HomeMy WebLinkAboutCFE agenda 041116AGENDA
Commission for the Environment
April 11, 2016
7:30 p.m.
Richard Whitted Meeting Facility (Room 250)
300 West Tryon Street, Hillsborough
Time Item Title
7:30 I. Call to Order
7:32 II. Additions or Changes to Agenda
7:35 III. Approval of Minutes — February 8 and March 14, 2016
The CFE will consider approval of minutes from the last two meetings. (Attachments 1 -2)
7:45 IV. CFE Outreach Opportunities / News Articles
The CFE will review a revised schedule of proposed news articles intended to educate /inform
the public about issues highlighted in the Orange County State of the Environment. The CFE
will also resume discussion of participation in upcoming outreach events. (Attachments 3 -4)
8:15 V. Clean Power Plan
Staff will brief the CFE on efforts around the country to persuade state legislatures to follow
through on the Clean Power Plan put forward by the USEPA. The Town of Chapel Hill is among
50 or so cities and counties taking a stance on this issue. (Attachment 5)
8:35 VI. Committee Meetings
The standing committees will review their revised list of priorities, and decide on next steps.
(Attachment 6)
9:00 VII. Updates and Information Items
Staff and /or CFE members will provide updates on the following items:
➢ CFE membership roster (Attachment 7)
➢ Eno River hydrilla management project update (Attachment 8)
➢ Jordan Lake water allocation (Attachment 9)
➢ Tour of forestry mgmt at OWASA Mitigation Tract — April 20 (Attachment 10)
➢ Wind farmer testimonial (Attachment 11)
➢ The need to modernize water data (Attachment 12)
➢ February's record heat astounds scientists (Attachment 13)
➢ Record low Arctic Sea ice (Attachment 14)
➢ Photo Contest 2016 - "The Nature of Orange" (Attachment 15)
9:15 VIII. Adjournment
Nextmeefing; May 9 (Chapel Hill)
CFE Meeting Ground Rules (Adopted 9112111)
1. Keep to agenda topic under discussion
2. Share relevant information
3. One person speaks at a time after recognition by the Chair
4. Everyone is invited to participate in discussions / no one person should dominate
discussions
,. Strive to reach consensus first before voting
Activities the CFE expects to carry out in 2016:
• Continue to update the Orange County State of the Environment 2014 report
• Continue to explore ways to improve the County's ability to foster local sustainable
energy production and energy efficiency strategies, including developing incentives
for increasing energy efficiency in new construction
• Recommend ways to reduce the County's "carbon footprint" and implement the
County's Environmental Responsibility Goal (BOCC Priority #10)
• Continue to help with public outreach and management efforts related to hydrilla in
the Eno River
• Help initiate the development of a comprehensive conservation plan for Orange Co
• Co- sponsor the annual DEAPR photography contest (The Nature of Orange)
• Help plan for and participate in County's annual Earth Evening event
Concerns or emerging issues the CFE has identified for 2016:
• The CFE will continue to advocate for an expansion of the County's commercial food waste
pickup and composting services to reduce food waste in the solid waste stream
• The CFE remains interested in developing incentives for increasing energy efficiency in new
construction
• The CFE will continue to learn more about environmental justice matters and incorporate
relevant information and considerations in the State of the Environment report and its other
activities
• The CFE will continue to follow the Solid Waste Advisory Group's discussions of how to
improve the handling and disposal of Orange County's solid waste, and will advocate for
better long -term solutions
• The CFE will continue to advocate for increased efforts to gather information related to water
resources in Orange County and to increase public awareness and understanding of water
supply sources, related concerns, and what steps can be undertaken to maintain or improve
the quantity and quality of Orange County water supply resources
• The CFE will continue to address, as appropriate, the critical environmental issues for Orange
County as enumerated on page 3 of the 2014 State of the Environment report, which include
potential adverse effects from a) invasive, non - native, plant and animal species; b) reductions
in State -led collection of water resources data; c) potential drilling for natural gas in the Deep
River basin; d) urban sprawl; and CFE support for e) the responsible deployment of clean and
appropriately -sited renewable energy and reductions in energy use to help fight climate
change
Attachment 1
Orange County
Commission for the Environment
DRAFT Meeting Summary
February 8, 2015
Richard Whitted Meeting Facility, Hillsborough
PRESENT: Lydia Wegman (Chair), May Becker, Peter Cada, Tom Eisenhart, Loren Hintz,
Bill Newby, Rebecca Ray, Sheila Thomas -Ambat
ABSENT: Lynne Gronback, Jeanette O'Connor, David Welch
STAFF: Rich Shaw, Brennan Bouma GUEST: Kathleen Smith
Call to Order — Wegman called the meeting to order at 7:35 pm.
Additions or Changes to Agenda — There were none
III. Minutes — Wegman asked for comments on the December 14 meeting summary.
Eisenhart motioned approval as written; seconded by Cada. Approved unanimously.
IV. Welcome / Resolutions of Appreciation — Wegman welcomed Bill Kaiser back to the
CFE on which he had served previously including two years as chair. Wegman also
welcomed Kathleen Smith who has applied for CFE appointment and wanted to observe
the meeting. CFE members and staff introduced themselves to Kaiser and Smith.
Shaw presented draft resolutions of appreciation for three outgoing CFE members: Jan
Sassaman, David Neal, and Gary Saunders. CFE members offered no changes to the
resolutions: they were approved by acclimation. Shaw will prepare final versions of the
resolutions for Wegman's signature, and then send or deliver to each recipient.
V. $2 Billion Statewide Bond Campaign — Shaw provided an overview of the $2 billion
bond campaign for North Carolina (Connect NC), scheduled for a vote as part of the
March 15 primary elections. He presented PowerPoint slides about the bond and the
kinds of projects to be funded in the categories of education, water and sewer
infrastructure, National Guard and public safety, agriculture, parks and zoos.
Shaw said that according to the bond campaign there is bipartisan support for the bond,
and that no tax increase is expected to pay for the bond over the next 20 years. He said
the bond package includes $75 million for state parks, with $4 million of that for the NC
Mountains -to -Sea Trail. Shaw noted that $2.8 million of the parks allotment would go to
improvements at Eno River State Park, and Orange County would also be in line for
funding to acquire land and trail easements for the Mountains -to -Sea Trail (MST).
CFE members discussed the contents of the bond package and identified elements
germane to the CFE's purview that could benefit Orange County. CFE members noted
Eno River State Park and the MST in particular, and also Jordan Lake since many
Orange County residents of visit that site. Thomas -Ambat said the county and its
municipalities might also benefit from funding to upgrade and retrofit water and sewer
infrastructure, thus improving water quality for residents and aquatic organisms.
Attachment 1
Hintz motioned that the CFE write a letter to newspapers in support of the State Bond.
Eisenhart seconded the motion; it carried unanimously.
Hintz motioned that the CFE letter identify Eno River State Park, Mountains -to -Sea Trail,
Jordan Lake, and public water and sewer infrastructure as potential areas of interest to
Orange County residents that could receive direct benefits from the bond. Thomas -
Ambat seconded the motion; it carried unanimously.
Wegman and Cada offered to prepare a draft letter and then to Shaw for circulation to all
CFE members for approval by email. Wegman thanked Shaw for this information.
VI. Lands Legacy Program Update — Shaw provided an update on plans to open two new
Orange County nature preserves: Hollow Rock Nature Park and the Seven Mile Creek
Preserve. He displayed a master plan map of the 75 -acre Hollow Rock park site, which
will include new parking area, nature trails, and bridges. Phase 2 will add a restroom
facility, interpretive signage, environmental education area, and platform overlooks. The
park is expected to open in May 2016.
Shaw showed a map of the Seven Mile Creek Preserve. This site will also feature
nature trails and a group camping area on land adjacent to the Moorefields historic site.
Construction of a small parking area will occur this summer, and the site is expected to
open sometime in late summer or early fall 2016.
Wegman thanked Shaw for the information. No action required.
VII. Committee Meetings — CFE members broke into three standing committees (Air and
Energy Resources, Water Resources, and Land Resources) to review a list of priority
issues /projects identified by each committee in 2014 -15. The committees met for about
30 minutes and then reported back to the full CFE.
Air and Energy Committee
Bouma reported that the Air and Energy Committee discussed five issues
GHG Emissions Inventory — The committee agreed to continue discussing whether it
would be worthwhile to update the County 2005 greenhouse gas emissions
inventory. They suggest looking into updating projections from last report based on
what we know has changed, and if estimates show large increase this may suggest
compiling a more complete update. Look for easy sources of energy usage that are
authoritative and updated regularly.
2. Green Building —The CFE submitted its resolution to BOCC in support of developing
a rebate on permit fees for green construction. The committee will await any
response from BOCC and continue to monitor the Chapel Hill pilot program.
3. Climate Change — The committee will write news article(s) about climate change,
alternative energy sources and efficiency, and ways to reduce our carbon footprint.
4. Energy Efficiency — The committee will research the possibility of working with
Piedmont Electric Membership Corp. or Duke Energy and a USDA program for low -
interest loans for energy efficient upgrades for its members /owners.
5. Food waste reduction issue — The committee recommends coordinating with the
SWAG and others to lend more focus on increased composting in the county.
2
Attachment 1
Water Resources Committee
Cada reported that the Water Resources Committee intends to conduct a literature
review of the science in support of maintaining vegetative buffers to protect water
quality. Hintz reminded the committee that buffers also protect habitat and biodiversity,
and they serve as wildlife corridors. Becker asked the committee to continue monitoring
the chemical treatment of hydrilla in the Eno River.
Land Resources Committee
Hintz reported the Land Resources Committee will collaborate with a group that intends
to develop a comprehensive conservation plan for Orange County —and perhaps a more
regional plan for Orange, Durham, and Chatham counties. The focus will be identifying
the most significant natural area corridors that are essential for native plants and wildlife.
Hintz also reported the committee wants to work with County staff to determine whether
conservation land is distributed equitably throughout the county so that everyone has
reasonable access to enjoy these areas.
Hintz said the committee wants to continue exploring ways to protect important native
plant habitat, including a project with the NC Botanical Garden and educating residents
on reasons to landscape with a diversity of regionally native plant species.
VIII. Updates and Information Items — Information on the following subjects was provided in
the meeting package; selected items were discussed: a) 2016 CFE meeting calendar, b)
CFE news articles re water availability and Solarize Orange, c) airport/airstrip rule
amendments canceled, d) Eno River hydrilla management, e) State guidance for local
stream buffer rules, f) COP21 agreement summarized, g) 2015 hottest year on record, h)
Solarize the Triangle, i) effects of solar panels on farm fields, j) conservative case for
solar subsidies, and k) Brumley Forest Nature Preserve.
IX. Adjournment — Wegman adjourned the meeting at 9:40 pm.
Summary by Rich Shaw, DEAPR Staff
3
Attachment 1
Orange County
Commission for the Environment
DRAFT Meeting Summary
March 14, 2015
Orange County Solid Waste Administration Building, Chapel Hill
PRESENT: Lydia Wegman (Chair), May Becker, Lynne Gronback, Loren Hintz, Bill Newby
ABSENT: Peter Cada, Thomas Eisenhart, Jeanette O'Connor, Rebecca Ray, Sheila
Thomas - Ambat, David Welch
STAFF: Tom Davis, Brennan Bouma GUEST: Muriel Williman
Call to Order — Wegman called the meeting to order at 7:35 pm, and noted there was
not a quorum of members present
Additions or Changes to Agenda — There were none.
III. Minutes — Wegman asked for comments on the February 8 meeting summary. There
were none, but no action was taken due to the lack of a quorum of members present.
IV. Energy and Water Usage - County Buildings & Facilities — Bouma provided an
update on Orange County sustainability projects, including 2015 energy and water
usage figures for County -owned buildings and facilities.
Bouma reported that each year Asset Management Services (AMS) and other
departments update the BOCC on the County's progress toward meeting its goal of
environmental responsibility, which was adopted in 2005. He said representatives from
many departments formed the Environmental Stewardship Advisory Committee and
together they developed specific objectives for environmental responsibility. The
committee's name will be changed to the Environment and Sustainability Advisory
Committee to reflect the role of the new Sustainability Coordinator in reconvening it.
Bouma reported that in FY14 the County's energy usage reduction (measured as
MMbtu /sqft) was at 17% below the baseline year of FY 2010, which was ahead of its
goal for that year. He and his colleagues will be calculating FY15 progress in the next
few weeks. Bouma noted that these analyses only includes County buildings and only
those funded through tax revenues, not fee - supported facilities like the SportsPlex or
those of the Solid Waste Management Department.
Bouma said the County's water usage reduction goals are being met, but the fuel use
reduction goals are actually trending upwards. He said part of that trend is due to the
Sherriff's Office and Emergency Services vehicles having to drive more miles. Bouma
said has been working with both of those fleet users since last year's numbers were
reported, and is hopeful that these efforts will show up as an mpg improvement. With
Emergency Services he has been using a grant to pilot the use of idle reduction
technologies, and with the Sherriff's Office he has been using a grant to pilot the use of
bi -fuel propane - powered vehicles. Bouma explained that propane vehicles could
provide a carbon emissions reduction and operations cost reduction benefit, while using
a domestically produced energy source.
Attachment 1
Bouma reported that another sustainability project the County is involved in is trying to
figure out a way to get solar panels on the roof of the Rogers Road Community Center.
He said it has been a learning process and one that had built good relationships.
Bouma then introduced Muriel Williman with the Orange County Solid Waste
Management Department. Bouma and Williman discussed their collaboration in support
of waste reduction at County events that serve food through their Waste Wise Events
initiative. This will be a voluntary program to educate and facilitate low or zero waste.
Williman said she is also available to work with residents for events outside the county.
CFE members provided feedback on draft Waste Wise materials:
If these materials will be available to county residents, providing them in paper
form is an important outreach tool. Robo -calls are also in schools beyond email.
The schools have someone police the waste stream
Checklist
• Encourage volunteers to bring reusable containers (e.g., Tupperware) to
take home leftovers; have containers for participants to take food home.
• Remind people several times throughout the meeting about the
opportunity to reduce waste and compost
■ Add Waste Wise talking points for during the event as a separate
tool or add to one of the other tools
On the caterer list, put the "Serves in Bulk" in green as an essential item
• Add an intro statement at top of the caterer list to let people know how
those caterers were chosen
• Also move the statement about "If you'd like to be added... ", to the top.
On the purchasing guide, add an "Item numbers updated as of [date]"
Wegman thanked Bouma and Williman for their information.
Davis asked to reorder the next two items on the agenda, and to discuss the CFE
outreach items and opportunities first. Wegman agreed to making that change.
VI. CFE Outreach Opportunities / News Articles — Davis reviewed a list of recent and
proposed CFE news articles intended to educate and inform the public about issues
highlighted in the Orange County State of the Environment. He noted that there is a
need for identifying new topics for 2016.
Kaiser suggested the CFE produce an article about climate change and the evidence of
human - caused influences on climate change. Wegman noted it will need to be limited to
600 words. Davis noted the CFE could prepare a series of articles on this topic. Bouma
said the CFE could summarize information from other articles rather than writing its own.
Gronback said as a school teacher she often wonders about the effects of poverty on the
environment. She said she has noticed increased littering along certain roadsides and
perhaps the disparity of income among different parts of the community influences how
certain neighborhoods care about the protection of natural resources. Gronback said
she does not know yet what kind of article might be suitable but she wants the CFE to be
mindful of this going on in our community.
CFE members agreed it would be good to change the frequency of news articles to
quarterly, but will wait for a quorum to vote on this matter.
2
Attachment 1
Bouma suggested other outreach opportunities, such as the Last Friday events in
Hillsborough and the upcoming Earth Evening event on April 29 in Hillsborough. Hintz
suggested that CFE members volunteer at these events. Wegman and Hintz said better
signage is needed to direct people to the Earth Evening venue because last year it was
not easy to find due to the other things going on in downtown Hillsborough. Bouma said
he would reiterate that request to Marabeth Carr and other Earth Evening organizers.
Davis said this year's Earth Evening will include tables with information from DEAPR,
Eno River Association, Solid Waste Management, 4H, and several other entities. He
said there will be a display about the new Hollow Rock Nature Park that will open in
May. Davis also noted a Movie in the Park will occur immediately following the Earth
Evening. CFE members discussed the possibility of showing worthwhile environmental
documentaries in the future, which might help draw people to the event.
Davis asked for volunteers to help at Last Fridays and Earth Evening. Kaiser said he
would like to help out and suggested this be on the April meeting agenda.
Wegman thanked Davis and Bouma for the information and asked that this matter be
discussed further at the April meeting.
V. Impaired Streams in Orange County — Davis presented a draft list of "impaired" rivers
and streams in Orange County that was released recently by the State of North Carolina.
He first showed a map of the impaired surface waters across the entire state, noting how
these rivers and streams tend to be concentrated around urban areas.
Davis explained that the NC Division of Water Resources assigns a designated use to
surface water bodies (such as drinkable, swimmable, or fishable), and then assesses
each water body using a variety of standards to determine if they are meeting that use.
If a river or stream is not meeting the designated use they are included on the "303d list"
of impaired waters. Davis said after the State releases its list and receives public
comment, the list and methodology goes to the US EPA for approval. The US EPA will
usually focus on reviewing methodology, and will rarely challenge specific State findings.
Davis reported that all the waters in the state are considered "impaired" for fish
consumption due to mercury from coal fired power plants, however that is not a reason
to include them on the 303d list.
Davis said over 1,200 waterways in the state were identified as impaired under Category
5 assessments, which require a determination of the TMDL (Total Max Daily Load, or
how much of a particular chemical a water can body assimilate and still function). He
explained that a TMDL caps pollution allowed in that watershed. This total is then split
among the known sources of that pollution and fines can be levied if those sources
exceed their allotment. Davis said short of a TMDL, under Category 4 a waterway might
be covered by a nutrient load restriction like Jordan Lake Rules. Category 4 waters are
impaired, but (by definition) are not included on the 303d list. They do not need the
development of a TMDL because they are "covered" by an alternative to a TMDL, such
as the Jordan Lake Nutrient Management Strategy.
Davis said a lack of healthy populations of benthic macro invertebrates is often the
reason why a stream is designated as impaired. Assessments occur no more than once
every five years in selected waterways. Monitoring does not always occur in the same
season, which can lead to varying results. Droughts also impact the results significantly.
3
Attachment 1
Also there are usually only one or two samples for long stretches of a waterway, which
doesn't account for varying conditions along the length of the waterway.
Davis reported on the Orange County waterways on the 2016 draft 303d list of impaired
waters. A segment of the East Fork Eno River from Halls Mill Road to Dry Run was
added to the 303d list due to benthos, but a segment of the main stem of the Eno River
above Corporation Lake was removed. A small segment of Morgan Creek below
confluence with Meeting of the Waters Creek was added to the list due to the degraded
quality of the fish community present.
Davis was asked whether OWASA gets involved in protecting drinking water source
quality. He said OWASA likely gets involved with managing the algae that grow in its
reservoirs as they can impact the taste of drinking water.
Wegman thanked Davis for his presentation.
VII. Updates and Information Items — Information on the following subjects was provided in
the meeting package; selected items were discussed: a) CFE membership roster, b)
CFE Committee priorities (revised draft), c) Eno River hydrilla management update, d)
coal ash dump in Chapel Hill, e) "The Nature of Orange" photo contest 2016, f) Solarize
the Triangle campaign, g) green schools cost assessment, and h) widespread problems
caused by a natural gas leak in California.
VI 11. Adjournment — Wegman adjourned the meeting at 9:30 pm.
Summary by Rich Shaw, DEAPR Staff
E
Attachment 6
ORANGE COUNTY
COMMISSION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
Since February CFE members have worked with staff to develop monthly articles for the Chapel
Hill News and The News of Orange County. Thus far there have been articles on hydrilla in the Eno
River, electronic vehicle charging stations, the benefits of native plants, problems caused by the
emerald ash borer and other invasive species, and the effects of fracking on Orange County.
Revised Calendar for Preparing /Puhlishing News Articles
March 2016
Topic
SOE
Committee (Lead)
Completion
Publication
H drilla in the Eno
I
pp. 69 -70
Water Cada /Davis
Aril, 2015
Aril 29, 2015
New electric vehicle
charging stations
pp. 21 -22
Air & Energy Bouma
Aril 15, 2015
May 17, 2015
Pollinator Issues
pp. 43 -44
Land O'Connor /Shaw
une 15, 2015
Pending
Terrestrial invasives /
choosing native s
PP 43 -44
Land Resources
Hintz /Shaw
Aug 15, 2015
Aug 19, 2015
Potential effects of
frackin in Orange Co.
pp 71 -72
Water (Davis /Sassaman)
Nov 15, 2015
Nov 25, 2015
Solarize Orange /
Barriers to solar
development
N/A
Air & Energy (Neal /Bouma)
Jan 15, 2016
Feb 24, 2016
Water conservation
pp. 47- 54
Water Cada /Davis
Dec 15, 2016
Pending
Support for State Bond
pp. 37 -42
We man/Cada
Feb 15, 2016
March 2, 2016
State funding for aquatic
weed control in rivers?
pp. 69 -70
Water /Davis
Land conservation
Hollow Rock ark?
. 37 -42
Land /Shaw
Air & Energy /Bouma
Reconsider schedule for 2016 (change to quarterly?)
Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation
PO Box 8181 /306 -A Revere Road
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(919) 245 -2510
1.
2016 CFE Outreach Opportunities
March 2016
Events
• Earth Evening April 29th, 6 - 8 pm, River Park, Hillsborough
• Last Fridays Downtown Hillsborough, approx. 6 :30 — 9 pm
ht 22tz
➢ May 27
➢ June 24
➢ July 29
➢ August 26
➢ September 23
2. Potential Topics?
• CFE Newspaper Articles
• Hollow Rock Nature Park Opening
• Recruitment of New Members
• Other ??
Air and Energy Resources Committee (May, Tom, Bill N.)
1. Climate Change — Climate change, alternative energy sources and efficiency, and
steps to reduce their (and County government's) carbon footprint.
Water Resources Committee (Peter, Rebecca, Sheila, Bill K.)
1. Eno Hydrilla Management Task Force Pilot Study:
a. Educate the public about second year of project in the Eno
b. Provide info concerning communicating with NCGA about enabling legislation
2. Water Supply — Local water supplies and what steps can be taken to improve/
maintain quality and quantity of water supplies into the future.
Land Resources Committee (Loren, Jeanette, Lydia, David, Lynne)
1. Native Landscaping - Reasons to choose a diversity of regionally native species for
landscaping and other ways to promote biodiversity.
."H TEI., HIIA...,.NEWS April 1, 2016
Chapel Hill joins defense of EPA's Clean Power Plan
CHAPEL HILL
Mayor Pam Hemminger announced Friday that the Chapel Hill Town Council has joined in support of
an amicus brief filed in a case in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit in defense of the
EPA's Clean Power Plan.
In doing so, Chapel Hill joins more than 50 other cities and counties that believe that the Clean
Power Plan is a necessary legal step toward addressing the extraordinary threat posed by climate
change.
"As one of the first municipalities to participate in the 2006 Carbon Reduction Program, Chapel Hill,
working with our UNC- Chapel Hill and Orange County partners, has been a leader in making steady
progress toward reducing emissions. Signing onto this brief demonstrates our town's continued
commitment to environmental sustainability," Hemminger said in a statement.
"The Clean Power Plan provides cities across the United States with a path forward towards real
carbon reductions. Additionally, emphasis on increased use of renewable energy and energy
conservation will drive innovation and advance new energy solutions — both of which play a critical
role in creating a sustainable future for our town and our country.
"As we continue to better our town by improving air quality and accelerating cleaner solutions, we
hope the federal government will be able to do the same for our generation and those to come."
CFE Committee Priorities
(DRAFT Revision - February 201 6)
Air and Energy Resources Committee
(May Becker, Tom Eisenhart, Bill Newby)
1. GHG Emissions Inventory — Consider whether it is feasible and worthwhile to conduct a
comprehensive update of the County 2005 greenhouse gas emissions inventory.
2. Green Building — Help the County develop an incentive program for green construction.
3. Climate Change — Educate county residents about climate change, alternative energy sources
and efficiency, and steps to reduce their (and County government's) carbon footprint.
4. Energy Efficiency — Partner with Piedmont Electric Membership Corp and /or Duke Energy
to take advantage of USDA program for low- interest loans for energy efficient upgrades for
its members /owners.
Water Resources Committee
(Peter Cada, Rebecca Ray, Sheila Thomas - Ambat, Bill Kaiser)
1. Stream Buffers — Conduct a literature review of the science in support of maintaining
vegetative buffers to protect water quality, aquatic habitat, and biodiversity.
2. Hydrilla Treatments — Continue to educate the public about hydrilla and other invasive species
of concern; continue to monitor chemical treatments to assure they are not harmful to rivers.
3. Surface and Ground Water Quality — Increase the collection of data for surface and ground
water quality; increase public education so it might lead to more funding for data collection.
4. Water Supply — Continue to educate county residents about our water supply and what steps
can be taken to improve /maintain quality and quantity of future water supplies into the future.
Land Resources Committee
(Loren Hintz, Jeanette O'Connor, Lydia Wegman, David Welch, Lynne Gronback)
1. Comprehensive Conservation Plan — Collaborate on the development of a comprehensive
conservation plan for Orange County for Legacy program and others to protect natural areas
and wildlife habitat. Consider ways to ensure conservation land is distributed equitably
throughout the county so that everyone has reasonable access to enjoy these areas.
2. Native Plant Habitats - Renew collaboration with NC Botanical Garden and others to identify
significant roadside habitat for native plants; then ask NCDOT and other utilities to eliminate
the use of herbicides to manage vegetation in those special roadside habitats.
3. Native Landscaping - Educate homeowners and businesses on reasons to choose a diversity of
regionally native species for landscaping and other ways to promote biodiversity.
4. 2016 State Bond — Educate county residents on reasons to vote in favor of the $2 billion State
Bond (March 15, 2016 primary elections)
Orange County
COMMISSION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
(updated January 2016)
POS #
DATE OF APPOINTMENT
TERM
TELEPHONE
TOWNSHIP OF
[NAME
HOME ADDRESS
COMMITTEE (Representation)
ENDS
E -MAIL
RESIDENCE
May Becker #1
9/21 /10 & 11 /6/14
511 Cotton Street
Air & Energy Resources
12/31/17
919 - 969 -7439
Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(At Large)
tomatocutter@yahoo.com
Peter Cada #10
9/21/10 & 11/6/14
420 Coach House Lane
Water Resources
12/31/17
919 - 485 -2071
Eno
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(At Large)
peter.cada@tetratech.com
Thomas Eisenhart #6
1/22/15
605 Jones Ferry Road, Apt TT15
Air & Energy Resources
12/31/16
919 - 360 -7468
Chapel Hill
Carrboro, NC 27510
(At Large)
tomeisenhart@gmaiI.com
Lynne Gronback (Vice Chair) #14
3/17/15 & 12/15/15
2420 Sunnyfield Court
Land Resources
12/31/18
919 - 219 -3219
Bingham
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(At Large)
Lgronback@gmail.com
Loren Hintz #4
1/27/09
804 Kings Mill Rd.
Land Resources
12/31/16
919 - 933 -8987
Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC 27517
(Biological Resources)
ldhintz@beIlsouth.net
Bill Kaiser #5
12/15/15
2112 Markham Dr.
Water Resources
12/31/18
919 - 933 -9794
Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(Water Resources)
w_mckaiser hotmaiLcom
William Newby #2
5/20/14
2821 Becketts Ridge Road
Air & Energy Resources
12/31/16
919 - 541 -5296
Hillsborough
Hillsborough, NC 27278
(Air Quality)
newby.william@epa.gov
Jeanette O'Connor #9
5/21/13 & 11/6/14
117 S Peak Dr.
Land Resources
12/31/17
703 - 678 -6893
Chapel Hill
Carrboro, NC 27510
(At Large)
jeanette.oconnor gmaiLcom
Rebecca Ray #15
11/19/13 & 12/15/15
5617 Jomali Drive
Water Resources
12/31/18
919 - 383 -0685
Eno
Durham, NC 27705
(At Large)
rebecca.ray@nc.rr.com
Sheila Thomas -Ambat #8
11/6/14
103 Hunter Hill Place
Water Resources
12/31/16
919 - 225 -4744
Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC 27517
(At Large)
staemail@yahoo.com
Lydia Wegman (Chair) #3
11/19/13 & 11/6/14
5704 Cascade Drive
Land Resources
12/31/17
919 - 886 -8775
Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(At Large)
Inwegman@gmail.com
David Welch #11
9/21/10 & 11/6/14
20 East Drive
Land Resources
12/31/17
919 - 406 -2101
Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(At Large)
davwelch@hotmail.com
VACANT #7
//16
Resources
12/31/16
At Large)
VACANT #12
/ /16
Resources
12/31/18
(Engineer)
VACANT #13
/ /16
Resources 12/31/18
At Lar e
David Stancil 245 -2522
Director, Dept. of Environment, Agriculture, Parks & Rec.
dstancil @orangecountync.gov
Rich Shaw 245 -2514
Land Conservation Manager
rshaw @orangecountync.gov
Tom Davis 245 -2513
Water Resources Coordinator
tdavis @orangecountync.gov
Brennan Bouma 245 -2626
Sustainability Coordinator
bbouma @orangecountync.gov
3/8/2016
Representative Verla Insko (representing NC House District 56)
N.C. House of Representatives
300 N. Salisbury Street, Room 502
Raleigh, NC 27603 -5925
Verla.Insko ncleg.net
Senator Valerie P. Foushee (representing NC Senate district 23)
N.C. Senate
300 N. Salisbury Street, Room 517
Raleigh, NC 27603 -5925
Valerie.Foushee@ncleg.net
Honorable
I am writing to express my great concern over a recent change in legislation that has a direct
impact on Orange County residents.
Due to recent changes in G.S.143- 215.73F (Shallow Draft Navigation Channel Dredging and
Lake Maintenance Fund), cost share funds granted by the state's Aquatic Weed Control
Program within the NC Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Water Resources are
now available only for weed control projects within lakes. They are no longer available for
controlling aquatic weeds in rivers and streams
Unfortunately, this change in the legislation has resulted in an immediate negative impact on the
on -going project to manage the spread of the aquatic invasive plant Hydrilla verticillata in the
Eno River. Simply because the Eno River is not a lake, but instead is a flowing water body, this
important project to stop the spread of hydrilla within this scenic and much loved river, and State
Park, can no longer access state cost -share funds.
As you may know, aquatic weeds are a growing problem in the southeastern United States,
including North Carolina. I urge you to consider ways to address this situation and make cost -
share funds available for aquatic weed infestations in flowing water settings also. Given the
rapid spread and potential magnitude of the aquatic weed problem in North Carolina, limiting the
use of these funds does not seem to be a reasonable approach to dealing with an issue with
serious negative ramifications. Combatting aquatic weeds is a very important activity, with real
impacts on the citizens and ecosystems of North Carolina.
Thank you for your attention to this matter
Sincerely,
Donald R. van der Voort.OEQSecretary
Caroline Daly, DEQ Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs
Tom Reeder, OEQ Assistant Secretary for Environment
TUESDAY MARCH 22 2016
NEWSOBSERVER.COM
. of
Jordan
water
BY HENRY GARGAN
hgargan@newsobserver.com
RALEIGH
The state's Division of
Water Resources is hold-
ing two forums to discuss
Jordan Lake water supply
recommendations and
how they'll affect water
availability in the Cape
Fear River basin through.
2045.
The first forum, on
Tuesday will begin at 4:30
p.m. at the Chatham Com-
munity Library, 197 N.C.
87 North in Pittsboro. The
second will be at 4 p.m.
Wednesday, March 30, in
the New Hanover County
Government Center in
Wilmington.
The recommendations
from the N.C. Environ-
mental Management
Commission allow Trian-
gle communities 96 per-
cent of the lake's supply,
according to a news re-
lease. Jordan Lake is the
largest source of water for
Triangle municipalities.
Proposed recommenda-
tions for allocating the
water, according to the
release, are: Cary, Apex,
Morrisville and Wake
County, 46.2 percent;
Chatham County, 13 per-
cent; Durham, 16.5 percent;
Holly Springs, 2 percent;
Hillsborough, l percent;
Orange Water and Sewer
Authority, 5 percent;
Orange County, 1.5 per-
cent; Pittsboro, 6 percent;
and Raleigh, 4.7 percent.
Sarah Young, spokeswo-
man for the Department
of Environmental Quality,
said in an email that resi-
dents can offer input and
concerns about the alloca-
tions and how they were
developed. Community
input, she said, "may sug-
gest the need for addition-
al analysis and better
explanations in the (re-
commendations') final
documents."
The use of Jordan Lake
water has been an ongoing
issue for the Triangle and
communities downstream.
Communities and farm-
ers in the southeastern
part of the state have said
they're worried about
where that water will go
once it's discharged. Apex
and Cary were granted a
permit in March 2015 by
the Environmental Man-
agement Commission
allowing them to draw 33
million gallons per day
from Jordan Lake through
2045 and return only 2
million gallons of that into
the Cape Fear River Basin,
where Jordan Lake lies.
The rest is allowed to be
discharged east into the
Neuse River Basin.
G a rga n: 919-460-2604;
@hgargan
From: Orange Water and Sewer Authority [mailto:aorbich @owasa.org]
Sent: Tuesday, April 05, 2016
ORANGE WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY
A public, non-profit agency providing wafer, sewer and reclaimed wafer services
to the Carrboro- Chapel Hill community.
PUBLIC NOTICE
ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2016, AT 3:30 P.M.,
AT 400 JONES FERRY ROAD, CARRBORO,
MEMBERS OF THE OWASA BOARD WILL MEET AND
THEN TRAVEL TO OWASA'S CANE CREEK RESERVOIR
MITIGATION TRACT TO TOUR RECENT
FORESTRY MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES
N��
POINT OF WE* CLEAN ENERGY
Reaping the wind. A
0
wind,farmer9s tale
BY HORACE PRITCHARD
While wind
energy in
North Car-
olina is a new
concept, I've realized
firsthand how North Car-
olina's agriculture indust-
ry can benefit from part-
nering with the wind in-
dustry.
When the project devel-
opers contacted me seven
years ago about leasing
my farmland for the pro-
ject, I had questions about
the role wind energy could
play on our farm.
My family has farmed
corn, soybeans and wheat
in Pasquotank County for
four generations, back to
my great-great grand-
father.
But, as commodity
prices continued to fall
over the years, we knew
we had to diversify in
some way to protect the
farm. And, the few manu-
facturing companies that
have considered moving
here have never worked
out.
To our surprise, wind
caner gy an our farmland
has provided the financial-
certainty and diversity
that we needed.
To be honest, when
Iberdrola Renewables first
called us, I couldn't even
pronounce the name. The
offer to build a wind pro-
ject on our farmland
seemed like a good idea
up front, but could it be
enough to allow us to keep
farming?
To find out, I spoke with
another farmer in Texas
who had partnered with
Iberdrola. He only had
four turbines but wished
he could have added four
more.
For our land, Iberdrola
has leased it for 25 years
with the option to renew
for 25 more. Of my 1,300
acres, less than one acre
per turbine will be used
for a total of nine turbines
when the project is fin-
ished.
. And, the people at Iber-
drola are doing what they
said they would do. They
were receptive to our
input when plotting the
turbines and have not
disrupted our farmland or
the neighboring communi-
ty of Whiteston. In fact,
Iberdrola rocked five
-61
miles of dirt farm roads on
our farm, which we never
could have afforded, at no
cost to us or our county.
These roads will help our
family get our crops out
next season.
In total, Iberdrola will
have improved over 60
miles of farm roads on the
whole project.
As a property owner and
farmer, wind makes sense
for our family farm, and it
makes sense from an eco-
nomic standpoint for other
Tier 1 counties like Pasqu-
otank and Perquimans.
North Carolina could not
ask for a better deal that
includes increased tax
revenues and needed
infrastructure at no cost to
us.
The tax revenues from
this wind project will
amount to more than
$250,000 per year for
each of the two counties
for the duration of the
25-year lease.
For counties like us,
that's a tremendous
amount of money. And,
the project will pay over
$600,000 per year to the
more than 60 landowners
in the two counties. Wind
energy has provided fi-
nancial certainty to our
family farm and rural
counties in eastern North
Carolina.
Horace Pritchard is a
landowner and past
chairman of the
Pasquotank County
Economic Development
Commission and longtime
member of the County
Board of Commissioners
Af
http: / /www.nytimes.com /2016/03/17/ opinion /the - water - data -dEgll ht.html
Water Is Broken. Data Can Fix It.
By CHARLES FISHMAN March 17, 2016
Sprinklers in an agricultural field in California. Max Whittaker for The New York Times
As a nation, we have become disciples of data. We interview 60,000 families a month to determine the
unemployment rate, we monitor how much energy we use every seven days, Amazon ranks sales of every
book it sells every hour. Then there is water.
Water may be the most important item in our lives, our economy and our landscape about which we know
the least. We not only don't tabulate our water use every hour or every day, we don't do it every month,
or even every year.
The official analysis of water use in the United States is done every five years. It takes a tiny team of
people four years to collect, tabulate and release the data. In November 2014, the United States
Geological Survey issued its most current comprehensive analysis of United States water use — for the
year 2010.
The 2010 report runs 64 pages of small type, reporting water use in each state by quality and quantity, by
source, and by whether it's used on farms, in factories or in homes. It doesn't take four years to get five
years of data. All we get every five years is one year of data. The data system is ridiculously primitive. It
was an embarrassment even two decades ago. The vast gaps — we start out missing 80 percent of the
picture — mean that from one side of the continent to the other, we're making decisions blindly. In just
the past 27 months, there have been a string of high profile water crises — poisoned water in Flint, Mich.;
polluted water in Toledo, Ohio, and Charleston, W. Va.; the continued drying of the Colorado River basin
— that have undermined confidence in our ability to manage water.
http: / /www.nytimes.com/ 2016 /03/17/ opinion /the - water - data -dEgll ht.html
In the time it took to compile the 2010 report, Texas endured a four year drought. California settled into
what has become a five year drought. The most authoritative water use data from across the West couldn't
be less helpful: It's from the year before the droughts began. In the last year of the Obama presidency,
the administration has decided to grab hold of this country's water problems, water policy and water
innovation. Next Tuesday, the White House is hosting a Water Summit, where it promises to unveil new
ideas to galvanize the sleepy world of water.
The question White House officials are asking is simple: What could the federal government do that
wouldn't cost much but that would change how we think about water?
The best and simplest answer: Fix water data.
More than any other single step, modernizing water data would unleash an era of water innovation unlike
anything in a century. We have a brilliant model for what water data could be: the Energy Information
Administration, which has every imaginable data point about energy use — solar, wind, biodiesel, the
state of the heating oil market during the winter we're living through right now — all available, free, to
anyone. It's not just authoritative, it's indispensable. Congress created the agency in the wake of the
1970s energy crisis, when it became clear we didn't have the information about energy use necessary to
make good public policy.
That's exactly the state of water — we've got crises percolating all over, but lack the data necessary to
make smart policy decisions. Congress and President Obama should pass updated legislation creating
inside the United States Geological Survey a vigorous water data agency with the explicit charge to gather
and quickly release water data of every kind — what utilities provide, what fracking companies and
strawberry growers use, what comes from rivers and reservoirs, the state of aquifers.
Good information does three things. First, it creates the demand for more good information. Once you
know what you can know, you want to know more. Second, good data changes behavior. The real time
miles per gallon gauges in our cars are a great example. Who doesn't want to edge the M.P.G. number a
little higher? Any company, community or family that starts measuring how much water it uses
immediately sees ways to use less. Finally, data ignites innovation. Who imagined that when most
everyone started carrying a smartphone, we'd have instant, nationwide traffic data? The phones make the
traffic data possible, and they also deliver it to us.
The truth is, we don't have any idea what detailed water use data for the United States will reveal. But we
can be certain it will create an era of water transformation. If we had monthly data on three big water
users — power plants, farmers and water utilities — we'd instantly see which communities use water
well, and which ones don't.
We'd see whether tomato farmers in California or Florida do a better job. We'd have the information to
make smart decisions about conservation, about innovation and about investing in new kinds of water
systems. Water's biggest problem, in this country and around the world, is its invisibility. You don't
tackle problems that are out of sight. We need a new relationship with water, and that has to start with
understanding it.
Charles Fishman is the author of "The Big Thirst: The Secret Life and Turbulent Future of Water."
March 24, 2016
By Tim Profeta, Duke University's Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions
February's Record Heat Astounds Scientists
Data released last week by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) shows that the
string of monthly global heat records e1xdc nalc a;3 , p: �r; a;; a� ;a;a;gar,,,_EC11l�a;;;,a;a;�„: , when the average worldwide
temperature was 2 i 8 deg � e s ]Fa�ha e nheid above, the 20dh � �,nqi y aiyc rage- The tenth straight record
breaking month, February was the most above - normal month since meteorologists began tracking
temperatures in 1880.
The m� auly six um i s of a ��o �iee nlai�p�in by which it beat the old February record, set last year, had
federal scientists describing temperatures as "staggering." That margin was confirmed by the National
Aeronautical and Space Administration, which uses statistical techniques different than NOAA's, as well
as a University of Alabama Huntsville team and the private Remote Sensing System team, which relies on
measurements from satellites.
"Yes, of course El Nino has a hand in the February and other monthly temperatures records we've been
observing, but not the only hand, not even the winning hand," Jessica Blunden of NOAA's National
Center for Environmental Information d.old Me.-ishe. -i ale. "During the last big El Nino event of 97/98
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
temperatures departures from average were much lower compared with what we're seeing now with this
comparable event, which shows us that general warming is occurring over time."
Many scientists say climate change is contributing to the recent high temperatures.
"We know that atmospheric CO2 (carbon dioxide) and other greenhouse gases are continuing to increase,
so that's contributing to climate change and rising temperatures overall," said Heaffier Qraven a climate
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .
scientists at the Imperial College of London.
Another clue that rising greenhouse gases are contributing to the recent high temperatures is the location
of the warmest - compared -to- average temperatures —the far northern latitudes, which are relatively
unaffected by El Nino and where Arctic sea ice set a new lowest - extent record for a February. In those
latitudes, including Alaska, recorded temperatures were a� lea g 9 d giKe s,,,,lFaihienh f� h ,gh� i ��lxq!l
ar,,v;c °;p;;;ggc— "above the upper bounds" of NOAA's February Global Land and Ocean Temperature
Anomalies map.
Study: Carbon Dioxide Release Occurring Faster Than At Any Other Time
A nw study in the journal Nature Geoscience which comes on the heels of NOAA's record temperature
.......................................................
.
announcement, finds that humans are releasing climate- change- causing carbon dioxide 10 times faster
than at any other time in the last .6 6...m11,I11(:2.m... cam.
"I think to me it's completely clear we have entered a completely new era in terms of what humans can do
on this planet," said .Rjc;h..a;g;;�;,,,,, c °,c °l�,c° study co- author with the University of Hawaii at Manoa. "... If you
look at the past and if you study the geologic record, every time when there was massive carbon release
there were major changes on the planet and there were significant, large changes in the climate."
To determine how carbon dioxide levels have influenced temperatures, researchers examined warming
millions of years ago in the Paleocene - Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) by comparing carbon and
oxygen tracers, called isotopes, deep in the New Jersey sea floor. PETM is thought to be a gL)ssib1e sganaa.
m for the potential impacts of carbon pollutions, as it refers to a period in history when the concentration
of atmospheric carbon dioxide spiked. ;;;rhely, a" .j. jm j that 40.8 billion tons of carbon dioxide was released
into the atmosphere in 2014 but that no more than 4.4 billion tons was released in the peak year during
PETM.
"Because our carbon release rate is unprecedented over such a long time period in Earth's history, it also
means that we have effectively entered a `arc . nano ,u.ue' state," said Zeebe. "This represents a big
challenge for projecting future climate changes because we have no good comparison from the past. Qua-
b,�,,st,tl; ;s, ,,,s u;g.g� . that future ocean acidification and possible effects on marine calcifying organisms will be
more severe than during PETM."
Climate Change Could Be Abrupt, Trigger Dire Consequences
Burning fossil fuels at the current pace will trigger an abrupt climate shift, according to a s;[ udy pu:ublished
in the journal Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics. Authored by retired NASA climate scientist James
Hansen and 18 others, the study uses global climate modeling, paleoclimate data and modern observation
of interactions between the ocean and ice sheets (specifically the Greenland and Antarctic ice shelves) to
determine impacts associated with melt.
"We conclude that light freshwater added to upper layers of the ocean is already beginning to shut down
North Atlantic Deep Water formation and Antarctic Bottom Water formation," sa;i�j,,,]H[,an,s,t. °, . "This will
have enormous consequences in future decades, if full shutdown is allowed to occur."
The study, which strure ui,_d bate, when it came out in d fl. i'�;p,bu_n thls,,,,suuunm b; suggests that the impacts of
global warming will not only happen m(, n( u:tiu k1 xaun tluup ;uglx; , but be more dire than envisioned.
Holding temperatures to the 2 degrees Celsius of warming above pre - industrial levels would not be
enough to save the planet from experiencing collapsing ice sheets and megastorms.
The 1 �!R r concludes that "if the ocean continues to accumulate heat and increase melting of marine -
terminating ice shelves of Antarctica and Greenland, a point will be reached at which it is impossible to
avoid large -scale ice sheet disintegration with sea level rise of at least several meters. The economic and
social cost of losing functionality of all coastal cities is practically incalculable."
The Climate Post offers a rundown of the week in climate and energy news. It is produced each Thursday by Duke
University's Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions and cross posted on the Huffington
Post and National Geographic News Watch. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, or subscribe to
our YouTube channel for more updates.
March 31, 2016
THE CLIMATE POST
By Tim Profeta (Duke University's Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions)
Record Low Arctic Sea Ice Extent Points to Irreversible Changes
Scientists at the National Snow and Ice Data Center ( NSIDC) said on Monday that Arctic sea ice cover of
5.607 million square miles on March 24 represented the lowest winter maximum since records began in
1979. That's 5,000 square miles less than last year's record low. Contributing to the ice extent loss were
record high air temperatures and relatively warm seawater.
"It is likely that we're going to keep seeing smaller wintertime maximums in the future because in
addition to a warmer atmosphere, the ocean has also warmed up," said Walt Meier, a sea ice scientist at
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. "That warmer ocean will not let the ice edge expand as far south
as it used to. Although the maximum reach of the sea ice can vary a lot each year depending on winter
weather conditions, we're seeing a significant downward trend, and that's ultimately related to the
warming atmosphere and oceans."
After this winter's record ice lows, scientists expect the Arctic could be ice -free in the summer months in
the next few decades.
"Sometime in the 2030s or 2040s time frame, at least for a few days, you won't have ice out there in the
dead of summer," said John Walsh, chief scientist of the International Arctic Research Centre. "The
balance is shifting to the point where we are not going back to the old regime of the 1980s and 1990s.
Every year has had less ice cover than any summer since 2007. That is nine years in a row that you would
call unprecedented. When that happens you have to start thinking that something is going on that is not
letting the system go back to where it used to be."
The effects of diminishing sea ice may not be limited to just the Arctic.
"The Arctic is in crisis," said Ted Scambos, NSIDC lead scientist. "Year by year, it's slipping into a new
state, and it's hard to see how that won't have an effect on weather throughout the Northern Hemisphere."
A new paper in the Journal of Climate linked the vanishing Arctic sea ice, along with other sea ice
melting and global sea -level rise, to climate change. The authors, who used computer models and field
measurements to explore whether Arctic sea ice loss has contributed to melting of the Greenland ice
sheet, say that melting Arctic sea ice can block cold, dry Canadian air, increasing the flow of warm, moist
air over Greenland and contributing to extreme heat events and surface ice melting. If the Greenland ice
sheet completely melted, the paper says, the global sea level would rise about 20 to 23 feet.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Files Brief Defending Clean Power Plan
The D.C. Circuit is set to begin hearing oral arguments challenging the Clean Power Plan —the Obama
administration's rule to limit greenhouse gas emissions from the existing fleet of fossil fuel -fired power
plants —in June. On Monday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency filed its defense of the Clean
Power Plan, telling the court that the rule is well within the bounds of its authority. Dozens of states and
industry groups last month called the rule a "breathtaking expansion" of the power Congress gave the
EPA —with the Clean Air Act —to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.
"The rule reflects the eminently reasonable exercise of EPA's recognized statutory authority," the EPA
brief says. "It will achieve cost - effective [carbon dioxide] reductions from an industry that has already
demonstrated its ability to comply with robust pollution- control standards through the same measures and
flexible approaches. The rule fulfills both the letter and spirit of Congress's direction."
It is expected that whichever side loses in June will appeal to the Supreme Court, which in February
issued a stay — sending the rule back to the D.C. Circuit Court.
Renewable Energy Investment Outpaced Other Technologies: Study
Investment in renewable energy generation last year was higher than in new coal- and gas-fired power
plants, according to a new report from the Frankfurt School - United Nations Environment Programme
collaborating Centre for Climate & Sustainable Energy Finance and Bloomberg New Energy Finance
(BNEF). In fact, renewables added more to global energy generation capacity than all other technologies
combined — though they still only account for 10 percent of global electricity production.
"Global investment in renewables capacity hit a new record in 2015, far outpacing that in fossil fuel
generating capacity despite falling oil, gas, and coal prices," said Michael Liebreich, chair of the BNEF
advisory board. "It has broadened out to a wider and wider array of developing countries, helped by
sharply reduced costs and by the benefits of local power production over reliance on imported
commodities."
All investment in renewables —which includes new renewable energy capacity as well as early -stage
technology, research and development— totaled $286 billion in 2015. That's roughly 3 percent higher
than the previous record set back in 2011.
Countries contributing some of the most to these numbers included China, which in 2015 invested $102.9
billion (a 17 percent increase from 2014), representing 36 percent of the global investment total; Chile
($3.4 billion, a 151 percent increase), India (510.2 billion, a 22 percent increase), Mexico ($4 billion, a
105 percent increase) and South Africa ($4.5 billion, a 329 percent increase).
The Climate Post offers a rundown of the week in climate and energy news. It is produced each Thursday by Duke
Universiiv's Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions and cross posted on the Huffington
Post and National Geographic NewsWatch. Like us on Eacebook, follow us on Twitter; or subscribe to
our YouTube channel for more updates.
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