Lisa Dell (R) has not responded.
| Climate Action Survey Questions | Mark Kolinski (D) |
| The science behind climate change goes back to 1862 when John Tyndall discovered that CO2 in the atmosphere radiates heat back to the earth and causes the earth to heat. In 1896 a Swedish scientist, Svante Arrhenius, was the first to claim that the burning of fossil fuel would lead to enhanced global warming. Do you accept the scientific consensus behind climate change? | Yes. I absolutely accept the scientific consensus behind climate change. There has been mountains of evidence to back up what even the ordinary person can sense. Each year, we are setting a new record for hottest year on record. Natural disasters are becoming more powerful and causing more damage, all indicators of a changing climate. |
| Since the industrial Revolution, the CO2 concentration has increased from 280 parts per million to 415 PPM today. Do you accept the scientific consensus this increase in CO2 is primarily due to burning fossil fuels? | Yes. There is certainly a correlation between the two. CO2 provides a significant role in keeping the planet warm, however too much CO2 can trap the hear radiating from Earth back to space. Ever since the Industrial Revolution, the use of fossil fuels have been rising at a significant rate, as their use has become constant in everyday life. All you have to do is look at the “Hockey Stick” graph which shows an increase in CO2 around the early 19th century, then a spike at the start of the 20th century when fossil fuel use became more widespread. |
| Will you commit to expanding the County’s Climate Action Plan to include community-wide emissions and not just emissions from County operations? For emissions that are difficult to eliminate entirely, such as process emissions from waste water treatment plants, the County can implement other mitigation measures such as tree planting. | Yes. I believe it’s important to get the whole community involved when it comes to dealing with climate change and I would advocate to include community-wide emissions in the County’s Climate Action Plan. |
| Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan recently signed an executive order committing to 100% renewable energy by 2030. The Dewitt Town Board unanimously approved a resolution pledging to work towards a goal of achieving 10% regionally sourced, clean energy consumption for municipal operations by 2020 and 100% regionally sourced energy across all sectors by 2035. Do you support the concept of committing to 100% renewable energy for all municipal operations for Onondaga County? | Yes. As County Clerk, I will use my position as a countywide elected official to advocate for committing to using renewable energy for all municipal projects as soon as possible. |
| Do you support installing electric vehicle charging stations at County-owned buildings and facilities, for use by County employees and by the general public ( for example Rosamond Gifford Zoo, NBT Bank Stadium, Regional Market, Western Shore Loop the Lake parking lot, Long Branch Park parking lot, Jamesville Beach parking lot, County libraries…). | Yes. I think it’s a great way to incentivize using electric vehicles and reduce the county’s dependence on fossil fuels. As County Clerk, I would certainly advocate for these charging stations to be place on various county properties. |
| Do you support passage of a local law to join the Energy Improvement Corporation (EIC), ( www.energizeny.org/commercial/eny-open-pace ) a statewide local development corporation that administers the “Open C-PACE” (Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy) finance program to make it easier for commercial buildings to make their property more efficient? | Yes. Yes, I think this is another great option to incentivize businesses to switch to using clean energy. |
| Next year the Climate and Community Investment Act in NYS will probably be introduced that will establish a carbon fee/tax of $35 per ton of carbon-dioxide equivalent and would raise $7 billion per year for clean energy investments. Do you support the concept of a fee on carbon dioxide? | Yes. People will always frame a carbon tax as a bad thing because there are always negative connotations associated with taxes. But if it incentivizes people to use clean energy, while also providing capital for clean energy investments, I am certainly for it. |
| Do you support enacting a requirement that all new County buildings reach “net zero energy” status? | Yes. Absolutely, especially if the County government is pushing other business buildings to do the same. I believe we need to practice what we preach and be leaders when it comes to a commitment to renewable energy. |
| Do you support earning certification for Onondaga County as a Climate Smart Community from the NYS DEC ( https://climatesmart.ny.gov/ )? | Yes. Certainly, once again I would support our options to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and to incentivize the use of electric cars in our community. |
| Other actions you support to mitigate the effects of climate change in CNY. | I would advocate for American-made solar and/or wind energy on municipal buildings when it’s possible. |