HELENA CLIMATE CHANGE TASK FORCE
ENERGY WORKING GROUP NOTES
May 21, 2008
(107 W. Lawrence)
12:00 The meeting began with a quick round of introductions. In attendance were:
Patrick Judge
Tom Murray
Anna Jones-Crabtree
Kristine Knutson
(Max Milton, Joe Ford, and Jemma Hackbarth indicated they could not attend)
12:15 Updates
A. Tom Murray updated the group on the status of the blog he created. (He was inspired in part by Bill McKibben’s arguments about the advantages of that tool.) A discussion took place about whether the blog should be limited to the energy subgroup, or expanded beyond that. The consensus seemed to be that we would start out using it for the small group, and then evaluate it for broader use. The blog can be accessed at the following location:
http://helenagcc.typepad.com/helena_climate_change_tas/
Currently, the blog only has three “authors” who are authorized to start threads, but this can be expanded. The ability to access the site and to comment on threads are both currently unrestricted.
Pat promised to send Tom information about the upcoming NW Energy Coalition Conference, for posting on the blog.
B. There was a short discussion about S. David Freeman’s Helena talk.
C. On Monday, the city formalized its membership in ICLEI and appointed Alan Peura to be the Commission liaison. The city will be hiring a temporary staff person, possibly one of the following:
1. Internal person -- would likely provide greater ongoing continuity
2. Hattie Baker from Bozeman -- already familiar with the ICLEI software
(temporary posts need not be formally advertised)
D. Materials from Bozeman -- Chair Bradshaw attended the May 7, 2008 editing meeting, and also pulled together some other model climate plans -- Pat distributed 3 copies of Stan’s CD.
E. Tours & Trainings
1. “Water & Energy Overview” Power Point (took place on May 7th -- low-resolution version of the presentations are available on the blog)
2. Water System Tour (Missouri, Chessman, Wastewater) - water & energy. It sounded like most people would be able to attend this tour, which is scheduled for June 21st (see below). The morning session is especially relevant for the energy group members.
12:40 Open Discussion on How to Accelerate our Work
A. A suggestion was made that we contact Hattie, to see if there are things we could be doing even before someone gets hired, to make the best use of our limited time.
B. Pat talked about how a matrix can be used to evaluate potential recommendations based on several criteria -- total carbon saved, cost-effectiveness, political viability, etc.
C. Kris likened this to the Best Available Control Technology protocol of listing all potential options, and then narrowing them down based on real-world considerations
D. Anna described the importance of having “metrics of success” that ordinary people can relate to -- something other than “tons of carbon dioxide saved” for example. Something more tangible and relevant -- something that sticks with people better. It’s a matter of packaging the report effectively, so as not to lose people.
E. There was a discussion about sifting through examples from similar-sized towns, as a method of narrowing down the possible options and “benchmarking” our work. Lafayette, AR was mentioned.
F. There was agreement that a good next step would be to brainstorm an outline of the kind of things we thought might end up in our final report. This would include, for example, the recommendations made by the Governor’s Climate Change Advisory Committee that are applicable to local governments. It would also include the kinds of recommendations that other communities (similar to Helena) have incorporated into their Climate Action Plans. Once that framework is in place, we can allocate the specific recommendations to various working group members to research their suitability for Helena and to fill in the blanks. Pat can take the first stab at this. He mentioned the recently-published “State of the Rockies Report” which graded each county in the eight Rocky Mountain states for their potential to develop wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass. Lewis & Clark County scored well across the board. The renewable energy section of the report is available at:
http://www.coloradocollege.edu/stateoftherockies/08ReportCard/RenewableEnergy.pdf
G. The group also agreed that soliciting ideas from city staffers (such as Don Clark at the wastewater treatment plant) would be a very effective way of adding to the outline.
1:00 The meeting was adjourned.
Tentative Schedule for Water System Tour -- Saturday, June 21
8:00 am Board City Bus at the City/County Building
8:00 am - 11:30 am
Drive to Canyon Ferry Dam to see the water pumping plant and pipeline.
Drive to Helena Regulating Reservoir to see the City Headworks.
Drive to Missouri River Water Treatment Plant for a short tour.
Drive to Helena Wastewater Treatment Plant for a short tour.
Drive to Tenmile Treatment Plant.
12:00 pm - Lunch at the Tenmile Water Treatment Plant
1:00 pm - 1:45 pm
Tour of Tenmile Water Treatment Plant.
1:45 pm to 4:00 pm
Drive to the Banner Creek diversion and walk the flume.
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Return to the City/County Building.
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