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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAir Quality Advisory Board - Minutes - 09/17/2018AIR QUALITY ADVISORY BOARD REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 17, 2018 – 5:30 PM 222 LAPORTE AVENUE, FORT COLLINS – COLORADO ROOM 09/17/18 - Minutes Page 1 1 UCALL MEETING TO ORDER: At 5:31 PM the meeting was called to order by Vice-Chair Vara Vissa. 2 UROLL CALL: A Quorum is present. UBOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Matt Tribby Karen Artell Harry Edwards Jim Dennison Arsineh Hecobian Vara Vissa – Vice Chair UBOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Mark Houdashelt Greg Clark Chris Wood USTAFF PRESENT:U Cassie Archuleta, Air Quality Program Manager – City of Fort Collins Lindsay Ex, Climate Program Manger – City of Fort Collins Jennifer Shanahan, Environmental Planner – City of Fort Collins UCOMMUNITY GUESTS: Alan Braslau, Energy Board - City of Fort Collins 3 UAGENDA REVIEW: Vara Vissa reviewed the Agenda with the Air Quality Advisory Board (“AQAB”). Agenda accepted without modification. 4 UCITIZEN PARTICIPATION: Guests to the AQAB meeting (listed above) introduced themselves. They had no comments to share with the AQAB. U5 APPROVAL OF MINUTES: With a couple of modifications, Harry Edwards motioned to approve the August 2018 meeting minutes. Matt Tribby seconded. The Vote passed unanimously. (5-0). Arsineh Hecobian abstained because she was not in attendance at the August meeting. 6 UUNFINISHED BUSINESS: AIR QUALITY ADVISORY BOARD REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 17, 2018 – 5:30 PM 222 LAPORTE AVENUE, FORT COLLINS – COLORADO ROOM 09/17/18 - Minutes Page 2 a) U2019 Work Plan Approval: The AQAB members reviewed the 2019 Work Plan. General agreement among the group that the plan was good, especially appreciating the condensed format. Matt Tribby acknowledged alignment of the plan with the AQAB purpose. He wanted to point out that keeping the monthly Agenda items closely connected to the work plan is essential. Jim Dennison agreed. He believes that the chairperson can assist by shepherding the AQAB meetings via meticulous correlation with the work plan. There was a brief discussion regarding funding of city idling programs. Cassie Archuleta noted that the Idling Outreach Program received funding in the current city budget. Jim Dennison discussed an issue with City requirements for asbestos testing and abatement (Item 5b). He explained that there is an anomaly in requirements for demolition versus remodeling projects. He further explained that, in some situations, property owners incur additional (and perhaps significant) costs for remedial procedures. In some cases, he noted industry compliance issues. Jim does not believe the regulatory differences are logically consistent and he petitions city staff to review the current asbestos handling regulations. Arsineh Hecobian motioned to approve the 2019 Air Quality Advisory Board Work Plan. Karen Artell seconded. The Vote passed unanimously. (6-0). 7 UNEW BUSINESS: Ua) 100% Renewable Electricity Resolution: Lindsay Ex, Climate Program Manager – City of Fort Collins reviewed the 100% Renewable Electricity Resolution Draft which will be presented for consideration by City Council on October 2, 2018. The Resolution seeks to establish a community-wide 100% renewable electricity supply by 2030. The Resolution was developed in partnership with Platte River Power Authority. This statement asserts that the City of Fort Collins endeavors to employ 100% renewable energy by 2030. She noted that Platte River’s renewable energy distribution is now at 15% (follow-up discussion indicated it is closer to 32% including hydro), and is expected to be at approximately 50% by the end of 2020. There are three principles guiding this effort: 1) Financial Sustainability, 2) Environmental Stewardship and, 3) Reliability. One of the most common themes from discussions with all stakeholders is reliability. Fiscal, Environmental and Social Sustainability are the Triple Bottom Line guiding principles that require analysis of the impacts on the three goals listed. Jim Dennison inquired about the projected impact on utility rates. Lindsay Ex stated that specific impacts would be addressed through Platte River’s Integrated Resource Plan and the joint update to the Climate Action Plan and Energy Policy. The 150 MW wind project that Platte River is working with Enyo has the potential to be rate neutral, as an example. AIR QUALITY ADVISORY BOARD REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 17, 2018 – 5:30 PM 222 LAPORTE AVENUE, FORT COLLINS – COLORADO ROOM 09/17/18 - Minutes Page 3 Harry Edwards asked if storage capacity was feasible today; Lindsay responded that it is a critical component of the planning processes and is not readily available in a cost-effect manner today. Board member, Matt Tribby (who also works at Platte River Power Authority as a Senior Environmental Analyst) said that there is an RFP (Request for Proposal) open for a solar project at Rawhide Energy Station which would also include a pilot storage project. Harry and Matt exchanged some technicalities of the current technology capability. Matt does believe the technology is rapidly developing. In response, Harry referred to the turbine technology at Cabin Creek Hydroelectric Generating Facility near Georgetown, CO. In partnership with Xcel Energy, it provides additional electrical power at peak demand hours, rejuvenating itself during non-peak hours. Lindsay mentioned some of the subject-matter tensions, which include undetermined costs, actualization, goal versus mandate language and defining terms like hydroelectricity. In addition, she brought attention to Section 8 that incorporates an annual check-in, reminding the group that this is a preliminary stage for this resolution. Jim Dennison asked about plans for Rawhide Energy Station (Natural Gas and Coal facility operated by Platte River Power Authority which also includes a “build” for a solar energy garden) when these goals are achieved. Matt Tribby said that this would be discussed moving forward but abstained from voting on the Resolution due to a conflict of interest. Some discussion ensued about power requirement levels with the advent of electric cars, using electricity for heating and additional use for increases in population. These demand fluctuations contribute to modeling challenges. Lindsay said that the City Attorney did consult on the language of the draft resolution. AQAB were concerned about some of the language in the resolution re establishing a goal and disfavor constructing hydroelectric dams. There was additional discussion encompassing the need to ensure that energy reductions such as in transportation and heating were also simultaneously considered in the 100% renewable energy resolution. Although board members were not discouraged to include additional qualifiers in support of the resolution, after additional debate, the AQAB members decided not to edit the resolution. It was agreed that this additional commentary would be included in the minutes and that individual board members can always forward their concerns or suggestions personally. Jim Dennison motioned that the Air Quality Advisory Board recommend that the Fort Collins City Council adopt the community-wide 100% Renewable Electricity Resolution goal by 2030. Harry Edwards seconded. The Vote passed. (5-0). Matt Tribby abstained because he works for Platte River Power Authority. b) UNorthern Integrated Supply Project (NISP): Jennifer Shanahan, Environmental Planner – City of Fort Collins, presented an overview of the Northern Integrated Supply Project (“NISP”.) Jennifer asked the AQAB to join in a recommendation AIR QUALITY ADVISORY BOARD REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 17, 2018 – 5:30 PM 222 LAPORTE AVENUE, FORT COLLINS – COLORADO ROOM 09/17/18 - Minutes Page 4 related to the air quality in the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) which is due on October 4, 2018. The Army Corp of Engineers is the lead agency on the FEIS. NISP is a proposed water storage and distribution project incorporating Glade Reservoir in Northwest Fort Collins near Ted’s Place, and Galeton Reservoir on the South Platte River. The stated goal of the project is to supply an additional 40K-acre ft of water supply diverted from the Poudre River to water rights holders outside of the city municipal area. Some of the city goals are to protect city assets, sustain the river, and maintain regional relationships. In addition, she mentioned that several previous concerns were adequately addressed in a draft EIS and some remain outstanding. Jennifer gave an outline of the timeline for the project, which reaches back about 14 years and is quickly reaching final phases. The primary city inquiry relates to water ecology. The engagement with the AQAB centers on the ozone and particle impacts, evaluation against newer ozone standards, and the recommended installation of an Air Quality Monitor Station. The purpose of monitoring would help gauge pollutant levels emanating from vehicle emissions and recreational vehicle use on the reservoir. Monitoring now will provide a baseline for determining impacts in the future. Matt Tribby wanted to know what recourse the city has for high impact levels. Cassie Archuleta said that the “state regulatory process” is the instrument for evaluating response to impacts. Arsineh Hecobian mentioned that increased traffic through the city by reservoir recreators would definitely increase emissions as well. Cassie said that modeling and investigation at the state level leads to some regulatory effects. Vara Vissa recounted a County Landfill dust pollutant issue and her difficulty finding a proper regulatory authority or any agency with jurisdiction in the City to address the problem that affects City residents. Jennifer Shanahan mentioned that staff commentary is posted on the website and there is opportunity for public commentary re same. c) UBoard Discussion: Vara Vissa wanted to discuss board processes and procedures - especially her lack of understanding of how and which items of interest to members are included in the monthly agenda items. Cassie Archuleta explained the current process for adding Agenda items. Vara mentioned documentation of discussion topics and their follow up. She was concerned whether high-level summaries can accurately depict substance of AQAB discussion. Harry Edwards, to promote efficiency, would like each board presentation to succinctly and clearly explain: (1) How will this proposal affect air quality in Fort Collins? (2) What action do you want from the board?, also (3) include these statements on the agenda and presentation materials. Matt Tribby would like to have each topic for discussion anchored to the work plan. Karen Artell, Vara Vissa and Arsineh Hecobian agree. Arsineh added that close monitoring of presentations would avoid tangential topics and keep meetings succinct. AIR QUALITY ADVISORY BOARD REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 17, 2018 – 5:30 PM 222 LAPORTE AVENUE, FORT COLLINS – COLORADO ROOM 09/17/18 - Minutes Page 5 d) UChair Elections: At 8:00 PM, Jim Dennison left, before the meeting was concluded and all members had formally discussed the topic of elections and schedule of the day’s meeting. Although there was a quorum, the AQAB to move election discussions to the October meeting when more members can contribute. Upon nomination from Harry Edwards that Vara Vissa serve as chair next year, she reminded the group that her term was completed at the end of this year and she had not re-applied as of yet. Vara indicated that Arsineh had expressed interest via a previous email in supporting the AQAB and Vara asked the board to consider Arsineh and other members in their decision to nominate Chair and Vice Chair. 8 UBOARD MEMBER REPORTS: There were no formal reports by the AQAB members. 9 UOTHER BUSINESS: The AQAB members discussed the deep appreciation they have for Mark Houdashelt and the incredible energy he expended in his role as chair of the AQAB. 10 UAdjournment: Meeting Adjourned at 8:10 PM