Minutes 09-05-2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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9 FINANCIAL IMPACT: Given the steeply declining price of utility-scale renewable energy production nationwide, and the idea that most if not all current fossil fuel-based power plants will need to be replaced before 2050, it is reasonable to expect market forces to drive a transition to renewable energy. The CFE therefore expects that there will be no financial impact to Orange County associated with consideration of this resolution. Brennan Bouma said this resolution proposes for the County and State to move to a 100% clean energy by 2050. He said it was brought to the County by residents in the spring, went to the Commission for the Environment, and now to the Board of County Commissioners. He said the original item was drafted by the North Carolina Climate Solutions Association and edited by the Commission for the Environment to include Orange County. PUBLIC COMMENT: Kathy Kaufman said she lives in Carrboro and also worked at the EPA, and she wanted to support this wholeheartedly, but noted that this is only a first step in this process. She said this community contains a great deal of knowledge and expertise about energy efficiency. She said change always starts from the bottom up, and the actions of local communities are extremely important. She said current weather patterns and hurricanes are a prime example of the effects of climate change. Kim Piracci said she wanted to add to Ms. Kaufman's comments, noting all of the fires currently burning in the west. She said climate change is here. She said the move to clean technology is going to happen, because clean technology is going to be cheaper than fossil fuels. She reviewed the different cities that have already adopted this resolution. She encouraged the BOCC to adopt this resolution. Bill Ward said this issue is urgent. He said they need to focus on 2030, instead of 2050. He said utilities are regulated by the State, and not by the County, and the State is more supportive of the utilities than communities. He encouraged the County to continue to pursue renewable energy for County properties, even if the cost is a bit more at this time. He asked the County to be a leader. Bill Black said everything he wanted to say has already been addressed, but he said this is an important issue for all Orange County residents. Commissioner McKee said he will support this resolution, and it is something to work toward. He said transitioning from a fossil fuel-based economy to a 100% clean renewable energy for all energy sectors-based economy by January 1, 2050 would impact a large number of jobs. He asked if the intent is to eliminate all fossil fuel use. Brennan Bouma said it is his understanding that the goal is not to eliminate all uses of fossil fuels, but rather all uses of fossil fuels tied to energy generation. Chair McKee said the resolution says "all uses," and he wants to know how to address the needs of the millions of people who will lose their jobs as a result. Kim Pirracci said there are many more jobs in clean energy than fossil fuel jobs, and she said individuals may not be able to transition, but there are resources available to retrain fossil fuel workers. Bill Ward said North Carolina State University is putting forth great effort to train people, and offer courses in this new technology. Kim Pirracci said the goal is for the County to be completely off of fossil fuels by 2050, including vehicles. She said she would like to speak about the Jacobson plan, which has five parts to it. She said every place in the world should be able to be free of fossil fuels by 2050,