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1 Orange County Commission for the Environment Meeting Summary September 8, 2014 Orange County West Campus Office Building, Hillsborough _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ PRESENT: Jan Sassaman (Chair), May Becker, Peter Cada, Loren Hintz, Donna Lee Jones, Cliff Leath, Bill Newby, Steve Niezgoda, Jeanette O’Connor, Rebecca Ray, David Welch ABSENT: Judy Miller, David Neal, Gary Saunders, Lydia Wegman STAFF: Rich Shaw, Tom Davis GUEST: Rob Pinder _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ I. Call to Order – Sassaman called the meeting to order at 7:33 pm. II. Ad ditions or Changes to Agenda – Becker asked to add a discussion of the CFE’s November 2013 resolution on the diversion of food waste from the solid waste stream. Shaw asked to add a consideration of whether to hold the October 13 meeting. Sassaman agreed to add both items to the agenda. No other changes or additions. III. Minutes – Sassaman asked for a motion on the August 11 meeting minutes. Hintz motioned to approve as written; Niezgoda seconded. Approved unanimously. IV. Introduction of New Member – Judy Miller was not in attendance. Sassaman asked staff to contact Ms. Miller to determine her status for joining the commission. V. Solarize Hillsborough – Shaw introduced Rob Pinder of “Solarize Hillsborough.” Shaw said he had suggested to the Chair that Pinder be invited to the meeting because the project appears to be one that the CFE would find interesting and consistent with its goals and objectives. Shaw added that he had already signed up to receive an assessment of his home for its potential to install solar panels. Pinder said he represents NextClimate, a non-profit organization. He described Solarize Hillsborough is part of a larger grassroots initiative to bring simple and affordable solar power to homes and businesses in Orange County. He provided environmental and economic reasons for converting to solar energy production and described why this is a particularly good time to do it. Pinder explained the benefits of having several members from a community learning together and earning group discounts for installation. CFE members provided feedback and asked several questions.  Hintz asked if there would be outreach directed to low-income homeowners or groups such as Habitat for Humanity. Pinder said the tax credit would not benefit low-income residents, but that NC WARN is partnering with Habitat for Humanity to pursue energy conservation measures.  Hintz asked if their contractors paid their installers adequately and didn’t treat them as independent contractors—a pervasive problem in the construction industry highlighted in this week’s News and Observer. Pinder explained the vetting process and said this was not an issue for their contractors, which are certified by the Green Building program.