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Home My WebLink About2024 -1-11 CEPAC Minutes - Draft Climate and Environment Policy Advisory Committee (CEPAC) Draft Minutes January 11, 2024. 5:30 pm – 7:35 pm 1. Call to Order 1.1. COMMITTEE MEMBERS- PRESENT: Piper Banks, Kip Barrett, Cat Gould, Kiera Reitz, Gary Shaff, Sharon Dohrmann, Bryan Sohl, Colin Bishopp, Becs Walker, Richard Barth, Jamie Rosenthal, Sidney Brown OPEN POSITIONS: 1 ABSENT: Keeley Reiners 1.1. CITY COUNCIL: Bob Kaplan and Jeff Dahle 1.2. STAFF: Chad Woodward 2. Consent Agenda 2.1. December 13, 2023 Minutes 2.2. Central Bike Path Extension Support Motion to approve consent agenda, including December’s minutes and sending a letter from CEPAC Chair to The City’s Planning Commission, to encourage prioritize approving the central bike path extension plan. Made by Cat Gould. Seconded by Sidney Brown. Approved unanimously. No Discussion 3. Public Forum 3.1. Jackson Bangs- Medford resident in support of wind and solar energy use. Fully in support of Electrification and a ban on natural gas in new builds. 3.2. Flavia Franco- Citizen in support of the Electrification Ordinance. Expressed concerns for future generations and urged CEPAC to be leaders in eliminating natural gas. 3.3. Mira Saturen- Expressed urgency for getting Electrification Ordinance into effect. She expressed a desire for Ashland to be a leader for other organizations hoping to make the same changes in their communities. 3.4. Meg (didn’t catch name- also couldn’t find in the contact form email submissions) works with Rogue Climate. Expressed support for electrification ordinance. Discussed how impactful it is to have affordable, electric-only rental units. 3.5. Gaten Campbell- Ashland resident expressed support for Electrification (zero NOX) Ordinance as well as a right of way ban. Believes Ashland has the privilege to be a role model in electrification. 3.6. Lea – Ashland resident in support of moving away from fossil fuel use. Setting a standard is a positive way to take the next step in electrification. 3.7. Alan Journet- Jacksonville resident in support of fossil fuel reduction. Explained the negative effects of methane gas. Showed support of Ashland’s Electrification Ordinance. 3.8. Jess Grady-Benson- Rogue Climate expressed thanks for all who have worked together towards electrification goals. RCAT would like to see zero NOX emission standard in new homes, a right of way ban on natural gas in new builds once the Avista Franchise Agreement is up, and only a fee on pollutants if it is redistributed to benefit low income households. 4. Updates/Announcements 4.1. Council Update – 4.1.1. Jeff Dahle- No new updates from Council. 4.1.2. Bob Kaplan- Previous council meeting had no updates pertaining to the CEPAC, therefore, no new updates to report. 4.2. Staff Update – 4.2.1. Chad Woodward- USDA Resp Loan, no new information to report. Status as of now is funds have been allocated but are unavailable until loan documents have been signed. Progress is being made. 4.3. Chair Update – 4.3.1. Bryan Sohl- Expressed gratitude for CEPAC members who have been actively progressing the work plan. New CEPAC applicant to represent the Ashland Schools Foundation. 4.4. Other Committee Members Update- 4.4.1. Rick Barth- Ashland Pool (Daniel Meyer Pool) reaching end of life. Considerable amount of natural gas needed to utilize pool year-round. APRC has advised enclosing the pool. Barth advises CEPAC members to review the news article that came out recently and decide how CEPAC should advise APRC in their upgrades. 4.4.2. Cat Gould- Group of ecologists working with ODFW to simplify water protection zone ordinances. Enforcing water protection zones. 5. Old Business 5.1. Ordinance Update 5.1.1. Presentation by Bryan Sohl and Chad Woodward- 5.1.1.1. Sohl discussed history of Ashland Electrification Ordinance and what has happened or changed over the past year. Moving forward: Ordinance to reduce greenhouse gas emissions: Once this resolution has been passed, Council can instruct CEPAC to study and develop plan to reach CEAP goals of reducing green house gas emissions in existing residential and industrial buildings. Considerations need to be made in outlined 8% annual reduction in green house gas emissions goals and new residential buildings are cheaper to electrify than existing structures are to retrofit. Committee needs to consider that Avista Franchise Agreement is set to expire December 1, 2025. Any decision made by council would be at legal risk due to franchise agreement. 90-95% of household emissions are produced by gas furnaces and hot water heaters. Stoves and fireplace inserts are the highest producers of household NOX production. 5.1.1.2. Three paths considered to reach reduction goals. Discussion followed with presentation of 3 options to reach goal of no natural gas in new residentials. NOx regulations in other jurisdictions, as well as appliances were discussed. 5.1.1.3. Option 1- 5.1.1.3.1. Appliance based zero NOx emission standards- Supported because the concept has been around for decades. Legal exposure issues were discussed. Climate carbon charge- single flat fee or usage charge? Franchise agreement changes discussed. Multiple options discussed for gradual approval. 5.1.1.4. Option 2- 5.1.1.4.1. Focus effort on a right of way ordinance and a carbon charge. 5.1.1.5. Option 3- 5.1.1.5.1. Zero NOx emission standard for all appliances. Makes biggest reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in new construction and addresses indoor air quality health issues related to NOx pollution. Would not include a carbon charge. Franchise agreement changes discussed. 5.1.1.5.2. Follow California with a zero emission standard for Furnaces and Hot Water heaters. Right of way ban with new franchise agreement and then individual households would incur a carbon charge if they chose natural gas for additional appliances. Schaff requested that City Staff present to CEPAC a proposed ordinance that includes 3 different options for regulations on greenhouse gas emissions in new residential construction. From there, CEPAC working group works with City Council to create a final ordinance draft. 5.1.2. Committee Member Updates 5.1.2.1. Piper Banks- Believes it’s important to keep moving forward since so much work has been done already. Doesn’t believe that the CEPAC shouldn’t hold back on asking for big changes through their ordinance on the basis that it’s new or intimidating. 5.1.2.2. Kiera Reitz- As a group, they have the knowledge and skillset to make a difference in Ashland’s fight against climate change. The work has been done, now is the time to take action. 5.1.2.3. Sharon Dohrmann - Believes that the zero NOx standard for all appliances is a strong place to start. Eventually, they would like to see a right of way ban passed. They would like to do whatever it takes to not increase rates to meet their goals. 5.1.2.4. Sidney Brown - Aims for zero NOx on all buildings (including existing) and appliances. 5.1.2.5. Cat Gould- Zero NOx standard for all appliances and a carbon cost fee on any new installation or replacements. Full greenhouse gas ban on all new construction. 5.1.2.6. Rick Barth- Disagrees with councilors assessments of the legal ramifications. Believes that now is the time for City Staff to assess CEPAC’s work thus far to see if they support any of the options outlined thus far. Supports 5.1.2.7. Kip Barret- supports all outlined options. Unsure how to move standard to low income housing who are already under financial distress. Motion for chair to present a recommendation to Council and Staff, a zero NOx standard for all 5 major gas appliances, a right of way restriction on all fossil fuel infrastructure at the expiration of the Avista franchise agreement and a resolution to research reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in existing infrastructure. Made by Cat Gould, Seconded by Sharon Dohrman. Approved 6-1. 5.2. CEPAC goals and workplan update Motion to adopt work plan as outlined. Made by Sharon Dohrman. Seconded by Sidney Brown. Approved unanimously. Brief discussion followed outlining different levels of priority. Adjourn-7:35pm