Minutes

RECORD OF ACTION
AD HOC COMMITTEE ON SUSTAINABILITY

July 23, 2018
12:30 P.M.
651 Pine Street, Room 101, Martinez

Supervisor John Gioia, Chair
Supervisor Federal D. Glover, Vice Chair

Agenda Items:

Items may be taken out of order based on the business of the day and preference of the Committee

Present:	John Gioia, Chair
	Federal D. Glover, Vice Chair
Staff Present:
	Frank DiMassa, Energy Manager, Dept of Public Works
	Jill Ray, Field Representative, Supervisor Candace Andersen
	Jason Crapo, Deputy Director, Dept of Conservation and Development
	John Kopchik, Director, Dept of Conservation and Development
	Dominic Aliano, Field Representative, Supervisor Federal Glover
	Jody London, Sustainability Coordinator
Attendees:	Nick Despota
	Michael Kent
	Shoshana Wechsler
	Trish Clifford
	P. Craig
	Mary Selkirk
	Cynthia Mahoney
	Carol Weed
	Bob Hanson
	Lynda Deschambault
	Lee C. Ballance, MD
	Lisa Chang
	Harry Thurston
	Betty Lobos
	Marti Roach
	Clifton Louie
	Doug Merrill
	Ogie Strogatz
	Douglas Mason
	Howdy Goudey
	Victoria Smith
	Doug Mason


1.				Introductions/Roll Call

2.				Public comment on any item under the jurisdiction of the Committee and not on this agenda (speakers may be limited to three minutes).

				Carol Weed asked when this committee will become a standing committee.

3.				APPROVE Record of Action from the May 7, 2018, meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee on Sustainability.

				The Record of Action was unanimously approved.

4.				DISCUSS opportunities to leverage the Idle Free Pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Contra Costa County, and PROVIDE DIRECTION, as appropriate.

				Wayne Michaud from Idle Free California showed a short video about idle-free driving and reviewed actions taken by Contra Costa cities and the County to support idle-free driving. Michaud suggested that a good way to promote Idle Free is through schools, particularly middle schools. He noted a 2016 State resolution that calls for a ban on idling on school property. Michaud suggested the County consider posting Idle Free signs at County facilities and institute an idling ban in County vehicles. He also reviewed new idle-reduction technologies for vehicles. Michaud acknowledged that Idle Free ordinances can be difficult to enforce, yet they can raise visibility of the issue. The Committee discussed the importance of coordinating with the cities on Idle Free policies and noted the opportunity a consideration of an Idle Free policy provides in terms of the County fleet. The Committee received public comments from several individuals. These included: One reason people idle their cars is to stay cool, so it is important to ensure there is seating under trees in public areas. Drive-thrus should be included in any policy the County might consider. It is important to educate the public about replacing combustion engines and the benefits of electric vehicles. The Committee directed staff to examine how to implement an Idle Free policy in the County. This should include research on how to work with the cities, through the Mayor's Conference, and public education undertaken jointly with the cities.

5.				CONSIDER recommendation from the Sustainability Commission to include support for a Carbon Fee and Dividend in the County's Federal legislative platform.

				Nick Despota presented the recommendation from the Contra Costa County Sustainability Commission for the Board of Supervisors to include support for a Carbon Fee and Dividend in the County's Federal legislative platform. Despota reviewed the features of the Fee and Dividend concept, which includes a national fee on carbon at the source of emissions or point of entry of a product into the U.S. The price would start at $15/ton and rise $10/ton per year. The fee would need to be $50/ton to have an impact on carbon emissions. The utility of the fee is the steady revenue stream it creates. 100 percent of revenues from the carbon fee would be returned to all households in the U.S. as a dividend. 60 percent of households are expected to receive more in dividends than they spend. Lower income households are expected to benefit more. There also would be a border adjustment fee that would level the playing field by imposing an import fee on goods from countries that do not have a comparable carbon pricing program. Many members of the public spoke in support of the Carbon Fee and Dividend concept. Members of the Citizens Climate Lobby said that there is polling that shows support for a Carbon Fee and Dividend as a way to get clean energy. They said that historically the fossil fuel industry receives large subsidies, and that the current price of carbon does not reflect the health and environmental impacts of carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions. A Fee and Dividend is in their opinions the best and quickest method to protect public health. It is simple and not regressive in terms of impacts on low-income populations. The Citizens Climate Lobby encouraged the Committee to bring this issue to the Board of Supervisors. They noted that support from the Board would be non-binding, and that this morning a Republican member of Congress introduced a carbon tax bill. They also noted that California Senate Bill 775 includes many provisions of a Carbon Fee and Dividend program. Shoshana Wechsler expressed concern about the dividend aspect of the proposal. She suggested that any dividend from a fee on carbon should be directed to government programs, ideally as part of a massive, wartime-style initiative that would invest in low-income populations and displaced workers. Supervisor Gioia agreed that we need a national price on carbon. He pointed out complications regarding how the price is set and how the funds are used. Gioia noted that California has taken a hybrid approach where a fee is assessed through the cap and trade auctions and revenues are disbursed by the State. Supervisor Glover said he is not against fees or taxes on carbon. However, it is important to look at the best approach. Glover would like more information on how to communicate about this issue with the public. The Committee directed staff to bring a resolution to the Board indicating support for a carbon fee or tax.

6.				RECEIVE UPDATE on Renewable Resource Potential Study.

				Jody London provided an update on the status of the Renewable Resource Potential Study. The study is looking at the potential for renewable energy technologies in Contra Costa County -- solar, wind, biomass, and biogas -- and how to facilitate installation of more renewable energy in the County while being mindful of land use priorities such as agriculture, parks, and conservation. Staff is looking at infill areas that otherwise will not be developed, such as parking lots, rooftops, and cloverleafs. London said that staff hosted a stakeholder meeting on May 24 and would be hosting another stakeholder meeting that week on July 25. The resource potential and recommendations regarding zoning are scheduled to be complete in early October. Staff will use the results of the study to determine interest in and feasibility of community energy projects in the communities of Bay Point, Rodeo, and North Richmond. The Committee directed staff to bring the study findings to the full Board in October. The Supervisors also offered to assist staff in working on potential community energy projects.

7.				RECEIVE report from the Chair of the Contra Costa County Sustainability Commission.

				Victoria Smith, Chair of the Sustainability Commission, reported that the Commission welcomed a new member in the Education/Research seat, Kim Hazard, at its April meeting. At that meeting the Commission received an update on the Renewable Resource Potential Study and the Adapting to Rising - Eastern Contra Costa (ART-East) project. The Sustainability Commission asked the Bay Conservation and Development Commission staff to integrate the County's Climate Action Plan in ART-East, and provided ideas on outreach and education regarding that project. The Sustainability Commission is planning a retreat for August 18.

8.				RECEIVE report from County Sustainability Coordinator.

				Jody London summarized the written report included with the agenda. London noted that the California Air Resources Board recently approved a $1.4 billion allocation of Greenhouse Gas Reduction Funds, and asked if the Committee would like to provide direction for County departments to prepare to apply for those funds. The Committee directed that staff coordinate with each Supervisor as more information becomes available about these grant opportunities.

9.				The next meeting is currently scheduled for Monday, September 24, 2018.

10.				Adjourn

The Ad Hoc Committee on Sustainability will provide reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities planning to attend Ad Hoc Committee on Sustainability meetings. Contact the staff person listed below at least 72 hours before the meeting.

Any disclosable public records related to an open session item on a regular meeting agenda and distributed by the County to a majority of members of the Ad Hoc Committee on Sustainability less than 96 hours prior to that meeting are available for public inspection at 651 Pine Street, 1st floor, during normal business hours.

Public comment may be submitted via electronic mail on agenda items at least one full work day prior to the published meeting time.

For Additional Information Contact:

Jody London, Sustainability Coordinator
Phone: (925) 674-7871
Jody.London@dcd.cccounty.us