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

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e e e Phil Ritter, 2760 Riverview, CPA, advised that he had taken advantage of the slx-percent bank weatherization loan program and was convinced that Eugene should not spend its money building new power ,plants or damming up the few wild rivers that are left. The ordinance represents a significant beginning to do something before the Federal government gets involved. Dan Solitz, 892 Sprague, said he participated as a private citizen in the State's activities for redefining a power standard. Out of the discussions came agreement that all energy facility development resulted in environmental degra- dation and energy conservation could be considered a resource. The Oregon Department of Energy is developing programs to monitor conservation by State, city, and person. If a community was wasteful, this could find its way into the State's legislature, and conservation would be done at the Federal level. He suggested that Eugene pass the ordinance before the Federal government became involved. Gary Gillespie, 2018 Orchard, spoke on behalf of Tom Anderson, Eugene Neighbor- hood Leaders Association, who supports the ordinance but felt that the ordinance should be expanded to commercial and industrial sites as well as larger develop- ments above four units. Sallie Edmunds, 1172 West 5th Avenue, represented the Board of Directors, Willamette Valley Solar Energy Association, who strongly support the ordinance. Almost 50 percent of the homes in the community are rentals and there is little incentive for landlords to weatherize since most renters pay their own utili- ties. Over 10 percent of Oregon homes do not have ceiling insulation. Eugene can ill afford to waste and create a necessity for development of expensive energy sources. Voluntary weatherization and tax incentives have failed to produce substantial results. There is little choice but to make conservation mandatory. Scott Lieuallen, 1054 Van Buren, Lane County Commissioner, was proud to have been a part of the council when the priorities were established. Two of the council's chief concerns at the time he was on the council were: 1) how to educate the citizens; and 2) mandatory versus voluntary. Some people thought the issue was too difficult and should be abandoned. Due to the efforts of staff and the EWEB Board, other communities will look to Eugene as a model and for leadership. Joe Weiner, 1640 McKinley, spoke as a renter who recently moved from an older duplex because of inadequate heat and weatherization. He had been uncomfortable and felt that this was an important issue that had been overlooked. The owner was not willing to weatherize as he would not see a return on his investment. Mandatory weatherization would be the only solution. Speaking against the proposal: Dick Booth, PO Box 2575, thought personal economics should dictate whether or not individuals weatherize their house. Why should Eugene save part to be used in some other city that was not conserving energy? The proposed ordinance goes against past philosophy of the community. It is financially imprudent to use MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 9, 1981 Page 6