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2024-01-04 Climate Protection Committee MinutesCity of Edmonds - Mayors Climate Protection Committee ("CPC') Meeting Minutes January 4, 2024 Mission of the CPC is to (1) 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 implement ideas, and (4) Effectively address the future impacts of climate change. In Attendance: On -Site (Brackett Meeting Room): Committee Members: Cynthia Pruitt (Chair), Angela Winzen (Vice Chair), Pam Tauer, (Minutes), David Shafer, Niall McShane, Bill Phipps City Staff: Tristan Sewell, Tom Sullivan Citizen: Nancy Johnson Guest Speaker— Robert Knoll Zoom: Committee Members: Steven Cristol, Hank Landau Citizen: Georgina Armstrong 1. Call to Order, Review of Agenda, & Introductions a. The meeting was called to order at 11:01 am. 2. December Meeting Minutes a. The December meeting minutes were approved without changes. Public Comment and CAB Update a. Georgina reviewed the vision and objectives of the Climate Advisory Board (CAB). The CAB continues to support the hiring of a full-time Climate Action Manager. The CAB is committed to partnering with the CPC in September for Climate Week. The CAB plans to have a Climate 50 meeting in January. Angela restated what the CAB is for newcomers. The CAB is a group of community volunteers helping to execute the CAP. Georgina, Angela, and Nancy are members of the CAB. Climate 50 represents climate activists and representatives of environmental groups. The mayor, city staff, city council, and leaders of environmental groups are all invited. 4. Council Update a. The first meeting of the city council this past Tuesday did not have any environmental topics addressed. The budget that was adopted is bare bones. City needs to look at revenue sources with an emphasis this quarter. Edmonds is partnering with Shoreline for the bike-ped bridge planning over SR104 partnering. Bill asked if this committee has a budget. The CPC does not have a budget. 5. Puget Sound Energy— Robert Knoll a. Robert works in the government affairs department of PSE. PSE provides only natural gas to Edmonds. PSE is the largest electricity provider in the state and the largest utility producer of renewable energy in the Pacific Northwest. b. PSE's Energy Efficiency programs has helped customers with substantial savings. c. PSE Values are: Safe * Clean * Reliable. d. Robert reviewed natural gas properties, uses, and benefits. Natural gas is much better than coal in thermal plants — much more efficient and cleaner. e. PSE co -owns a coal plant in eastern Montana. f. PSE's goal is 53% non -emitting GHGs in 2024. Their goal is carbon -neutral by 2030 with 86% non -emitting. Niall asked what the growth of need in 2030. Total size vs percentages. PSE is adding clean non -emitting energy like wind to meet 2030 target. g. The Clean Energy Transformation Act of 2019 is silent on gas. There is current legislation discussion going on now. h. PSE's Beyond Net Zero Carbon goals. i. Reduce customer end use carbon emissions by 30% by 2030. ii. Net zero carbon emissions by 2045. i. Robert presented equivalent options in clean energy. j. PSE has supported all Washington state legislative acts for clean energy. k. Washington is far ahead of the nation in legislation. I. In the 2024 Legislative Session — gas decarbonization proposed. This would prohibit natural gas to new buildings. Proposed legislation would require PSE to file a Gas Decarbonization Plan. PSE is looking to couple the gas and electric business to meet regulatory targets. m. Bill asked how do you "decarbonize" gas? Robert responded "you don't —you move customers to electricity. " n. PSE is only utility to support "unwinding" gas. Will need to create a new rate structure for gas and electric customers (not applicable in Snohomish because PSE does not provide electricity). o. A question was raised, "What about gas -only customers?" p. Bill shared that PSE owned by privately -owned international pension fund's objective to make money. PSE generates 50% of energy from natural gas and only 10% or so from solar and wind. q. Hank asked if PSE or any other utility has material that helps homeowners how to decide on the many options with installing heat pumps. Robert shared that PSE does not have that information available to customers. r. Cynthia asked that additional questions by members can be sent to Robert (via Tristan). 6. Election of Chairs a. Cynthia announced that elections are coming in February. Cynthia shared that she is not interested in the chair/vice-chair position. b. Elections will include the Secretary position. 7. Staff Updates a. Green Building Incentives 101 presentation to the Planning Board is scheduled for January 10th at 7:30pm in the Brackett Room and available on Zoom. b. Director MacLaughlin is meeting with Mayor Rosen next week and the role of the CPC is on the agenda. c. Susan wanted to communicate to the CPC that planning office resources are thin. The city will not be able to submit this year for the Commerce grant. Regarding the Climate Pollution Reduction Act by EPA it is bigger than Edmonds. The city will work with regional entities to gain access to the grant money. Commerce will apply to EPA on our behalf for EV infrastructure. Tristan is our POC. d. The city hired BHC to draft updated CAP code back in December. e. There is interest in the 2024 Comprehensive Plan. A request was made to have Susan or Jeff to present an update on the Comp Plan. f. Georgina asked about whether the Commerce grant would be eligible for the Climate Action Manager. Tristan responded yes but the sub -elements must be addressed. g. Hank shared that the Department of Ecology has a significant grant on stream restoration. Hank will send this information to Susan Paine. 8. Grant Opportunities a. TFN (The Founders Network) grant deadline is in March which would be a good funding source for the 3D digital simulation of sea level rise. There is a January 17th webinar for interested applicants. Grant requires 50% match with non-profit. b. The non-profit partner can be regional, not just Snohomish county. c. Steven recommends that we consider thinking about an adaptation plan since the 3D Digital Simulation of Sea Rise addresses adaptation as part of the product. d. Director McLaughlin supports CPC pursing grants that support outreach. Port of Edmonds and BNSF may be interested in supporting but are not eligible to serve as the non-profit. Susan shared that Pilchuck Audubon Society may be a potential non-profit partner. 9. 2024 Calendar Actions Prioritization a. Angela will take Pam's updated Calendar and review with Tristan's and email out to members. We will work in email to progress. b. Susan asked if a special meeting in 2 weeks is needed. Interest was communicated via hands. c. Angela recommended a special meeting with CAB and CPC for planning the September Climate Week activity. She will use doodle poll to schedule. 10. February 1st Agenda & Action Items a. Brief report on Comp Plan update b. Brief report on Mayoral meeting c. 2024 Calendar Activities d. Elections e. Update on Youth Creative Climate Exhibition - Steven 11. Announcements and General Public Comment a. Cynthia shared a sobering newspaper article on climate. Earthweek: Diary of a Changing World b. Sno-Isle Sierra Club announced their Home Electrification 8-part series starts January 16th The meeting adjourned at 12:33pm.