Environmental Sustainability Council

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY COUNCIL ENERGY TRANSITION SUBCOMMITTEE Thursday, October 4, 2018 at George Mason High School Library MINUTES CALL TO ORDER: Members: Tim Stevens (Chair), Thomas Cash, Jon Ward Staff Liaison: Kate Walker, Dan Sze (City Council liaison), Marcus Simon (state Delegate for 53rd District, which includes the City of Falls Church) Public Attendees: Lindy Hockenberry, Megan Kuhman, Chris Thompson, Diego Lapiduz, Andy Skallaris, Michael Kull, Debra Roth, Adam Gruen Guest Presenter: Erika Myers – Director of Research for Smart Electric Power Alliance. SEPA is a non-profit that educates organizations (especially electric utilities) on new ways to use electricity. Erika presented on the topic of electric vehicles, including a description of current models, charging routines, location of charging stations in Falls Church (very few), funding opportunities for charging stations, etc. She then presented a list of policy suggestions for promoting more EVs in Falls Church: reduce personal property tax on EVs, “Ride and Drive” showcase events, tie-in to Solarize campaign, encourage workplace charging, include charging infrastructure in voluntary concessions for new development projects. The committee, and various members of the community present for this meeting, discussed the benefits of EVs, and how to expand their presence in the City. ETS will review these suggestions, and look for ways to act on them. Ongoing Business Letter on NGBS. Tim presented a draft letter that recommended acceptance of National Green Building Standard (NGBS) only for development projects that are all residential. Mixed-use projects should use LEED, given that NGBS does not address commercial uses. Various edits were discussed, with approval given to send the letter to Paul Stoddard, Director of Planning. Greenhouse Gas Inventory Presentation. Tim reviewed a draft presentation that he and Kate Walker composed covering the results of a greenhouse gas inventory for the City. The presentation described the background for the study, and the main sources by sector of GHG emissions. Results were compared to goals the City has adopted for reducing GHG emissions. It identified steps taken thus far to reduce emissions, and a list of possible actions to further reduce emissions. Various edits were discussed, with the understanding that the presentation would be scheduled for either a City Council work session, or regular City Council meeting before the end of the year. Next Meeting. Thursday December 6, 2018.