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<br /> <br /> 2 <br />Shaw reported that BOCC members also suggested the following: <br /> Look for other funding opportunities <br /> Explore using programs that were created using stimulus funds (in Chapel Hill?) <br /> Focus some attention on the energy conservation needs of low-income residents <br /> See if you can engage the Economic Development Commission and staff <br />because these energy-savings initiatives may be helpful to local businesses <br /> <br />Stancil noted that it would be helpful for the CFE to develop more a more detailed <br />approach to how it plans to carry out this effort and provide to the BOCC as an <br />information item for their consideration. <br /> <br />Sassaman asked the Air & Energy Committee to identify a topic for the trial run of this <br />work group and to report back to the full CFE for approval. He asked all members to re- <br />read the proposal and consider how best to proceed with this work group. <br /> <br />VI. Environmental Summit – The CFE discussed plans for the Environmental Summit to <br />be held on May 31 at the Maple View Farm Agricultural Education Center. <br /> <br />Sassaman reported that he had spoken with Dr. Norm Christensen (keynote speaker) <br />who is prepared to talk about historical changes in North Carolina’s environment and <br />their lessons for a sustainable future. He noted that Dr. Christensen is welcome to ideas <br />and would like to adapt his comments to the State of the Environment document. CFE <br />members agreed to allow about 20 minutes for the presentation and another 15-20 <br />minutes for questions and answers. <br /> <br />O’Connor and Ray reported on their recent meeting with Wegman to identify potential <br />topics for the panel speakers: invasive species/native species, climate change, loss of <br />prime forests, groundwater contamination/depletion, and local renewable energy options <br />(which might also delve into fracking issue). Jones recommended adding to this list the <br />effects of state reductions on the monitoring of surface and ground water, which could <br />also include fracking and coal ash issues. Saunders noted that climate change also <br />affects species diversity and water supply. <br /> <br />CFE members agreed on invasive species and water resources as general panel topics, <br />which will be refined depending on who can be lined up to make presentations. These <br />talks would complement an overarching subject of climate change presented by Dr. <br />Christensen. The CFE also agreed to ask each panelist to end their remarks with <br />specifics on what people can do locally, and to give Orange County examples. <br /> <br />O’Connor reported that Maple View is willing to provide farm tour, but we will need to ask <br />people to sign up at the beginning of the program so they will have numbers. <br /> <br />The CFE discussed how best to publicize the summit, including a “save the date” flier, <br />news release, calendars, and advertising at the upcoming Earth Evening event. Ray <br />and O’Connor will also discuss potential refreshments and report back to staff on that. <br /> <br />VII. State of the Environment 2014 – Shaw reported on the status of the report, including a <br />list of things that still needed to complete each section of the report. He thanked those <br />who had provided comments on the various sections since the March meeting. <br /> <br />Ray reported on the work she had done to develop better symbols to convey the status <br />and trend for each environmental indicator. She showed her proposed final symbols to