HomeMy WebLinkAboutAIR QUALITY ADVISORY BOARD - MINUTES - 02/12/20241
2/12/2024 - Minutes
Air Quality Advisory Board
REGULAR MEETING
Monday, February 12, 2024 – 5:30 PM
222 Laporte Avenue, Colorado River Room
1. CALL TO ORDER: 5:30 PM
2. ROLL CALL
Board Members Present –
• Mark Houdashelt (Chair)
• Dan Welsh
• Maria Moore
Board Members Absent –
• Greg Clark (Vice Chair)
• Matt Ayres
Staff Members Present –
• Selina Lujan de Albers, Staff Liaison
• Emily Olivo, Sr. Specialist
• Heidi O’Mara, Program Assistant
Guest(s) –
• Stacey Baumgarn, CSU Campus Energy Coordinator
3. AGENDA REVIEW
No changes.
4. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION
None.
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - JANUARY
Board did not have quorum to vote on the January meeting minutes but made
some edits and clarifications.
6. PREVIOUS BUSINESS
Mark:
Councilmember Kelly Ohlson is now the AQAB liaison.
Maria:
Is it possible the change in liaison may get the Board more attention and
communication?
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Mark:
Will chat with Councilmember Ohlson about Council communication with the
Board.
New Board members will start in April – official appointments likely in late
March. Additional recruitment may be needed but will meet with new
members and Selina prior to their first meeting.
Selina:
Board interviews are March 6th.
Mark:
Shared an email from Cassie about event at CSU.
Discussed sending a sub to the Air Quality Monitoring Advisory Committee
(AQMAC) meeting with D’Angelo – probably cannot send a substitute
member, but someone from the Board could attend to listen. Mark will try to
attend.
Three important pieces of legislation related to ozone that are going to be
introduced on the 15th: one requiring more extensive modeling of air quality
impacts of oil and gas facilities for more aggregate permitting looking at the
entire facility rather than individual components, one focused on fines and
enforcement for air quality violations, and one that pushes for a phase out of
permitting of new oil and gas facilities by 2030 and contains additional
requirements for cleaning up old oil and gas facilities. It would be nice for
Council to testify in support of the bills.
There have been some more aggressive decisions made by the EPA and
ECMC – the EPA recently rejected some permits for a Weld County oil
complex because of the ozone situation and the ECMC recently would not
approve 18 new wells that were drilled on an existing well pad next to a
residential community mainly due to advocacy from the community and local
municipalities.
Council is going through its priority setting number two tomorrow night.
One of Council’s priorities was the 2024 mini BFO request about the Healthy
Homes Program under Human and Social Health.
Another priority was to take direct actions to ensure compliance and reduce oil
and gas operations in and around Fort Collins, especially in northeast Fort
Collins.
Under Economic Health, priorities included circular economy and climate
solutions.
Many priorities related to waste reduction and recycling, particularly with
respect to a construction and demolition waste sorting facility and a
local/regional food scrap processing facility.
Policies and performance standards for energy use in existing buildings and
new building energy codes for new construction as well as continued electric
conversion of City-owned gas-powered equipment. Additionally, a priority was
a strategic allocation of the new climate tax funds through 2024 and 2025-26
budget process.
Priorities for active modes.
Maria:
Many of the priorities were included in what the AQAB suggested.
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Mark:
April meeting will be in CIC room by Council Chambers.
Dan:
Any information on flaring permit being sought by Prospect Energy.
Mark:
Just aware that the application has been submitted but unsure of timing or
status.
Selina sent a message to Board to judge interest in attending a March 25th
super issue meeting to meet other members and garner information about
other Boards and Commissions.
Fort Collins Transportation Projects Fair at the Atzlan Center on the 22nd.
RMI webinar on the future of “Indoor Air: Policy Solutions for Clean and
Healthy Buildings” on March 6th.
7. NEW BUSINESS
The CSU GHG Inventory & Climate Action Plan – an update and
strategies for the future – Stacey Baumgarn
Stacey Baumgarn, CSU Campus Energy Coordinator, outlined the history of
the University’s goal to be carbon neutral by 2040 with 100% renewable
electricity by 2030. He further discussed the University's greenhouse gas
inventory and nine components thereof. He noted 40% of the University's
greenhouse gas emissions come from electricity use.
Mr. Baumgarn stated CSU makes up about 10% of the total community
inventory for greenhouse gas emissions and noted the electricity emissions
factor went up by 5% last year due to WAPA not being able to deliver all of
the promised electricity from dams due to drought. Additionally, air travel
doubled.
Mr. Baumgarn outlined the Fuel and Energy Related Activities (FERA) section
of the inventory and discussed losses that occur in the natural gas system
during transit. He stated FERA is a way of accounting for upstream losses
which are included in the inventory. He discussed the addition of students
and building square footage and those effects on the inventory.
Mr. Baumgarn discussed the funding sources, specifically the Energy Reserve
Fund which is a green revolving fund of $1 million per year for energy
efficiency projects on campus.
Dan noted the per student and per square footage usage is headed in the
right direction but asked if the overall cumulative impact is increasing given
the increases in student population, number of buildings, volume of usage of
utilities. Mr. Baumgarn replied things are moving in the right direction;
however, energy use depends on building types and how the campus grows.
Dan asked if the total energy consumption is going up or staying stable. Mr.
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Baumgarn replied that total energy consumption is almost flat over the past
decade. He noted CSU buys 85% of its electricity from Fort Collins Utilities
and 15% from Xcel.
Mr. Baumgarn outlined CSU’s climate action plan which moved the carbon
neutrality goal up to 2040 from 2050.
Maria asked what is being done to decrease refrigerants. Mr. Baumgarn
replied that language in the climate plan goals has been shifted to address
those refrigerants the EPA is planning to phase out and to utilize equipment
and refrigerants that have the lowest global warming potential.
Mr. Baumgarn discussed building energy use reduction, which could occur
through policy, standards, or behavior. Additionally, he noted that energy
sources are also considered.
Mr. Baumgarn discussed the fees staff members pay for taking plane trips of
$10 for domestic trips and $20 for international trips and stated that those
funds will be used to implement energy efficiency projects on campus.
Maria asked why many campus lights are not turned off at night. Mr.
Baumgarn replied lighting control standards were not up to par for some time,
and each new building had a different lighting control system which many
employees did not know how to operate.
Dan commended the presentation, accountability CSU has taken, and
specificity of the climate action plan. Mr. Baumgarn noted CSU’s website
includes all iterations of the climate action plan and annual greenhouse gas
emissions inventories.
Dan asked if CSU is on track to meet its 2040 goal. Mr. Baumgarn replied
likely if Platte River Power Authority and Xcel get close to their goals.
Preparing your Home for Wildfire Smoke
Emily provided an outline of the presentation staff provides to the public
regarding preparing homes for wildfire smoke using tools that are already
available and teaching people how to create a clean space in their home
during wildfire events and times of poor air quality. She discussed the air
quality index which is set by the EPA, noting it tracks five major pollutants:
ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen
dioxide. She detailed the City’s website reporting of the air quality index and
discussed the importance of keeping wildfire smoke out of homes.
Additionally, she outlined the most vulnerable populations, including outdoor
workers and people experiencing homelessness. Emily noted that the City is
working on a smoke readiness plan, which includes homelessness experts.
Dan commented on particulate matter 2.5 (PM 2.5) which includes particulate
matter 2.5 microns and smaller, which are microscopic in nature and can get
into one’s bloodstream.
Heidi discussed creating clean air spaces in homes, which involves rooms
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with fewer windows and doors and with window air conditioning units if a
whole house system is not available. She stated that the room should be kept
closed off, and if the poor air quality event is occurring during high heat, it is
important to keep bodies cool. Heidi outlined how to make an air filter with a
portable box fan and filters. She noted these types of air filters are meant for
air quality emergencies and should only be run when someone is present in
the home.
Mark asked if there is any guidance as to the best location for a box fan air
filter. Heidi noted they should not be placed in windows.
Maria asked if wearing masks is recommended. Selina replied they must be
fitted in order to be effective.
Selina stated Healthy Homes assessments come with an air cleaner with six-
month filters that are $20. Additionally, she discussed the workshops held for
neighborhoods and members of the public.
Maria asked if wildfire mitigation techniques are part of this program. Maria
noted Poudre Fire Authority will inspect homes for wildfire risk.
Maria stated her company conducts wildfire residue testing.
Dan suggested the possibility of utilizing a City facility, such as the Atzlan
Center or another community building, as designated ‘clean air’ facilities.
Emily replied that is part of the conversation around the Smoke Readiness
Plan. Additionally, she stated the Emergency Preparedness Office is
engaging in public education campaigns.
Mark noted transportation to any type of facility needs to be a consideration.
Selina noted the Senior Advisory Board is quite interested in the wildfire
preparedness issue and it may be beneficial to have a joint meeting with
them, particularly around homebound individuals.
Agenda Planning
Members discussed having Honore Depew make a presentation to the Board
and outlined other possible meeting topics, including a joint meeting with the
NRAB, and whether to wait for new Board members to be in place for certain
topics. Selina stated she would also explore a presentation from Kathryn
Bailey, a presentation by someone from Our Climate Future regarding the use
of the climate tax funds, and a presentation on the City’s air quality program.
Mark stated he would also like a presentation regarding the Front Range Rail.
8. BOARD MEMBER REPORTS
Dan noted the EPA is lowering the PM 2.5 annual standard, though the daily
standard will remain. He announced Air Quality Awareness Week will be May 6-10.
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9. STAFF REPORTS
None
10. OTHER BUSINESS
None
11. ADJOURNMENT
8:15 p.m.
Minutes approved by a vote of the Board on 03/18/2024