Steven Winter Y’11 New Haven’s Executive Director of Climate and Sustainability
A Yale College graduate, Steven Winter currently serves as the City of New Haven’s Executive Director of Climate and Sustainability. He will outline the ambitious multifaceted approach of the department he heads, which was created in 2022 with the directive “to take an approach that addresses the needs that residents are facing every day.” Having served as a member of the New Haven Board of Alders, he was elected to the Connecticut House of Representatives in 2024 and was appointed to the Energy & Technology Committee, the Finance, Revenue & Bonding Committee, and the Planning & Development Committee.
YBG Monthly Call Q & A
Stephanie Grilli: Steven, can you tell us about how you are working with community groups and other local stakeholders?
David Bergman: What you were saying about organics collection? Did you say the city has curbside collection? If so, I’m curious what public uptake has been like. NYC’s has been underwhelming due, in large part, to a lack of city support and outreach.
Becky Bunnell: For the sorting facility, will there be extra capacity to support surrounding towns to sort their food waste?
Huda Mustafa: What are the impediments to individuals agreeing to changing of equipment, behaviour. etc.-are there short term costs borne by consumers that inhibit participation?
Huda Mustafa: Where is New Haven in a ‘ranking’ of small cities promoting sustainable energy, transport, etc practices and infrastructures
Becky Bunnell: What types of initiatives do you have or are looking at to impact effects of increasing heat for residents?
David Bergman: How have bike lanes and the expansion of cycling been accepted? is there resistance to bike lanes and/or e-bikes?
Paul Chapman: Steve, What is the relationship between New Haven’s Office of Sustainability and Yale?
Anne Crawley: Given that many projects are grant funded, Does Connecticut have grant programs?
Huda Mustafa: What about the povery issue- i presume many are renters. are the landlords willing to invest the changes you’re talking about for properties that they perhaps willfully neglect?
Becky Bunnell: What is your opinion about the amount and quality of environmental legislation that got passed this past Session in CT ?
Stephanie Grilli: What can alumni do to support New Haven’s efforts? Is there anything Yale Bue Green can do?
