I’m looking at a press release from the New Orleans City Council announcing their efforts to be more environmentally friendly. Meanwhile, they insist crime is their focus the last few days. The council’s Climate Change and Sustainability Committee unanimously approved a measure to stop purchasing gas-powered vehicles for non-public safety operations, and to power the city-owned and Sewerage and Water Board-owned facilities with 100% renewable energy. I understand that the council has these aspirational goals based on a number of different ideologies, but the New Orleans government can’t walk and chew gum at the same time!
They’re talking about going to green energy to power the city’s infrastructure, pumps, and city vehicles. Do we really believe that electric vehicles are a point for us to set as a priority? We are kidding ourselves, we can't even get a water bill right! Does anyone have any confidence at all that the city can handle monitoring and mandating renewable energy to power its infrastructure? This is a city that just got their first water tower in the last five years. Hopefully, it’s just signaling, because the city cannot afford to go green. New Orleans doesn’t even have enough water meter readers to bill residents correctly.
Actions like this completely erode my confidence in the leadership as it relates to the City Council’s priorities. Speaking of prioritizing the city’s infrastructure, Entergy just walked away from a $30 million commitment towards that endeavor. The city wants a collaborative relationship with the power company by asking them to put up money to help solve their problems. I don't blame Entergy for pulling the money back. They’ve been the whipping boy for the city infrastructure woes… There are digital water meters that can eliminate the need for water meter readers instead of figuring out how to spend more money on electrical vehicles.
I think the public would rather eliminate city vehicles and drivers for city officials where we can!
