Tuesday, February 2, 2016
Open Board of Directors Meeting
San Bernardino Community College District
114 S. Del Rosa Drive
San Bernardino, CA 92408
Minutes
Present: Deborah Barmack, Carole Beswick, Mike Burrows, Ken Coate, Dick Hart, Fran Inman Matthew Isaac, Jay Jimenez, Eric Johnson, Mark Kaenel, Lowell King, Sue McKee, John Mirau, Dan Murphy, John Prentice, Jan Remm, Kristine Scott, Steve von Rajcs and Ray Wolfe.
Announcements: 1) Committees were asked to submit Washington, D.C. meeting requests and legislative issues as soon as possible for scheduling purposes. Potomac Partners and Congressman Aguilars office will assist with appointments. The legislative reception hosted by Inland Action will be held on Tuesday, March 15, 2016 at the Potomac Partners brownstone. 2) The California Road Charge Pilot Program is researching a sustainable alternative to the gas tax. Road charging is much like a utility, but for vehicle miles traveled. The pilot program will inform the Legislature’s decision on whether and how to move forward with a full-scale road charge program. Members are encouraged to sign up for the California’s voluntary road charge pilot program. For more information go to http://www.californiaroadchargepilot.com 3) The Mt. Vernon Bridge project will be managed by SANBAG pending San Bernardino City Council approval (expected 2/16/16 or 3/2/16). 4) A trade forum on How to Grow Your Business Through Exports will be held on Wednesday, March 2, 2016 from 9a.m. to noon. The no cost event will be held at San Bernardino International Airport. For more information please contact Jean Coronel at jcoronel@portla.org
A letter of support is requested for H.R. 4024 Santa Ana River Wash Plan Land Exchange Act (Cook/Aguilar) and to ask Senator Feinstein to propose similar legislation in the Senate.
The legislation will enable a land swap between BLM and the Conservation District. The land swap would: consolidate aggregate mining with expansion in a contiguous footprint; provide for increased vital habitat, in perpetuity; provide more land for water recharge; create an improved wildlife corridor and more trail access.
M/S/P: A letter of support and a letter requesting legislation will be will be sent.
M/S/P: Minutes from January 26, 2016
Fran Inman introduced Commissioner Karen Douglas, California Energy Commission.
Karen Douglas has served on the California Energy Commission since 2008. The Energy Commission consists of five members that all require Senate approval. By law, one commission member must be selected from the public at large. The remaining commissioners represent the fields of engineering/physical science, economics, environmental protection, and law. Commissioner Douglas fills the Attorney designation.
The California Energy Commission is the state’s primary energy policy and planning agency. Established by the Legislature in 1974, seven core responsibilities guide the Energy Commission:
- Forecasting future energy needs;
- Promoting energy efficiency and conservation by setting the state’s appliance and building energy efficiency standards;
- Supporting energy research that advances energy science and technology through research, development and demonstration projects;
- Developing renewable energy resources;
- Advancing alternative and renewable transportation fuels and technologies;
- Certifying thermal power plants 50 megawatts and larger;
- Planning for and directing state response to energy emergencies.
California’s leading Building Energy Efficiency Standards are moving the state closer to zero-net energy goals. All newly constructed low-rise residential buildings are to be zero-net energy by 2020 and commercial buildings by 2030.
The Commissioner discussed both large and residential solar projects and their impact. Solar will forever change our landscape and will become more affordable in the future. Incentives are still needed at this time. Solar Thermal systems are challenged with large scale storage. Nevada is exploring this option with their Crescent Dunes Solar Energy Plant located outside Las Vegas.
From light bulbs and televisions to building construction and power plants the California Energy Commission has played a major role in improving systems and lowering emissions.
A Q & A Period followed
Meeting adjourned at 8:30 a.m.