Park City forum to spotlight candidates’ views on local climate action

Photo: TownLift

PARK CITY, Utah — Citizens’ Climate Lobby will host a candidate forum Oct. 8 to help voters understand local politicians’ stances on climate issues affecting Summit County.

The event will feature candidates for Summit County Council and the Utah State House discussing topics including traffic reduction, affordable housing, building energy efficiency, waste management and water resource management.

“Local action is crucial in addressing climate change,” said Tracy Harden, co-leader of the Wasatch Back Chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby, in a press release. “Reducing methane emissions from our landfill and addressing traffic congestion are just two examples of local initiatives that can make a significant difference.”

Chris Cherniak of KPCW’s This Green Earth and a member of the Park City High School Green Team will moderate. Attendees can ask questions after the candidate panel.

Participating candidates include:

— Summit County Council Seat C: Megan McKenna (D) and Ari Ioannides (R)
— Summit County Council Seat A: Roger Armstrong (D) and Tory Welch (R)
— Utah House District 59: Julie Monahan (D), challenging incumbent Kera Birkeland (R)
— Utah House District 4: Kris Campbell (D), challenging incumbent Mike Kohler (R)

The forum is free and open to the public from 6 – 7:30 p.m. at the Jim Santy Auditorium, 1255 Park Ave.

Citizens’ Climate Lobby is a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy organization focused on national policies to address climate change. The Park City Community Foundation’s Climate Fund supports efforts to achieve zero-landfill food waste in Summit County by 2030.