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Agenda 09-03-19 Item 8-a - Minutes
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Agenda 09-03-19 Item 8-a - Minutes
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9/3/2019
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3 <br /> 1 And, finally, please do not get hung up on the fact that this measure was not offered in <br /> 2 the very beginning of the budget cycle. The fact that you have it before you is a unique <br /> 3 opportunity and challenge to greatly advance the county's work in addressing climate change. <br /> 4 Please incorporate this measure into the County's budget when you deliberate and vote over <br /> 5 the coming two weeks. On behalf of your constituents, show them that you are truly serious <br /> 6 about addressing the greatest single challenge facing our society today. <br /> 7 Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments. <br /> 8 <br /> 9 Kim Piracci agreed with the previous speaker, and said to please do this. She said <br /> 10 she liked Commissioner Marcoplos' suggestion to increase the property tax by '/4 cents to <br /> 11 fund climate change projects <br /> 12 Melissa McCullough said she is an environmental specialist, and she echoed the <br /> 13 comments of Larry Shirley, and said there is only a short time to target climate change. <br /> 14 She said the best predictor of greenhouse footprint is wealth, with the United States leading <br /> 15 the way. She said this is a small tax increase, and they are well past an ounce of <br /> 16 prevention. She said this modest tax will be a jumpstart, but the benefits will be significant. <br /> 17 Bill Ward said Orange County residents and businesses use about 3000 GW hours <br /> 18 of energy yearly, to operate and maintain their homes and buildings, and 72% of this <br /> 19 energy is from fossil fuels. He said Commissioner Marcoplos has realized that the County <br /> 20 needs to reduce the usage of fossil fuels. He said the County can decarbonize electricity <br /> 21 generation, increase energy efficiency of residents and businesses, and can promote <br /> 22 electrification of buildings and houses that use natural gas. He said he would like to see <br /> 23 Duke Energy commit to be carbon free by mid-century, as many other energy providers <br /> 24 around the country are doing so. He said utility-scale solar and wind energy are less <br /> 25 expensive and more efficient than installing solar panels on individual homes. He said he <br /> 26 supports Commissioner Marcoplos' proposal. <br /> 27 Sally Robertson said she is the Solar Projects Coordinator for NC Warn, and is a <br /> 28 homeowner in Carrboro. She praised the BOCC for being willing to take action on climate <br /> 29 change, and wished the federal government and energy providers would do the same. <br /> 30 She said clean energy creates jobs, reduces energy bills, and is better for our health. <br /> 31 Lauren Nyland said she lives in Carrboro, and thanked the BOCC for being <br /> 32 proactive. She said energy efficiency has decreased her energy bills at her own house. <br /> 33 She read the following letter from Kathy Kaufman, who could not attend this evening's <br /> 34 meeting: <br /> 35 <br /> 36 Dear Commissioners, <br /> 37 1 write to strongly support Commissioner Marcoplos' proposal for a 1/4-cent tax increase <br /> 38 to fund county efforts to combat climate change. I will be out of town and unable to make these <br /> 39 comments in person, so am writing you all today. <br /> 40 Many of the proposals identified by the county sustainability director will save Orange <br /> 41 County money going forward, while at the same time help to reduce the County's carbon <br /> 42 footprint in line with its commitment under the Global Covenant of Mayors. This is smart policy <br /> 43 and simply requires a small upfront investment. <br /> 44 In addition, in order for the entire state of NC to take climate change seriously and <br /> 45 reduce statewide carbon emissions, we need to push Duke Energy away from its planned <br /> 46 massive investments in natural gas infrastructure and toward the energy of the 21st century <br /> 47 being pursued by utilities around the country. <br /> 48 Renewable energy has now crossed the threshold of being less expensive for <br /> 49 ratepayers; but fossil fuel infrastructure creates greater profits for Duke Energy, at the expense <br /> 50 of ratepayers, under its antiquated 20t" century business plan. <br />
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