02/09/1981 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e e Sarah Hendrickson, 1306 Adams, EWEB board member, spoke about the word "manda- tory", WhlCh brlngs up lmages of more government interference. Governments are already involved in energy issues. She had been impressed by the way EWEB was keeping its independence and local control. Two issues were clear: 1) the price of BPA electricity is going up; 2) shortly there will not be enough to go around~ In the proposed ordinance, "mandatory" simply ensures that a person does not weatherize his/her house while neighbors leak valuable kilowatts out of their ceiling. The ordinance would be one first, small step toward keeping control of Eugene's future energy situation in Eugene. Sam Sadler, 1991 Columbia, pointed out that the ordinance was equitable because the alternative would be a higher cost to all for future generations. Tenants fear that landlords would use the ordinance as an excuse to raise rents, but landlords should not have to raise the rents any more than what the tenants would benefit from weatherization. In conclusion, he thought that the ordinance was excellent but too modest, and those who are suggesting that Eugene do less are really suggesting that it do nothing. Daniel Anderson, 2522 Van Ness, a member of the Progressive Alliance, spoke in favor of the proposed ordinance. Energy conservation is the quickest short-term solution to the problem. The measures proposed are simple, cost-effective, and reasonable, and will insulate our community from energy price inflation. There will always be those who oppose any attempt for a community to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of its citizens. Passage of the ordinance would be a wel- come signal to Eugene that it is finally serious about energy conservation. Jerry Rust, 2410 Madison, Lane County Commissioner, gave his suppor,t on the weatherization ordinance. On the question of mandatory standards, he believed that the American people were ready for conservation but it is important that the standards be fair and equitable. In his opinion, these standards were fair and equitable. The time lapse of five years is more than reasonable. Further- more, though some would decry the mandatory nature of these provisions, others are equally vehement in objecting to the mandatory nature of financing new and more costly generating facilities. If we have to be mandatory, it should be on the side of conservation. The second point is the very direct relationship between energy conservation and air quality here at the upper end of the Willam- ette Valley. Even homes that are not electrically heated must be weatherized if we are to preserve the air quality in this valley. Specifically, wood heaters are taking up an increased share of the airshed. It is imperative that we move forward with weatherization for all homes so that not as much particulate matter is put into the atmosphere. Shawn Boles, 105 North Adams, spoke on behalf of the Executive Board, Whiteaker Community Council, and said that the ordinance had been supported by the commu- nity council since its inception. Janice Bohman, 690 West Broadway, is a renter concerned with the energy situation in general. She believes in conservation and weatherization but as a renter there was only a limited amount that she could do, as her landlord had a wait-and- see attitude. Passage of the ordinance was urged. MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 9, 1981 Page 5