2021-09-02 Citizens Climate Protection Committee MinCity of Edmonds - Mayors Climate Protection Committee ("CPC")
Meeting Minutes
September 2, 2021
Citizens Committee on Mayor's
Climate Protection Agreement
Mission of the CPS is to (7) Encourage citizens to be a part of the solution, (2) Encourage
City staff and citizens to conserve current resources, (3) Work with the City Council to im-
plement ideas, and (4) Effectively address the future impacts of climate change
In Attendance via zoom video call / phone:
• Committee Members: Bryn Chighizola, Cynthia Pruitt, Hank Landau, T.C. Richmond, David
Schaefer
• Council Rep:
• Staff: Kernen Lien
• Guests: Robert Knoll and Greg Ferguson
1. Call to Order, Review of Agenda, & Introductions:
2. Approval of August 2021 meeting minutes: Approved with no changes.
3. PSE Presentation: Mr. Knoll gave a presentation about Puget Sound Energy (PSE) and its
planning for operational improvements in both its electricity and natural gas lines of
business.
PSE is the state's largest private utility with 1.5 million customers and 3,100 employees.
Although it provides both electricity and natural gas to customers, it only provides gas in
Edmonds, where electricity comes from publicly owned Snohomish PUD. In Edmonds,
PSE has 10,860 residential customers, 530 commercial customers and seven industrial.
The majority of PSE's natural gas comes in pipelines from Utah and Wyoming, with some
from as far as Canada and Texas. Some electrical power is still produced in coal plants,
but the utility says it will end its use of coal by 2025.
PSE also has pledged to be 100 percent carbon free by 2045, including a 30 percent re-
duction in emissions by 2030.
In order to get to "net zero" carbon emissions, strategies include reduction of gas leaks,
use of low -carbon fuels, energy efficiencies, and conversion to an electric transportation
fleet.
PSE is a "winter -peaking" utility, meaning its heaviest use is in cold weather; however, it is
seeing an increase in summer demand, as more air conditioning is being used. This past
June, with very high temperatures, required the use of gas peaking plants to meet de-
mand.
Knoll said that the company is also looking at "renewable" natural gas, such as that from
landfills and cattle, but that they foresee gas remaining part of the energy spectrum.
Committee members suggested that a presentation from the PUD might be helpful in
planning any recommendations about conversions of gas to electricity. Mr. Lien agreed
to arrange such a presentation.
4. City Report: Mr. Lien also reported that he is still anticipating any updates to the Cli-
mate Action Plan from the mayor's office and that the open house planned for October
may also be delayed. He said $20,000 for "climate champions" is being proposed in the
2022 budget.
5. Follow-up on Mayor's short-term goals: Ms. Richmond and Ms. Chighizola agreed to
seek further clarification from the mayor's office about the direction of the committee,
specifically Mayor Nelson's suggestion that the committee focus on short-term goals
such as methane reduction.
6. City Council Report: None
7. Reflections on Survey Op-ed: Ms. Richmond reviewed the process involved in getting
an op-ed written, revised and approved by the city, and sent out for publication.
8. Public Comment: none
The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 am
Next Meeting: October 7, 202 7 @ 8:30 am