HomeMy WebLinkAbout221026 WSMINUTES
Eugene City Council
Work Session
Eugene, Oregon 97401
October 26, 2022
12:00 p.m.
Councilors Present: Matt Keating, Jennifer Yeh, Mike Clark, Greg Evans, Randy Groves,
Emily Semple, and Alan Zelenka
Mayor Vinis opened the October 26, 2022, work session of the Eugene City Council in a
hybrid format at 101 W 10 th Avenue, Eugene OR 97401.
1. WORK SESSION: Decarbonization of Existing Buildings
City Manager, Sarah Medary introduced Sustainability Manager Ian Penn, who was joined
by Josh Proudfoot and Aaron Toneys of Good Company who presented information on the
Decarbonization of Existing Buildings in Eugene.
Council Discussion:
• Councilor Zelenka -noted it will take time to complete this transition and that the
climate protection act passed by the legislature will help in the transition process;
prefers to focus on the easier transitions first; noted the importance of outreach and
education; stated that the City should focus on space and water heating in healthcare,
office, food service, education and retail first; noted that the cost associated with clean
energy will decline as technologies improve; stated the City should focus on aligning
with the state.
• Councilor Groves -noted concern over decarbonization regulations and the impact to
employers; asked if affordability and cost effectiveness were based on current EWEB
and NW Natural rates; noted EWE B's work on a hydro dam and the costs of that work;
suggested that EWEB explore solar panel installation at reservoirs; recognized concerns
about hydrogen blending with natural gas; asked for clarification on how nitrogen oxide
increases when introduced with hydrogen; asked presenters about weatherization
programs between municipalities and local utilities; noted interest in exploring
weatherization programs.
• Councilor Yeh -noted Bethel citizen concerns regarding hydrogen blending; asked if
presenters can provide information regarding the safety of a potential pilot project in
Bethel on hydrogen blending with natural gas.
• Councilor Clark -noted that understanding the costs of carbon reduction projects is
important; asked presenters to discuss energy reliability, storage, and transport for
carbon reducing energy options; asked if the cost of materials for battery power storage
is feasible; noted that energy storage is an important factor in decarbonization work;
asked about nationwide work looking into blended energy options.
• Councilor Keating -stated interest in solar panel installation along Interstate 5; asked if
a local solar plant investment for a large scale solar power collection stations is feasible;
noted that increased solar installations would also create jobs; asked how many jobs
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Work Session
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are in the green collar sector; asked how the training for green collar jobs are being
offered; asked what about reducing emissions from lawncare equipment.
Councilor Semple -noted her preference for weatherization efforts to reduce the
energy used for space heating; asked how solar energy performs in winter months;
asked if wind power installation in rights-of-way is a feasible option; asked if on-
demand hot water is more efficient than standard hot water heaters; noted support for
moving to electric lawncare equipment.
Councilor Zelenka -noted that hydrogen is expensive and that improvements in
technology will bring that cost down; stated that older buildings and heating in
healthcare, office, food service, education and retail are the best places to start carbon
reduction efforts; stated the importance of outreach and education prior to acting on
decarbonization efforts; noted the federal funding options to assist in the
decarbonization efforts; stated interest in green bank options; noted that a focus on
equity for low profit margin and underserved businesses is important.
Councilor Groves -noted a preference to align with state goals and standards; asked
when the market will become more advantageous to shift to electrification; asked if the
market would self-correct if no action were taken; noted that rights-of-way installation
of solar and wind would be a potential risk near roadways.
Councilor Semple -noted that industry was a smaller carbon emissions contributor
than commercial and residential sectors; noted that Good Company's report provided
good recommendations for potential actions.
Mayor Vin is -noted that staff are working on how federal funding can be used
effectively; stated a preference to consider housing policy along with climate policy;
noted that local action is important and the City should not wait for state or federal
action; suggested that Council make a distinction between decarbonization and new
buildings; suggested that Council consider sector strategies and more targeted
approaches.
Mayor Vinis adjourned the meeting at 1:22 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Katie LaSala
City Recorder
(Recorded by Sara McKinney)
Web cast of meeting available here .
MINUTES -Eugene City Council
Work Session
October 26, 2022 Page 2