HomeMy WebLinkAboutCFE agenda 021218AGENDA
Orange County Commission for the Environment
February 12, 2018
7:30 p.m.
Richard Whitted Building, 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 — January 8t", 2018
The CFE will consider approval of minutes from the last meeting. Action needed (Attachment 1)
7:40 IV. SOE 2019 Indicators
UNC Chapel Hill capstone students will be present to discuss their work with the CFE to analyze
and recommend updated environmental indicators and effective communication formats for use
in the 2019 State of the Environment report. (Attachment 2)
8:20 VI. 2018 CFE Activities
The group will discuss creating a guidance document based on the 2018 Work Plan and the
second page of this agenda detailing the activities that they would like to accomplish in 2018.
Action needed. (Attachment 3)
8:45 VII. Carbon Fee and Dividend Discussion
The group will discuss a recent request concerning a federal carbon fee and dividend as
proposed by the local chapter of the Citizens Climate Lobby. Action needed.
(Attachments 4, 5, 6 and 7)
9:10 VIII. Updates and Information Items
Staff and /or CFE members will provide updates on the following items:
➢ Continuing Action Items from previous CFE meetings:
➢ 2018 Nature of Orange Photography Contest (Attachments 8 and 9)
➢ Warmest Year on Record in NC (Attachment 10)
➢ Duke Energy Proposed Solar Rebate (Attachment 11)
➢ Draft Fossil Fuel Divestment Resolution (Attachment 12)
➢ Chapel Hill Investing in Energy Efficiency (Attachment 13)
➢ NC 54 West Study (Attachment 14)
➢ Roadside Wildflower Conservation (Attachment 15)
➢ Any other new information from CFE members and staff
9:15 IX. Adjournment
• Next Meeting; March 12th, 2018 Southern Human
Services Center, 2501 Homestead Road, Chapel Hi//
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 2018:
• Plan and develop the State of the Environment 2019 report.
• Continue to write news articles on environmental issues of importance to Orange County,
including climate change, energy conservation, and other important topics.
• Create "Green Tips" as a means of communicating brief sustainability messages.
• 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).
• Advocate for an update to the County's greenhouse gas inventory.
• Continue to help with public outreach and management efforts related to invasive species
• Participate in a County effort through the Lands Legacy Program 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).
Concerns or emerging issues the CFE has identified for 2018:
• 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, maintenance and improvements, including educating citizens about existing
programs for up -fits.
• The CFE will continue to learn more about environmental justice and incorporate relevant
information and considerations in the next State of the Environment report (2019) and elsewhere
• The CFE will continue to follow discussions of how to improve the handling and disposal of
Orange County's solid waste, and advocate for 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
IIItAIII'" "III "" CFE Meeting Notes Jan 8`", 2018:
Richard Whitted Building, 300 West Tryon Street, Hillsborough
7:30 I. Call to Order
7:32 II. Additions or Changes to Agenda
7:35 III. Approval of Draft Minutes — December 11th, 2017
Parry moved to accept the minutes as written. Ward seconded. Minutes approved unanimously.
7:40 IV. Orange County Roadside Wildflower Conservation
Johnny Randall updated his presentation from the summer of 2017 on the roadside conservation of
wildflowers. Initial actions taken by NCBG volunteers were stopped short due to their finding that so
many roadsides were important that it was beyond their capacity. Randall gave a presentation on the
ecological history and importance of the area. The mowing along roadsides has replaced the presence of
wildfire in the region's ecology in maintaining the open non - wooded space necessary for the rare
herbaceous plants to live. The Board of Orange County Commissioners recognized the value of roadside
habitats in a resolution in 2012 and encouraged the CFE to work to preserve them. After that, the NCBG
and others created surveys listing all of the rare plants that can be found in Orange County. NCDOT
already does mostly mowing on roadsides, but the power companies mostly spray herbicides.
Gray asked what success looks like. Randall proposed list of possible next steps and his primary request
is that the CFE recommend to the BOCC to limit spraying to areas inaccessible to mowing. The County
may be better received by NCDOT and the utilities than the NCBG would. Unnecessary to collect
additional data, but NCBG would welcome the opportunity to work with the CFE to raise awareness of
this issue and potentially to create a "Guide to roadside wildflowers ". The CFE agreed to digest the
information presented and will direct any questions concerning this back to Randall through staff.
8:00 V. Citizen's Climate Lobby
Colin Maxwell from the local chapter of The Citizen's Climate Lobby (CCL) presented information on the
Carbon Fee and Dividend as a federal climate action strategy. CCL is proposing to levy a fee at the
location where carbon -based fuels enter the country or economy. CCL is looking for a show of local
support for this initiative across the country.
The proposed initial fee would be $15 /ton of carbon. This would raise the price of gasoline 8% in the
first year and then it would go up from there. The costs of fossil fuel intensive goods would rise as well.
This cost increase would create a burden, but this would be offset by a transfer of funds back to
households in the form of a monthly dividend (minus administrative costs). Based on their models, CCL
expects the stimulus to the economy of the dividend should add 2 million jobs. In the bottom quintile of
US residents, most people will be getting more than enough money back in their dividend checks to
cover the increased cost of goods. This fee would be easy for businesses to predict and prepare for,
making it easier to accept. A border adjustment tax would keep businesses from moving oversees and
may encourage other countries to levy their own fees.
This is a market -based solution that places a minimal regulatory burden on businesses, and is revenue
neutral in that it gives all the collected money back to the people, minus administrative costs. This
initiative would not grow the size of government which would be a non - starter for some political groups.
This approach has allowed this strategy to collect initial bipartisan support from groups such as the
Climate Solutions Caucus of the US House of Representatives.
Carrboro has officially supported this strategy and Chapel Hill is either looking at this or has already
passed it. Pittsburgh and Chicago have also signed on.
Piracci asked what percent of the money collected is expected to go to administrative costs. Maxwell
replied that they expect it will be approximately 8% in the first few years moving down to 2% once the
program is established. Piracci then asked if this proposal would encourage natural gas usage and as a
result, increase fracking. Maxwell responded saying that even if natural gas was a cheaper energy
source than coal, it would still get more expensive over time so there will be a strong disincentive from
using it instead of renewable energy sources. Ward asked if CCL was pushing to remove the tax
incentives given to the petroleum industry. Maxwell did not know if that was a focus. Staff will scan
materials distributed at the meeting and send them to the CFE members.
8:30 VI. Committee Meetings
Committee's met briefly and reconvened to discuss the ideas they'd generated. Staff volunteered to
collect and track these ideas and to get guidance from Orange County Community Relations department
staff about the type and amount of material that would be most useful to them for publication in the
Orange County newsletter or elsewhere.
9:00 VII. Revised 2018 CFE Activities and Concerns
Several of the newest CFE members expressed concerns that the CFE's planned activities and focus
areas lacked the detail needed for implementation. Staff indicated that they would distribute the CFE's
2018 workplan to the members and suggested that this workplan implementation and tracking
discussion be continued as an agenda item at the next meeting.
9:10 VIII. Updates and Information Items
Staff and /or CFE members will provide updates on the following items:
• Continuing Action Items from previous CFE meetings:
• Article about, and US Army Corps of Engineers response to DWR about, proposed Jordan Lake
demonstration project (Attachment 4)
• SELC 2015 comments on Draft EIS for Durham Orange Light Rail Project (Attachment 5)
• 2018 CFE Meeting Calendar (Attachment 6)
o Locations were revised by staff to match available rooms. There were no objections to
this change in location. New 2018 meeting calendars were distributed.
• Any other new information from CFE members and staff:
o The CFE discussed the article on the DOLRT written by Jeremy Marzuola. Crook made a
motion to post the article on the CFE Facebook page as written. Second by Parry. The
motion carried unanimously.
9:15 IX. Adjournment
• Next Meeting: February 12th, 2018 - Richard Whitted Building, 300 West Tryon Street,
Hillsborough (Location revised). Crook made a motion to adjourn and Gray seconded. The
meeting was adjourned at 9:20pm.
Attachment
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Orange County State of the Environment 2019 — Context and Workplan:
History:
• 5 past reports starting in the year 2000— find them at this link
• Now on a 5 -year update cycle
• 19 main indicators
• Several indicators have been tracked since the first report in 2000
Scope:
• As much as feasible, limit to Orange County's political boundaries
Original Purpose and Audience:
• As written in 2014:
• "Describe the current status of Orange County's natural environment;"
■ Education - For whom?
• "Provide measures to monitor and evaluate progress toward a cleaner, healthier
environment;"
■ Monitoring -This is the monitoring report. Is someone else monitoring in
between?
• "Highlight the major environmental challenges facing the County; and"
■ Education - More focused restatement of first bullet
• "Recommend actions to confront those challenges."
• Recommendation - Who do we hope will use the SCE to take action?
• Analysis of most recent purpose as written:
• Pros: Broad, methodical
o Critical Issues and Highlighted Recommendations are good
policy suggestions
• Cons: Not focused on a specific audience, Slightly repetitive, Sets out a
huge task, only possible if not comprehensive and only once per 5 years,
resulting report lacks focus for implementation
o Critical Issues and Highlighted Recommendations are hard to
scan
• Both not seen until pages 10 and 11 of pdf
• No summary scorecard
■ No ratings or trends at all until page 16 of the pdf, then
one at a time
Recent Decision on New More Focused Purpose:
• Primary mission and audience: Deliver evidence to support recommended actions by the Board
of Orange County Commissioners to protect Orange County's environment.
o Offer trusted and relevant baseline data to help prioritize management practices
• Avoid being overly prescriptive since there are lots of factors that go into each decision
• Look to examples from other jurisdictions of policies they've implemented or
recommended
• Must be written in direct, concise, non - technical terms
o Must focus on things they can control
• Secondary mission and audience: Increase broad understanding of Orange County
environmental trends among citizen groups and educators (If the SCE meets the primary
mission, this mission will follow smoothly)
o Basic Science — give a scientific snapshot as completely and accurately as possible, and
be honest about measures of confidence and uncertainty
■ The SOE will still be of limited use to a researcher — geography is narrow, CFE as
source may not be recognized as authoritative
• More regular updates would help form an identity and confidence
• Identify data gaps and make recommendations to fill them
• Schools and /or Environmental Educators
• UNC- Chapel Hill
• Durham Tech Orange County Campus
• CHCCS and OCS - Secondary level
Proposed Student Workplan:
■ Communications and Meetings:
o Students to meet with Orange County Commission for the Environment at beginning
and end of their semester
■ Students will attend CFE meetings: 7:30pm on Feb 12th and Apr 91h
• Communicate with committees over email in between meetings
• May 4, 2018 at 12:OOpm - CFE representatives and staff will attend final presentation of
findings
• Brennan Bouma will act as liaison
Order of main tasks:
1. Understand existing SOE and new directions
2. Look for other state of the environment models and other pre -made analyses of Orange
County's environment
• Decide if authoritative and applicable to Orange County's geography
• If not go to the raw data
3. Lit review on best indicators"
o Which are most relevant, which are repetitive or ancillary?
4. Propose new indicators
5. Propose new format
6. Time Allowing -Update indicators with new info
"What makes a good indicator/ data source?
• Authoritative source
• Regularly updated (based on the rate of change of what's measured)
• Well -known and used
• History of data
• Geographic scope and specificity
• County - collected
• Data quality — model versus direct measurement
• Replicability in the future
Key Questions:
Context - Questions and Examples:
• What other State of the Environment models are there?
• Mecklenburg County
• Others? Durham City Sustainability Report is a possible model
• Who else might be tracking the state of Orange County's Environment?
• OC Annual Sustainability Scorecard
■ County operations focused
• Orange County Lands Legacy Plan
• LCC — South Atlantic Landscape Conservation Cooperative
• Triangle Regional Transportation Model - MPOs /RPOs
■ Air quality and socioeconomic models for next 30 years
• Triangle Area Water Supply Monitoring Project - TAWSMP
■ 30 year trends on water quality in triangle
■ USGS Stream Monitors
• UNRBA
• Jordan Lake Rules
• Jordan Lake One Water — future group that may be forming
• UNC — CH Collaboratory — Jordan Lake Watershed Study
• Others?
■ NC DEQ collects a limited amount of data in Orange County
Recurrence Question:
• Currently every 5 years
• Ideally this would be more frequent, but current process and format is too time -
intensive to update more regularly
• We may be able to spend more time collecting and validating data instead of
constructing the format if the main product was not a long report
• What do others do?
Format - Question and Examples:
• Currently it is a Written Report
• Interactive Map?
o http: / /compass.durhamnc.ov/
o EJ Screen
• Story Map - ESRI
• Dashboard on County website with supporting text?
o Requires website structure and know -how
• Infographic with supporting text?
o Requires a model (Mecklenberg ?) or graphic design assistance
• Series of news articles?
Attachment
.... ...............................
Commission for the Environment
NAME OF BOARD /COMMISSION: Commission for the Environment
Report Period: 2017-2018
ORANGE COUNTY ADVISORY BOARDS & COMMISSIONS
ANNUAL REPORT / WORK PLAN FOR THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
The Board of Commissioners welcomes input from various advisory boards and
commissions in preparation for its annual planning retreat. Please complete the following
information, limited to the front and back of this form. Other background materials may be
provided as a supplement to, but not as a substitute for, this form.
Board /Commission Name: Commission for the Environment
Persons to address BOCC at work session and contact information:
Chair: Bradley Saul
Vice Chair Bill Kaiser
Primary County Staff Contacts:
707 - 360 -8511 bradleysaulgmail . com
919 - 933 -9794 w mckaiserhotmail.com
Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation
Tom Davis (Water Resources Coordinator) 245 -2513 tdavis(c_orangecountync.gov
Kim Livingston (Land Conservation Manager) 245 -2514 klivingstono-orangecountync e gov
Assessment Management Department
Brennan Bouma (Sustainability Coordinator) 245 -2626 bboumaagrangecountync.gov
How many times per month does this commission meet, including any special
meetings and sub - committee meetings?
One meeting per month (2nd Monday); committees meet as needed during meeting
Brief Statement of Commission's Assigned Charge and Responsibilities.
Purpose: to advise the BOCC on matters affecting the environment, with particular
emphasis on environmental protection and enhancement. Other duties include:
• Perform special studies /projects on environmental issues as requested by BOCC
• Recommend environmental initiatives to the BOCC, especially of local importance
• Study changes in environmental science and environmental regulations in the
pursuit of the CFE's duties
• Educate the public and local officials on environmental issues
What are your Commission's most important accomplishments?
• Wrote a series of climate change articles (2017)
• Developed and posted a Facebook page (2017)
• Edited and recommended a renewable energy resolution to the BOCC (2017)
• Recruited UNC capstone students to assist with the 2019 State of the Environment
report (2017)
• Provided input on updates to the Lands Legacy Action Plan (2017)
• Made recommendations to BOCC on UDO amendment to flexible subdivisions (2016)
• Initiated a series of newspaper articles on environmental issues featured previously in
the Orange County State of the Environment report (2015 -16)
• Made recommendations to BOCC on 2016 bond package, the use of herbicides/
pesticides at County facilities, and incentives for energy efficient construction (2015)
• Commented to Planning Bd on proposed changes to impervious surface rules (2015)
Commission for the Environment
• Provided ideas for Public Services Announcements for County radio spots (2015)
• Collaborated with other entities on energy conservation and mgmt. projects (2015 -16)
• Published the 2014 Orange County State of the Environment report
(previous reports were completed in 2000, 2002, 2004, 2009)
• Convened Orange County Environmental Summit (2005, 2009, 2014)
• Made recommendations to BOCC on food waste and solid waste tax district (2014)
• Worked with Orange County Schools to introduce local environmental indicators/
status and trends into middle and high school science curriculum (2004, 2009, 2014)
• Hosted a Solid Waste Forum with the Chapel Hill Sustainability Committee (2013)
• Co- sponsored the annual The Nature of Orange photography contest (2012 - 2017)
• Advocated for' /2 cent sales tax referendum for Triangle Region public transit (2012)
• Compiled annotated bibliography of the effects of forestry on water quality (2012)
• Developed sustainable landscaping and forest management policies for the
administration of County -owned facilities (2010)
• Assisted County staff in completing the Natural and Cultural Systems Element of the
Orange County Comprehensive Plan (2008)
List of Specific Tasks, Events, or Functions Performed or Sponsored Annually.
• Liaisons to Intergovernmental Parks Work Group and Orange Unified Transp. Board
• Review and comment on environmental issues (e.g., fracking, biosolids application,
water pollution, air quality, forest mgmt.) and other issues assigned by the BOCC
• Identify priorities for the Lands Legacy Action Plan (natural areas and wildlife habitat)
• Conduct special studies pertaining to Orange County environment (e.g., energy
efficiency /sustainability, forestry effects on water quality, herbicides and native flora)
• Conduct environmental education outreach (e.g., Last Fridays, Earth Evening)
Describe this commission's activities /accomplishments in carrying out BOCC
goals /priorities, if applicable.
BOCC Goal Five: Create, preserve, and protect a natural environment that
includes clean water, clean air, wildlife, important natural lands and sustainable
energy for present and future generations.
Presented findings and recommendations to BOCC on selected environmental
issues: 1) effects of forest mgmt. on water quality; 2) effects of herbicides on
roadside native plant habitat; 3) potential effects of hydraulic fracturing ( "fracking ") in
Orange County; 4) problems caused by hydrilla in the Eno River; 5) need for 100%
renewable energy in Orange County (BOCC Priorities #1 and #12)
Stayed abreast of ongoing and developing env. issues of importance to the County,
such as Falls & Jordan Lake nutrient mgmt. rules, reducing commercial food waste in
solid waste stream, and permitting of biosolids on farmland (Priorities #12 and #16)
Provides comments on proposed master plans for future parks /preserves
If your commission played the role of an Element Lead Advisory Board involved in the
2030 Comprehensive Plan preparation process, please indicate your activities/
accomplishments as they may relate to the Comprehensive Plan's goals or objectives.
(Element Lead Advisory Boards include: Planning Board, Commission for the Environment,
Historic Preservation Commission, Agriculture Pres. Board, and Parks & Recreation Council)
The CFE provided extensive input into DEAPR staff development of the Natural and
Cultural Systems Element of the Comprehensive Plan— specifically the chapters on Air
and Energy Resources, Water Resources, and Natural Areas and Wildlife Habitat.
Commission for the Environment
Objective AE -1:
Assess and implement the current countywide greenhouse gas emissions inventory and
action plan target reductions.
• The CFE helped to initiate a countywide inventory of greenhouse gas emissions
(2005), and continues to advise on ways to reduce the County's "carbon footprint."
Objective AE -15:
Foster participation in green energy programs such as installation incentives for solar hot
water /solar generation /solar tempering in residential or commercial construction. The
County should develop programs that will link citizens and businesses with options for
alternative and sustainable energy sources.
• The CFE's Energy Resources Committee has developed proposals that address
energy efficiency and renewable power issues, and will pursue further in collaboration
with other advisory boards and stakeholders.
Objective NA -3:
Develop a more detailed and consistent methodology for monitoring changes in forest
cover throughout the County, and specifically the extent of mature hardwood forest.
• The CFE's State of the Environment report documented significant reductions in
mature hardwood forest that occurred from 2003 -2008 and since 1988.
Objective NA -11:
Develop a comprehensive conservation plan for achieving a network of protected open
space throughout Orange County, which addresses 1) threats to important natural areas;
2) connectivity between protected areas; 3) coordination with neighboring counties; and
4) sustainable management of critical natural resources.
• The CFE's Land Resources Committee is participating in a County effort to identify
and preserve important landscape corridors that connect significant natural areas.
Objective NA -16:
Create a system of public and private open space and conservation areas, including
parks, nature preserves, and scenic vistas representative of Orange County landscape
• The CFE advises County's Lands Legacy program in its efforts to protect the most
important natural and cultural resource lands through a variety of means.
• The CFE's Land Resources Committee is participating in a County effort to identify
and preserve important landscape corridors that connect significant natural areas.
Objective WR -5:
Promote and participate in regional efforts to plan for use of water supplies in the region
in an equitable manner, including contingency planning for water supplies during
droughts. [Also Objectives WR -9, WR -10, and WR -15]
• CFE advocates for full implementation of the Water Resources Initiative to ensure
planning for an adequate water supply for current and anticipated future needs
Objective WRA 1:
Provide incentives and educational information to landowners to increase protection of
watersheds and ground water supplies and their inter - relationships.
• The CFE distributes groundwater and surface water educational materials at Earth
Evening and Last Fridays events and as part of its State of the Environment reports
NOTE: The Orange County State of the Environment 2014 identified specific
recommendations on ways to help maintain and improve Orange County's
Commission for the Environment
environmental quality, many of which address objectives stated in the
Orange County Comprehensive Plan.
Identify any activities this commission expects to carry out in 2018 as they relate to
established BOCC goals and priorities. If applicable, is there a fiscal impact (i.e.,
funding, staff time, other resources) associated with these proposed activities (list).
• Continue to plan for and prepare the 2019 State of the Environment report
• 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, and developing
incentives for increasing energy efficiency in new construction
• Recommend ways to reduce the County's "carbon footprint" and ways to implement
the County's Environmental Responsibility Goal (BOCC Priority #10)
• 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
What are the concerns or emerging issues your board has identified for the upcoming
year that it plans to address, or wishes to bring to the Commissioners' attention?
• 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 standards and 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 (2019) and its other activities
• The CFE will continue to advocate for better long -term solutions concerning the
disposal of Orange County's solid waste
• The CFE will continue to advocate for increased public awareness and understanding
of water supply sources and related concerns
• 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
4
Attachment 4
A motion was made by Alderman Slade, seconded by Alderman Haven - O'Donnell, that this
resolution be approved.
A Resolution Stating the Town of Carrboro's Support for
Implementing a Price on Carbon in a Manner that does not
Absolve Carbon Emitters from Responsibility and Regulation
WHEREAS, there is a scientific consensus that greenhouse gas emissions are the primary cause
of global climate change, and that climate change is a crisis demanding immediate measures to
reduce its negative effects; and
WHEREAS, climate change is a threat to public health, national security, food security, and
business supply chains, and societal costs of inaction are significant and outweigh the temporary
economic impacts associated with the energy transition; and
WHEREAS, assigning a cost to greenhouse gas emissions is one of the most efficient ways to
discourage consumption of fossil fuels and encourage development of alternatives; and
WHEREAS the urgent need to transition from fossil fuels can be accomplished with a market —
based program, namely a revenue - neutral carbon fee - and - dividend; and
WHEREAS such an instrument would encourage consumers and the market to replace their
consumption of carbon based energy with innovative energy sources, whether by being more
efficient or by choosing other, less carbon intensive energy sources; and
WHEREAS, this revenue - neutral carbon fee - and - dividend is an effective method to reduce
carbon emissions for the following reasons:
1. The fee would motivate everyone to conserve and to adopt renewable energy without the need
for extensive governmental regulatory controls or infrastructure;
2. The fee would employ a free market approach to encourage innovative processes, not only in
energy production, but also in every other field in which energy is consumed, e.g. electric cars,
mass transportation, architectural planning and construction, water heating, lighting and air
conditioning in residential and commercial buildings;
3. Levying the fee at the point of production would be more efficient, less expensive and provide
more accurate price signals than would doing so at the points of consumption;
4. The fee would incentivize the development and use of alternative energies and attendant
technologies;
5. Because the fee is levied on the same basis on all businesses, it is fairer to every business and
easier to administer than alternatives, such as a cap and trade system; and
WHEREAS further delay in responding to this crisis increases the risk of catastrophic climate
change, imminently threatens low lying coastal areas and land and sea species, threatens water
supplies, increases the frequency of severe weather events, increases the cost of undertaking
adequate responses and increases risks to the global economy.
Now therefore be it RESOLVED, that the Carrboro Board of Aldermen accepts the position of
climate scientists that burning fossil fuels is the primary cause of climate change, and that a
necessary measure to address this problem is the enactment of a revenue - neutral fee on carbon
production at its source, with the fees being returned to Americans as a dividend.
Be it further RESOLVED: that the Town of Carrboro Board of Aldermen supports the concept of
a federal carbon fee - and - dividend approach that levies an annually increasing revenue - neutral
fee on the carbon in fossil fuels at the point of production and importation, and that would be
sufficient to:
a. Accelerate the phasing out of fossil fuels;
b. Make the transition from fossil fuels less onerous to consumers and to the economy by
returning all the revenues gained from the fee to Americans on an equitable basis;
c. Reduce US CO2- equivalent emissions to 40% of 1990 levels by 2020;
d. Encourage similar actions by other nations trading with the United States, by suitable carbon
content -based fees for imports and rebates for exports to nations that have not taken such actions.
Be it further RESOLVED that the Town of Carrboro Board of Aldermen believes that the carbon
fee and - dividend should be implemented without reducing or preempting regulatory and legal
protections for the public and the environment. In addition, fossil fuel companies should not be
absolved from their potential legal liability and existing ethical responsibility. This resolution
shall be sent to the Town's federal delegation.
This the 27th day of June, 2017
The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Alderman Seils, Alderman Slade, Alderman Chaney, Mayor Lavelle, Alderman Gist,
Alderman Haven - O'Donnell
1, Catherine Dorando. Towrii Clerk f'(,,)r the, To of'CarTbOfO, NC do her6 l-dry that the lbrcgoing is
a vue and correct copy of a resolution adopted by the Cartboro Board of ikiderynen,
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Attachment 5
RESOLUTION
CALLING ON THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO ADDRESS CLIMATE
CHANGE BY CONSIDERING AND EXPLORING A CARBON FEE AND
DIVIDEND
WHEREAS, The Town of Pittsboro is committed to addressing climate change and is
committed to protecting residents from the effects of climate change and air pollution; and
WHEREAS, Climate change poses a serious threat to the Town of Pittsboro in terms of the
economy, public health, and the environment; and
WHEREAS, the Southeast region is experiencing longer and more frequent droughts, more
frequent and intense storms and heavy precipitation events including unprecedented
hurricanes; and
WHEREAS, more frequent heavy rains are expected to increase flooding, threatening
infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, as temperatures rise and droughts increase in frequency and duration,
agriculture and forestry will likely face reduced yields, potentially damaging livelihoods and
the regional economy; and
WHEREAS, Congress has the responsibility to act swiftly and meaningfully on the issue of
climate change; and
WHEREAS, Legislation addressing climate change should not economically overburden
people in the Town of Pittsboro; and
WHEREAS, Carbon Fee and Dividend as put forth by the Citizens Climate Lobby and
other groups will greatly help fight climate change, and is a net economic boost to residents
of the Town of Pittsboro and its vicinity; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, THAT THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE TOWN OF
PITTSBORO, calls on the United States Congress to address climate change and explore a
Carbon Fee and Dividend as a sound, effective policy.
Adopted this the 11`' day of December, 2017.
ATTEST:
Alice F. Lloyd, CMC, NCCMC
Town Clerk
Cindy S. P ry, Mayor 3
MVMITiL M1 1.
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO SUPPORTING NATIONAL
CARBON FEE & DIVIDEND LEGISLATION
WHEREAS, the costs of climate change — including destabilized weather and extreme weather
events, rising sea levels, and health impacts —now pose a substantial threat to the health,
prosperity, and security of Chicagoans and all Americans; and
WHEREAS, the City of Chicago recognizes that rising carbon emissions are exposing and will
continue to expose Chicagoans to the risks of increasingly extreme heat in the summers,
heavier rainstorms, more frequent and severe flooding, and stresses on the public health and
economy; and
WHEREAS, presently, the environmental, health and social costs of carbon emissions are not
included in the price of fossil fuels, but rather these externalized costs are borne by all
Chicagoans, Americans, and the world's citizens; and
WHEREAS, the Paris Agreement, signed April 22, 2016, commits the United States to aid in
limiting the increase in global temperature to below 2 degrees Celsius above pre - industrial
levels; and
WHEREAS, economists overwhelmingly support a "carbon tax" or "carbon fee" as the most
effective, most efficient way to reduce emissions, and sound economic policy in its own right.
WHEREAS, Carbon Fee & Dividend will place a fee on fossil fuels at the source (the well, mine
or port of entry), beginning at $15 per metric ton of CO2 equivalent emissions, and steadily
increase annually at the rate of $10 per metric ton; and
WHEREAS, all revenues so collected will be returned to American households on a per capita
basis as a monthly dividend, more than offsetting any increased costs of carbon -based products
in most American households; and
WHEREAS, a border adjustment will assess a fee or rebate on goods traded with foreign
countries which do not establish a comparable price on carbon emissions, thus protecting
American businesses from foreign businesses who do not incur the costs of carbon pricing
measures; and
WHEREAS, Carbon Fee & Dividend legislation would create jobs, grow the economy, save
lives, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and
WHEREAS, Carbon Fee & Dividend is consistent with and in several instances facilitates the
realization of the goals of the Sustainable Chicago Action Agenda; and
WHEREAS, a national carbon tax can be implemented quickly and efficiently because the
federal government already has in place mechanisms, such as the Internal Revenue Service,
needed to implement and enforce the fee, and already collects taxes from fossil fuel producers
and importers; and
WHEREAS, a national carbon tax, levied at the point of extraction (well, mine, or port of entry),
need only be collected once and is transparent and simple by design; and
WHEREAS, a national carbon tax would make the United States a leader in mitigating climate
change and in the clean energy technologies of the 21 st century and would incentivize other
countries to enact similar carbon taxes, reducing global carbon emissions without the need for
complex international agreements; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Chicago supports national Carbon Fee &
Dividend legislation to cut carbon emissions and mitigate climate change, and urges the United
States Congress to adopt Carbon Fee & Dividend as a sound and effective policy.
E
APPENDIX A
To the City of Chicago Resolution in Favor of National Carbon Fee & Dividend Legislation
Findings:
Causation: there is a consensus among climate scientists' 2, domestic and international
science bodies such as the National Academy of Sciences, the International Panel on
Climate Change, the American Meteorological Society, The Geological Society of
America, the American Chemical Society, the American Physical Society, and several
other scientific bodies, that greenhouse gas emissions from human activities such as
burning fossil fuels are driving the current rise in global temperatures and the associated
climatic change3,
2. Mitigation: the weight of the scientific evidence indicates that business -as -usual will not
lead to reductions in greenhouse gas emission s4,5, and scientists and economists have
reached an agreement that an "upstream" tax or fee on carbon pollution is desirable to
reduce emission S6 -9,
3. Endangerment: further increases in global temperatures pose substantial dangers to
human health'o, the natural environment ", the economyl2 -15, national securityl6, and an
unacceptable risk of medium and long -term future harm ",
a. Climate change caused by global- warming - related greenhouse gas emissions
including CO2 is already leading to large -scale problems including rising sea
levels; more frequent, extreme, and damaging weather events such as heat
waves, storms, heavy rainfall and flooding, and droughts; more frequent and
intense wildfires; disrupted ecosystems affecting biodiversity and food
production; and an increase in heat - related death S18; and
We are potentially approaching or are currently passing several climate tipping
points, including unstoppable ice melt leading to irreversible sea level rise1920
methane release and runaway warming from melting permafrost21 and ocean
hydrate emancipation22, rainforest dieback, etc.23; and
4. Local effects of climate change: Overall, the effects of climate change on the Chicago
area are expected to be negative 24. The following effects of climate change are likely to
occur in the absence of major action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions:
a. Mortality similar to the 1995 Chicago heat wave is expected to be the new
norm for annual heat wave - related deaths in Chicago25,
Surface ozone levels in Chicago are expected to increase26,27 , worsening air
quality and exacerbating breathing problems like emphysema, bronchitis, and
asthma, especially in children,
c. Greater variability in Chicago area water quality28,
d. An increased frequency of heavy rainfall and flooding with the potential to
damage buildings, roads, bridges, and rail systems24,
3
e. Coastline erosion leading to property damage and IOSS24
Species loss and increased susceptibility to invasive species like the gypsy
moth and kudzu29.
g. Increased exposure to allergens like Ragweed 30 which exacerbate costly
medical conditions like rhinitis and asthma common in the Chicago area,
5. The present costs of fossil fuels are externalized: presently the environmental, health,
and social costs of CO2 emissions are not included in prices of fossil fuels, but rather
these externalized costs are borne directly and indirectly by all Americans and global
citizens; and
6. Co- benefits: the measures proposed in this legislation will benefit the economy, human
health, the environment, and national security, even before consideration of global
temperatures, by correcting market distortions, reducing non - greenhouse gas pollutants,
reducing the outflow of dollars to oil- producing countries, and improving energy security
for the United States31
7. Benefits of Carbon Fees: phased -in carbon fees on greenhouse gas emissions are (1)
the most efficient, transparent, and enforceable mechanism to drive an effective and fair
transition to a domestic energy economy, (2) will stimulate investment in alternative -
energy technologies, and (3) will give all businesses powerful incentives to increase their
energy efficiency and reduce their carbon footprints in order to remain competitive31
8. Equal monthly per - person dividends: monthly dividends from carbon fees paid equally to
every American household will cushion the poor and middle class against rising
COStS17,31 -33 stimulate the American economy31,34 and help ensure that families and
individuals can afford greenhouse - gas -free energy,
Therefore the National Carbon Fee & Dividend Act contains the following elements:
Collection of Carbon Fees / Carbon Fee Trust Fund: The Act would impose a carbon fee
on all fossil fuels and other greenhouse gases at the point where they first enter the
economy. The fee shall be collected by the Treasury Department. The fee on that date
shall be $15 /ton CO2- equivalent emissions and result in equal charges for each ton of
CO2- equivalent emissions potential in each type of fuel or greenhouse gas. The
Department of Energy shall propose and promulgate regulations setting forth CO2-
equivalent fees for other greenhouse gases including at a minimum methane, nitrous
oxide, sulfur hexafluoride, hydrofluorocarbons, (HFCs), perfluorocarbons, and nitrogen
trifluoride. The Treasury shall also collect the fees imposed upon the other greenhouse
gases. All fees are to be placed in the Carbon Fees Trust Fund and can be rebated
100% to American households as outlined below.
2. Emissions Reductions Targets: To align U.S. emissions with the physical constraints
identified by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to avoid
irreversible climate change, the yearly increase in carbon fees including other
greenhouse gases shall be at least $10 per ton of CO2- equivalent each year. Annually,
the Department of Energy shall determine whether an increase larger than $10 per ton
per year is needed to achieve program goals. Yearly price increases of at least $10 per
2
ton per year shall continue until total U.S. CO2- equivalent emissions have been reduced
to 10% of U.S. CO2- equivalents in 1990.
3. Equal Per - Person Monthly Dividend Payments: Equal monthly per - person dividend
payments shall be made to all American households (1/2 payment per child under 18
years old, with a limit of 2 children per family) each month. The total value of all monthly
dividend payments shall represent 100% of the total carbon fees collected each month.
4. Border Adjustment: In order to ensure that U.S. -made goods can remain competitive at
home and abroad and to provide an additional incentive for international adoptions of
carbon fees, Carbon - Fee - Equivalent Tariffs shall be charged for goods entering the U.S.
from countries without a comparable Carbon Fees /Carbon Pricing. Carbon -Fee-
Equivalent Rebates shall be used to reduce the price of exports to such countries and to
ensure that U.S. goods can remain competitive in those countries. The Department of
Commerce will determine rebate amounts and exemptions, if any.
1. Anderegg, W. R. L., Prall, J. W., Harold, J. & Schneider, S. H. Expert credibility in climate
change. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 107, 12107 -12109 (2010).
2. Doran, P. T. & Zimmerman, M. K. Examining the Scientific Consensus on Climate
Change. Eos, Transactions American Geophysical Union 90, 22 -23
3. IPCC. Climate Change 2013. climatechange2013.org Available at:
http : / /www.climatechange20l3.org/ images /report /WGlAR5- ALL- FINAL.pdf. (Accessed:
15 April 2014)
4. Covert, T., Greenstone, M. & Knittel, C. R. Will We Ever Stop Using Fossil Fuels? SSRN
Journal (2016). doi: 1 0.2139/ssrn.2720633
5. McJeon, H. et al. Limited impact on decadal -scale climate change from increased use of
natural gas. Nature 514, 482 -485 (2014).
6. Rosenberg, S., Vedlitz, A., Cowman, D. F. & Zahran, S. Climate change: a profile of US
climate scientists' perspectives. Climatic Change (2010).
7. Howard, P. & Sylvan, D. The Economic Climate: Establishing Consensus on the
Economics of Climate Change. (2015).
8. Haab, T. C. & Whitehead, J. C. What do Environmental and Resource Economists Think?
Results from a Survey of AERE Members. (2015).
9. Fuller, D. & Geide- Stevenson, D. Consensus Among Economists -An Update. The
Journal of Economic Education 45, 131 -146 (2014).
10. McMichael, A. J., Woodruff, R. E. & Hales, S. Climate change and human health: present
and future risks. The Lancet (2006).
11. Hughes, I. Biological consequences of global warming: is the signal already apparent?
Trends in Ecology & Evolution 15, 56 -61 (2000).
12. Nordhaus, W. D. & Boyer, J. Warming the world. (2000).
13. Weitzman, M. L. A review of the Stern Review on the economics of climate change.
Journal of economic literature (2007).
14. Whiteman, G., Hope, C. & Wadhams, P. Climate science: Vast costs of Arctic change.
Nature 499, 401 -403 (2013).
15. Burke, M., Hsiang, S. M. & Miguel, E. Global non - linear effect of temperature on
economic production. Nature 527, 235 -239 (2015).
16. Work, R. O. Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience. Department of Defense
(Department of Defense, 2016).
17. Hansen, J. et al. Assessing 'dangerous climate change': required reduction of carbon
5
emissions to protect young people, future generations and nature. PLoS ONE 8, e81648
(2013).
18. Change, I. P. O. C. Climate Change 2014 - Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability:
Regional Aspects. (2014).
19. Rignot, E., Mouginot, J., Morlighem, M., Seroussi, H. & Scheuchl, B. Widespread, rapid
grounding line retreat of Pine Island, Thwaites, Smith, and Kohler glaciers, West
Antarctica, from 1992 to 2011. Geophysical Research Letters 41, 3502 -3509 (2014).
20. DeConto, R. M. & Pollard, D. Contribution of Antarctica to past and future sea -level rise.
Nature 531, (2016).
21. Vaks, A. et al. Speleothems reveal 500,000 -year history of Siberian permafrost. Science
340,183-186(2013).
22. Archer, D., Buffett, B. & Brovkin, V. Ocean methane hydrates as a slow tipping point in
the global carbon cycle. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 106, 20596-
20601 (2009).
23. Lenton, T. M., Held, H. & Kriegler, E. Tipping elements in the Earth's climate system. in
(2008).
24. Wuebbles, D. J., Hayhoe, K. & Parzen, J. Introduction: Assessing the effects of climate
change on Chicago and the Great Lakes. Journal of Great Lakes Research 36, 1 -6
(2010).
25. Hayhoe, K., Sheridan, S., Kalkstein, L. & Greene, S. Climate change, heat waves, and
mortality projections for Chicago. Journal of Great Lakes Research 36, 65 -73 (2010).
26. Holloway, T. et al. Change in ozone air pollution over Chicago associated with global
climate change. Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres 113,
27. Lin, J. -T. et al. Potential effects of climate and emissions changes on surface ozone in
the Chicago area. Journal of Great Lakes Research 36, 59 -64 (2010).
28. Wilson, C. O. & Weng, Q. Simulating the impacts of future land use and climate changes
on surface water quality in the Des Plaines River watershed, Chicago Metropolitan
Statistical Area, Illinois. Science of The Total Environment 409, 4387 -4405 (2011).
29. Hellmann, J. J. et al. Climate change impacts on terrestrial ecosystems in metropolitan
Chicago and its surrounding, multi -state region. Journal of Great Lakes Research 36,
30. Barnes, C. et al. Climate change and our environment: the effect on respiratory and
allergic disease. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract 1, 137 -141 (2013).
31. Nystrom, S. M. & Luckow, P. M. The Economic, Climate, Fiscal, Power, and
Demographic, Impact of a National Fee - and - Dividend Carbon Tax.
dv7gcmvxe5e81.cloudfront.net Available at: http: / /dv7gcmvxe5e8l .cloudfront.net /wp-
content/uploads/ 2014/09/ The - Economic - Clim ate- Fiscal- Power - and - Demographic- Impact-
of-a- National- Fee - and - Dividend - Carbon - Tax- 6.9.14.pdf. (Accessed: 5 December 2015)
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implications for the incidence of environmental taxes. Journal of Environmental
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33. Ummel, K. Who Pollutes? A Household -Level Database of America's Greenhouse Gas
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C
Attachment 7
RESOLUTION OF THE ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
CALLING ON THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO
ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE BY IMPLEMENTING A
PRICE ON CARBON BY WAY OF CARBON FEE - AND - DIVIDEND LEGISLATION
WHEREAS, on September 5, 2017, the Board of Orange County Commissioners passed
RES- 2017 -048, entitled "Resolution of the Orange County Board of Commissioners in Support
of a Local, State, and National Goal of 100% Clean Energy by 2050 and the Creation of Green
Jobs," calling for Orange County, the State of North Carolina, and the United States to 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; and
WHEREAS, (i) the scientific consensus that climate change is primarily due to human -
caused fossil fuel emissions, (ii) the documented impacts of climate change in Orange County,
the state, the country, and the world, and (iii) the public health, economic, and social justice
benefits of a swift transition to a clean energy economy are summarized in the Board's
September 5, 2017 resolution; and
WHEREAS, the Orange County Board of Commissioners remains committed to acting
locally to address climate change and its harmful impacts to the extent possible, and also believes
that the United States Congress has a responsibility to act swiftly to take meaningful action on
the issue at a national and international level; and
WHEREAS, presently the environmental, health, and social costs of carbon emissions are
not included in the price of fossil fuels, but rather these externalized costs are borne by all
citizens of the world, including the residents of Orange County; and
WHEREAS, assigning a cost to greenhouse gas emissions is one of the most efficient
ways to discourage consumption of fossil fuels and thereby encourage development of
alternatives; and
WHEREAS, the Orange County Board of Commissioners has heard from local
volunteers representing the Citizens' Climate Lobby, a group that advocates for a carbon fee -
and- dividend legislative proposal at the federal level, and has reviewed information from
renowned economists and climate scientists in support of such a proposal; and
WHEREAS, the Orange County Board of Commissioners concludes that, in addition to
local measures in support of the September 5, 2017 resolution, a market - based, revenue - neutral
carbon fee - and - dividend program at the federal level appears to be a fair and effective means to
significantly reduce carbon emissions.
Now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the Orange County Board of Commissioners does
hereby approve of the following:
1
SECTION 1. Orange County, North Carolina supports the concept of federal carbon fee -
and- dividend legislation that would levy an annually increasing revenue - neutral fee on the
carbon in fossil fuels at the point of production and importation, and that would be sufficient to:
(i) accelerate the phasing out of fossil fuels and corresponding reduction in U.S. COz emissions;
(ii) make the transition from fossil fuels less onerous to consumers and to the economy by
returning all the revenues gained from the fee to Americans on an equitable basis; and (iii)
encourage similar actions by other nations trading with the United States, by suitable carbon
content -based fees for imports and rebates for exports to nations that have not taken such actions.
SECTION 2. This resolution is effective upon adoption and shall be sent to the County's
federal delegation.
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Name: _
Address:
City:
Phone:
Attachment 9
"Thie IHattiiire of" Orainge " Contest
1' "IIPI biiyi l ba;� Illl rr,ii tl ,ay �@,jnld Fraiiulls iini Girarwe o u»uinity,'
A I1 IIII of 1 ( r ii s 1) of ui by 5 U U p ]MI 1II 1I. , .2 0 1111 iii
u
Orange County DEAPR, 306 -A Revere Rd., PO Box 8181, Hillsborough, NC 27278
htlp:// orangecountync .gov /deapr /index.asg 919- 245 -2510
CONTEST ENTRY FORM
(A separate Entry Form is required for each photograph entered)
Email:
IM
State: Zip:
Division: ❑ Youth (18 & under) ❑ Adult (please check one)
*Photographs should feature: Orange County wildlife, natural resources, landscapes, or people within
our parks and trails (maximum of five entries per person.)
PHOTO AGREEMENT AND RELEASE
Signature below affirms review and agreement with all contest rules and photo release. This
agreement will apply to all photographs and other submissions supplied to DEAPR for the "Nature of
Orange " Photography Contest and will remain in full force and effect until cancelled in writing by
either party. Note: Signature of parent /guardian required for all entrants under the age of 18.
I, hereby grant Orange County DEAPR the right to
use my likeness, name, and /or images I have photographed in any and all publications, including
websites without compensation. In addition, the photographer retains all rights for any other use. I
hereby authorize Orange County DEAPR to edit, alter, copy, exhibit, publish or distribute all photos
submitted herein to this contest and I waive the right to inspect or approve the finished product.
I affirm that my entry materials are original, do not infringe on any third party's rights, and that
any necessary permissions from any third party have been obtained (if a third party appears in the
photograph).
Name of Photographer:
Signature of Photographer:
Signature of parent /legal guardian (ifphotographer is under 18):
Printed name of parent /legal guardian:
Date:
Date:
PHOTO DESCRIPTION
(Required for each photograph entered)
Photographer's Name:
Photo Title:
Division: ❑ Youth (18 & under)
File Name or Image 4:
❑ Adult (please check one)
Name of Plant / Animal (e.g., River Birch /Barn Owl):
Location (where photo was taken):
Brief paragraph explaining photograph:
CONTEST RULES
Photographs should feature Orange County wildlife, natural resources, landscapes, or people
within our parks and trails.
2. All photos must be taken in a natural setting (no staged photos.)
3. All photos must be taken in Orange County, NC.
4. Orange County employees are eligible with the exception of DEAPR staff, contest judges are
ineligible.
Entries per person: Maximum of five (5) total photos.
6. Complete and submit one Contest Entry Form for each photo entered. Forms found under
"Breaking News" at http:Horan eg countync.�zov /deapr/
7. Complete an Orange County Photo Images, Motion Picture and Television Release Form for
any third party whose image appears in your photo(s).
8. Each photo must be submitted in an electronic version either by email or by mailing a CD or
DVD to Orange County DEAPR. Limit file formats to high resolution .gif and .jpg files
(identifiable by their extensions).
9. DEADLINE TO ENTER: May 11, 2018. Submit to: Orange County DEAPR, 306 -A
Revere Road, P.O. Box 8181, Hillsborough, NC 27278 or email to:
lthechtgoran eg countync.gov
ttachment 10
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WASHINGTON
North Carolina, South
Carolina and Georgia each
logged its warmest year on
record in 2017, extending
min
a trend of above - average
annual temperatures,
according to new federal_
data released Thursday.
BUTCH con
Most scientists blame
North Carolina, South Carolina
and
rising levels of atmospher-
its warmest year on record in
2017, E
is greenhouse gasses for
federal data released Thursday.
the warming trend, which,
is expected to continue as
political resistance builds
Georgia's 65.8- degree
In
against domestic and
average temperature was
and T
international efforts to
2.4 degrees higher than its
also 1
curb man -made climate
20th- century average.
age is
change,
South Carolina saw a
year,
Last year's average
65.1' - degree average tem-
ed av
annual temperature for
perature last year, and
ature
the contiguous United
that was 2.7 degrees high-
their
States was 54.6 degrees
er than it averaged
Gre
Farenheit, the third -war-
throughout the last'centu-
' short•
mest on record and
ry.
the st
2.6 degrees higher than
Despite opposing views
atmoi
the 20th century's average
of the problem, Repub-
infrar
temperature of 52 degrees,
licans and Democrats in
radial
according to the National °
South Carolina have begun
' That,
Oceanic and Atmospheric
to work on climate change,
effect
Administration's annual
said'Blan Holman, Char-
radial
national climate report.
leston -based managing
earth
North Carolina's aver -
attorney for the Southern
what=
age temperature of
Environmental Law Center.
' SOT
61.1 degrees in 2017 was
Holman said South Car-
agree
the warmest since 1990
olina's Republican Gover-
influf
and 2,6 degrees warmer
nor Henry McMaster has
clima
than its 20th - century
convened a climate change
Dona
average temperature, the ,
task force and state GOP
other
report found.
leaders support efforts to
open]
Congressman David -
expand low- carbon energy
wide]
Price, a North Carolina
and solar energy.
Ste:
Democrat, said the trend
"I think there's a recog-
fellov
portends bouts of coastal
nition ... that the risks that
Heart
flooding, beach erosion and
ongoing and accelerating
know
other problems, particularly
climate change pose to our
ature
on the Outer Banks.
economy and wellbeing is
"The'
"I'd say by any measure
a very serious matter that
huma
we're going to be one of
requires pragmatic ap-
Chan€
the states that's going to
proaches, "',Holman said.
see the most severe effects
Nationally, 2017 marked
Repom
soonest, especially the
the 21st straight year the
contra
exposed nature of our
nation's average temper -
eastern shore," Price said
ature was warmer than
Tony
Thursday on Capitol Hill.
average, the report said.
@Tor
EI BRUCE HENDERSON
bhendeson @ciiarlotteobservei coni.
Duke Energy rolled out
a program Monday that
will offer rebates to make
it cheaper for North Car-
olina customers to install
solar - energy systems.
North Carolina is al-
ready the nation's second -
largest solar state due to
its dozens of large solar
ing price of panels, the
cost of home systems has
limited their appeal.
EnergySage, which offers
online quotes from solar
installers, says a 5 -kilo-
watt system in Charlotte
costs about $16,000 be-
fore tax credits or rebates.
Duke's program would
rebate 60 cents a watt for
home systems, or $4,800
for a typical 8- kilowatt
installation. Maximum
residential rebates would
be $6,000 for a 10 kilo-
watt or larger system.
Nonresidential custom-
ers would get rebates of
50 cents a watt, with a cap
of $50,000. Nonprofit
farms. State energy
legislation passed last
summer aimed to further
expand the industry, in
part by dangling new in-
centives to consumers.
Just 6,000 of Duke's 3.2
million customers in the
state now own solar sys-
tems. Duke expects to add
about 5,000 more by
offering rebates under the
legislation. The proposal,
which has to be approved
customers such as church-
es and schools, which
often can't get tax credits,
could get rebates of 75
cents a watt to a maxi-
mum of $75,000.
When Duke offered a
similar program in South
Carolina, about 2,000
customers took rebates.
Another 2,000 customers
installed solar system
even without rebates,
reflecting what Duke says
was increased consumer
interest spurred by the
program.
In North Carolina, Duke
expects the rebate pro-
gram to triple privately -
owned solar capacity to
150 megawatts within five
years. Duke said it would
seek to recover the $62
million cost of the rebates
through rates paid by
customers.
While Duke has butted
heads with the solar in-
dustry in recent years over
the pace, technical re-
quirements and locations
of new solar farms, the
rebate program finds both
on the same side.
Duke worked for two
years with the North Car-
olina Sustainable Energy
Association, which repre-
sents the industry, to de-
velop the rebate program.
Solar installers would
by the state Utilities Com-
mission, also gives cus-
tomers the cheaper option
of leasing rather than
buying systems.
Duke said it will file two
more proposals this week.
One would let customers
share the output of a solar
array without installing
their own. The other
would expand an existing
program that lets large
customers procure solar
energy to offset the power
they buy from Duke.
"We are structuring our
program to give customers
more flexibility on how to
adopt solar resources,
David Fountain, Duke's
North Carolina president,
said in a statement. "Of
course, customers have to
determine if solar energy
fits their needs."
Despite generous feder-
al tax credits and the fall-
David Fountain, Duke
Energy's North Carolina
president
likely benefit from lower
prices to consumers.
"If approved, this pro-
gram will enable more
North Carolinians across
our state to realize the
cost - saving benefits of
solar," the association's
executive director, Ivan
Urlaub, said in a state-
ment Duke provided. "We
are glad to have been a
voice for electric consum-
ers in the design of this
program. NCSEA looks
forward to partnering with
all energy providers and
their customers to contin-
ue innovating solutions
that open our growing
clean energy market to
everyone."
Bruce Henderson:
704 - 358 -5051, @bhender
- GRANT JEFFERIES giefferies @bradenton.com
Duke Energy rolled out a proposed $62 million program
Monday that will offer rebates to make it cheaper for
North Carolina customers to install solar- energy systems.
Attu. ch. me. n{..... 1 ..2 ............................
Resolution in Support of Divestment from Fossil Fuel Companies
WHEREAS the climate crisis, induced by the fossil fuel industry, is a severe threat to current and
future generations and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fifth Assessment
Report found that anthropogenic global warming promoted heat waves, droughts, floods, cyclones, and
wildfires that altered ecosystems, disrupted food production and water supplies, damaged infrastructure
and settlements, and increased morbidity and mortality; and
WHEREAS in order to mitigate the climate crisis a relentless drive to improve energy efficiency is
causing global energy consumption overall to decelerate and shift to renewable energy which is the
fastest growing energy source, accounting for almost a third of the increase in primary energy sources;
and
WHEREAS, "Measuring fossil fuel costs ", a 2015 study by University of Cambridge Judge Business
School, reported on 20 fossil fuel companies and found that, while highly profitable, the externalized
economic cost to society was also large. The report spans the period 2008 -2012 and notes that: "for all
companies and all years, the economic cost to society of their CO2 emissions was greater than their
after- tax profit, with the single exception of ExxonMobil in 2008; and
WHEREAS after assessing the degree of externalized, climate - change costs by the fossil fuel industry
and the proportion of those costs covered by the insurance industry, the president of the Reinsurance
Association of America stated, "it is clear that global warming could bankrupt the industry "; and
WHEREAS a 2013 study by HSBC found that between 40% and 60% of the market value of BP,
Royal Dutch Shell and other European fossil fuel companies could be wiped out because of stranded
assets caused by carbon emission regulation; and
WHEREAS, scientists can now determine to what extent climate change made a particular event such
as a hurricane, wildfires, or drought more likely or more extreme. This advance in attributing climate
change to specific actors enhances the potential for successful adjudication for the nine US cities that
have sued fossil fuel companies in the last year; and
WHEREAS, the value of stock in fossil fuel companies is severely jeopardized by improved energy
efficiency, transition to renewable energy sources, the magnitude of externalized costs, the potential for
stranded assets, and the increasing likelihood of large payouts for legal damages; and
WHEREAS, after two years of studying these and other deleterious factors and in fulfillment of their
fiduciary responsibility, Mayor Bill de Blasio, Comptroller Scott M. Stringer and other trustees of the
City's $189 Billion pension funds have announced a goal to divest New York City funds from fossil
fuel reserve owners within five years; and
WHEREAS, the North Carolina State Treasurer, as the fiduciary of over 20 funds worth about 100
billion dollars, invests these funds for the benefit of residents of North Carolina; and
WHEREAS, the North Carolina State Treasurer's fiduciary responsibility, in accordance with NC
General Statutes § 36E -3, requires consideration of expected total return from income and the
appreciation of investments and to preserve capital; and
WHEREAS, investments in fossil fuel companies are incompatible with the NC State Treasurer's
fiduciary responsibility to the citizens of North Carolina.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of County Commissioners calls
upon the State Treasurer of North Carolina to immediately stop new investments in fossil fuel
companies, to take steps to divest all holdings from fossil fuel companies and to release periodic
updates to the public, detailing progress made toward full divestment; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of County Commissioners send a copy
of this resolution to the Governor of the State of North Carolina and members of the state Senate and
state Assembly representing Orange County, asking support for institutional divestment from fossil
fuels and for this resolution.
NEWS SPORTS �- 0 J/ S Q U A TAOTOS LOCALEVENTS
,,)/ C ////1T i - 0 '111111j/ �D A � J/ D S - 0 R
Gqt� ,e eal fackS. (TICk 0
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Town of Chapel Hill Investing in
Energy Efficiency
Posted by Kelly Fahey I Jan 11, 2018 1 Local Government 1 0 1
S E/ R C I
Attachment 13
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URBAN F]
The Town of Chapel Hill has recently completed a project to
install a new HVAC system in Town Hall, effectively bringing
down average daily energy consumption 39 percent in the
building.
This project is part of a performance contract that the town has
with a contractor to improve energy efficiency in the town's
three most energy- consuming buildings - Town Hall, the
Homestead Aauatic Center and the Communitv Center.
PEALTHIEsT CHALLENGE
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Services Department of Chapel Hill John Richardson said that the
town has saved even more in energy costs than they had
originally projected.
"What we're seeing in our first year, based on the results, is that
the project is outperforming our expectations," said Richardson.
"We have saved $75,000 in just electricity and gas utility costs
alone."
The contract guarantees that the project must pay back the
town's investment over time, which was originally estimated to
be $70,000 in savings per year.
Improvements to the Homestead Aquatic Center and the
community center have included pool mechanical system
upgrades and LED lighting.
Richardson said that these improvements have also led to an
immediate reduction to the town's carbon emissions.
"For year one, the town has saved approximately 570,000
kilowatt hours of electricity for just these three buildings, which
translates into about 484 metric tons of carbon emissions
avoided," said Richardson. "That's roughly the same thing as
taking 90 passenger vehicles off the road for a year or powering
about 45 single family homes for a year."
The contract requires the town and the contractor to continue to
monitor and track energy efficiency for 15 years, which is the
projected payback time on this investment.
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WEST CORRIDOR STUDY
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Attachment 14
Welcome to the NC 54 Corridor Study Website. The purpose of this study is to better understand how
the NC 54 corridor is utilized and document the unique resources along this historic route.
The project team will use this website, and other tools, to engage with residents and commuters along the corridor. Please share
your comments or questions (get - involved.asp) with us and help us identify what locations (map.asp) make this corridor unique or
challenging.
Study Overview
The NC 54 Corridor Study is an in -depth review of the 20+ mile stretch of NC 54 between Old Fayetteville Road in Carrboro and I-
85 in Graham. This regionally significant roadway helps 6,000 to 15,000 vehicles per day reach work, schools, and stores, so local
governments are interested in opportunities and strategies to improve the roadway and support the communities alongside it.
Learn more)) (about.asp)
Study Objective
The goal of this study is to develop a long -term vision for this corridor, including the NC 54 roadway itself and the surrounding
communities. This vision is comprehensive, as it will address preservation of the area's character, economic opportunity and vitality,
environmental sensitivity, and transportation improvements for all users (drivers, freight, pedestrians, bicyclists, etc.). Learn more
(about.asp)
Study News
M Public Meeting #1
V January 23, 2018 @ Rigmor House Event Center
V January 24, 2018 @ Graham Civic Center
V January 25, 2018 @ Carrboro Town Hall
Click for more meeting details >> (get - involved.asp)
Attachment 15
Orange County Roadside Wildflowers — Johnny Randall responses to CfE questions
1) Regarding data collection, why try to inventory Orange County roadsides? Why not take a sampling
based approach? E.g. sample from a frame of 500m roadside segments (whatever can be manageably
surveyed). One could stratify by road direction (N -S, E -W), distance to stream, presence of parallel
utility right of way, and so on. This approach could result in a more manageable data collection
process and yield valid estimates roadside wildflower metrics (question 2).
The original roadside inventory plan was to determine where the high - quality (i.e., greatest botanical
diversity) occurs along Orange County roads and rights -of -way. From these data, the BOCC was going to
have an objective means of establishing "no- mow -no- spray" areas. BUT— because we at the Botanical
Garden and our "roadside warriors" found that the vast majority of roadsides left to grow "wild" (i.e.,
not part of someone's yard or business) contained a fabulous array and display of wildflowers. We were
particularly distressed over the effects of herbicides on these areas. Herbicides are killing our
extraordinary roadside wildflowers and transforming these areas to stands of horribly unattractive dead
vegetation.
Your suggestion for a sampling -based approach is certainly one way to gather data on the plant diversity
along roadsides, we do not have the time and resources for further data collection. We therefore
request that the BOCC, through a recommendation from the CfE, help to set up meetings with the
appropriate staff from NCDOT, Duke Energy, Piedmont Electric, and other rights -of -way managers to
discuss alternatives to herbicide use.
And to answer Question 3 here: Yes — the Botanical Garden would consider being the OC staff, DOT, and
utility company liaison. I personally look forward to having this discussion as soon as possible.
2) What are the metrics that would be used to measure the success of a roadside wildflower program?
area sprayed with herbicide? species diversity? abundance of invasive?
3) If the CFE could get the Board of Commissioners to update the 2012 resolution to expand its
commitment to also reduce the use of roadside herbicides, would the NCBG consider being the OC
staff, DOT, and utility company liaison? The current resolution puts the CFE in that position. I don't get
the sense that the CFE has the bandwidth or resources to manage such relationships.
4) 1 really like the idea of "wild roadside" program that could perhaps tie into other scenic routes in
the county. I could see the local tourism organization supporting such a program. Do you have ideas
for routes?
We can certainly recommend "wild roadside" scenic routes. I imagine that there are ways to create an
application with a narrator who describes these wildflower sections as the driver /bike- rider /walker
approaches these areas. We would love to brainstorm such idea.