Mayor Simmons Announces Initiatives To Combat Climate Change

STAMFORD, CT — On Mayor Caroline Simmons' 100th day in office, she announced key initiatives Stamford will be undertaking to ensure that the city is more resilient to the impacts of climate change.

Simmons held a press conference in Cove Island Park on Thursday afternoon, surrounded by members of the city's first-ever Mayor's Climate Council.

The group is made up of:

• Eleanor Blomstrom, senior manager of policy and advocacy at Women Deliver
• Virgil de la Cruz, Board of Representatives member District 2
• Nia Rhodes Jackson, senior director of programs at New York League Of Conservation Voters
• Elliot Glassman, senior associate and senior technical principal at WSP Built Ecology
• David Kooris, president Stamford Downtown Special Services
• Peter Novajosky, farm manager at Fairgate Farm
• Leigh Shemitz, president of SoundWaters
• Gioia Connell, sustainability consultant
• Christina Smith, executive director for Groundwork Bridgeport
• Latha Swamy, director of food policy for the city of New Haven

The goal of the council is five-fold, Simmons said.

First, the council will aim to foster dialogue on issues related to climate change, sustainability, resiliency, and to identify specific policy recommendations that will first reduce Stamford's carbon footprint.

Second, the group will incorporate environmental justice, equity and sustainability initiatives across the city. Third, it will make Stamford more resilient to the effects of climate change. The council will support the creation of green energy jobs, and lastly, protect Stamford's environment to focus on preserving clean air and water.

"Climate change is impacting all of us, and we can no longer wait to take action. We are in a crisis," Simmons said.

Simmons said the city will soon be issuing its fist Request For Proposal (RFP) to solarize municipal and school buildings in Stamford.

"Neighboring towns like New Canaan and many other cities have undergone this process, and are adding energy efficiency projects that will not only reduce our carbon footprint, but also provide taxpayer savings in our energy bills," Simmons said.

On Wednesday, Simmons presented her fiscal year 2022/2023 budget, which included several investments in resiliency capital projects.

"As a coastal city, Stamford has already been impacted by flooding. We know sea levels are projected to rise by 5-10 feet in the next several decades. We need to do everything we can to make sure we are doing our part to make our city more resilient to the effects of climate change," Simmons said.

Stamford has over 10,000 catch basins throughout the city, and many of the storm drains are close to 100 years old. Simmons has proposed $2 million for storm drain upgrades, and $500,000 for the first ever citywide drainage study.

She also said the city added two new heavy equipment operators who will help with stormwater work, including cleaning up catch basins and repairs.

In the coming weeks, Simmons said Stamford will install 10 Purple Air Sensor air quality monitors throughout the city.

"These are low cost, portable prograde air quality monitors that will detect where air quality is poor in our city, and help us determine where we need to make improvements to improve the air quality for our residents," she said, praising Board of Reps. member Virgil de la Cruz for championing the idea. "This is a public safety issue, a quality of life issue, and a public health issue."

Once Stamford gets data back from the monitors, the city will launch a tree-planting initiative to improve air quality.

Also on the horizon are funds from the federal infrastructure bill. Connecticut is slated to receive over $6 billion, Simmons said. She noted that her administration is currently working with Stamford's federal delegation and city officials to align projects with federal grant opportunities.

"I'm grateful to have this opportunity as a city right now to take action on climate change, not only so we can leave our city a better place for future generations, but also we can set an example for other cities and do our part to create a healthier planet for our children today and for generations in the future," Simmons said.