Orange County NC Website
<br /> <br /> 3 <br />interest in the CFE looking at environmental matters from social justice perspective and <br />Commissioner Gordon’s interest in the CFE addressing energy conservation and the <br />lack of data on for assessing ground and surface water quality/quantity. Neal suggested <br />applying for funds from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) to <br />help tackle energy issues. Newby noted that the USEPA maintains an inventory of <br />greenhouse gas emissions, which may provide useful information for Orange County. <br /> <br />Shaw introduced the CFE’s draft annual report and work plan prepared by the staff. <br />CFE members suggested edits to the list of concerns and emerging issues, as well as <br />the addition of social justice considerations and supporting the work of the Solid Waste <br />Advisory Group to improve the County’s handling of solid waste. Shaw said he would <br />make those changes and asked for further ideas over the next week before the plan is <br />finalized for submittal to the BOCC Clerk by November 30. <br /> <br />VII. Election of Officers – Sassaman reviewed the process for electing officers as provided <br />in the CFE policies and procedures. Hintz nominated Sassaman to remain as chair for a <br />second one-year term. Wegman seconded the nomination; approved unanimously. <br />Sassaman said Hintz informed him earlier that he could no longer serve as vice chair. <br />Sassaman noted he prefers that the next vice chair be willing to assume the chair’s role <br />in the future. Sassaman nominated Wegman as vice chair, seconded by O’Connor. <br />There were no other nominations. Hintz motioned the nominations be closed; seconded <br />by Newby. The motion carried. Wegman was approved as vice chair by acclimation. <br /> <br />VIII. Updates and Information Items – Information on the following subjects was provided <br />and selected items were summarized by staff: a) Chapel Hill-Carrboro schools begin <br />composting lunch, b) fracking study finds no water pollution, c) review of local solar <br />facilities permitting in NC, d) McDougle Middle School’s new solar array, e) potential for <br />solar at closed landfill, f) ozone layer recovering, g) UNC trustees look at clean energy <br />investments, h) US Dept. of Energy issues green building certification system, i) OWASA <br />recognized for sustainable water utility management, j) Duke Forest’s deer management <br />program, k) Hydrilla threatens Falls Lake, and l) Orange County received “NC Smart <br />Fleet” award. <br /> <br /> O’Connor notified CFE Members the Town of Carrboro has formed an Energy and <br />Climate Protection Planning Task Force that will meet over the next nine to twelve <br />months. She said some members of the task force hope to find ways to reduce <br />Carrboro’s year 2000 carbon emissions by 40 percent. <br /> <br /> Shaw announced the BOCC has appointed Sheila Thomas-Ambat to the CFE and re- <br />appointed five current members to another three-year term: Becker, Cada, O’Connor, <br />Wegman, and Welch. <br /> <br />Shaw also announced the County’s hiring of its first sustainability coordinator, Brennan <br />Bouma. He noted Bouma’s responsibilities will include providing staff support to the <br />CFE, and especially the Air and Energy Resources Committee. <br /> <br />IX. Adjournment – Hintz motioned to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Neal. The motion <br />was voted on and approved unanimously. Sassaman adjourned the meeting at 9:05 pm. <br /> <br /> <br />Summary by Rich Shaw, DEAPR Staff