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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/27/2025 - AIR QUALITY ADVISORY BOARD - AGENDA - Regular meeting Air Quality Advisory Board Monday, January 27, 2025 5:30 – 8:00 PM (dinner for Board members and presenters served at 5:15 pm) 300 Laporte Ave | CIC Conference Room (first floor) Meeting link for hybrid access (requires internet access): fcgov.com/aqab-teams-meeting 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. ROLL CALL 3. AGENDA REVIEW 4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 6. PREVIOUS BUSINESS 7. NEW BUSINESS a. Air Quality Education Collaboration Presentation; 6:00-7:00 Micah Warners, Education & Outreach Sr. Specialist for the Environmental Services Department, will meet with the Air Quality Advisory Board to explore potential collaboration opportunities for air quality education. This initial conversation will focus on getting to know each other, sharing goals for air quality education, and brainstorming ideas for working together. The objective is for Micah to gather feedback, which will be used to consider future collaboration opportunities with the Environmental Services Department. (Presentation & Discussion) b. Agenda Planning & 2024 Annual Report Review; 7:00-7:30 The board will discuss agenda items and presentation topics for the February, March, and April meetings and review the 2024 Annual Report. (Discussion & Decision) 8. OTHER BUSINESS ● Board Member Reports ● Six Month Calendar Review https://www.fcgov.com/cityclerk/planning-calendar.php ● Revisit action items from previous meetings & preview of next meeting City Websites with Updates: ● Air Quality Advisory Board webpage: https://www.fcgov.com/cityclerk/boards/air-quality-advisory ● Our Climate Future: https://ourcity.fcgov.com/ourclimatefuture 9. ADJOURN 1 12/16/2024 - Minutes Air Quality Advisory Board REGULAR MEETING Monday, December 16, 2024 – 5:30 PM 222 Laporte Avenue, Colorado River Room 1. CALL TO ORDER: 5:30 PM 2. ROLL CALL ● Board Members Present – • Dan Welsh (Chair) • Mark Houdashelt (Vice Chair) • Adam Schmidt • Michael Cheeseman • Jeremiah Gorske • Michael Johnson (arrived late) ● Board Members Absent – • Matt Ayres • Maria Moore ● Staff Members Present – • Selina Lujan de Albers, Staff Liaison ● Guest(s) – • None 3. AGENDA REVIEW No changes. 4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION None. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – NOVEMBER 2024 Members discussed changes to the minutes. Schmidt made a motion, seconded by Cheeseman, to approve the minutes of the November 2024 meeting as amended. The motion was adopted unanimously. 6. PREVIOUS BUSINESS 2 12/16/2024 - Minutes None. 7. NEW BUSINESS a. City of Fort Collins’ Building Performance Standards Presentation – Katherine Bailey, Utilities Energy Services Program Manager Katherine Bailey, Utilities Energy Services Program Manager, stated Building Performance Standards (BPS) is a proposed regulatory efficiency policy for commercial and multi-family buildings in Fort Collins. She noted about a third of the buildings in Fort Collins are already meeting energy efficiency targets while some others may face significant economic or technical barriers meeting the standards; therefore, many jurisdictions have a cap on the maximum amount of energy use reduction required by any building. Fort Collins is proposing a 15% energy use reduction cap for smaller buildings and a 25% reduction cap for larger buildings. Bailey noted the rebate and incentive program for energy efficiency has been in place for over 20 years, and it has provided a great deal of data, part of which is total project cost. Bailey noted Building Performance Standards are essential to achieving the City’s goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% from 2005 levels by 2030, as outlined in Our Climate Future. Additionally, there are physical health benefits and economic health benefits, including reduced energy burden, higher occupancy rates, higher tenant retention, and higher resale value. Bailey outlined potential negative impacts of Building Performance Standards, including inequitable impacts, the accuracy of projected impacts, and concerns related to building owners not having sufficient staff to implement the requirements. Bailey noted the adopted BPS framework could include policy changes, such as altering the timeline and delaying the final target, altering the covered building list, and lowering the energy use reduction cap. Bailey stated there is a perception that economic and environmental health goals conflict and discussed the overlap between the two areas. She outlined the impact of Building Performance Standards, specifically in terms of metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, and discussed how the greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals would be impacted by delaying the implementation of BPS. Bailey stated BPS is an efficiency pathway and efficiency enables strategic electrification. In terms of cost, Bailey stated the absolute total dollar amount for BPS is $270 million, which includes $44 million in administrative costs, mostof which would occur with or without BPS. The estimated community cost is $226 million for building upgrades, which does not include rebates, incentives, tax deductions, or business as usual assumptions. Bailey noted BPS would pay for itself by 2038 just in energy costs avoided, and by 2050, the community would avoid $630 million in energy costs. Bailey also noted it is cheaper to save energy than to buy or build new energy. Bailey stated BPS serves as a climate change mitigation strategy and noted climate change is getting more expensive every year. She outlined the next steps for BPS, which include a third Council work session in January. Bailey noted it is important for 3 12/16/2024 - Minutes everyone to be aware of the impacts of delaying adoption of the policy. Vice Chair Houdashelt asked if the cost savings estimates are based on current day costs and whether future PRPA rate increases are considered. Bailey replied rate increases are considered. Chair Welsh asked if regional and ancillary considerations play into the metrics. Bailey noted efficiency is less expensive than building new solar and stated all renewables that will be necessary to meet the City’s goals will be built by Platte River Power Authority. A Board member asked if there are any financial incentives being considered to encourage buildings to reduce energy use further than the 15% and 25% numbers. Bailey replied the policy focuses on those numbers but noted there will be under- resourced building incentives and early adopter incentives. A Board member asked if staff has any sense of how the next four years of federal policy may impact the regional make up of energy consumption and production. Bailey replied staff is not necessarily concerned about how production will be impacted. In terms of federal dollars that support building efficiency, there is some room for optimism in terms of BPS as many high-level Republicans have constituents who have benefitted from the carrots in the Inflation Reduction Act dollars. Chair Welsh asked if there are similar programs for smaller residential buildings. Bailey replied the City has a number of programs, including the EPIC Homes program which targets residential buildings. Vice Chair Houdashelt asked if it is anticipated that this will be the first step in BPS and whether buildings will ultimately be required to be more energy efficient over time. Bailey replied most BPS policies are created over a longer period of time with interim steps along the way and noted the methodological approach used for the final 2030 targets is the approach that would have been used to set an interim target. Bailey noted there is a 2050 carbon neutral goal for Fort Collins and stated staff would like to take the question to Council as to whether a regulatory pathway like BPS would be appropriate to enforce that goal. Chair Welsh asked if Bailey is seeking specific support from the Board prior to the work session. Bailey replied staff would appreciate a memo if it would be feasible for the Board. Chair Welsh stated it could be difficult to have a memo drafted and approved by the date of the work session but noted the Board could find a more tangible way to support the effort in the future. Members discussed drafting a short memo now indicating the Board’s support for keeping BPS on its original schedule. (**Secretary’s Note: The Board went on to discuss some Other Business items prior to returning to this topic.) Members discussed wording for a short memo expressing support for maintaining the established timeframe for BPS adoption given concerns about air quality impacts 4 12/16/2024 - Minutes and not achieving 2030 greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals should adoption be delayed. Schmidt made a motion, seconded by Johnson, to approve the memo language. The motion was adopted unanimously. Lujan de Albers stated she would submit the memo to Council in the coming days. b. Public Outreach Chair Welsh stated he recently met with Dawson Metcalf, Chair of the Natural Resources Advisory Board, Ross Cunniff, Chair of the Land Conservation and Stewardship Board, and Councilmember Kelly Ohlson, during which Councilmember Ohlson announced he would not be seeking reelection in the fall; therefore, the Board will be getting a new Council liaison at that time. Chair Welsh stated he broached the idea of the Board seeking some latitude in conducting or supporting education and outreach efforts and Councilmember Ohlson seemed receptive to the idea. Chair Welsh stated he also noted it may be easier to direct staff to conduct more education efforts rather than change the Code to allow for the Board to conduct those efforts. He stated the next logical step is to meet with the City’s new education and outreach staff member at the January meeting to see what is planned from that perspective. 8. OTHER BUSINESS a. Board Member Reports A Board Member reported on attending the American Geophysical Union conference in Washington, D.C. and on being on a panel of eight people, three of whom were from Fort Collins. Vice Chair Houdashelt reported on a new watch technology that can identify and record exposure to various air pollutants throughout the day. He noted the watches themselves are costly and payment is required for analysis. Members discussed other similar items. Chair Welsh reported on the Air Quality Monitoring Advisory Committee meeting which was an interactive event with an artist whose topic is environmental pollution. b. Electing a Vice Chair Chair Welsh asked Vice Chair Houdashelt if he would be willing to remain in the position until after new members are on board. Vice Chair Houdashelt replied in the affirmative. c. Rescheduling January and February Meetings Members discussed rescheduling the January meeting to the 27th and the February meeting to the 24th. Cheeseman made a motion, seconded by Gorske, to move the January meeting to the 27th. The motion was adopted unanimously. 5 12/16/2024 - Minutes Gorske made a motion, seconded by Cheeseman, to move the February meeting to the 24th. The motion was adopted unanimously. d. Board Comments on the Draft Natural Areas Strategic Framework and the Natural Areas Department’s Long-Range Plan Members discussed the degree of alignment of this item with the Board’s Work Plan and discussed planned presentations for upcoming meetings. Members also discussed whether the Board should weigh in on Platte River Power Authority’s new planned gas-fired power plant. Vice Chair Houdashelt noted there have been calls for an independent third-party review of the plant. Lujan de Albers stated she would explore who may be the best party to present on the topic from an objective standpoint. e. Six Month Calendar Review Lujan de Albers stated the Board will do some planning in January based off the 2025 Work Plan. She noted there is little on Council’s Six Month Calendar related to air quality outside of the Building Performance Standards work session, and she commented on other items on the Calendar that may be of interest. Members discussed the possibility of meeting with other Boards during the coming year. f. Revisit Action Items from Previous Meetings and Preview of Next Meeting 9. ADJOURNMENT ● 7:38 pm Minutes approved by a vote of the Board on 1/XX/2025 Headline Copy Goes Here Sr. Specialist, Education & Outreach Micah Warners Air Quality Education – Opportunities for ESD & AQAB Collaboration 01-27-25 Headline Copy Goes Here Leak Notifications 2 •Share respective goals for air quality education in 2025 (ESD, AQAB) •Begin exploring ideas for collaboration •Micah to gather feedback, which will be used to consider future collaboration opportunities with the Environmental Services Department Target Outcomes Headline Copy Goes Here Leak Notifications 4 •Name •What you hope to get out of our conversation Introductions Headline Copy Goes Here Outline •2 | ESD Air Quality Education 5 Headline Copy Goes Here Le 62025 Goals ESD Education Goals for 2025 • Increased community awareness, understanding, and pro-environmental behaviors in the areas of air quality, waste diversion, and climate action & resilience • Improve understanding of our audiences to better connect with them educationally (e.g., language, motivations, etc.) Headline Copy Goes Here Leak Notifications 7Strategy Focuses Leverage (people)Align (message) • Optimization: Collaborate with partners with specific expertise or with complementary efforts • Relevancy: Educate when messaging will most effectively connect with audience(s) (seasonality, incentives) • Internal: Increased alignment of messaging with City and other initiatives • Grounding: Ground educational initiatives in Our Climate Future (OCF) Headline Copy Goes Here 8Seasonal AQ Topic Summary - 2025 Winter Spring Summer Fall • Radon (action month) • Winter AQ (indoor burning) • General AQ • OCF Big Move 3: Climate Resilient Community • AQI & Ozone (anti-idling, lawn & garden) • Wildfire Smoke • Residential Wood Burning • OCF Big Move 5: Live, Work, Play Nearby • Radon (awareness month) • Residential Wood Burning Year-Round • Air Quality Monitoring Advisory Committee: Outreach events, open house education • Healthy Homes • Partner Sharing: CDPHE (e.g., Air Quality Alerts), Parks & other Internal Departments, Night Sky, Oil & Gas, Larimer County, etc. Headline Copy Goes Here Leak Notifications 9Tactics Headline Copy Goes Here Add 10Tactics Headline Copy Goes Here Outline •3 | AQAB Air Quality Educational Interests 11 Headline Copy Goes Here Outline •4 | Wrap-Up 12 City of Fort Collins Air Quality Advisory Board 2024 Annual Report The Air Quality Advisory Board (AQAB) was formed in 1994. In 2024, AQAB members discussed and provided feedback to Council regarding various topics related to current and future air quality, in alignment with the Board’s 2024 Work Plan. Members who served in 2024 included: ● Mark Houdashelt (chair, January - May; vice-chair, June - December) ● Dan Welsh (vice-chair, April - May; chair, June - December) ● Greg Clark (vice-chair, January - March) ● Matt Ayres ● Maria Moore ● Michael Cheeseman (April - December) ● Jeremiah Gorske (April - December) ● Michael Johnson (April - December) ● Kaori Keyser (April - November) ● Adam Schmidt (April - December) Staff and Council representatives included: ● Council Liaison: Councilmember Julie Pignataro (January) ● Council Liaison: Councilmember Kelly Ohlson (February - December) ● Staff Liaison: Selina Lujan de Albers, Manager, Environmental Services Department The table below lists the major agenda topics, presenters, and formal actions taken by the AQAB for each of the 2024 meetings. Date Major Agenda Topics (and presenters) Formal Action(s) Taken 1/22/24 Healthy Home Program (Emily Olivo, Environmental Sustainability Senior Specialist; Heidi O'Mara, Environmental Sustainability Coordinator) 2024-2025 Council Priorities of a recommendation to City Council regarding its 2024-2025 priorities 2/12/24 CSU GHG Inventory and Climate Action Plan (Stacey Baumgarn, Colorado State University Campus Energy Coordinator) (Emily Olivo, Environmental Sustainability Senior Specialist; Heidi O'Mara, , Environmental Sustainability Coordinator) 3/18/24 Bailey, Utilities Energy Services Program Manager) (Davina Lau, Boards and Commissions Coordinator) Legislation on Air Quality to City Council asking it to support specific State legislation related to AQ 4/15/24 Members and City Council Liaison Advisory Board with the NRAB. 5/20/24 City Forester) 6/17/24 Air Quality Specialist) Board Elections Dan Welsh was elected as chair, and Mark Houdashelt was elected as vice- chair. chosen to explore changing City Code to allow the AQAB to engage in public outreach and education efforts. 7/15/24 Offers 8/19/24 AQAB/NRAB Joint Meeting Budgeting for Outcomes: Offer Review and Joint Memo Development 9/16/24 AQAB/NRAB Joint Meeting Urban Forestry Strategic Plan: Finalize Joint Council Memo Council Memo 9/16/24 AQAB Meeting Council Memos: Budgeting for Outcomes & Urban Forestry Strategic Plan The AQAB approved the joint NRAB recommendations to City Council regarding BFO offers and support for the Urban Forestry Strategic Plan. 10/21/24 Air Monitoring Assessment (Cassie Archuleta, Lead Air Quality Specialist; Tim Dye & Helena Pliszka, TD Enviro) 2025 AQAB Annual Work Plan Public Outreach - Update to City Code 11/18/24 presented to Councilmember Ohlson to gauge Council support for changing City code to allow the AQAB to participate in public outreach and education. 12/16/24 Building Performance Standards (Katherine Bailey, Utilities Energy Services Program Manager)2023 Annual Report The AQAB approved a recommendation to City Council asking it to support the proposed timing and implementation of the Building Performance Standards. Public Outreach