Plymouth Chooses to Go Green without GreenStep Program

Plymouth has decided to take steps to be green without taking up an official program called GreenSteps. In a 4-3 vote, the Plymouth City Council chose to avoid joining the Minnesota GreenStep Cities program.

That program encourages cities to implement best practices for sustainability and environmental protections. Some examples of best practices are better stormwater management, building or retrofitting more efficient buildings, and focusing on local air quality. Citizens both for and against spoke for over an hour about the proposal.

“This discussion tonight is about so much more than the GreenStep Cities program,” said resident Julie Jones. “It’s about whether Plymouth is going to step up and at least try to keep up with what our neighboring cities are doing to make it attractive to live and do business in our community.”

But another resident, Gary Porter, countered.

“Anyone who has worked with OSHA or EPA knows that these programs all started out with good intentions. But once the bureaucrats went to work then we ended up with a burden on the community.”

Some council members pointed out that not being in the program doesn’t mean the city won’t strive for sustainable goals.

Brandon Bankston, Reporting

Plymouth