HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016.07.06 CEAP Agenda Packet 1r ,
Climate and Eriergy.Action Plan
Climate and Energy Plan Committee
Meeting Agenda
July (i, 2016 330..........530 Community i)cvclopmcnt Huilding
A...9,.-)e-ri..da
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
5 min Call to Order Rich
• Approval of Minutes—June 15,2016
• Icebreaker Question
15 min public Forum
30 min Review of Goals/Target Recommendations Rich
z�� m�� Review of Cascadia Goals/Targets Document Andrea
20 n,;n City Council Check in Prep Rich
July 19, 2016 Council Meeting
io min Upcoming Meetings Adam
,-� cIrr or
CASCADIA ,NSHLAND
Minutes for the Climate and Energy Action Plan ad hoc Committee
June 15,2016
Page 1 of 6
MINUTES FOR THE CLIMATE & ENERGY ACTION PLAN ad hoc COMMITTEE
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
Siskiyou Room, 51 Winburn Way
1. Call to Order
Committee member Roxane Beigel-Coryell called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
Committee members Bryan Sohl, Greg Jones, James McGinnis, Claudia Alick, Jim Hartman,
Stuart Green and Louise Shawkat were present. Staff member Adam Hanks was present.
Committee member Marni Koopman arrived late. Committee members Rich Rosenthal, Isaac
Bevers, Cindy Bernard and Sarah Lassoff were absent.
2. Approval of minutes
Minutes were approved as presented.
3. Around the Room
Group did an around the room team building regarding their favorite summer activity.
4. Public Input
Huelz Gutchen: Stated there was a survey of high school classes regarding how many times high
school teachers mentioned climate change, and the result showed less than twenty minutes per
year. Portland schools are improving this, they now require science teachers to teach climate
change in their classes. Everyone should have to learn it. He stated that the senate is having
hearings because everything they understand is becoming obsolete. New technologies and
information mean everyone needs to be retrained every ten years. We all need to go re-learn
everything quickly and frequently be updated.
James Stephens: Stated he hasn't been here in awhile. He likes that the group is doing the around
the room icebreaker. He was sent information regarding electriv vehicles and a chart of what
country has the most electric vehicles. The United States currently leads, but China is soon to
overtake in total number of electric vehicles. SOHEVA recently found a Prius set to be junked
but they found the problem, fixed it and donated it to the high school auto technology program
for students to lean about repairing electric vehicles. They are willing to help set up the course
work for the high school. They are also hoping to get into the 4th of July parade. He is also
moving forward with helping the 1 Ox20 Initiative. This group signed interested people up at the
CEAP open house (he read the proposal aloud). He stated that the goal of this proposal is to be
aggressive but realistic.
Ray Molett: Stated he was impressed with the recent open house. He spent time afterward
looking more into the greenhouse gas inventory. He would like to encourage this group to, as
part of the goals, lay out what citizens can do to make reductions in household goods. Goals
should focus both on what the City can do and what the citizens should also do.
Minutes for the Climate and Energy Action Plan ad hoc Committee
June 15,2016
Page 2 of 6
Allie Rosenbloom: Stated that today she sent a draft ordinance to staff regarding climate action.
She wanted to take this opportunity to introduce herself.
5. Review of Open House#1
Beigell-Coryell gave an overview of the committee survey results. Group discussed some of their
concerns including the desire to make sure that the survey questions at the open house match
those on-line, that only 13% of the attendees were under the age of 34, the lack of an
MC/moderator to guide the event, and the "dullness" of the presentation regarding climate
science.
6. Vision, Goals & Targets
Group discussed the draft Vision Statement. Jones stated that, "Ashland leads" is too vague.
Leads what? the community? Oregon? the State? the nation? Several group members raised
concerns that the statement does not include the word, "electric" or "energy" even though that's
a main focus of this action plan.
Committee member Koopman arrived 6:00 p.m.
Alick questioned what the intended purpose and audience are for this statement. Is it for the
community, the committee, or the City of Ashland staff and Council? This clarity may help focus
the language. Additionally, she raised concerns with the word, "diversity." Is it referencing a
diverse population, a diversity of resources, or something else?
Koopman raised concerns regarding the word"prosperous," as it typically only refers to money
but the group probably intends something beyond just financial prosperity. Most of the group
agreed this was probably not the best word.
7. Discussion of Preliminary Goals
Group went through each question listed in the packet and voted on their preferred answer. For
those questions with consensus, there was no discussion, for those questions without consensus
the group had a short discussion regarding their votes.
1. "ich type of inventory would you like to include in Ashland's emission reduction goal?
a. Sector-based emmissions
b. Consumption-based emmissions
Vote: a=21 b= 7
Green stated that he voted for sector only, even though consumption must be addressed.
Unfortunately, there is no way to get good numbers, particularly Ashland-specific numbers, for
consumption. This means having a goal focused on consumption with no tracking ability is
problematic. Group discussed what the best approach would be regarding inclusion of
consumption. Some felt it appropriate to include consumption in the plan as Ashland is a small
Minutes for the Climate and Energy Action Plan ad hoc Committee
June 15,2016
Page 3 of 6
community with limited growth and no big-scale industry. Others felt the plan should not include
goals related to specific consumption reductions but should include a strong community
education component regarding consumption.
2. Do you think Ashland should include purchasing offsets as an option to reach its emission
reduction goal?
a. Yes
b. No
Vote: a= 81 b= 1
Koopman stated that she does not have enough information regarding offsets to agree to them
now. Hartman stated it might be good to let the community decide on the desirability of offsets —
the plan will cost money whether they are used or not, it's just a matter of how much money the
community is okay with. Koopman also expressed concerns that many offsets sold are for
projects which would have been done regardless of the offsets, and therefore are of no real value
or aid in reducing greenhouse gas levels.
Many in the group felt that by selecting option `a' (voting `yes') they were doing so with caveats
—offsets are not intended to be the whole approach but should have limits and be as helpful to
the local economy as possible. Group members mostly agreed that voting `yes' doesn't
necessarily mean offsets will be part of the final plan, but it does leave the option open.
3. Do you think Ashland should have a specific goal for reducing emmissions from City
operations?
a. Yes
b. No
Vote: a= 91 b= 0
4. If yes to #3, should the targets be fossil fuel reduction or greenhouse gas reductions?
a. Fossil Fuel
b. GHG
c. Both
Vote: a = 0, b = 0, c = 8
Green stated that he declined to vote because he believes greenhouse gases are just a larger
umbrella over fossil fuels, so the question is redundant.
Group mostly agreed that fossil fuels reduction should be the short-term focus, with a longer-
term focus on reducing greenhouse gases. Many other plans have separate and more aggressive
Minutes for the Climate and Energy Action Plan ad hoc Committee
June 15,2016
Page 4 of 6
reductions for city operations (in both timeline and goals). Overall, the group agreed that more
aggressive reductions for city operations is their preference.
5. Which year do you think Ashland should use as a base year for its greenhouse gas reduction
goal?
a. 2011
b. 2015
Vote: a= 0, b = 9
6. What do you think Ashland's reduction goal for 2050 should be?
a. <80%reduction by 2050
b. 80%reduction by 2050
c. 90%reduction by 2050
d. 100%reduction by 2050 (i.e. carbon neutral)
e. >100%reduction by 2050
Vote: a= O, b =4, c = 0, d= 5, e = 0
Green stated his preference is to have the legally binding (ordinance)portion of the plan be 80%
by 2050 but a higher amount of reduction for the overall plan goal. Alick stated that what's really
debating is aspirational versus attainable. Sohl stated he thinks the goal should be more
aggressive than in other cities because Ashland has little population growth possibilities, no
heavy industry, and a somewhat homogenous community. The opportunity to be aggressive with
the goal is here. Hartman stated that a 34-year plan(today until 2050) is very long-term. We
need to aim high now because if we're afraid of the difficulties now,just wait until things are
worse. Koopman agreed and stated that the group requesting a legally binding ordinance did not
ask the group to water-down the plan's targets. Beigell-Coryell stated that 34-years in
government/large-scale plans is not a long time and so the goal needs to be realistic to the
timeframe.
Group raised concerns about putting a plan before Council that is too aggressive and therefore
will not be approved or implemented. Some in the group also raised concerns that if they choose
a high-target goal how will it be enforced (who is going to carbon jail?). Group agreed that the
goal is to make future decision making focused on the goal and to make staff more accountable.
Group agreed that the ordinance discussion is making this goals discussion muddy and they need
to set it aside for the time being.
7. Which years should be used for intermediate targets?
a. 2018, 2025, 2040
b. 2020, 2030, 2040
c. 2022, 2028, 2034, 2040
d. 2025, 2035
Minutes for the Climate and Energy Action Plan ad hoc Committee
June 15,2016
Page 5 of 6
e. other combo
Group agreed they don't like any of the target dates presented. Some were concerned the check-
ins weren't frequent enough. Some were concerned they didn't tie into the budget cycles. Some
felt that only the final end year was important.
Green/Sohl m/s to have intermediate targets set on five-year increments, starting in 2020.
Discussion: McGinnis stated that so long as there is a method in the plan to connect projects to
the budget cycle, this is acceptable. Sohl stated the advantage of check-ins/adjustments to the
plan scheduled regularly every five years is that the plan can be adjusted consistently with new
science or technology. Voice vote: all ayes. Motion Passes.
8. Should the plan include recommendation for goals/targets to be adopted by Ordinance?
a. Yes
b. No
Vote: a= 8, b = 1
Group discussed the potential timeline of an ordinance. They mostly agreed that the best course
of action would be to send an ordinance for Council consideration after the plan was approved
(or in tandem with the plan) so that the ordinance can accurately reflect the actions/targets/goals
of the plan. Group received clarification from staff on a typical ordinance process.
9. If yes, should ordinance match the plan goals/targets or be something different (i.e. absolute
vs. aspirational)?
a. Match
b. Different
Vote: a= 71 b = 0
The two no votes stated they could not vote without clearly knowing what will be the final
targets.
Group decided to go back and re-vote on question#6 (6. What do you think Ashland I reduction
goal for 2050 should be).
Vote: a. (<80%reduction by 2050) = 0, b. (80% reduction by 2050) = 0, c. (90% reduction by
2050) = 1, d. (100% reduction by 2050) =2, e.( >100% reduction by 2050) = 5
Group discussed the desire to be aggressive in the goal, and to also be a leader in these plans.
There were concerns raised about whether being too aggressive in the target may be in
opposition to the desire to be science-based (i.e. can you be both aggressive and still accomplish
things in a real-world, science-based manner?). Group mostly agreed that they want to be as
Minutes for the Climate and Energy Action Plan ad hoc Committee
June 15,2016
Page 6 of 6
aggressive as possible. Group agreed that they would like Cascadia to develop a science-based
goal for consumption-based emmissions for consideration.
9. Next Meeting
The next meeting will be July 6, 2016, at 3:30 p.m. in the Siskiyou Room.
10. Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 7:32 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Diana Shiplet, Executive Assistant
CITY OF
AS H L.AN D
Council Communication
July 19, 2016 Business Meeting
Climate and Energy Action Plan — Project Update
FROM:
Adam Hanks, Management Analyst, adam@ashland.or.us
SUMMARY
The Climate and Energy Action Plan (CEAP) ad-hoc committee has been working on the development
of a draft plan to bring to Council in January of 2017 per Council request. A process progress check-in
was included in the plan to provide the Mayor and Council with an update on the work of the
committee and the project consultant team. The update will summarize the work to date and focus
primarily on the ad-hoc committee's first milestone recommendation of overall plan goals and targets
that form the foundation for the remainder of the plan development.
BACKGROUND AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS:
At the instigation of the Conservation Commission and with the support of Council, Mayor Stromberg
created the LEAP ad-hoc committee in June of 2015 with a core member group. Additional members
were added throughout the fall/winter with a now final member total of 13 (11 voting members).
The committee began meeting in September, assisting staff on the development and issuance of a
request for proposals for consultant services for the project. With considerable involvement of the
committee in the review and selection process, Cascadia Consulting Group was selected in February of
2016 to assist the committee and City staff in the development of the plan document as well as
facilitate the public involvement process throughout the project.
The first major milestone recommendation request posed to the committee was for the overall plan
goals and targets. Knowing that the goals and targets set the foundation for how the implementing
actions are developed, reviewed,prioritized and selected, the goals/targets milestone was selected as a
Council check in item in the plan development timeline.
To assist the ad-hoc committee in developing this first milestone recommendation, apublic open house
was held on May 24, 2016 to introduce the CEAP project to the community, to update them on the
existing science based data guiding the project and to solicit their input and feedback on the
importance of the topic and the aggressiveness with which to build the plan. An online survey also
was made available on the City website to gather the same input/feedback for those that were not able
to attend. The open house had an attendance of approximately 175-200 and 40 online survey
responses were submitted.
At its June 15, 2016 meeting, the ad-hoc committee went through a series of structured questions to
build an overall recommended plan vision with accompanying goals and targets to meet that vision.
Page 1 of 2
CITY OF
AS H L.AN D
Below are the elements of the goals and targets that are proposed to be utilized in the development of
the implementation plan.
• Be more than carbon neutral by 2050 (didn't define how far beyond neutral)
• Goal/target should include community consumption(GHG from purchased goods and services)
• Retain the option to include the purchase of carbon offsets as a contributing solution(there was
discussion of limiting how much this particular tool would be used to achieve goals but nothing
final)
• Include specific City operations goals/targets—want them to be both in overall GHG form and
as well as being fossil fuel specific
• Base year for the plan is 2015
• Intermediate targets in five year increments starting at 2020
• Plan should include action for goals/targets to be adopted by ordinance (no recommendation
yet whether the ordinance adoption should come before or after the plan approval)
• Goals/targets ordinance should match the plan goals/targets (even with the fact that the goals
will include consumption)
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
The recommendations being presented to Council are preliminary. The final plan will include
prioritized implementing actions for short, mid and long term progress toward the recommended goals
and targets. The implementation plan will include cost estimates for all actions, as well as cost/benefit
calculations. No financial commitments are being requested at this time.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION AND REQUESTED ACTION:
The preliminary recommendations of the ad-hoc committee will be used to develop the implementation
component of the plan. While no specific, formal action is requested at this time, Council feedback on
the recommended goals and targets would be valuable if any modifications are needed before entering
the implementation phase of the project.
SUGGESTED MOTION:
N/A
ATTACHMENTS:
www.ashland.or.us/climateplan
June 15, 2016—CEAP Ad-Hoc Committee Meeting Minutes
June 15, 2016—CEAP Ad-Hoc Committee Meeting Packet
Page 2 of 2
Ashlar �� E��~��~K��� I ��������~��� ��� U������ ��������~K�� -������ ���V�U�����0er-A
As shown in Figure 1, preliminary modeling shows that assuming expected increases in CAFE standards,
Oregon's Clean Fuels Progrann,1 and state renewable portfolio standards, Ashland can expect a 3 percent
reduction in GHG emissions from 2015 to 2050 under a business as usual (BAU) scenario.^This 3 percent
reduction takes into account an annual growth rate ofO.88 percent, which is in line with recent growth
in Ashland.
Figure 1.Preliminary emissions forecasting.for Ashland
250
197
2,00
IMMUNE 196
0
�
� U
� ''X�I e I�,,:] i ii�',t i,c) i I�iy 2 C)
UJ
.5 0
0 . .
201.5 20201 2 0 2,�5, 210,30 203,5 20�0 12..(IT11"),
BAk...) C,AJP�1::.::'.,, ERS&U —113At I CA11-E&C 1� BA�
Achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 will require additional actions by Ashland. Figure 2 below illustrates
how Ashland can achieve carbon neutrality by supporting actions that reduce private vehicle miles
traveled (e.g., promoting bicycling, carpooling, and walking) and increase use of electric vehicles; and
reducing emissions from refrigerant leakage and waste disposal. While it may be possible to achieve
greater reductions through policies and programs, the reductions modeled are in line with current
technologies. Remaining emissions are addressed in the model with Renewable Energy Certificates
(RE[s) and greenhouse gas (GHG) offsets.'
z Oregon's Clean Fuels Program authorizes the Oregon Environmental Quality Commission to adopt rules to reduce
the average carbon intensity of Oregon's transportation fuels by lD percent over lO'year period starting in 2016.
2 These projections are updated from those presented in May, based on more detailed modeling of changes in
renewable portfolio standards.
sThe wedge analysis layers in one new policy/action area at a time.The sequencing of the policies and actions
significantly influences the size of the wedge. For example, ifVMT Reductions/Changes(the blue wedge)were
sequenced before CAFE Standards&Clean Fuel Program (the yellow wedge)'the VMTvvedge would be larger since
each mile driven would be associated with higher emissions.
1 7/l/2Ol6
Figure 2.Preliminary wedge anal si for Ashland
r
���"�G� il�"l�"OiOr�:�
Renewable,Portfolio st��ium ��aro
CAFE staiirrdiiar s&Clean Fu IIIII Program,
,..., nges
a����//� ,,,,,,,,,,., �MiJ�J�,,,,�y ........ 'M T f il 4,!L III I��` " l 1 G1
IV� ^� v<
Vim» '
Building
eiw� tiuir�ls in Energy Use!
rii//////// Red uicti ons ini
gerant Leakage
II IEC purchases,
v i,
�1
u Carbon offset Iplur hula '
Table 1 shows the specific reduction sources and assumptions within each wedge in Figure 2.These
assumptions were customized from modeling conducted by the City of Portland for their Climate Action
Plan update, with additional assumptions regarding 1) emission reductions from refrigerant leakage and
waste and 2) REC purchases. Percentage increases shown by 2030 are relative to the BAU case, and
2050 increases are relative to source reduction and assumptions for 2030.
Table 1. Emission Source ReductionsAssumptions
i
1
J JJJ J
JJJJJJ JJJJ JJJJ JJJJJJ J J JJ JJJ)JJJJJJ J J J JJJ JJJJ JJJJ JJJJ JJ JJ J J JJ J J J JJ J JJ J J 1
1
i
r-
1111111D11((�11111111�1D11DD1D�111D1��)�1D11DD111111D11111D11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111D11�11(I»»lllllllllllllll!!!!!!!!!llfll!!!ll�rrrrllll!!!!!rr)(01!!!!!!!rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr�l!!!!!!!!!!r rri�»»lllllllllll11111111111111�11111111flllllJfff111f!!(1)�lllOf111ff111llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll11
Renewable Energy 13.8% 23.8%
CAFE 35 MPG 50 MPG
Clean Fuels Program 10% reduction in transportation fuel carbon
VMT Reductions/Changes
Reductions from density 5% 15%additional
Incr. electric vehicles 10% 15%additional
Displaced by walking/biking 15% 20%additional
Displaced by transit 5% 15%additional
Displaced by carpooling/trip chaining 5% 5%additional
Reductions in Building Energy Use (NG)
Due to shell efficiency 5% 15%additional
Due to appliance efficiency 2% 5%additional
Due to combined heat and power 5% 15%additional
Due to renewables/fuel switching 2% 30%additional
Reductions in Building Energy Use (Elec.)
Due to conservation 5% 13%additional
Due to shell efficiency 5% 10%additional
Due to appliance efficiency 5% 15%additional
Due to lighting retrofits 5% 10%additional
Due to other efficiencies 0% 10%
Transmission losses 15% reduction 11%additional reduction
Increased load due to fuel switching 111 MW 1,262 MW
2 7/1/2016
Increased load due to elec. vehicles 3,033 MW 41845 MW
Reductions in Refrigerants Leakage and 80%
Waste Emissions
REC purchases 50,000 RECs annually 80,000 RECs annually
Offset purchases —110,000 annually —55,000 annually
Offsets and Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs)
GHG offsets are carbon-reduction certificates created through verified carbon-reducing actions by one
organization, such as planting trees,that can be sold to another organization. RECs are similar to GHG
offsets, but can only be applied to energy-sector emissions.
GHG offset projects must be verified using strict, accepted protocols.Verification can be a rigorous and
expensive process.'The California Air Resources Board's Compliance Offset Protocol,for example,
stipulates the following requirements for verification of avoided conversion projects for forests:'
■ Demonstrated significant threat of conversion of project land to non-forest land use by
following the requirements for establishing the project's baseline.
■ Exclusion of lands that were part of a previously listed and verified Forest Project.
■ Must be on lands that are privately owned prior to offset project commencement.
■ Must demonstrate GHG reductions or removal enhancements above and beyond any which
would result from compliance with federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance.This can
be assessed using a "Performance Test," which includes a real estate appraisal for the project
area that indicates that the area is both suitable for conversion and that the alternative land use
has a higher market value than forestland.
Carbon offset prices can vary greatly; California Carbon Allowances have been trading around $12-
13/metric ton.6 At this price, offsetting Ashland's 2015 emissions (including consumption)would cost
just under$2.4 million. In 2050, assuming emissions reductions outlined in Table 1 (except purchasing
RECs), offsetting Ashland's total emissions would cost nearly$1.1 million.
4 Source: personal communication, project manager for Microsoft's recent Nisqually Carbon Project offset
purchases
5 Source: http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/capandtrade/protocols/usforest/forestprotoco12015.pdf
6 http://.....
calcarbondash.or................................g/
3 7/1/2016
..................... ........ ........
0 0
ul
ru
no Qj
m„
gicc
0
. ,,
,,,,,,
ro
IIIIIIIIIIVIii"
Illlllllllllllm" �"%m� w 4—Cali
m L,,, � 8
,,,,,
liuu�a �,,,,,,,,
m
'.m�V01�11 ,perMD
'�� CDL
W B �„N,�
IIIII jW+11111Cr1j �ouuuu� w�
a —
co
mnm°j
p
,,,,
L 0 �,,, III,,,� � � �,,,,,,,,
-.a
,,,,,,,,,,,
Gi ........ m
uv)
0 UV)
�,
m �� i
+a CL � -Xi �
;;; j
..., ..............
mm
o- ii
I,,,,,. I,,,,,,
CL
M
1111110
oi�ulluil ��,' v,,,,,I
LC rrQ
Is cmII.
V{ Gi Ou MC�
..... y
`i,..., .........., ..............uuul
UA
I luuull�
m louuu
ulnnniuuu
lUuuuuoo
�ioouuu
Uuuul
VuIII
uuuu ��
0110 II III III..........: 2 2
p��I
1111
I�II�IIIIIIIII
Ou COL. o di ai
� flu ��s �„�»
oIDmml W e 3: �,,,rere
nn�°�Illiol E EEEE EE c: LA EE LA c: EELJ tiluwll s
������� m m uuuuCIL
II,,,N,,,J II,,A LIJ LA LLJ I ll Dill
..., .........;