Tell Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken to commit to meaningful action for a sustainable future.

Since March 2022, a 30-member Sustainability Steering Committee representing Sioux Falls businesses, electric and gas utilities, affordable housing proponents, environmental organizations, the healthcare sector, education, and the homebuilding industry have been collaborating to draft the Sustainable Sioux Falls Plan. The goal of the plan was to grow Sioux Falls into “a thriving community today and for future generations by strengthening community well-being, protecting the environment, and supporting economic prosperity.”

The Committee’s plan would reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollutants and address issues that are important to Sioux Falls residents - like improve water quality, cut energy costs, safeguard local habitats, expand transportation access, improve walkability, and build resilience to the effects of climate change.

But in March 2023, the Mayor’s Office unilaterally decided to replace the Committee’s draft plan with a “sustainability framework”which removed all concrete goals, meaningful deadlines, and accountability measures, along with words such as “climate change” and “greenhouse gas.” The decision to replace the Sustainability Steering Committee’s consensus took place behind closed doors, without any evidence that it was driven by public input. These actions undermine good-faith, community-driven efforts while obscuring and delaying real action on sustainability challenges that are impacting our communities today.

Sioux Falls needs a sustainability plan that meets the moment and commits to real action, not vague platitudes and wait-and-see language. It’s time for the Mayor and the City of Sioux Falls to take a stand for a sustainable future.

Tell Mayor TenHaken and the City of Sioux Falls to respect the community-driven consensus process and restore the Sustainable Sioux Falls Plan to commit to real, meaningful action for a sustainable future.