HomeMy WebLinkAboutCFE agenda 050817AGENDA
Orange County Commission for the Environment
May 8, 2017
7:30 p.m.
Richard Whitted Facility, 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 Draft Minutes — April 10, 2017
The CFE will consider approval of minutes from the last meeting. (Attachment 1)
7:40 IV. Guest Presentation
Kim Piracci of The North Carolina Climate Solutions Coalition (NCCSC) will present information
concerning the resolution they are asking the Orange County Commissioners to consider
including a commitment to be fossil fuel free by 2050. (Attachments 2, 3, and 4)
7:55 V. Orange County Recycling Programs
Orange County Recycling Programs Manager Allison Lohrenz will present information concerning
recycling efforts, including composting, in Orange County.
8:30 VI. CFE Facebook Page
Brennan will provide an update concerning the new Facebook page.
8:40 VII. CFE Committee Meetings
Committees will review their draft updated priorities and discuss how to proceed
(Attachment 5).
9:00 VIII. Updates and Information Items
Staff and /or CFE members will provide updates on the following items:
➢ Continuing Action Items from previous CFE meetings
o SOE 2019 Planning (Attachment 6)
➢ Efforts to Freeze NC Renewable Energy Requirements (Attachment 7)
➢ Forget About Climate Change (Attachment 8)
➢ Any other new information from CFE members and staff
9:15 IX. Adjournment
• Next Meeting. June 12, Animal Services Building
• PLEASE NOTE; The September 11 and November 13
CFE meetings will be held at the Animal Services
Building, 1601 Eubanks Road, 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 2017:
• Continue to write news articles on environmental issues of importance to Orange
County, including climate change, energy conservation, and other important topics
• Continue to explore ways to improve the County's ability to foster local sustainable
energy production and energy efficiency strategies, including making Orange County an
even better place for appropriately -sited solar energy generation, 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
• Participate in a County effort to identify and preserve important landscape corridors that
connect significant natural areas and open space (BOCC Priority #1)
• 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 2017:
• 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 next State of the Environment report (2020)
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
Orange County Commission for the Environment
IIIIIIIIII'� VIII " " " "' "" "11111 "" Meeting Summary
April 10, 2017
Solid Waste Management Administration Building, Eubanks Road, Chapel Hill
Present: Lynne Gronback (Chair), Bill Kaiser (Vice Chair), May Becker, Jeremy Marzuola, Jeanette
O'Connor, Alan Parry, Sheila Thomas - Ambat, Marshall Gray, Matt Crook
Absent: Lydia Wegman, Rebecca Ray, Peter Cada, Alex Nicodem, Bill Newby
Staff: Tom Davis, Brennan Bouma
I. Call to Order — Gronback called the meeting to order at 7 :31.
II. Additions or Changes to Agenda - Bouma gave an update on the CFE Facebook page setup.
III. Approval of Draft Minutes from March 13, 2017. Gray motioned to approve the minutes as written.
O'Connor seconded. Minutes were approved unanimously.
IV. CFE Annual Work Plan Discussion with BOCC — Kaiser discussed meeting with BOCC on March
28th concerning CFE Annual Wok Plan. CFE officers met with BOCC on March 28th to provide the annual
update on the CFE workplan. Kaiser and Bouma presented to the BOCC highlighting the CFE's work on
hydrilla, and ongoing series of educational articles.
V. Carrboro Climate Action Plan Update- O'Connor led discussion concerning Carrboro effort.
O'Connor also serves on the Carrboro Climate Task Force whose work began in 2014. They worked
together for 2 years with staff to create the plan, meeting at least once per month.
• Created a 2 part plan: 1.) The town works to control mitigate their own operational footprint; 2.)
Citizens will organize and work on specialty areas which would have a larger impact. They are now
moving into the next phase of monitoring goal progress. One specific focus area is how to create
incentives for renters /owners to become more efficient and reducing the carbon footprint.
Randy Dodd was the person who managed the final plan. Helped to coordinate the subgroups.
• Gronback asked about the diversity of the Task Force. The Task Force had good gender diversity, but
not racial or socioeconomic diversity. The Aldermen are hoping that additional and more diverse input
can be gathered in the next phase. Gronback mentioned that school Parent - Teacher Associations
(PTAs) could be a good idea since they are often diverse and the structure is already in place.
Not much input from businesses on many items, but there was one recommendation that focused on
business interests in the final version.
Took a lot of guidance from ICLEI, and wrote it in a very accessible way so that it would be most
useful.
• 50% GHG reduction per capita by 2025 is a bold goal, but it is arguably attainable. Energy efficiency
and fuel economy standards are going.
• Town will lead by following through on 2014 commitment, and leave room for community to use this
plan to move other recommended initiatives forward. The education component will be the hardest
component.
• Town has adopted the plan and has asked the Task Force to wait while they work on hiring additional
staff to help move these initiatives forward.
• A large hurdle for Carrboro is that many of their residents are renters and they have less control over
their home's efficiency. Another hurdle is the large proportion of English -as -a- second - language
residents.
• Crook offered the idea that Carrboro's model plan might be picked up by other municipalities.
• Kaiser asked about how the Task Force divided up the work. The group initially broke into committees
and came up with a category and tangible recommendations under that category, and then they
volunteered to write the sections.
• Randy Dodd wrote the introduction and unified the formatting and assembled all the pieces.
• Becker asked what feedback the plan has gotten from the public. The Town sent out a survey which
had a good response and had several forums in Town Hall associated with other events. Many people
also emailed Randy Dodd with comments.
• The biggest push -back was from the Save Bolin Creek group about the recommendation to finish a
greenway to connect through the Town.
VI. Orange County Climate Resilience Assessment — Bouma led discussion of Regional Effort:
In June of 2016, Sustainability Managers from Cary and Durham invited other local government
sustainability staff from Orange County, Wake County, Chapel Hill, and Raleigh to attend initial meetings.
Monthly meetings were held at TJCOG to convene potentially interested project partners to discuss
shared interests in assessing the resilience of the core of the Triangle. The County Sustainability
Coordinator and Emergency Services staff participated to assess possible benefits to Orange County. A
proposal was solicited and has now been received from The National Environmental Modeling and
Assessment Center ( NEMAC) to complete a joint resilience assessment which would cover the 7 local
governments. NEMAC is a national center based in Asheville that wrote the "U.S. Climate Resilience
Toolkit" for the Federal government.
• This assessment would use the information and public input from the comprehensive plans and
hazard mitigation plans of all participants, and model likely impacts of severe weather events and
other hazards within the context of a rapidly changing society and climate.
• Funding is available to complete the first two phases of the six phases proposed and the remaining
funding has been requested in the FY18 budget.
• Once vulnerabilities are assessed and strategies are created to increase resilience they can then be
incorporated into the County's FEMA- mandated mitigation plan.
VII. CFE Committee Break -out Sessions -
Air and Enerav Committee Meetina Notes:
• The Air and Energy committee will continue to monitor the proposed budget cuts at EPA and the
possible impacts on Orange County.
• Becker discussed an interest in ensuring that the CFE maintained its focus on reducing food waste.
• As there have recently been two educational articles on climate change written by Vice -Chair Kaiser
and endorsed by the entire CFE, the Air and Energy committee will focus its outreach on website and
Facebook page content.
• The green building item was also discussed, along with Chapel Hill's pilot incentive program and the
legal restrictions on incentives. The committee decided to specify that green retrofits are just as
important as new construction and may focus on commercial development as there is likely to be
more impact in that sector.
• The committee desires to keep all existing priorities on the list and to add two related priorities that
will be the specific focus for the upcoming year (numbers 1 and 2 below):
Air and Energy Resources Committee Priorities: (Becker, Parry, Crook, Newby, Nickodem)
1. Review Carrboro's Climate Action Plan and related actions and assess their applicability and feasibility
to Orange County operations and residents.
2. Survey grants that other local governments in NC are leveraging to work on environmental and
sustainability projects and assess their feasibility Orange County.
3. GHG Emissions Inventory — Consider whether it is feasible and worthwhile to conduct a
comprehensive update of the County 2005 greenhouse gas emissions inventory.
4. Green Building — Help the County develop an incentive program for green construction /retrofits.
5. Climate Change — Educate county residents about climate change, alternative energy sources and
efficiency, and steps to reduce their (and County government's) carbon footprint.
6. 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 Meetina Notes:
• The committee agreed that they had completed their previous action item to conduct a literature
review of maintaining stream buffers to protect water quality, aquatic habitat, and biodiversity. It was
removed from their list.
• They also agreed Priority 3 concerning Water Supply will be the main priority for this year and that
Cada and Kaiser may write a news article about it.
• Beyond that priority, Thomas - Ambat will brief the CFE about action item #4 below:
Water Resources Committee Priorities: (Cads, Ray, Thomas - Ambat, Kaiser, Gray)
1. 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. (Status:
Ongoing, periodic reporting from Tom)
2. Surface and Ground Water Quantity & Quality — Increase the collection of data for surface and ground
water quantify and quality; increase public education so it might lead to more funding for data
collection. (Status: Unchanged)
3. 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. (Status: Unchanged)
4. Identify key entities and agencies involved in regulating and managing water resources.
Land Resources Committee Meetina Notes:
Land Resources Committee Priorities: (Marzuola, O'Connor, Wegman, Gronback)
1. Food Waste - Work with Solid Waste Administration to support and encourage composting throughout
Orange County.
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 - With the goal of educating homeowners and businesses on reasons to choose a
diversity of regionally native species for landscaping and other ways to promote biodiversity, we will
seek out partners and try to make opportunities for education and funding known to the community.
4. Write articles for publication or posting related to the following topics:
a. County Parks that are open and discussion of Summer Events;
b. Explaining and highlighting environmental impact report of Durham - Orange Light Rail;
C. The relation between land use and alternative energy generation.
VIII. Updates and Information Items — Information on the following items was provided:
a) Continuing Action Items from previous CFE meetings, including: SOE 2019 Planning, CFE
Facebook page,
b) DEAPR Earth Evening event, April 28th, 2017,
c) Clean Energy and Air Op -Ed,
d) "Climate Change Reality" Mailing,
e) CFE Climate Change Articles,
f) WaPO Climate Change Article
IX. Adjournment- Kaiser motioned to adjourn, Thomas -Ambat seconded. Meeting adjourned at 9:45 pm.
Summary by B. Bouma, AMS Staff
Next meeting; May 8, Richard Whined Building, Hillsborough
Background on the 100% Clean Energy and Green Jobs Resolution
for the Orange County Board of Commissioners
• The Resolution calls for the State of North Carolina and the United States to establish a transition
from a fossil fuel -based economy to a 100% clean renewable energy for all energy sectors -based
economy, by January 1, 2050 or sooner to avoid climate catastrophe, to promote job creation and
economic growth, and to protect the Earth for current and future generations from climate
catastrophe.
• Achieving this goal would result in the total phase out of fossil fuels by 2050 for energy use.
• Numerous scientists, policymakers, business and faith leaders, environmentalists and others have
stated that we are in a "climate emergency."
• The use of fossil fuels by society is the primary cause of climate change according to leading
scientific, academic and governmental organizations, including the National Academy of Sciences,
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Defense, United Nations Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and numerous other authorities.
• Climate change leads to rising sea levels through the melting of the glaciers and an increase in the
severity and frequency of flooding, wildfires, droughts, heatwaves, infectious diseases among other
disastrous impacts that can lead to death and dire economic impacts if not stopped. Human - induced
climate change can only be stopped by phasing out fossil fuels, which cause greenhouse gas
emissions such as carbon dioxide and methane. These emissions trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere
and oceans according to an overwhelming scientific consensus.
• In December 2015, nearly 200 nations, including the United States, signed a climate agreement in
Paris, France to phase out all fossil fuels and to keep the global temperature increase since the 19"'
Century to well below 2 degrees Celsius and to pursue efforts to keep it below 1.5 degrees Celsius.
North Carolina is second in the nation in solar capacity behind California and also has the biggest
potential for offshore wind energy on the Eastern Seaboard.
This resolution has been endorsed by the North Carolina Climate Solutions Coalition (NCCSC), a
group dedicated to fight climate change and support clean energy, which consists of the following
organizations: Climate Voices US, Justice Action Mobilization Network, Hip Hop Caucus, The
Climate Times, Sustainable Sandhills, The Canary Coalition, Beyond Extreme Energy, Divestment
Student Network, Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League (BREDL), NC Power Forward, Temple
Emanuel Environmental Movement, Appalachian Voices, and the Long Branch Environmental
Education Center. The Coalition is led by Boone, NC resident Dr. Harvard Ayers, Professor Emeritus
of Anthropology at Appalachian State University.
The Advisory Committee for the North Carolina Climate Solutions Coalition includes internationally
recognized scientists and author /activist: Dr. Michael Mann, Distinguished Professor of Atmospheric
Science, Penn State University; Dr. Robert Howarth, David R. Atkinson Professor of Ecology and
Environmental Biology, Cornell University; Dr. George Woodwell, Founder and Director Emeritus of
the Woods Hole Research Center; Dr. Mark Z. Jacobson, Professor of Civil and Environmental
Engineering, Director of the Atmosphere /Energy Program, Stanford University; Bill McKibben,
author, climate activist, Schumann Distinguished Scholar at Middlebury College, Founder of 350.org;
and Dr. Richard Gray, Professor of Physics, Appalachian State University.
On December 15, 2016, the Boone Town Council adopted by a vote of 5 -0 a resolution calling for a
goal of 100% clean energy and green jobs for all energy sectors for the State of North Carolina and
the United States by the year 2050. The vote was historic because the Town of Boone became the first
municipality in the United States officially calling for a 100% clean energy for all energy sectors goal
for their state and the United States.' On January 17, 2017, the Watauga County Board of
Commissioners adopted by a unanimous, bipartisan vote of 5 -0 a resolution calling for 100% clean
energy and green jobs for the State of North Carolina and the United States by the year 2050 for the
purpose of avoiding climate catastrophe.'
• A joint Stanford University and University of California- Berkeley study concludes the United States
and the world energy supply could be based entirely on renewable energy by the year 2050 using
current technologies and 80% renewable energy by 2030 while creating numerous green jobs . 4
Currently, 20 U.S. cities have already committed to 100% clean energy only for their electrical grid
and not for all energy sectors (which would include electrical grid, transportation and all other energy
sectors) and only for their own city. However, the Town of Boone adoption of the 100% Clean
Energy and Green Jobs Resolution calls for achieving 100% clean energy by 2050 for all energy
sectors for both North Carolina State and the United States, which is what makes the Boone
Resolution the first of its kind in the nation for a town or municipality.
A resolution introduced in 2015 in the U.S. House of Representatives calling for a goal of 100% clean
renewable energy for all energy sectors for the United States by 2050 had 59 cosponsors
(H.Res.540 /Grijalva). H.Res.540, which has the same national goal as this Resolution, has been
endorsed by over 450 organizations, local officials, academics, civic leaders and businesses, including
the Sierra Club, Friends of the Earth, Environment America, Physicians for Social Responsibility,
Public Citizen, Interfaith Power & Light, The Solutions Project, Environment North Carolina,
Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, as well as six North Carolina state legislators: Senator Jane
Smith; Senator Mike Woodard; Rep. Pricey Harrison; Rep. Shelly Willingham; Rep. Susan Fisher;
and Senator Valerie Foushee.s' 6
• In 2016, 48 countries of the Climate Vulnerable Forum agreed while attending the United Nations
Climate Change Conference in Marrakech, Morocco (COP22) to make their energy production 100%
renewable "as rapidly as possible" and by between 2030 and 2050 at the latest.
'http: / /www.ecowatch.com /renewable- energy - solutions- project- 2151130342.htm1
z http://www.wataugademocrat.com / news /boone - council- endorses -call- for - total- clean - energy-
by/a rticle _a6848f65- 34c5- 505f- 8f9f -d 17d77fc39b5.html
3 http://www.hcpress.com/ front - page /watauga- commissioners - adopt- 100 - clean- energy - green - jobs- resolution-
historic- vote.html
4 http: / /thesoIutionsproject.org/
' http:/ /www.environmentamerica.org / news /ame/ over - 450 - groups - officials- and - academics -call- congress -back-
100- renews b le-e ne rgy-goa 1
6http://environmentamerica.org/ sites / environment / files /resources / 100% 25 %20Coalition %20Letter.pdf ?_ga =1.25
4070088.1904749149.1483228634
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RESOLUTION OF THE ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS IN
SUPPORT OF A STATE AND NATIONAL GOAL OF 100% CLEAN ENERGY BY 2050
AND THE CREATION OF GREEN JOBS
Whereas, climate change has increased the global average surface temperature by 1.00
degrees Celsius (1.8 degrees Fahrenheit) since 1880; Whereas, climate change is expected to
increasingly impact North Carolina's temperatures, precipitation and sea level with harmful
consequences in coming years;
Whereas, climate change and global average temperature increases are primarily due to
human - caused fossil fuels emissions, including coal, oil and natural gas, according to the United
Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, National Academy of Sciences, American
Meteorological Society, United States Environmental Protection Agency, United States
Department of Defense, and numerous other leading scientific, academic and governmental
authorities both in the United States and internationally;
Whereas, a final agreement of the United Nations Conference of Parties (COP21), which
included the United States and a total of 195 nations, was reached in Paris, France on December
12, 2015, that states the aim is to "holding the increase in the global average temperature to well
below 2 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature
increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels" and entered into force on November 4,
2016;
Whereas, scientists have concluded the concentration of carbon dioxide, the leading
greenhouse gas, in the Earth's atmosphere is currently and consistently over 400 parts per
million (ppm) and will likely stay above this level for the indefinite future for the first time in
millions of years;
Whereas, sixteen of the seventeen hottest years on record have occurred in the twenty -
first century and 2016 is the hottest year on record;
Whereas, an increase in the global average temperature is having and will continue to
increasingly have major adverse impacts, if not stopped by eliminating the use of fossil fuels, on
both the natural and human -made environments due to longer, more intense heat waves,
prolonged droughts, spread of infectious diseases, rising sea levels, ocean acidification, wildfires,
and more intense and frequent extreme weather events;
Whereas, these physical effects are expected to lead to water scarcity, food insecurity,
increasing numbers of refugees, increased poverty, and the mass extinction of species;
Whereas, studies completed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Risky
Business Project, Duke University, and others point to the severe economic costs of climate
change and continuing use of fossil fuel, estimating billions of dollars a year in costs nationally
and trillions globally;
Whereas, leading economists, policy experts, and business leaders conclude that
transitioning to a clean energy economy available for all would create millions of green jobs
nationally, improve health and living standards, and boost economic growth in coming years;
Whereas, a study cited two of the twenty dirtiest coal plants in the country in North
Carolina, the Belews Creek plant and the Roxboro Steam plant;
Whereas, low- income communities and communities of color in North Carolina and the
United States are inordinately exposed to pollution, that causes serious health problems such as
cancer and asthma, from fossil fuels, including the dirtiest coal -fired power plants which produce
coal ash, and need to be empowered and have access to educational tools and an awareness of
climate issues;
Whereas, a Stanford University and University of California - Berkeley study concludes
the United States energy supply could be based entirely on renewable energy by the year 2050
using current technologies and 80% renewable energy by 2030 while creating numerous green
jobs;
Whereas, municipalities, organizations, businesses, and academic institutions throughout
the world have set a goal to achieve carbon or climate neutrality by 2050 or earlier;
Whereas, over 1,000 mayors have joined the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate
Protection Agreement since 2005 to commit to significantly reduce carbon emissions in their
cities to combat climate change;
Whereas, over 600 American colleges and universities have made a commitment to
reduce greenhouse gases, including Appalachian State University, Blue Ridge Community
College, Carteret Community College, Catawba College, Central Carolina Community College,
Davidson College, Duke University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State
University, Guilford College, North Carolina Central University, Queens University of Charlotte,
Southeastern Community College, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of
North Carolina at Charlotte, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University of North
Carolina at Pembroke, Wake Technical Community College, and Warren Wilson College;
Whereas, North Carolina installed 1,140 MW of solar electric capacity in 2015, ranking
it second nationally; nearly $1.7 billion was invested on solar installations in North Carolina, a
159% increase over the previous year; there are currently more than 200 solar companies at work
throughout the value chain in North Carolina, the state companies employing some 6,000 people;
North Carolina ranks third in the nation in installed solar capacity, enough to power 260,000
homes; and solar photovoltaic system prices in the U.S. have dropped by 66% since 2010;
Whereas, North Carolina has more offshore wind energy potential than any other Atlantic state;
Whereas, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fifth Assessment Report
recommended a global goal of achieving near zero greenhouse gas emissions or below, which is
necessary to stabilize the global average temperature to avoid climate catastrophe;
Now, therefore,
Be it resolved that the Orange County Board of Commissioners does hereby approve of the
following:
SECTION 1. The State of North Carolina and the United States shall establish a
transition from a fossil fuel -based economy to a 100% clean renewable energy for all energy
sectors -based economy, by January 1, 2050 or sooner to avoid climate catastrophe, to promote
job creation and economic growth, and to protect the Earth for current and future generations
from climate catastrophe.
SECTION 2. This resolution is effective upon adoption.
H
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2017
HOUSE RESOLUTION 401
Sponsors: Representatives Harrison, Autry, Fisher, and Farmer - Butterfield (Primary
Sponsors).
For a complete list of sponsors, refer to the North Carolina General Assembly web site.
Referred to: Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
March 20, 2017
1 A HOUSE RESOLUTION SUPPORTING A STATE GOAL OF ONE HUNDRED PERCENT
2 CLEAN ENERGY BY 2050 AND THE CREATION OF GREEN JOBS.
3 Whereas, since 1880, climate change has increased the global average surface
4 temperature by 1.00 degree Celsius (1.8 degrees Fahrenheit); and
5 Whereas, climate change is expected to increasingly impact North Carolina's
6 temperatures, precipitation, and sea level with harmful consequences in coming years; and
7 Whereas, climate change and global average temperature increases are primarily due
8 to human - caused fossil fuels emissions, including coal, oil, and natural gas, according to the
9 United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, National Academy of Sciences,
10 American Meteorological Society, United States Environmental Protection Agency, United
11 States Department of Defense, and numerous other leading scientific, academic, and
12 governmental authorities both in the United States and internationally; and
13 Whereas, a final agreement of the United Nations Conference of Parties (COP21),
14 including the United States and a total of 195 nations, was reached in Paris, France, on
15 December 12, 2015, entered into force on November 4, 2016, and stated the aim to "hold the
16 increase in the global average temperature to well below 2 degrees Celsius above preindustrial
17 levels and pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius above
18 preindustrial levels "; and
19 Whereas, scientists have concluded the concentration of carbon dioxide, the leading
20 greenhouse gas, in the Earth's atmosphere is currently and consistently over 400 parts per
21 million (ppm) and will likely stay above this level for the indefinite future for the first time in
22 millions of years; and
23 Whereas, 16 of the 17 hottest years on record have occurred in the 21st century, and
24 2016 is the hottest year on record; and
25 Whereas, an increase in the global average temperature, if not stopped, will have
26 major adverse impacts on both the natural and human -made environments due to longer, more
27 intense heat waves, prolonged droughts, rising sea levels, ocean acidification, and more intense
28 and frequent extreme weather events; and
29 Whereas, these physical effects are expected to lead to water scarcity, food
30 insecurity, increasing numbers of refugees, increased poverty, and mass extinctions of species;
31 and
32 Whereas, studies completed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Risky
33 Business Project, Duke University, and others point to the severe economic costs of climate
34 change and continuing use of fossil fuel, estimating billions of dollars a year in costs nationally
35 and trillions globally; and
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General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2017
Whereas, leading economists, policy experts, and business leaders conclude that
transitioning to a clean energy economy available for all would create millions of green jobs
nationally, improve our living standards, and boost economic growth in coming years; and
Whereas, low- income communities and communities of color in North Carolina and
the United States are inordinately exposed to pollution that causes serious health problems,
such as cancer and asthma, from fossil fuels, including the dirtiest coal -fired power plants,
which produce coal ash and which are disproportionately located in communities of color; and
Whereas, a Stanford University and University of California - Berkeley study
concludes the United States energy supply could be based entirely on renewable energy by the
year 2050 using current technologies and 80% on renewable energy by 2030 while creating
numerous green jobs; and
Whereas, municipalities, organizations, businesses, and academic institutions
throughout the world have set a goal to achieve carbon or climate neutrality by 2050 or earlier;
and
Whereas, over 600 American colleges and universities have made a commitment to
reduce greenhouse gases, including Appalachian State University, Blue Ridge Community
College, Carteret Community College, Catawba College, Central Carolina Community College,
Davidson College, Duke University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State
University, Guilford College, North Carolina Central University, Queens University of
Charlotte, Southeastern Community College, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill,
the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro,
the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, Wake Technical Community College, and
Warren Wilson College; and
Whereas, some of the statistics regarding North Carolina's use of solar energy
include the following: (i) installing 1,140 megawatts of solar electric capacity in 2015, ranking
it second nationally, (ii) investing nearly $1.7 billion on solar installations in the State, a 159%
increase over the previous year; (iii) having more than 200 solar companies at work throughout
the value chain in North Carolina, which employs some 6,000 people; (iv) ranking third in the
nation in installed solar capacity, providing enough energy to power 260,000 homes; and (v)
having more offshore wind energy potential than any Atlantic state; and
Whereas, since 2010, solar photovoltaic system prices in the United States have
dropped by 66 %; and
Whereas, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's Fifth Assessment
Report recommended a global goal of achieving near zero greenhouse gas emissions or below,
which is necessary to stabilize the global average temperature to avoid climate catastrophe;
Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
SECTION 1. The State of North Carolina should establish a transition from a fossil
fuel -based economy to one hundred percent (100 %) clean renewable energy for all energy
sector economies, by December 31, 2050, to avoid climate catastrophe, to promote job creation
and economic growth, and to protect the earth for current and future generations from climate
catastrophe.
SECTION 2. This resolution is effective upon adoption.
Page 2 House Resolution 401 -First Edition
Orange County Commission for the Environment
IIIIIIII'° IIII IIII CFE Committee Priorities
(updated May 2017)
Air and Energy Resources Committee (Becker, Parry, Crook, Newby, Nickodem)
1. Review Carrboro's Climate Action Plan and related actions and assess their applicability and
feasibility to Orange County operations and residents.
2. Survey grants that other local governments in NC are leveraging to work on environmental and
sustainability projects and assess their feasibility Orange County.
3. GHG Emissions Inventory — Consider whether it is feasible and worthwhile to conduct a
comprehensive update of the County 2005 greenhouse gas emissions inventory.
4. Green Building — Help the County develop an incentive program for green construction /retrofits.
5. Climate Change — Educate county residents about climate change, alternative energy sources and
efficiency, and steps to reduce their (and County government's) carbon footprint.
6. 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 (Cads, Ray, Thomas - Ambat, Kaiser, Gray)
1. 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.
2. Surface and Ground Water Quantity & Quality — Increase the collection of data for surface and
ground water quantify and quality; increase public education so it might lead to more funding for data
collection.
3. 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.
4. Identify key entities and agencies involved in regulating and managing water resources.
Land Resources Committee (Marzuola, O'Connor, Wegman, Gronback)
1. Food Waste - Work with Solid Waste Administration to support and encourage composting
throughout Orange County.
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 - With the goal of educating homeowners and businesses on reasons to choose
a diversity of regionally native species for landscaping and other ways to promote biodiversity, we will
seek out partners and try to make opportunities for education and funding known to the community.
4. Write articles for publication or posting related to the following topics:
a. County Parks that are open and discussion of Summer Events;
b. Explaining and highlighting environmental impact report of Durham - Orange Light Rail;
C. The relation between land use and alternative energy generation.
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WEA F� 1 34 IIIC counties and 1 VA county acre undeir alleirt, Details CD
Effort to freeze NC's renewable
energy requirements renewed
Tags: Renewable Energy
Pasted 7 :24 p.m. Thursday
Updated 7 :32 p.m. Thursday
92 G� share 0 f;tO 13llReac'doins
MORE ON THIS By Matthew Burns
0 Flouse Bill 745 (2017): NC Energy
The state adopted a renewable energy portfolio standard, or REPS, a
decade ago, calling for utilities to obtain a growing percentage of their
power from renewable sources, topping out at 12.5 percent by 2021. Since then, North Carolina's solar energy
industry has flourished, and wind farms are starting to open in eastern parts of the state.
Rep. Chris Millis, R- Pender, said Wednesday, however, that the state has given $1.6 billion in tax credits to
...... ...............................
renewable energy producers since 2010, which is hundreds of times what was forecast when REPS was put in
place. Consumers also have been forced to pay more, he said, as utilities added riders to monthly bills to make
up for the cost of buying renewable energy.
Under House BIII 745, the REPS standard would be frozen at the current 6 percent level, but all existing
contracts for renewable energy would be honored. The proposal also would repeal tax breaks for solar energy
production.
"This will transition us back to affordable energy," Millis said, noting that the bill also calls for the North Carolina
Utilities Commission to finish a study in the next year the costs and benefits of "distributed generation."
"The form of energy production is not the issue," he said. "It's the subsidies and the mandate."
Similar efforts to roll back REPS have been introduced in each of the last two sessions, but they ran into
opposition and died.
Donald Bryson, state president of Americans for Prosperity, said his group will exert pressure on lawmakers to
ensure House Bill 745 is passed.
"North Carolina families need reliable and affordable energy," Bryson said, adding that REPS will continue
driving up electric costs in North Carolina and hurt the state's economy.
Landon Stevens, policy director of Utah -based Strata Policy, said REPS has had a "precipitous drag" on the
state's economy already, costing about $3,500 per family by 2013.
The North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association disputes those findings, saying that REPS has saved
customers statewide $162 million so far and that more than $2.6 billion has been invested in renewable energy
projects in North Carolina, creating more than 26,000 jobs.
CREDITS
Web Editor Matthew Burns
Copyright 2017 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights
reserved. This material maM not be Dublished, broadcast, rewritten
Scientific American https :Hblogs.scientificamerican.com /guest -blog /forget- about - climate- change/
Forget about Climate Change
We should be embracing energy efficiency and the low- carbon economy
because they promote jobs, national security and human health
By Rob Jackson on April 4, 2017
Credit: Winchell Joshua, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Wikimedia
In January, we learned that 2016 was the hottest year on record, the 40th in a row
above average. If years were coins, the chance of flipping 40 straight heads would be
one in a trillion.
Yawn.
In February, the Arctic was 50 degrees warmer than average.
And in March, an African drought threatened 20 million people, a humanitarian crisis
that has been called the worst since World War II.
March Madness, anyone?
If I said coal use in the United States dropped 20 percent in the last two years,
slashing carbon dioxide emissions and future climate change, some people would roll
their eyes. If I said the same drop in coal use and air pollution will save 3,000 lives
this year —and every year after if we stick with it— people might notice. Both
statements are true.
After two centuries of data and all these years, we're still arguing over the reality of
climate change and what's making our seas rise. We're missing the boat. We live in a
society that embraces progress and the energy landscape is changing under our feet.
We should embrace it.
When DC politicians talk about restoring coal jobs, they forget that energy
employment is up, not down. About 175,000 full time workers mine, move, and burn
coal across the United States. In comparison there are 475,000 jobs now in solar and
wind power. We created an astonishing 100,000 new solar and wind jobs last year
alone. Wherever the coal mines are closing, families and communities need help.
Economy -wide, though, the low - carbon economy is a winner.
We're winning in other ways, too. Cooling water for power plants is responsible for
almost half of all fresh water withdrawn in the United States. New combined -cycle
natural gas plants use half or less the water that a coal plant does. Renewable wind
and rooftop solar use no water at all; they're zero carbon, zero water, and low
pollutant technologies. In contrast, coal -fired power is responsible for about half of all
U.S. emissions of mercury, a hazardous air pollutant, and sulfur dioxide, another "big
six" criteria pollutant that causes acid rain.
There's a lot more to celebrate in energy progress. Our cars and trucks are twice as
efficient as they were a few decades ago, yet the current administration is threatening
to roll back fuel efficiency standards. Why would we want to throw away our money
and harm our health and natural security? Consumer Reports estimates people will
save about $4,500 over the life of their car if the current standards are fully realized.
Half of Americans live in towns and cities that fail to meet air quality standards, driven
in part by ozone and particle pollution from vehicles. We're still importing three million
barrels of oil a day from OPEC. Eviscerating the fuel efficiency standards is a bad idea
for our health, our pocketbooks, and national security (not to mention our climate).
While arguing over whether fracking is "good" or "bad," we're losing chances to make
our infrastructure leaner and safer, and help the climate as we go. When you walk
down a street and smell a natural gas leak, you aren't pondering greenhouse gas
emissions. You're worrying about safety —the rare fires and explosions that cost $ 100
million and kill ten or so people in a typical year.
My research group has mapped gas leaks across cities like Boston, Washington DC
and Manhattan. Cities that replaced their old, leaky pipelines had one -tenth the
number of gas leaks per mile than the places listed above. Kudos to the companies,
public utility commissions, and local governments that made this happen in states
like Ohio, Indiana, and North Carolina. Massachusetts passed an accelerated pipeline
replacement program a few years ago based in part on our work. Costing households
only a dollar a month, it's making the system safer from fires and explosions and
reducing greenhouse gas emissions as a side benefit.
So here we are. The administration is to scrapping methane leakage rules from oil and
gas wells, promoting coal use, and cutting energy efficiency standards, the single most
powerful tool our businesses have used to cut costs and compete in the global
marketplace. We have administrators in charge of the Environmental Protection
Agency and the Department of Energy who are scornful of the institutions they direct.
Neither Republicans nor Democrats deserve this.
We should be embracing energy efficiency and the low - carbon economy as fast as we
can. Pick whatever reasons you like: jobs, national security, human health, money.
Even pick the environment. But leave climate change out of it. We don't need it. Any of
it.
Rob Jackson chairs the Global Carbon Project and Stanford's Department of Earth System Science in the
School of Earth, Energy and Environmental Sciences.