Minutes 06-04-19 Regular Meeting

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