Asheville City Councilman Keith Young Proposes:

Asheville’s Green New Deal

I am proposing a Green New Deal for the city of Asheville. The goal of the Green New Deal is to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions in order to avoid the worst consequences of climate change
while also trying to fix societal problems like economic inequality and racial injustice. These are
some of the boldest proposals made by an elected official and needs community support to be
successful.

Asheville’s Green New Deal will consist of four major areas to include:

Climate Resilience: ​Build ​NC’s Largest Community Solar farm and Hiring an Urban Forester
for the city of Asheville
Public Transportation: ​Fare Free Transit and dedicated funding
Jobs and Economic Mobility: ​CUSP, ​Surviving to Thriving (collaboration w/ Chamber of
Commerce) Better Jobs, Better Homes, Better Lives
Affordable Housing:​ City Developed Housing, Dollar Lot Program Revival
*Ongoing Efforts

1. Climate Resilience: ​NC’s Largest Community Solar Farm ​This was inspired by the
Fayetteville model​. Beginning in January 2020, in Fayetteville a subscriber with one solar
panel on their farm would pay a monthly fee of $1.53 and receive a $2.51 monthly credit.
Subscribers will be able to drop out whenever they want. We can build a similar model
for Asheville that fits our own needs. This would be a huge step in renewable energy
sources that are available to the public. People who live in apartments and homes can
benefit from the solar credits. The energy being pumped back into the grid will help them
save on their electric bills. Also, we must hire an urban forester to help protect our tree
canopy and enhance the urban forests in our beautiful city and acknowledge the rights of
nature movement and adopt aspects of (Rights of Nature) these policies to strengthen
our environment.
2. Public Transportation: ​Fare Free Transit ​ I began working on fare free transit in 2016
as soon as I entered office. However, I was unable to gain traction with the council's
current make up at the time. Others believed fare free transit was not a serious need as
other transit matters arose during this time period. The cost of fare free transit was briefly
discussed behind the scenes. I wanted to eliminate the fare box with a cost of about
750k-850k per fiscal year. I look forward to developing this initiative and once again
expanding our conversations to our county officials who have graciously began
expansion of our transit system into areas of Buncombe County.
3. Jobs and Economic Mobility: ​Surviving to Thriving ​to be announced by the Chamber
of Commerce once details are finalized
 4. Affordable Housing:​City Developed Housing, Dollar Lot Program Revival ​The ​city of
Asheville should invest in its own development opportunities for rental and ownership
housing that are deeply affordable. Also, it should reinstate the dollar lot program that
offers land directly to those seeking home ownership opportunities through a bid
process. The land can be used as collateral for securing a construction loan.

*Equity and Inclusion: ​Ongoing efforts ​Racial Equity, this is something I've been on the
forefront of implementing and expanding in city government since my first days in office. The
city’s official policy commitment to equity started in January of 2016 at my first council retreat.
With my help Asheville City Council crafted its 2036 vision and I helped place equity as a top
priority for our city. Since then we’ve established our Equity depart and expanded its reach
within city government, and passed the ordinance that created the Human Relations
Commission of Asheville. Currently work is being done from the commissioned disparity study to
significantly improve opportunities for minority business owners. Council’s commitment to
funding these businesses is evident with, Mountain Community Capital. Asheville’s Green New
Deal will seek to continue this work specifically with business incubation services for women and
minority owned businesses. Building resilient communities with robust entrepreneurship will be
a next step in equity.