HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-1-11 CEPAC Minutes Final
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, Richard Barth, Sidney Brown OPEN POSITIONS: 1
ABSENT: Keeley Reiners, Jamie Rosenthal, Colin Bishopp, Becs Walker
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
regarding 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 buildings.
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 Wade - 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 Samelson – 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. A
considerable amount of natural gas is 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 - Presentation by Bryan Sohl and Chad Woodward
5.1.1. Sohl discussed the history of Ashland Electrification Ordinance and what
has happened or changed over the past year. Moving forward: Ordinance
to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions: Once this resolution has
been passed, Council can instruct CEPAC to study and develop plan to
reach CEAP goals of reducing GHG emissions in existing residential and
industrial buildings. Considerations need to be made in the outlined 8%
annual reduction in GHG emissions goals and new residential buildings
are cheaper to electrify than existing structures are to retrofit. The
committee needs to consider that Avista Franchise Agreement is set to
expire December 1, 2025. Any decision made by the council affecting the
existing franchise agreement would have the potential for legal risk. 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.
5.1.2. Four options utilizing some or all of three different mechanisms were
reviewed to help reach CEAP GHG reduction goals. Discussion followed
the presentation of four pathways to reduce natural gas in new
residential construction. NOx regulations in other jurisdictions, as well as
appliances were discussed.
5.1.2.1. Mechanism 1- Appliance based NOx emission standards-
Supported because the concept has been around for decades.
Legal exposure issues were discussed.
5.1.2.2. Mechanism 2 - Climate carbon charge – triggered by choosing
to use fossil fuels in a new residential building.
5.1.2.3. Mechanism 3 – Post franchise agreement changes including
right of way limitations and increased right of way fees.
5.1.3. Option 1 – Utilized an appliance-based NOx standard based on existing
California standards, included a carbon charge, and right of way use and
fee changes.
5.1.4. Option 2 – Focused on only the carbon charge and franchise use and
fee mechanisms.
5.1.5. Option 3 - Utilized an appliance-based NOx standard with a zero NOx
emissions rate on five appliances and a right of way use and fee
changes.
5.1.6. Option 4 - Utilized an appliance-based NOx standard with a zero NOx
emissions rate on two appliances, has a carbon charge, and a right of
way use and fee changes.
5.1.7. Could possibly follow California with a zero-emission standard for
Furnaces and Hot Water heaters after they implement those standards in
2029 and 2031. 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.
5.1.8. 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.
5.1.9. Committee discussion ensued regarding a possible motion, resulting in
the following motion:
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. (Yes – Dohrman, Barrett,
Dohrmann, Brown, Barth, Sohl; No – Shaff).
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