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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSustainability Commission - 05/09/2023APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION MEETING TUESDAY, MAY 9, 2023 7:00 P.M., Prairie Room 8080 Mitchell Road COMMISSION MEMBERS: Aaron Poock (Chair), Laura Bishop, Tim Conners, Gretchen Enninga, Cindy Hoffman, Moussa Ousmane, Carolyn Wieland, Michelle Frost, Jim Nehl STUDENT MEMBERS: Tanvi Bhujle, Mia Cain, Palak Dhiman, Maura Fitzgerald, Tyler Little, Taylor Oliver, Suchita Sah CITY STAFF: Jennifer Fierce, Sustainability Coordinator, Kristin Harley, Recording Secretary I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Chair Poock called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. Absent were commission members Enninga, Ousmane, and Bishop and student representatives Dhiman, Cain, Oliver, and Sah. [Wieland arrived at 7:09 p.m.] II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND OTHER ITEMS OF BUSINESS MOTION: Conners moved, seconded by Hoffman to approve the agenda. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM MARCH 8, 2022 MEETING MOTION: Hoffman moved, seconded by Conners to approve the minutes from the April 11, 2023 meeting. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. IV. REPORTS A. REPORTS FROM STAFF 1. CLIMATE ACTION PLAN PROGRESS UPDATE Fierce displayed a PowerPoint and detailed metrics for the Climate Action Plan. The first slide showed Business-as-Usual Emissions which projected Sustainability Commission Minutes May 9, 2023 Page 2 an increase above one million tonnes CO2e (greenhouse gas equivalents) by 2050 with a breakdown of waste, vehicle travel, residential natural gas, residential electricity, commercial/industrial natural gas, and commercial/industrial electricity. The Planned Emissions Reduction slide showed the projected decrease in emissions projected out to 2050 based on the Climate Action Plan. Reductions shown in 2020 were not representative due to the pandemic. The climate analysis for cities tracked everyone back through 2007. Eden Prairie was at 36 percent reduction since 2007, and the median was 32 percent. The Baseline Emissions slide showed the decrease in emissions since 2007. Fierce explained the legend for the various colored bars. Commercial/industrial showed a huge decrease. Frost asked why residential natural gas showed a higher use than commercial/industrial natural gas, and Fierce replied it depended on how commercial and industrial buildings heated their buildings. It would seem they would be higher, but many variables accounted for the lower usage by commercial and industrial buildings. Discussion followed on commission members’ experience with commercial building heating. Fierce stated that while more electricity is cleaner than before and there was a reduction in usage in recent years, Eden Prairie was projected to use more electricity down the line due to growth over time. Planned energy use accounted for the projections and increases shown in future estimates. However, electricity is projected to be carbon-free by 2040. Discussion followed on the feasibility of the 2050 goals for Eden Prairie and other cities. Fierce explained roughly four percent of energy usage reductions were not accounted for in the Climate Action Plan and their elimination would be dependent on future technologies. Out of the 800-plus cities in Minnesota, approximately 35 had a Climate Action Plan. Eden Prairie used 18 percent less electricity since 2007, whereas the median across the Metro was 11 percent. Eden Prairie saw a 20 percent reduction in commercial/industrial power, consistent with the Metro median. Discussion followed on the effects of actions taken by commission versus external factors. Poock stated the commission focused on outreach and education of residents which contributed to these metrics. Fierce stated the Estimated Commercial/Industrial Energy Efficiency Emissions Reduction slide showed several different actions: energy code enforcement (9.3 percent), net-zero energy buildings (4.5 percent), energy- efficient retrofits (22 percent), efficient building operations (9.5 percent), and behavior change (0.8 percent). Sustainability Commission Minutes May 9, 2023 Page 3 Estimated Residential Energy Efficiency Emissions Reduction showed a decline followed by a slight future projected rise in energy usage due to population growth. The reduction metrics were energy code enforcement (2.8 percent), net-zero energy buildings (1.9 percent), energy-efficient retrofits (7.0 percent), and behavior change (0.6 percent). Hoffman asked if residential housing codes would be changed, and Fierce replied moving up the Energy Code adoption schedule would assist with this. She would know more about the outcome of this at the Legislature next month. Rebates for heat pumps and electrical upgrades were part of the equation. Residential gas usage stayed flat, whereas other communities saw a 4 percent decrease. Eden Prairie has larger houses by comparison. Hoffman asked if Eden Prairie would meet its goal by 2050 and Fierce replied considering how much progress had already been made, she believed it would. Little asked what the expectation of emissions reduction from the LRT were. Fierce replied the LRT was factored into the modeling. Fierce stated Eden Prairie was on a good trajectory in terms of emissions reduction. 2. EVENTS RECAP Fierce stated there had been a good turnout for Arbor Day, with approximately 300 people attending. Hoffman stated the tool swap went well; many residents were not aware of it. Discussion followed on the event. Conners stated the Eco Expo had 42 exhibitors, and five activities in the family fun zone which saw 700 people. Other groups, Xcel Energy and nonprofits also participated. There had probably been 2500-3000 attendees. Wieland stated it would be helpful to have a guide on upcoming county events. B. REPORTS FROM CHAIR Poock asked for participants at the banquet and Fierce read the names of those who would attend. Poock thanked the student representatives for their participation and contributions. Sustainability Commission Minutes May 9, 2023 Page 4 C. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION 1. WATER UPDATE 2. WASTE UPDATE 3. LANDSCAPE/POLLINATOR UPDATE 4. ENERGY UPDATE D. REPORTS FROM STUDENTS V. OTHER BUSINESS VI. UPCOMING EVENTS • May 15, 2023 – Electrify Everything MN Workshop, Community Center, 6 PM to 8 PM • May 30, 2023 – Pollinator Plantings Workshop, Virtual, 6 PM to 8 PM VII. NEXT MEETING The next Sustainability Commission meeting will be held Tuesday, June 13, 2023, in the Heritage Rooms 1&2. VIII. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Wieland moved, seconded by Conners to adjourn the meeting. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:27 p.m.