HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-0202 Documents Submitted at Mtg
ASHLAND
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January 14, 2016
A number of Ashland Chamber retail members communicated their concerns over the current
bag ordinance to the Chamber. Due to these comments, the Ashland Chamber Board of
Directors would like the Ashland City Council to explore changing the bag ordinance as
follows:
• Continued elimination of plastic bags
• Require a $.10 charge for bags that are standard barrel size or larger (definition:
Standard barrel size is a typical Grocery store bag- Barrel size bags have approximate
dimensions of 12 inches wide x 7 inches deep x 13-18 inches tall, or a capacity of 1,100
to 1,600 cubic inches.)
• No $.10 charge for bags smaller than standard barrel size
These changes would ensure that the $.10 charge would still apply in grocery stores, which is
the bulk of the paper bag usage but wouldn't be as impactful in a small retail setting. In a retail
setting, many retailers rely on the paper bag as a part of their marketing efforts and we believe
this should have been considered before making an ordinance that applies to everyone equally.
Prior to the ordinance, retailers were conscientious of the amount of recycled paper that went
into their bag, along with the bags ability to be recycled after the fact. The Ashland Chamber
board is supportive of the overall ordinance's elimination of plastic bags and this small change
would reduce the ordinance's impact on small retailers. As you may know, no small retailers
were consulted when this ordinance was first created. Thank you for your consideration of
these changes impacting our small businesses.
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PO B( ,,,x 1760 • s aid OR 9 752C • 1 10 East V . n St. • PO Box I; • Ashland OR 9 752 0 • 5,11 ) 181-j986 • F x '`4 ; ^82 2 3 5J
January 28, 2016
Dear [Insert legislator's name] ,
We urge your opposition to HQ 4036 due to issues with city annexations and the provision of
municipal electric utility services. The Oregon Municipal Electric Utilities Association (OMEU)
has taken a position to oppose HB 4036 unless it is amended to remove offending annexation
language.
As written currently, HB 4036 would-
• impose punitive measures to eliminate competition for investor owned utilities (IOUs) and
• require OMEU utilities to "green" hydropower and increase costs as they would have to..
o buy more power than they need
o purchase more Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) or
o attempt to alter their contract with BPA to purchase less hydropower and replace
it with other higher cost renewables.
This may be better illustrated with the following example. If an IOU does not provide consent for
a city to provide electric services in an annexed area and the city resorts to condemnation they
city must:
o have the entire city meet the IOU's renewable portfolio standard (RPS)
requirement (i.e. 50%) and
o "green" their power from BPA (as noted above) which is virtually emission free
and renewable.
Please note that with the annexation language, HQ 4036 reverses a principle of the RPS statute
negotiated in 2007. The annexation issue is separate from renewables.
We request removal of the annexation portion of HB 4036 and to keep current law regarding
municipal electric utilities and annexations.
Please do not hesitate to contact Beth Vargas Duncan, OMEU's Executive Director, at the
phone or email indicated below, with any questions.
Sincerely,
[Insert Name], Mayor
1201 COURT ST. NE, SUITE 102 SALEM, OREGON 97301 • 971-600-6976 • bvargosduncan@omeu.org
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