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Erie Environmental Advisory Council backs ARP-funded climate planning and urges city officials not to speak at Shell Insight conference
Summary
The City of Erie Environmental Advisory Council voted June 25 to support using ARP funds to hire a consultant to draft a Local Climate Action Plan and to ask the mayor’s office, elected officials and city employees to decline invitations to welcome or speak at the Shell Insight shale‑gas conference scheduled for Sept. 16–18.
The City of Erie Environmental Advisory Council voted June 25 to (1) write a letter supporting use of American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds to hire a consultant to develop a Local Climate Action Plan (LCAP) for the City of Erie, and (2) write a separate letter asking the mayor’s office, elected officials and city employees to decline invitations to welcome or speak at the Shell Insight shale-gas conference planned in Erie this fall.
At the meeting the council discussed wording and scope for both requests. On the LCAP funding item an EAC member moved that the council support use of ARP money to fund a consultant to develop the LCAP; another member seconded the motion and the council approved it. The council agreed the letter would be circulated as a draft to EAC members before it is sent to the administration.
On the Shell Insight conference request, the council revisited language submitted by a member (identified in discussion as “Sister Pat”) that contained two distinct requests: (a) encourage local elected officials and city employees not to accept invitations to welcome conference attendees or speak at the event, and (b) notify the Bayfront Convention Center (and its board) about the possibility of public access and protest. Council members agreed they lacked authority to direct non‑city entities and to enforce private‑property rules, so the vote focused on the first request and limited the target to city representatives. The council voted to approve a letter asking the mayor’s office, elected officials and city employees to decline speaking or welcoming roles at the conference. The council asked that the mayory/council offices be copied on the letter.
Council members also took procedural actions on the meeting minutes. After discussion, the EAC rescinded its prior approval of the May 2025 meeting minutes, made a correction (inserting the word “not” to reflect a member’s intent regarding the Shell conference), and then approved the amended May minutes.
Meeting participants said the Shell Insight conference is scheduled for Sept. 16–18; the council also discussed nonbinding next steps including encouraging Sister Pat to contact the Bayfront Convention Center’s executive director (identified in discussion as Gus Pine) and advising demonstrators about the city permitting process if they plan to assemble near the conference. Several members emphasized the limits of the council’s authority and confined the council’s formal letter to city representatives rather than county, state or private groups.
Votes at a glance: The council approved a motion to support ARP funding for an LCAP consultant (motion carried). The council approved a motion to write a letter asking the mayor’s office, elected officials and city employees to decline invitations to welcome or speak at the Shell Insight conference (motion carried). The council rescinded its earlier approval of the May 2025 minutes, amended the minutes to add the word “not,” and approved the amended minutes (motions carried).
