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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020.01.09 Climate Policy Minutes Minutes for the Climate Policy Commission January 9, 2020 Page 1 of 4 Minutes for the Climate Policy Commission January 9, 2020 4 to 6 p.m. Siskiyou Room, 51 Winburn Way 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order 4:10 p.m. by Vice Chair Rick Barth. Commissioners Julian Bell, Zander Huston, Gary Shaff, Talia Shea, and Les Stone were present. Commissioner Chris Brown arrived later as he had a meeting conflict. Staff members Stu Green and Adam Hanks were also present. Commissioner Ray Mallette and Council liaison Tonya Graham were absent. 2. Consent Agenda 2.1. December 12, 2019 Minutes Shaff/Bell moved/seconded to approve the minutes as written. Further discussion: none. All Ayes. Motion passed unanimouU1 . 3. Announcements 3.1. Next Meeting: February 13,2020 3.2. Water Treatment Plant Update Memo 3.3. Other Announcements from Commissioners Barth updated the Commission on the following: • The Climate Policy Commission(CPC) and the Conservation and Climate Outreach Commission (CCOC)will be meeting next week to determine coordination between both, discuss the climate emergency declaration, and share the CPC work plan. • On Monday, January 6,the Water Master Plan was presented to Council. The Utilities Subcommittee will meet on January 23 to discuss any recommendations for the plan to be brought back to the Commission for approval. • On Monday, February 3,the CPC will present its recommendations (to be discussed later at this meeting)to Council at a Study Session. • A memo from Graham regarding the Water Treatment Plant was included in the packet. If any member had concerns about the progress,they can let the Chair or Vice Chair know for it to be added to the agenda at a future meeting. • The Energy Efficiency Code Coalition voted in strong support of more efficient code requirements for buildings. Bell stated that the Actuaries Climate Risk Index came out today giving insurers a way to assess increased risks of insurance claims based on climate change. 4. Public Forum Mark Knox—requested that the Commission ask Council to direct planning staff to add a requirement for a solar reserve to all single family homes. This would require an area on each roof to be devoid of any plumbing or other installations that would prohibit solar installations for current and future owners. Shaff stated that the Built Environment Subcommittee will consider requiring electric vehicle (EV)ready wiring for all new constructions. Bell asked if Knox could provide contact information for individuals in the building community for future outreach. Knox said he would send the contacts via email. Shaun Franks—from Wholesale Solar expressed his appreciation of the Commission and was here to echo Knox's statement. He mentioned the Governor's executive order 17-20 accelerating efficiency in Oregon's built environment to reduce greenhouse gas(GHG) emissions and address climate change. He wanted Ashland to be ahead of the curve by building homes with south facing roofs and help from the City to get the development community there. Minutes for the Climate Policy Commission January 9, 2020 Page 2 of 4 Linda Peterson-Adams—from the Transportation Commission stated that the Commission have started negotiations with Kittleson Associates for the Transportation System Plan(TSP)update. She encouraged the Climate Policy Commissioners to try to get on the technical or citizen committee for the TSP update. Egon Dubois—expressed concern for encouraging fuel switching to electric. He emphasized that electricity is not always clean energy. He stated that instead natural gas and wood burning should be looked into as natural gas is cleaner than burning coal. Burning wood is also net zero as wood will release carbon into the atmosphere either by burning or decomposing. Huelz Gutcheon—asked the Commission to think about what the difference between net zero energy and energy autonomy was. He also stated that he is continuing to work to get solar panels in the Community Development lobby. 5. Reports/Presentations 6. Old Business 6.1. Subcommittee Updates 6.1.1. Utilities Stone stated that the Water Master Plan(WMP) Council Study Session was very informative. Council showed interest in including the Climate Energy and Action Plan(CEAP) in the WMP by requesting staff to do so and extending the time before it comes back to Council. 6.1.2. Built Environment Shaff stated that the report of the latest meeting was in the packet. Barth commented that the Utilities Subcommittee will look into the Avista Natural Gas agreement instead of the Built Environment Subcommittee. Stone asked if on the revised work program for the Subcommittee if the word"phase out" would be used instead of ban natural gas. Shaff stated that he would fix the wording. Barth noted that the Commission should be focusing on putting forward politically possible actions within State regulation that would move to rapidly reduce GHG because of the political environment. 6.1.3. Administrative/Planning Barth would like to see a look ahead for CPC and has started one which will hopefully be ready to bring back to the Commission at the February meeting. 6.2. Possible Climate Emergency Declaration and initial list of climate asks for the Council Barth read the introduction of the climate emergency declaration memo from Graham and Shaff read the initial list for Council from the memo. Barth wanted the Commission to decide whether to combine the climate emergency declaration with the list of climate asks,present the climate emergency declaration on its own, or to present the list of climate asks on its own. Barth said that Graham had suggested either having the declaration with the list of climate asks or the list on its own. Shaff asked a recommendation from staff on what the Council might prefer. Hanks stated that Council will ask what the implications are of the declaration and if the declaration is more of a resolution or a proclamation. The list of climate asks are more specific on what their expectations are and would be better to deliver to Council. Chris Brown arrived at 4:44 p.m. Huston stated that the document was meant to be a resolution with the declaration embedded in the whereas section. Other discussion included: • If these items included CEAP items that could give LEAP a force behind it or be less useful. • The declaration helping Ashland become in solidarity with other communities who have declared. • Renegotiating contracts with Avista and Bonneville Power Administration(BPA). Minutes for the Climate Policy Commission January 9, 2020 Page 3 of 4 Hanks explained that the agreement with Avista is a franchise fee agreement which outlines what Avista pays the City for use of its right-of-ways. This agreement has no control over the price or regulation of natural gas. The BPA contract was also discussed last year with BPA. The conclusion was that Ashland would have to pay for the amount of electricity it is contracted to use even if it produces some itself. Brown asked what the financial penalty was for producing large scale renewable energy. Hanks stated that Ashland would still have to pay for the energy in the BPA contract(even if Ashland does not use it). The cost would be around 4 cents per kWh with this penalty. Bell stated that the climate emergency declaration could possibly challenge the BPA and Avista contracts. Hanks again stated that the agreement with Avista is one on fees for use of the right-of-ways not regulating price or use. Hanks also stated that the list of climate asks given to Council will be directed back to staff and then possibly given to CPC for review. Bell wanted to rephrase the resolution on page three to request Council to reprioritize all resources to come up with a strategy to revise the Avista and BPA contracts to reduce consumption within the City. Barth stated the legal action that could trigger would not be a good use of resources. Hanks stated that there is a lot that can be done under the current BPA contract that the City is not done. Shaff asked Green if all these items were implemented within City operations what would the reduction in GHG be. Green responded that the reduction would be one to two percent. Shaff emphasized the need to relook at the BPA and Avista contracts to further reduce consumption within all of Ashland. Green stated that BPA is relatively clean and leaving them would require the City to buy dirtier electricity or fund solar which could not be implemented right away. This is all in CEAP and there was an emergency declared in the 10 by 20 ordinance. Green stated that the list of climate asks most important items includes: • Direct staff to collaborate with the Climate Policy Commission to incorporate the goals of the CEAP into all city plan updates, including but not limited to Master Plans, Comprehensive Plans and Updates, and Capital Improvement Program plans; • Direct the City Administrator to work with the relevant departments to include greenhouse gas impact statements in all relevant Council motions, much as it currently includes fiscal impact statements; and • Add the energy comprehensive plan to the overall comprehensive plan instead of having it separate. Hanks stated emphasizing on how to achieve these goals for Council will be more helpful. This would be more specific as to what needs to happen in terms of stakeholder engagement, land use codes, other commissions, and staff work. Barth stated that a starting conversation on what to go forward with would be best to present to Council. Brown wanted to discuss renewable energy options that work within the contract. Green stated that the City could pursue facility solar, development of some solar for the Electric Utility, and save money for future renewable energy installations. Shea stated the City should explore different programs with fundraising to build community projects for renewable energy. Hanks stated that regardless the renewable energy would need to meet the peak demand loads,which can go as high as 32 to 33 kW in the summer and winter. Shaff/Bell moved/seconded to authorize the submission of the resolution with the list of climate asks and the list of climate asks alone to Council for feedback. Further discussion: Stone asked if both options were necessary and expressed interest in just moving forward with the resolution/declaration and the list of climate asks combined. Shaff stated that this could be a discussion with Council and would come back to CPC in February to authorize the resolution. Yes: Barth,Bell, Brown, Shaff, and Shea.No: Stone. Motion passed. Minutes for the Climate Policy Commission January 9, 2020 Page 4 of 4 7. New Business 7.1. Outreach Process Barth announced that Graham asked if CPC would like to have a process to do community outreach before, during, or after presenting to Council. Consensus from the group was that the outreach should be done before with the help of CCOC. Hanks stated that for public forum meetings permission from Council must be granted,but the Commission could meet with specific groups for input on drafting items before they go to Council. Shaff asked if Council endorsed a work plan for the Commission if the Commission would then have permission to hold public forums. Hanks answered yes,but the organization of forums would be assigned to staff. The conclusion was to bring this item back with an update from the meeting with CCOC. 7.2. Built Environment Work Program Update Shaff stated that the items being added were initiate Ashland School District(ASD) and Southern Oregon University(SOU) outreach to phase out natural gas and add EV ready wiring in new residential constructions. Brown asked about outreach to Asante Ashland Community Hospital about natural gas phase out as well. Bell stated that the other two entities are highly motivated on working on climate change and they would be the best place to start. Bell/Stone moved/seconded to approve the new work plan for the Built Environment Subcommittee. Further discussion: none. Five in favor,Brown abstained due to his work with ASD. Motion passed. 7.3. Bicycle Transportation Memo Shaff explained he wrote this draft to be presented to the Citizen Advisory Committee(CAC) Revitalize Downtown Ashland,the Transportation Commission,the Planning Commission, and the City Council. Barth stated that Graham asked if the memo could have more specific goals. Shaff stated that he could prepare the recommendations for the facility design at the next meeting,but the letter can go forward as is. Bell/Brown moved/seconded to authorize the submission of the Bicycle Transportation Memo to CAC, Transportation Commission, and the City Council. Further discussion: Shaff asked staff to delete "provides"in the fourth paragraph and Barth asked the Commission name be changed from Carbon Policy Committee to Climate Policy Commission. All ayes. Motion passed unanimouslX. Due to a lack of time the following items were moved to the next meeting. 7.4. Natural Gas Phase-out Ordinance 7.5. Gas Blower Ordinance 8. Wrap Up 8.1. Items to be added to next agenda Barth requested that progress on the CEAP update and the Water Master Plan comments be added to the next meeting. Barth adjourned 5:53 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Elizabeth Taylor, Executive Assistant