Environmental Policy Committee
The Metro Atlanta Chamber's Environmental Policy Committee continues to lead efforts toward a business-based approach to environmental solutions for the Atlanta region. Our Environmental Policy Committee deals with three broad subject areas - water resources, air quality and quality growth. Within these areas, the Committee concentrates on priorities areas where the business community can make the greatest impact, then develops strategies and coalitions to move solutions forward. A current priority is Water Resources, as the State works to develop a Comprehensive State Water Plan. For recent Fact Sheets and a summary of information on Metro Atlanta water resource issues, please
As direct result of the Metro Atlanta Chamber's Clean Water Initiative, the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District was created by the Georgia General Assembly in 2001. The formation of this District - the first of its kind in the nation - provides regional water resources planning and support for the 16 county metro area serving over four million people (half the population of Georgia). For recent Fact Sheets, a summary of information on Georgia and Metro Atlanta water resource issues, and other relevant materials, please click here or on the “Key Information” link above. Fact Sheet: 2007 Priority Issue: Water
The Atlanta region has made significant air quality improvements over the last few decades. As of September 30, 2004, the Atlanta region achieved a major milestone, attaining the one-hour ozone standard. Georgia's air quality plans are working. Even with this progress, tougher federal standards for ground level ozone and first-time standards for fine particulates are now in place.
Over the past 20 years, Metro Atlanta has been one of the most successful economies in the world. Growth will continue, with an additional 2.3 million people and 1.7 million jobs projected over the next 25 years, and almost half of this population growth will be from births in the region. The chamber's Quality Growth Task Force was created by the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce as a public-private venture to reach consensus on growth strategies necessary to successfully accommodate the next 2.3 million people; and to identify near-term policies and tools to achieve these strategies. The task force was chaired by Tom Bell, CEO, Cousins Properties, Inc., along with vice-chairs, Samuel Olens, Chairman, Cobb County Commission and Atlanta Regional Commission and Lee Thomas, President & Chief Operating Officer, Georgia-Pacific Corporation. The Task Force worked from October 2003-May 2004 and reached consensus on the facts, benchmarked Atlanta with other regions, looked at the changing demographics that will impact market demands, modeled alternative growth scenarios and reached unanimous consensus on final recommendations. The next step is the creation of a broad coalition to advance these recommendations. This work is underway with the launch in September 2005 of the Livable Communities Coalition now under the leadership of Larry Gellerstedt with Cousins Properties, Inc. The Atlanta office of Bain & Company provided generous pro-bono support for the Task Force and its four working groups. The Final Consolidated recommendations are available for download.
Water Quality Growth
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