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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAC Minutes_06_13_23 Jefferson County/City of Port Townsend Climate Action Committee Meeting Minutes Tuesday, June 13, 2023, 3:00 - 5:00 PM ONLINE due to COVID Hosted by Jefferson County Public Health Members Present: Cindy Jayne, Jeff Randall (PUD No. 1), Dave Wilkinson, Owen Rowe (City Council), Laura Tucker (Jefferson County Public Health), Kate Dean (BoCC), Sara Peck (Jefferson Transit), Kees Kolff (JHC), Michael Clea (PTPC), Cara Loriz Absent: Carol Hasse (Port of PT), Diane McDade, Kate Chadwick, , Dave Seabrook, Staff: Judy Surber (City of Port Townsend); Laura Tucker (Jefferson County) Guests: Evan Rosenberg SRECT, Lara Cittadini (JCPH), Lara Gaasland-Tatro (JCPH), Cindy Bratz (Forest Working Group); Mary Jean Ryan (Forest Working Group) Scribe: Judy Surber Topic Recommendation/Action Follow Up Items Call to order Introductions Chair Kolff called the meeting to order at 3:02pm Approval of Agenda & Minutes Approval of Agenda and 4/11/23 Minutes. Motion to approve 4/11/23 minutes as presented, by Cindy Jayne, 2nd by Kate Dean, motion passed. Motion to approve Agenda as presented, by Jeff Randall, 2nd by Owen Rowe, motion passed. Laura to post minutes on County Website Public Comment None. Clean Fuel Standards Guest Speaker: Evan Rosenberg, SRECT – Cindy noted that Evan recently presented to PRTPO (Peninsula Regional Transportation Planning Organization) . Evan gave a presentation “Washington Clean Fuel Standard Leveraging EV Incentives to Accelerate Electrification”. SRECTrade is a renewable energy credit management company. In 2021, Washington passed a bill that provides credits for low carbon “clean” fuels (e.g., EV charging). The Clean Fuels Program is codified in (Chapter 173-424 WAC) and became effective 1/1/23. What is Clean Fuel Standard? – both a market-based compliance program and incentive. CA, OR, BC, Canada also have clean fuel standards. Other states have introduced legislation. In WA, ECY monitors compliance with the annual carbon intensity (CI) benchmark https://ecology.wa.gov/Air-Climate/Reducing- Greenhouse-Gas-Emissions/Clean-Fuel-Standard . Under WA Clean Fuels Program, credits earned can be sold to producers of high-carbon fuels. Proceeds vary based on program, asset type, utilization and market price. There is a participation fee and you need a metering device for EV chargers. It applies to both Level 2 and Level 3 chargers, and would be applicable to the 8 EV chargers to be installed at Visitor’s Center. It could also apply to workplace chargers. It could apply to other chargers in the area, if they are metered.. It was noted that the WA Cap and Invest program is separate. EV Working Group Update Cindy: update on two different sets of chargers which were grant funded: Two car share chargers installed. 8 EV fast chargers at Chamber should be installed this week. Future grants – going after additional car share site and cars in town. County and PUD are also looking at additional fast charger sites for Port Townsend, Port Ludlow and Quilcene. Cindy thanked Arlene Allen for her continued support. Kate Dean added, trying to find an appropriate location on west end. Kate Dean asked about the particular configuration of connectors for the fast chargers at the Chamber. Cindy will follow up. Forestry Workshop Update Cindy Jayne, Cindy Bratz, and Mary Jean Ryan shared draft goals and recommendation for BOCC re carbon sequestration opportunities related to 2023 WA legislative session. 1) Draft Recommendation for PT Tree Canopy Goals: non-forest and forested areas. NLCD includes the Quimper Wildlife Corridor (QWC) (245 acres protected, that’s 15% of the UGA). Jeff noted Kirkland is a wealthy community with more staff. Kees asked for clarification on how QWC and Fort Worden fit into the calculations. 2) State Funding Opportunities – urging County to participate in new programs. Motion to ask CAC working group to modify draft letter to BOCC re: new carbon sequestration opportunities in the name of the CAC and send to BOCC with a cc to the City – Moved by Owen Rowe, Second by Laura Tucker. Motion passed. 3) Countywide goals – tabled for next meeting. Input to the City of Port Townsend for 2024 Workplan Last year, the CAC schedule did not allow CAC review for a letter to be submitted in time for the Council’s consideration. Kees reviewed potential revisions to the 2023 draft letter. Motion to approve by Owen Rowe, second by Kate Dean. Discussion: Dave Wilkinson suggested rewording second sentence of first paragraph “by reducing green gas emissions, increasing carbon sequestration and preparing for climate impacts.” Michael noted the wording is in quotes so should not be changed. Owen also expressed concern. Kees suggested replacing with simplified intro. Cindy and Judy suggested deleting “King Tide”. Laura suggested dividing the question into two: rain gardens and outlets impacted by King Tide. Friendly Amendment: Jeff Randall moved and Cindy Jayne seconded: Approve items 1-7 in the CAC recommendations to the City’s 2023 Workplan, direct Chair to reword and simplify into and divide stormwater into two bullets: King Tide and increased rainfall. Cindy suggested: Add to #2 “encourage that an Urban Forest Management Plan be developed”. Motion passed. Motion: Laura Tucker moved and Dave Wilkinson seconded to include an additional item on sea level rise as drafted by Dave and Kees. Motion passed. Chair Kolff to final the letter and forward to city for Council’s consideration. Filling an Open Committee Position Arlene Allen and Cara Loriz are both moving out of town and stepping down from the CAC. Kees recommends advertising for the two open positions rather than changing the organizations in the Roster. There were no objections. Laura to advertise on County website. Upcoming Organizational Plans and Documents for Climate Review? Cindy is on Solid Waste Facility Task Force, and they will be using the CAC Climate Risk decision tool. Kees: Hospital District undergoing demolition of it’s oldest 1965 building and rebuilding with additional space. They will present to Board of Health in July re how they are working to minimize carbon footprint and for our next meeting will report out on progress. Break ground planned for September 2023. Open Doors in 2025. Judy noted Planning Commission is considering five options for 2023 Comprehensive Plan Amendments. One of them involves Regional Stormwater Management Facilities in the Quimper Wildlife Corridor. This option would also further the Forest Groups goal of preserving areas for carbon sequestration. Public Comment None Other Updates None Next Steps and Agenda Planning & 2023 Dates Next Meeting August 8 Executive group to meet July 21 @ 1:30 to prepare agenda. Adjourn The meeting was adjourned at 5:01 p.m.