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MINUTES <br />Eugene City Council <br />Harris Hall, 125 East 8h 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 <br />Syrett <br />Councilors Absent: Chris Pryor, Greg Evans <br />Mayor Vinis opened the May 22, 2019, Work Session of the Eugene City Council. <br />WORK SESSION: Northwest Natural's Low Carbon Pathway for Eugene <br />Intergovernmental Relations Manager, Ethan Nelson, Northwest Natural Senior Vice President <br />of Operations, Kim Heiting, and Senior Director of Environmental Policy and Sustainability, Bill <br />Edmonds, presented an update on climate and energy related policies, programs and planning <br />efforts. <br />Council Discussion <br />• Councilor Zelenka- expressed appreciation to NWN staff for presentation; discussed <br />decarbonization study done by NWN; discussed potential plans and ideas to work with <br />NWN on decarbonization and methods for achievement; expressed eagerness and discussed <br />work with NWN to create a model other cities could use to meet environmental goals; <br />inquired how regulations on NWN imposed by the public utilities commission be affected as <br />NWN and Eugene go beyond "business as usual". <br />• Councilor Yeh - inquired about the current supply of renewable energy and goals towards <br />renewable natural gas; asked what barriers exist that make 25 percent of current supply <br />towards renewable natural gas the goal by 2050; discussed how the 25 percent is affected <br />by energy efficiencies; asked how power to gas affects the development of renewable <br />natural gas; asked about smart energy participation costs for customers; asked if NWN has <br />discussed RNG with the police force or LTD. <br />• Councilor Syrett - expressed skepticism about collaborative relationship with NWN; <br />expressed appreciation for work being done by NWN considering climate change but <br />supported greater efforts, considering what NWN is capable of achieving rather than <br />compared to other utilities and expressed desire to know more about what NWN is doing; <br />inquired how they are defining "healthcare facility'; asked if NWN has set goals for <br />participation in energy efficiency; inquired about goals for participation in smart energy <br />program and expressed desire for NWN to increase efforts in development; asked if NWN is <br />engaged with transformation away from diesel at state level; reiterated Councilor Yeh's <br />belief that 25 percent reduction by 2050 is not strong enough considering the urgent nature <br />of climate change and the City's goals. <br />• Councilor Taylor - inquired if NWN gas comes from tracking procedures; asked if NWN <br />believes there is a limitless supply of natural gas; inquired about methane production from <br />cows and garbage sites; discussed population growth and energy efficiencies; asked if NWN <br />replaced pipes in Eugene and concern about dangers for explosions; inquired how deep <br />pipes are placed. <br />MINUTES — Eugene City Council May 22, 2019 Page 1 <br />Work Session <br />