the completed projects, under construction/contract projects, planned projects, and new subdivisions. This review related to bicycle and pedestrian improvements (i.e. sidewalks, trails)
o One of the planned projects is the preliminary design of a west connector trail extension. The design is a new 10-foot trail from the intersection of North Road and Old Potash Hwy to the City Water Tower on Engleman Road. This project will help support the application for Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funding. NDOT has a call for TAP applications, and the City of Grand Island plans on submitting a TAP application for the construction of the new trail. The Non-Motorized subcommittee all voted yes to provide a letter of support by this subcommittee for the TAP application, and this letter would include the following text, “The GIAMPO Non-Motorized Subcommittee recommends support of the application for TAP funding for this project because it enhances the overall bicycle and pedestrian network for the Grand Island region, including both transportation and recreational opportunities.” Wacker was not included in this vote because Wacker indicated he would be serving on the selection team to review applications for TAP funding.
• Due to going over the scheduled meeting time, Zafft decided to table the next two agenda items (Trails Counts and Safety Performance Measures) until the next Non-Motorized Subcommittee.
Attached below is the Non-Motorized Subcommittee letter of support for the City of Grand’s application for TAP funding.
Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the state/provincial/regional level?:
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the state/provincial/regional level:
Benjamin Newton is currently on the Secretary of the Board of Directors for the Nebraska Recycling Council engaging statewide leaders on recycling and composting policy. Central Community College had official Board approval to be a member of the Nebraska Recycling Council, Nebraska Composting Council, and Nebraska Community Energy Alliance with representation by Benjamin Newton on both Boards as a representative of Central Community College. He is supported by College President Matthew Gotschall in being an active Board member with Nebraska Recycling Council and Nebraska Community Energy Alliance.
https://nrcne.org/board-of-directors
Nebraska Recycling Council has been supporting a few bills this session.
The Waste Reduction and Recycling Incentive Fund
LB 599 https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/108/PDF/Intro/LB599.pdf
1 A BILL FOR AN ACT relating to recycling; to amend sections 13-2001,
2 13-2003, 13-2010, 13-2023, and 13-2034, Reissue Revised Statutes of
3 Nebraska, and sections 81-1502 and 81-15,160, Revised Statutes
4 Cumulative Supplement, 2022; to define and redefine terms and change
5 provisions relating to regulatory authority over advanced recycling
6 facilities under the Integrated Solid Waste Management Act; to
7 define, redefine, and alphabetize terms under the Environmental
8 Protection Act; to provide capital assistance for establishing
9 advanced recycling facilities from the Waste Reduction and Recycling
10 Incentive Fund; to harmonize provisions; and to repeal the original
sections.11
12 Be it enacted by the people of the State of Nebraska,
LB 924 https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/107/PDF/Intro/LB924.pdf
4 created. The department shall deduct from the fund amounts sufficient to
5 reimburse itself for its costs of administration of the fund. The fund
6 shall be administered by the department. The fund shall consist of
7 proceeds from the fees imposed pursuant to the Waste Reduction and
8 Recycling Incentive Act.
9 (2) The fund may be used for purposes which include, but are not
10 limited to:
11 (a) Technical and financial assistance to political subdivisions for
12 creation of recycling systems and for modification of present recycling
13 systems;
14 (b) Recycling and waste reduction projects, including public
15 education, planning, and technical assistance;
16 (c) Market development for recyclable materials separated by
17 generators, including public education, planning, and technical
18 assistance;
19 (d) Capital assistance for establishing private and public
20 intermediate processing facilities for recyclable materials and
21 facilities using recyclable materials in new products;
22 (e) Programs which develop and implement composting of yard waste
23 and composting with sewage sludge;
24 (f) Technical assistance for waste reduction and waste exchange for
25 waste generators;
26 (g) Programs to assist communities and counties to develop and
27 implement household hazardous waste management programs;
NRC Action - Support.
NRC Action – Potentially give testimony on new fund created and its best use.
To check the status of all of these bills by going to https://nebraskalegislature.gov/
Benjamin Newton is also a member of the Nebraska Composting Council, which is moving forward to ease restrictions on composting permitting and operations across the State of Nebraska. The council was dormant during COVID, but began meeting monthly again in November 2022.
Benjamin Newton is also a Member of the Executive Committee for the Nebraska Community Energy Alliance.
http://www.necommunity.energy/members
The mission of the Nebraska Community Energy Alliance is to build and promote advanced technologies for housing and transportation that save energy, reduce CO2 pollution and cut costs.
The high and rising cost of conventional power and transportation fuel acts to leach a community of its wealth. Advanced housing and transportation technologies help communities keep those energy dollars at home.
Students are engaged with Citizen's Climate Lobby group in collaboration with the University of Nebraska Lincoln, Creighton University, and University of Nebraska at Kearney.
There are many more regional advocacy opportunities that can be provided if needed along with the legislative bills and committees that Benjamin Newton serves on.
Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the national level?:
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the national level:
Central Community College is a member of America is All In
https://www.americaisallin.com/how-nebraskas-central-community-college-has-become-sustainability-leader
America is All In is the most expansive coalition of leaders ever assembled in support of climate action in the United States. Mobilizing thousands of U.S. cities, states, tribal nations, businesses, schools, and faith, health, and cultural institutions, the coalition is working alongside the federal government to develop a national climate strategy that meets the urgency of the climate crisis, scaling climate action around the country to empower workers, and communities, and promoting the leadership of non-federal actors on the world stage.
We, the undersigned presidents and chancellors of colleges and universities, believe firmly in the power, potential, and imperative of higher education’s key role in shaping a sustainable society. Not only are we deeply concerned about the increasing pace and intensity of global climate change and the potential for unprecedented detrimental impacts, but we also understand that technology, infrastructure, global interconnectedness, and our greatest asset – engaged, committed, smart students – allow us to explore bold and innovative solutions and to lead in climate action and sustainable solutions.
We have begun to experience the effects of climate change in our communities and we understand that these effects are projected to become more severe and damaging. We recognize that mitigation and adaptation are complementary strategies for reducing the likelihood of unmanageable change, managing the risks, and taking advantage of new opportunities created by our changing climate.
We believe colleges and universities must exercise leadership in their communities and throughout society by providing the knowledge, research, practice, and informed graduates to create a positive and sustainable future. Along with other aspects of sustainability, campuses that address the climate challenge by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and by integrating resilience into their curriculum, research, and campus operations will better serve their students and meet their social mandate to help create a vital, ethical, and prosperous civil society.
We further believe that exerting leadership in addressing climate change will reduce our long-term energy costs and the costs of climate disturbance, increase our quality of life, attract excellent students and faculty, and build the support of alumni and local communities.
We have resolved to take action in one of the following Climate Leadership Commitments. We believe carbon neutrality and resilience are extremely high priority areas of action for all institutions and we aim to lead the nation in these efforts. We urge others to join us in transforming society towards a sustainable, healthy, and more prosperous future.
http://reporting.secondnature.org/institution/detail!2458##2458
Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the international level?:
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the international level:
America is All In is the most expansive coalition of leaders ever assembled in support of climate action in the United States. Mobilizing thousands of U.S. cities, states, tribal nations, businesses, schools, and faith, health, and cultural institutions, the coalition is working alongside the federal government to develop a national climate strategy that meets the urgency of the climate crisis, scaling climate action around the country to empower workers, and communities, and promoting the leadership of non-federal actors on the world stage.
In the absence of Federal support, states, cities, colleges and universities and businesses will pursue ambitious climate goals, to ensure that the U.S. remains a global leader in reducing emissions.
2. In the U.S., the actors that will provide the leadership necessary to meet our Paris commitment are found in city halls, state capitals, colleges and universities and businesses.
3. We will remain actively engaged with the international community as part of the global effort to hold warming to under 2°C and to accelerate the transition to a clean energy economy that will benefit our security, prosperity, and health.
https://www.wearestillin.com/organization/central-community-college
A brief description of other political positions the institution has taken during the previous three years (if applicable):
A brief description of political donations the institution made during the previous three years (if applicable):
Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability advocacy efforts is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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