Joe Kane
Candidate for City Council, Burlington, VT
Joe Kane is running to be the next Ward 3 City Councilor in Burlington, VT. Joe has a background as an environmental activist — including involvement in the fossil fuel divestment movement, civil disobedience in opposition to Keystone XL, and a ‘Climate Ride’ for which he raised money for 350.org. He is an economist, and professor with experience researching and teaching housing, healthcare, and environmental policy. He hopes to use his background to foster community safety, tax fairness, housing accessibility, and climate solutions in Burlington. In his free time, he swims at the YMCA, shops at City Market, and bikes and paddles by the waterfront. If elected, Joe wants to make Burlington as enjoyable for everyone as it is for him.
Joe’s Vision
Replacing Burlington’s Net Zero Energy Roadmap
Broaden focus to reduce emissions from all sources and sectors including non-fossil fuel sources
Address false climate solutions like "renewable" natural gas, the McNeil wood-burning plant, and F35s at the airport.
Independent Climate Policy Development
Ensure unbiased decision-making in climate policy development.
Push to appoint a city official independent of Burlington Electric Dept. to develop and implement City climate policy.
Call for Montpelier to end unbundled Renewable Energy Credits (RECs), especially from Hydro-Quebec.
Comprehensive Measures for Emission Reduction
Restrict new fossil fuel infrastructure.
Expand subsidies for residential and commercial heat pumps.
Collaborate with stakeholders to transition to solar, wind, and networked geothermal as a means of phasing out McNeil
Strengthen DPI enforcement of weatherization ordinance.
Support for fare-free transit, increased GMT service frequency, and electrification of fleets.
Support upzoning to allow for denser development.
Expand housing stock in walkable neighborhoods.
Improve the local public transportation and regional bus and rail service.
“Burlington has been at the forefront of social movements for decades and its leadership is more important than ever, given the state of the climate crisis. Assertive local action on climate can serve as a model for other communities domestically and can energize the climate movement around the world."
— Joe Kane
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