Mayor part of climate change group

Spokane Valley Mayor Rich Munson has been appointed to a state committee charged with reviewing proposals for dealing with climate change.

Munson said the state officials agreed to form the committee when cities complained about a legislative proposals to require them to add climate-change issues to environmental reviews of construction projects.

The State Land Use and Transportation Planning Committee of the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development is to file a report with Gov. Chris Gregoire and the Legislature by Dec. 1.

Munson called his appointment to the committee “an opportunity for the city of Spokane Valley to express support for climate-change measures that produce measurable results.” The mayor is president of the Association of Washington Cities.

He said the advisory committee was created in response to Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6580, which seeks to address climate change through the state Growth Management Act. The committee is to study what can be done and how the cost might be paid.

More information about the pending legislation is available at http://apps.leg.wa.gov/ billinfo.

– John Craig