Scottsdale City Council Axes Controversial ‘Green New Deal’ Sustainability Initiative

By Matthew Holloway |

The Scottsdale City Council made a significant decision last week, opting to repeal the city’s sustainability plan, an initiative previously endorsed by former Mayor David Ortega. This controversial move marks a pivotal shift in the council’s direction.

A pre-vote statement from Councilman and Vice Mayor Barry Graham outlined the council’s concerns regarding the plan, which he described as hastily approved by the outgoing council. The sustainability plan proposed ambitious and contentious measures, such as:

• Reducing household trash output by 90% over 15 years.
• Rationing electricity usage across all power sources.
• Limiting water consumption for single-family homes while exempting businesses and apartments.
• Transferring local control to county governance.
• Diverting tax revenues to uncertain environmental programs.
• Subjecting homes and businesses to systematic monitoring and audits.

Graham emphasized that the previous council’s unwillingness to compromise left the new administration with no choice but to consider a repeal in favor of a plan prioritizing economic sustainability, fiscal health, and residents’ quality of life.

During the first meeting of the new council, Mayor Lisa Borowsky cast a dissenting vote against the repeal, advocating for the formation of a Sustainability Task Force to develop an alternative strategy. Despite her opposition, the repeal passed with a 4-3 vote.

The activist group Scottsdale Voter expressed outrage on social media, referring to the sustainability plan as the “Scottsdale ‘Green New Deal’.” They criticized Borowsky, stating they were “in shock” at her decision, particularly in light of her previous campaign promise to focus on sustainability, economic diversity, and community engagement.

The city’s Resolution indicates that the interim City Manager will establish a Community Sustainability Task Force to evaluate Scottsdale’s fiscal, population, and environmental needs, paving the way for a new directive.

Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.