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MINUTES – Eugene City Council May 22, 2019 Page 1 <br />Work Session <br />M I N U T E S <br />Eugene City Council <br />Harris Hall, 125 East 8th Avenue <br />Eugene, Oregon 97401 <br />May 22, 2019 <br />12:00 p.m. <br />Councilors Present: Betty Taylor, Emily Semple, Jennifer Yeh, Michael Clark, Alan Zelenka, Claire Syrett Councilors Absent: Chris Pryor, Greg Evans Mayor Vinis opened the May 22, 2019, Work Session of the Eugene City Council. <br />1.WORK SESSION: Northwest Natural’s Low Carbon Pathway for EugeneIntergovernmental Relations Manager, Ethan Nelson, Northwest Natural Senior Vice Presidentof Operations, Kim Heiting, and Senior Director of Environmental Policy and Sustainability, BillEdmonds, presented an update on climate and energy related policies, programs and planningefforts.Council Discussion <br />•Councilor Zelenka – expressed appreciation to NWN staff for presentation; discusseddecarbonization study done by NWN; discussed potential plans and ideas to work withNWN on decarbonization and methods for achievement; expressed eagerness and discussedwork with NWN to create a model other cities could use to meet environmental goals;inquired how regulations on NWN imposed by the public utilities commission be affected asNWN and Eugene go beyond “business as usual”. <br />•Councilor Yeh - inquired about the current supply of renewable energy and goals towardsrenewable natural gas; asked what barriers exist that make 25 percent of current supplytowards renewable natural gas the goal by 2050; discussed how the 25 percent is affectedby energy efficiencies; asked how power to gas affects the development of renewablenatural gas; asked about smart energy participation costs for customers; asked if NWN hasdiscussed RNG with the police force or LTD. <br />•Councilor Syrett - expressed skepticism about collaborative relationship with NWN;expressed appreciation for work being done by NWN considering climate change butsupported greater efforts, considering what NWN is capable of achieving rather thancompared to other utilities and expressed desire to know more about what NWN is doing;inquired how they are defining “healthcare facility”; asked if NWN has set goals forparticipation in energy efficiency; inquired about goals for participation in smart energyprogram and expressed desire for NWN to increase efforts in development; asked if NWN isengaged with transformation away from diesel at state level; reiterated Councilor Yeh’sbelief that 25 percent reduction by 2050 is not strong enough considering the urgent natureof climate change and the City’s goals. <br />•Councilor Taylor - inquired if NWN gas comes from fracking procedures; asked if NWNbelieves there is a limitless supply of natural gas; inquired about methane production fromcows and garbage sites; discussed population growth and energy efficiencies; asked if NWNreplaced pipes in Eugene and concern about dangers for explosions; inquired how deeppipes are placed. <br />ATTACHMENT C <br />June 10, 2019, Meeting – Item 4A