JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE HYBRID MEETING FORMAT October 23rd, 2024 at 6 pm City Hall – Council Chambers 301 W 2nd St, Austin TX 78701 Some members of the Committee may be participating by videoconference Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, email or call Rohan Lilauwala at (Rohan.lilauwala@austintexas.gov or 512-974-9394). CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Home Commission Electric Utility Commission Resource Management Commission Urban Transportation Commission Environmental Commission Zero Waste Advisory Commission Community Development Commission Austin Travis County Food Policy Board Economic Prosperity Commission Water & Wastewater Commission Parks & Recreation Board Design Commission Planning Commission Austin/Travis County Public Health Commission City Council Mayor’s Representative Mayor’s Representative Mayor’s Representative Mayor’s Representative Mayor’s Representative Alternate Randall Chapman Member Kaiba White (Chair) Charlotte Davis (Vice-Chair) Genell Gary Diana Wheeler Haris Qureshi Melissa Rothrock Vacant Larry Franklin Amy Noel Chris Maxwell-Gaines Vacant Vacant Vacant Natalie Poindexter Vacant Richard Brimer Craig Nazor Miriam Garcia Rosamaria Murillo Luis Osta Lugo Vacant Lane Becker Ben Luckens Alberta Phillips Vacant Vacant Rodrigo Leal Anna Scott Yure Suarez Christopher Campbell Heather Houser Vacant For more information, please visit: www.austintexas.gov/jsc Committee. DISCUSSION AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first 10 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of minutes from the September 25th, 2024 meeting of the Joint Sustainability 2. Presentation on low-carbon concrete – Johanna Anderson, EPA. 3. Presentation on Austin Core Transportation Plan – Cole Kitten, Transportation and Public Works Department. 4. Presentation on Tree Regulations and Protections – Naomi Rotramel and Daniel Priest, Development Services Department. 5. Discussion of agricultural land acquisition and potential Working Farms Fund pilot. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 6. Approval of Proposed 2025 Joint Sustainability Committee Annual Meeting Schedule ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, …
JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING September 25, 2024 SPECIAL CALLED MEETING MINUTES The Joint Sustainability Committee convened in a hybrid meeting via videoconferencing and at Austin Energy Headquarters. Board Members in Attendance in Person: Kaiba White, Rodrigo Leal, Anna Scott, Lane Becker, Charlotte Davis Board Members in Attendance Remotely: Alberta Phillips, Diana Wheeler, Heather Houser, Jon Salinas, Yure Suarez, Haris Qureshi, Natalie Poindexter Board Members Absent: City Staff in Attendance: Rohan Lilauwala Braden Latham-Jones Tim Harvey Heidi Kasper Marc Coudert CALL TO ORDER Chair Kaiba White called the meeting to order at 6:08 pm. 1. Approval of minutes from the July 8th special called meeting of the Joint Sustainability Committee. Wheeler motion, Qureshi seconds, passes 12-0. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Scott Johnson speaks on low carbon concrete and residential landscape equipment 3. Presentation on Solar for All program and the Solar Standard Offer – Tim Harvey, Austin Energy • Scott – do energy arbitrage benefits come into play? • Harvey – one of the considered benefits. Utility will control battery to a certain depth of discharge (to support resilience). On edge of event, batteries not used. On blue sky days, AE will use batteries for price chasing, 4CP avoidance, peak usage, to get max value out of battery • PPA will be used for solar purchases, performance contract for battery will • Grant will be used to buy down PPA and performance contract to AE’s avoided allow AE to benefit from them. cost of solar and make it feasible. • Phillips – questions around how program works, if benefits flow to wealthier folks • Harvey – provides clarification • Opportunity to provide feedback in community engagement process to shape program/ • Leal – why is program designed this way • Harvey – difficult to find 2500 low-income homes that are viable • If model is successful, potential to receive unused funds later • Leal – would roof repairs/rebuilding be part of it? • Harvey – there are existing programs, this grant can’t be for that as per EPA agreement. Homes will receive free weatherization if customer qualify • Opportunity for community engagement to help define what homes to target • Leal – what does governance look like? • Harvey – plans to set this up during community engagement. Work in progress, no money yet. Need to staff up in the early years. • Leal – who was engaged? • Harvey – …
2025 JSC Meeting Schedule – Proposed 1. January 22, 2025 2. February 26, 2025 3. March 26, 2025 4. April 23, 2025 5. May 28, 2025 6. June 25, 2025 7. July 23, 2025 8. August 27, 2025 9. September 24, 2025 10. October 22, 2025 11. November 19, 2025 12. December 17, 2025
US EPA's Low Embodied Carbon Construction Materials Program for City of Austin's Joint Sustainability Committee October 23, 2024 The U.S. Federal Government www.epa.gov/greenerproducts | 2 2022 Inflation Reduction Act directed EPA to: Develop a determination for “Substantially Lower Embodied Carbon Construction Materials” for GSA & FHWA Provide grant funding and technical assistance to increase and improve environmental product declarations (EPDs) Create a label to help purchasers identify and procure lower embodied carbon construction materials www.epa.gov/greenerproducts | 3 Why embodied carbon? Embodied carbon of construction materials accounts for 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions. www.epa.gov/greenerproducts | 4 Why embodied carbon? Embodied carbon of construction materials accounts for 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions. www.epa.gov/greenerproducts | 5 Range of Strategies to Reduce Embodied Carbon in the Market Energy Efficient Manufacturing (e.g., ENERGY STAR Industrial) Salvage & Reuse US & Locally Made Materials Material Efficiency Lower Carbon Input Materials Durable Materials (vs. High Replacement Rate) Recycled Content Bio-Based Materials Renewable & Lower Carbon Intensive Fuels Most strategies to reduce embodied carbon of construction materials take place long before they arrive at a construction site. www.epa.gov/greenerproducts | 6 Quantifying & Reporting Embodied Carbon Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) www.epa.gov/greenerproducts | 7 Key LEC Program Elements www.epa.gov/greenerproducts | 8 www.epa.gov/greenerproducts | 9 Grant Selections – Texas NEW SLIDE •University of Texas – Austin (salvaged materials) •Knauf Insulation (insulation) •Heidelberg (cement/concrete) •Holcim (cement/concrete, asphalt) Read more about the above projects: Selected projects summaries www.epa.gov/greenerproducts | 10 Interim Determination Overview “Substantially lower embodied carbon construction materials” as determined by EPA • Enables GSA & FHWA to implement their portions of the IRA • Defines “substantially lower embodied carbon construction materials” • Best performing 20% GHG emissions in CO2e (GWP per ISO 21930:2017)* • If not available in project location, best performing 40% • If not available in project location, better than estimated industry average *Because GWP is used in EPDs for construction products as an impact category (per ISO 21930), it was used in the Interim Determination as a proxy for embodied carbon. However, GWP is defined differently in other GHG accounting efforts. For clarity and consistency, EPA is exploring ways to better align terminology. Top 40% Top 20% Better than Industry Average www.epa.gov/greenerproducts | 11 Initial Focus Materials The label program does not address what type of material should be used in a project -- it is limited to “like to like” comparisons. Additional materials may be …
An Introduction to Austin’s Tree Regulations Joint Sustainability Committee October 23, 2024 Naomi Rotramel, City Arborist Daniel Priest, Environmental Compliance Specialist, Sr. History of Austin’s Tree Ordinance Margret Hofmann, 1925-2012 Hofmann Oaks Park History of Austin’s Tree Ordinance 1983 - Tree Preservation Ordinance 2010 - Heritage Tree Ordinance Why Do We Protect Trees? Austin’s urban forest currently has over 33 million trees, all of which support the following benefits: • • • • • • • • Trees improve air quality by filtering out particles, absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. Trees help reduce flood impacts by slowing and filtering rainwater. Trees contribute to connections with nature that improve people’s health outcomes and contribute to an environment where people feel connected to their community. Trees are good for business: Shoppers spend more time and money in shopping areas with businesses that have good tree coverage. Tree roots hold soil in place, reducing erosion. Shade from urban trees can cool the air up to 8 degrees Celsius. Their shade and wind protection reduce energy use. Trees provide food, shelter, and nesting for diverse wildlife. Trees provide a sense of place and soften the sharp outlines of concrete, metal, and glass of urban and suburban cityscapes Source: Texas A&M Forest Service To maintain the health and integrity of our urban forest, the City of Austin strives to plant trees, preserve trees during land development, and care for existing trees. Why Do We Protect Trees? Land Development Code 25-8.B.1 • Prohibits removal of Protected or Heritage trees without a permit • 8"+ trees – preserve "to extent feasible" on site plan applications • Defines removal - physical removal, over pruning, or excessive root disturbance • Creates position of City Arborist to implement LDC 25-8.B.1 • Approval criteria for removal: • Reasonable use • Reasonable access • Dead, Diseased, or Imminent Hazard • Administrative rules – preservation criteria, protection requirements, mitigation • Variances and appeals Rules implementing LDC 25-8.B.1 are found in Section 3 of the Environmental Criteria Manual What are the Tree Regulations? Land Development Code 25-8, Subchapter B, Article 1 Division 1 – General Provisions Definitions Authorizes Rules Application Requirements Division 2 – Protected Trees Approval Criteria for Removal Division 3 – Heritage Trees Approval Criteria for Removal Variances Environmental Criteria Manual Section 3 3.3 - Survey Requirements Survey and Plan Depictions Hill Country Roadway Ordinance 3.5 - Design Criteria Protection (3.5.2) …
JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MEETING MINUTES October 23, 2024 The Joint Sustainability Committee convened in a hybrid meeting via videoconferencing and at City Hall. Board Members in Attendance in Person: Kaiba White, Rodrigo Leal, Marissa Bell, Chris Maxwell-Gaines, Charlotte Davis Board Members in Attendance Remotely: Amy Noel, Lane Becker, Diana Wheeler, Heather Houser, Melissa Rothrock, Anna Scott, Chris Campbell, Alberta Phillips Board Members Absent: Yure Suarez, Jon Salinas, Haris Qureshi, Natalie Poindexter City Staff in Attendance: Leti Alvarez Jim Dymkowski Daniel Priest Naomi Rotramel CALL TO ORDER Chair Kaiba White called the meeting to order at 6:09 pm. 1. Approval of minutes from the September 25, 2024 meeting of the Joint Sustainability Committee. Chris Maxwell-Gaines motion, Houser seconds, passes 12-0 (Phillips off Dais) PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL 2. Presentation on low-carbon concrete – Johanna Anderson, EPA • White –Clarification on Federal highway/transportation departments is already utilizing concrete that’s already in the top 20% of best? o Anderson – Federal funding flows to the development of the building of highways is it goes from the federal highways department directly to state department of transportations and then they use that funding to build roads. • Bell – Procurement, curious do you imagine people utilizing these labels without limiting fair and open competition and meeting any procurement regulations that are required o Anderson – Initially you might give extra points for a product that has a label. Like any new sustainable product on the marketplace, one might set up a separate agreement for the sustainable products versus the lesser. Market availability, purchasers will have to do their due diligence and provide situation-by-situation basis. • White – Looks like this grant closes 11/25, will they be able to get something together in a month? o Anderson – In general grant programs there’s a real interest in reaching folks that are not professional grant writers so I would assume that the federal highways grant is going that way also. • Scott – How to we implement this? And how to we implement faster? o Anderson – There are tools already. I would say see how the federal government is doing it. Looking at how to take the approach, prioritizing, finding partners most willing, testing out carbon concrete, see what work is being done. • White – You talked about standards for the environmental product declarations, should we expect that they’re automatically adhering to those standards? …
JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE HYBRID MEETING FORMAT September 25th, 2024 at 6 pm City Hall – Council Chambers 301 W 2nd St, Austin TX 78701 Some members of the Committee may be participating by videoconference Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, email or call Rohan Lilauwala at (Rohan.lilauwala@austintexas.gov or 512-974-9394). CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Home Commission Electric Utility Commission Resource Management Commission Urban Transportation Commission Environmental Commission Zero Waste Advisory Commission Community Development Commission Austin Travis County Food Policy Board Economic Prosperity Commission Water & Wastewater Commission Parks & Recreation Board Design Commission Planning Commission Austin/Travis County Public Health Commission City Council Mayor’s Representative Mayor’s Representative Mayor’s Representative Mayor’s Representative Mayor’s Representative Alternate Randall Chapman Member Kaiba White (Chair) Charlotte Davis (Vice-Chair) Genell Gary Diana Wheeler Haris Qureshi Melissa Rothrock Vacant Larry Franklin Amy Noel Chris Maxwell-Gaines Vacant Jon Salinas Vacant Natalie Poindexter Vacant Richard Brimer Craig Nazor Miriam Garcia Rosamaria Murillo Luis Osta Lugo Vacant Lane Becker Ben Luckens Alberta Phillips Vacant Vacant Rodrigo Leal Anna Scott Yure Suarez Christopher Campbell Heather Houser Vacant For more information, please visit: www.austintexas.gov/jsc Committee. DISCUSSION Energy Wheeler AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first 10 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of minutes from the August 28th, 2024 meeting of the Joint Sustainability 2. Presentation on heat resilience planning efforts – Marc Coudert, Office of Resilience 3. Presentation on Solar for All program and the Solar Standard Offer – Tim Harvey, Austin 4. Presentation on the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) 2024 Update – Heidi Kasper, Austin Energy 5. Updates from the Urban Transportation Commission on the Living Streets Program – Diana DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 6. Consider approval of a Recommendation on the Austin Energy Solar Standard Offer Program 7. Consider approval of a Recommendation on the adoption of the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code 8. Create working groups to support Joint Sustainability Committee oversight of Comprehensive Climate Implementation Process FUTURE …
JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING SPECIAL CALLED MEETING MINUTES August 28, 2024 The Joint Sustainability Committee convened in a hybrid meeting via videoconferencing and at Austin Energy Headquarters. Board Members in Attendance in Person: Heather Houser, Kaiba White, Rodrigo Leal, Haris Qureshi, Natalie Poindexter, Charlotte Davis Board Members in Attendance Remotely: Jon Salinas, Anna Scott, Melissa Rothrock, Chris Campbell, Diana Wheeler, Yure Suarez, Amy Noel Board Members Absent: Larry Franklin, Alberta Philipps, Chris Maxwell-Gaines, Lane Becker City Staff in Attendance: Zach Baumer Braden Latham-Jones CALL TO ORDER Chair Kaiba White called the meeting to order at 6:10pm. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL N/A 1. Approval of minutes from the July 8th special called meeting of the Joint Sustainability Committee. Qureshi motion, Houser second, passes 12-0 with Suarez off dais. 1. Sustainable Purchasing Update – Amanda Mortl, Office of Sustainability a. Scott – When will we see the first purchase from this work? i. Mortl – Landscaping example, have a list of upcoming contracts and are monitoring when they expire/up for renewal, looking ahead to mid-2025 as the next opportunity. Current contracts have updated preference language. b. White – Can you share preference language? i. Mortl – Can do so, yes. c. White – Can you speak to the upcoming concrete contract opportunities? i. Mortl – Can direct you to that plan. d. White – No progress to changes to that plan? i. Mortl – Not able to speak to that fully, but that’s the latest that I’m aware of. e. Yure – Those first few slides, those are based on spending model? i. Mortl – Industry-wide averages f. White – Any other product areas you’ll be moving on to next? i. Mortl – These two pilots are based on Council priorities, are currently doing those. 2. Updates from Environmental Investment Plan effort and City Budget; JSC next steps. a. White – What will quarterly briefings look like? i. Baumer – Still in the process of creating that, I expect that we’ll present on the Environmental Investment Plan as the first quarterly briefing b. Qureshi – Since the resolution directs City Manager to update Council on Climate Bond and Environmental Investment Plan. Is there a timeline for that? i. Baumer – We’ll be playing a role because we’re coordinating the comprehensive Climate Equity Plan implementation. My hope is that we have multiple departments participating in these briefings moving forward. c. Poindexter – With …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Joint Sustainability Committee Resolution 20240925-xx on Solar Standard Offer Program WHEREAS, Austin Energy needs more clean renewable local generation; and WHEREAS, Google Project Sunroof estimates that Austin has about 7,900 MW of rooftop solar potential, with about 4,000 MW coming from rooftops with capacity for less than 50 kW;1 and WHEREAS, the vast majority of Austin's rooftop solar potential is still unrealized; and WHEREAS, opportunities to build new solar farms or other clean renewable energy production within the Austin Energy Load Zone are limited; and WHEREAS, while Austin Energy's solar incentive programs have been successful in deploying local rooftop solar for those with access to capital, many residential and commercial property owners do not have enough capital to take advantage of these programs; and WHEREAS, Austin Energy started working with stakeholders, including from the Resource Management Commission, in 2018 to identify a way to expand access to rooftop solar for residential properties; and WHEREAS, Austin Energy’s last two local solar requests for proposals have not yielded new local solar developments; and WHEREAS, Austin does not currently offer a solar program that allows property owners to host rooftop solar owned by others without utilizing the host’s own capital, even though such a program would enable more solar development on sites that cannot participate in the current solar incentive programs for financial reasons; and 1 While actual potential is likely less once the downtown network and older buildings are excluded, the potential is still large enough to make a significant contribution to Austin Energy’s generation needs. 1 WHEREAS, Austin Energy could significantly increase the amount of solar development within the Austin Energy Load Zone by facilitating solar development on more rooftops in Austin, where solar developers lease the rooftop from the property owner; and WHEREAS, Austin Energy supports new behind-the-meter solar projects under 10 MW with photovoltaic incentives, treating the Value of Solar payment for all PV generation as a bill credit (which renders it non-taxable income), and including the 2.3 cent/kWh societal benefits portion of the Value of Solar tariff; and behind-the-meter rooftop PV projects are exempt from property tax; and WHEREAS, Austin Energy’s proposed Solar Standard Offer program will apply to new solar projects under 10 MW connected to Austin Energy’s distribution system on the grid side of the customer meter, but will not offer any solar incentive, the solar project will be subject to property tax, the …
CITY OF AUSTIN Heat Resilience Playbook 9/25/24 Outline 01 Background 02 Components of the playbook 0403 Climate Projections 04 Next Steps Heat Resilience Playbook Why have it? What is it? Temperatures are rising Council is asking for it The Community wants to know The City and local agencies are doing a lot! Heat Resilience Playbook identifies neighborhood-based and citywide projects, programs, and policies that combat extreme heat. This Playbook seeks to uplift existing City & agency-led heat resilience efforts Let’s communicate the strategies currently underway It’s not a plan No budget or timeline Heat Resilience Playbook Timeline Partners include Go Austin/Vamos Austin (GAVA), University of Texas at Austin, City of Austin (COA) Departments. Who We Worked With ● Austin Bergstrom International Airport ● Austin Energy ● Homeland Security & Emergency Management ● Homeless Strategy Office ● Austin Energy Green Building ● Housing ● Austin Public Health ● Human Resource ● Austin Public Libraries ● Parks and Recreation ● Development Services - ● Watershed Protection ● Planning ● Travis County ● Austin Water ● Cap Metro Forestry Steps 01 02 03 04 Reviewed national & internal best practices Assessed how city, and agencies, compare to best practices. Id’d 70+ strategies COA+ currently pursuing Reviewed findings with staff & drafted/ refined strategies Assembled strategies into report Extreme Heat Impacts Our: AUSTIN’S HEAT EQUITY When there are major heat events, our residents who are most vulnerable feel it the worst. While all of Austin is expected to experience increases in extreme heat, not all residents face the same impacts. People with the least amount of resources or who spend time outdoors are most at risk — including outdoor workers, infants, elderly, incarcerated people, individuals experiencing homelessness, low-income communities, and people with chronic or mental illness. Spotlight on Neighborhood Cooling Cool Connections Built shade Outdoor Cool Oases Cool Homes Connected trails with access to creeks Tree-lined sidewalks Built shade Shaded bus stops Green infrastructure Park with cooling features, like sprinklers & water fountains Cool Community Spaces Austin’s Heat Resilience Playbook is Composed of 3 Pillars, Divided into 13 Strategies and 56 Actions 1.1 Heat Risk and Mitigation Communications 1.2 Enhanced Outreach During Extreme Heat 2.1 Cool Homes 3.1 Cool Buildings 2.2 Cool Community Spaces 3.2 Tree Planting and Maintenance 2.3 Outdoor Cool Oases 3.3 Parks and Green Space 1.3 Safety Measures and Policies 2.4 Cool Connections 3.4 Resilient Energy System 1.4 Data and Evaluation …
Recommendation for Action (Energy Code) Posting Language Conduct a public hearing and consider an ordinance repealing and replacing Article 12 of City Code Chapter 25-12 (Technical Codes) to adopt the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code and local amendments; and creating offenses. Lead Department Development Services Department Fiscal Note This item has no fiscal impact. Prior Council Action: June 3, 2021 - Council adopted the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code and local amendments on Mayor Pro Tem Harper-Madison’s motion, Council Member Ellis' second on a 10-0 vote. Council Member Kelly was absent. For More Information: Todd Wilcox, Building Official (DSD), Todd.Wilcox@austintexas.gov, (512) 974-1681 Heidi Kasper, Director, Energy Efficiency Services, Heidi.Kasper@austinenergy.com, 512-482-5407 Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: August 20, 2024 - Adoption of the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code and local amendments to be considered by the Resource Management Commission (RMC). <<vote info to be added>> Additional Backup Information: The International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) provides reduced energy use in both residential and commercial buildings. The 2024 IECC represents a significant change in energy efficiency from the 2021 version. The proposed ordinance reduces local amendments, provides more flexibility to the design community, and aligns with existing City climate goals. The Development Services Department, in collaboration with Austin Energy Green Building, conducted stakeholder engagement through the Speak Up Austin platform. For the 2024 IECC, energy efficiency increases in the commercial sector look to be in the range of 13% as a weighted average across all building types over existing code. For residential construction, savings of 4-7% are anticipated across all building types. Specific changes to the current code include: • • Requires new commercial energy code buildings over 10,000 square feet to provide renewable energy systems of 0.5 W/ft2 based on the combined gross conditioned floor area of the three largest floors. This also impacts multifamily buildings 5 stories or greater in height. Inclusion of Electrical Energy Storage System Readiness Appendix for all new commercial buildings Inclusion of Electric Ready Appendixes for all new buildings Inclusion of Electric Vehicle Readiness Appendixes for all new buildings • • • Provides a great number of choices for designers to choose from to meet additional energy efficiency requirements in sections C406 and R408. • Requires tighter building envelopes for new buildings. • Requires residential bathrooms with intermittent exhaust fans to include controls to help remove excess moisture. • Reduces prescriptive requirement of attic insulation in …
Date: Subject: JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION 20240925-006 September 25, 2024 AE Solar Standard Offer Motioned By: Kaiba White Seconded By: Charlotte Davis WHEREAS, Austin Energy needs more clean renewable local generation; and WHEREAS, Google Project Sunroof estimates that Austin has about 7,900 MW of rooftop solar potential, with about 4,000 MW coming from rooftops with capacity for less than 50 kW;1 and WHEREAS, the vast majority of Austin's rooftop solar potential is still unrealized; and WHEREAS, opportunities to build new solar farms or other clean renewable energy production within the Austin Energy Load Zone are limited; and WHEREAS, while Austin Energy's solar incentive programs have been successful in deploying local rooftop solar for those with access to capital, many residential and commercial property owners do not have enough capital to take advantage of these programs; and WHEREAS, Austin Energy started working with stakeholders, including from the Resource Management Commission, in 2018 to identify a way to expand access to rooftop solar for residential properties; and WHEREAS, Austin Energy’s last two local solar requests for proposals have not yielded new local solar developments; and WHEREAS, Austin does not currently offer a solar program that allows property owners to host rooftop solar owned by others without utilizing the host’s own capital, even though such a program would enable more solar development on sites that cannot participate in the current solar incentive programs for financial reasons; and 1 While actual potential is less once older buildings are excluded, and the hosting capacity of the distribution grid accounted for, the potential is still large enough to make a significant contribution to Austin Energy’s generation needs. 1 WHEREAS, Austin Energy could significantly increase the amount of solar development within the Austin Energy Load Zone by facilitating solar development on more rooftops in Austin, where solar developers lease the rooftop from the property owner; and WHEREAS, Austin Energy supports new behind-the-meter solar projects under 10 MW with photovoltaic incentives, treating the Value of Solar payment for all PV generation as a bill credit (which renders it non-taxable income), and including the 2.3 cent/kWh societal benefits portion of the Value of Solar tariff; and behind-the-meter rooftop PV projects are exempt from property tax; and WHEREAS, Austin Energy’s proposed Solar Standard Offer program will apply to new solar projects under 10 MW connected to Austin Energy’s distribution system on the grid side of the customer meter, but will …
Date: Subject: JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION 20240925-007 September 25, 2024 Adoption of 2024 International Energy Conservation Code Motioned By: Anna Scott Seconded By: Haris Qureshi Recommendation Adopt the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code, as recommended by staff. Description of Recommendation to Council The Joint Sustainability Committee recommends that the City Council adopt the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code, including the Electric Readiness and EV Readiness appendixes recommended by staff. Rationale: The 2024 Energy Conservation Code will result in energy savings in both residential (projected 6.1%) and commercial buildings (projected 13.4%). The EV Readiness and Electric Readiness provisions, including the changes recommended by staff to require space for hot water heat pumps will give current and future property owners an affordable pathway to choose efficient electric technologies and eliminate polluting fossil fuel use for transportation and use in the home. These changes will reduce both greenhouse gas emission and local and indoor air pollution, yielding environmental and health benefits. Adoption of the 2024 Energy Conservation Code aligns with Sustainable Buildings Goal 1, Strategy 3 of the Austin Climate Equity Plan, “Achieve energy-efficient, net-zero carbon buildings.” Code amendments are specifically listed in this strategy and are a proven strategy for cost-effectively improving efficiency and making other improvements in the home that are much more costly as retrofits. Vote For: Kaiba White, Rodrigo Leal, Anna Scott, Lane Becker, Charlotte Davis, Alberta Phillips, Diana Wheeler, Heather Houser, Jon Salinas, Haris Qureshi, Natalie Poindexter Against: Abstain: Absent: Melissa Rothrock, Larry Franklin, Amy Noel, Chris Maxwell-Gaines, Christopher Campbell Off Dais: Yure Suarez Attest: Rohan Lilauwala, Staff Liaison 1 of 1
JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING September 25, 2024 City Hall – Council Chambers The Joint Sustainability Committee convened in a hybrid meeting via videoconferencing and at City Hall. Board Members in Attendance in Person: Kaiba White, Rodrigo Leal, Anna Scott, Lane Becker, Charlotte Davis Board Members in Attendance Remotely: Alberta Phillips, Diana Wheeler, Heather Houser, Jon Salinas, Yure Suarez, Haris Qureshi, Natalie Poindexter Board Members Absent: City Staff in Attendance: Rohan Lilauwala Braden Latham-Jones Tim Harvey Heidi Kasper Marc Coudert CALL TO ORDER Chair Kaiba White called the meeting to order at 6:08 pm. 1. Approval of minutes from the July 8th special called meeting of the Joint Sustainability Committee. Wheeler motion, Qureshi seconds, passes 12-0. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Scott Johnson speaks on low carbon concrete and residential landscape equipment 3. Presentation on Solar for All program and the Solar Standard Offer – Tim Harvey, Austin Energy • Scott – do energy arbitrage benefits come into play? • Harvey – one of the considered benefits. Utility will control battery to a certain depth of discharge to benefit the utility (leaving enough charge to support resilience). On edge of event, batteries not used. On blue sky days, AE will use batteries for price chasing, 4CP avoidance, peak usage, to get max value out of battery • PPA will be used for solar purchases, performance contract for battery will • Grant will be used to buy down PPA and performance contract to AE’s avoided allow AE to benefit from them. cost of solar and make it feasible. • Phillips – questions around how program works, if benefits flow to wealthier folks • Harvey – AE starting proposal is to allow any residents in EPA designated Disadvantaged Community (DAC) zones, but this could be changed/refined.provides clarification • Opportunity to provide feedback in community engagement process to shape program/ • Leal – why is program designed this way • Harvey – difficult to find 2500 low-income homes that are viable • If model is successful, potential to receive unused funds later • Leal – would roof repairs/rebuilding be part of it? • Harvey – there are existing programs, this grant can’t be for that as per EPA agreement. Homes will receive free weatherization if customer qualify. Homeowners will be informed about home repair program. • Opportunity for community engagement to help define what homes to target • Leal – what does governance look like? …
JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE HYBRID MEETING FORMAT August 28th, 2024 at 6 pm City Hall – Council Chambers 301 W 2nd St, Austin TX 78701 Some members of the Committee may be participating by videoconference Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, email or call Rohan Lilauwala at (Rohan.lilauwala@austintexas.gov or 512-974-9394). CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Home Commission Electric Utility Commission Resource Management Commission Urban Transportation Commission Environmental Commission Zero Waste Advisory Commission Community Development Commission Austin Travis County Food Policy Board Economic Prosperity Commission Water & Wastewater Commission Parks & Recreation Board Design Commission Planning Commission Austin/Travis County Public Health Commission City Council Mayor’s Representative Mayor’s Representative Mayor’s Representative Mayor’s Representative Mayor’s Representative Alternate Randall Chapman Member Kaiba White (Chair) Charlotte Davis (Vice-Chair) Genell Gary Diana Wheeler Haris Qureshi Melissa Rothrock Vacant Larry Franklin Amy Noel Chris Maxwell-Gaines Vacant Jon Salinas Vacant Natalie Poindexter Vacant Richard Brimer Craig Nazor Miriam Garcia Rosamaria Murillo Luis Osta Lugo Vacant Lane Becker Ben Luckens Alberta Phillips Vacant Vacant Rodrigo Leal Anna Scott Yure Suarez Christopher Campbell Heather Houser Vacant For more information, please visit: www.austintexas.gov/jsc AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first 10 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of minutes from the July 8, 2024 special called meeting of the Joint Sustainability Committee. DISCUSSION 2. Sustainable Purchasing Update – Amanda Mortl, Office of Sustainability 3. Updates from Environmental Investment Plan effort and City Budget; JSC next steps. 4. Update from the Resource Management Commission on recommendations regarding advising on gas utility matters and support of progressive natural gas rates. – Charlotte Davis 5. Update from Urban Transportation Commission on recent recommendation to update the Urban Trails Plan map – Diana Wheeler 6. Update from the Electric Utility Commission on Austin Energy Resource Planning, solar program development, and Austin Internation Energy Conservation Code update – Kaiba White 7. Update from the Environmental Commission on the ATX / Travis County Food Plan, Cities Connecting Children …
JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING SPECIAL CALLED MEETING MINUTES July 8, 2024 The Joint Sustainability Committee convened in a hybrid meeting via videoconferencing and at Austin Energy Headquarters. Board Members in Attendance in Person: Diana Wheeler Board Members in Attendance Remotely: Lane Becker, Kaiba White, Heather Houser, Jon Salinas, Alberta Philipps, Anna Scott, Rodrigo Leal, Melissa Rothrock, Chris Campbell, Haris Qureshi Board Members Absent: Larry Franklin, Chris Maxwell-Gaines, Yure Suarez, Amy Noel, Charlotte Davis City Staff in Attendance: Rohan Lilauwala CALL TO ORDER Acting Chair Diana Wheeler called the meeting to order at 7:07 pm. 1. Approval of minutes from the Jun 24th meeting of the Joint Sustainability Committee. • Salinas motions to approve with amendment to include all members absent, Scott seconds, passes 10-0 with Qureshi off dais. 2. Recommendation of investments the City should fund as part of council resolution 20240215-025 ‘Environmental Investment Plan’. • Leal – where did the $250-300 million number come from? o White – number discussed by council subquorum. Should be $250-350 million range. • Qureshi provides minor copy edits • Qureshi amendment to increase number to $250-300 million • Leal - What about water conservation? o White – city-owned solar can offset Austin Water’s energy costs to allow for reinvestments into water conservation. Conserving land improves source water quality. • Scott motions to approve as amended, Campbell seconds, passes 11-0. 3. Recommendation in support of a ‘Climate Fee’ as outlined in the staff response to council resolution 20240215-025 ‘Environmental Investment Plan’. • Discussion of progressive vs regressive nature of tax. Intention to steer options to reduce impact on low-income earners. • White amends last paragraph to “This new fee should be structured to be equitable and responsive to Austin’s wealth gaps and the fee should provide predictable revenue. A legal analysis of options that could be paid by residents, businesses, corporations and/or visitors should be conducted and presented to the City Council for consideration as soon as possible.” • Scott motions to approve as amended, Phillips seconds, passes 11-0. Meeting adjourned at 7:43 pm. ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Zach Baumer …
