Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Open Board of Directors Meeting
San Bernardino Community College District
114 S. Del Rosa Drive
San Bernardino, CA 92408
Minutes
Present: Deborah Barmack, Ann Bryan, Ken Coate, Bill Easley, Scott Hofferber, Fran Inman, Bill Lemann, Temetry Lindsey, John Mirau, Lou Monville, Beverly Powell, Brian Reider, Kristine Scott, Paul Shimoff, Phil Waller, Janet Weder, Kim Wilcox, A.J. Wilson, and Ray Wolfe.
Guests: Allison Ellingson, O’Reilly Public Relations; Todd Warden, SCAQMD
Announcements: 1) Todd Warden announced a Zero Emission Vehicle, Hydrogen Fuel Cell Toyota Highlander was on display for viewing after the meeting. 2) Fran Inman invited members to join her for Grid Reliability events on June 26 in San Diego, Orange County, and Long Beach. 3) Lou Monville introduced Allison Ellingson and requested that she be designated as alternate member for O’Reilly Public Relations. 4) John Mirau announced that the Transportation Committee met regarding express lanes and that they would be testifying in support at the July SANBAG Board meeting on behalf of the Business Coalition for Express Lanes. 5) An Open House will be held on June 19 at the Corona Public Library on the Highway 91 Project. 6) The League of California Cities dinner will be held on July 24 at the Sheriff’s Academy Training Center. 7) 2014 Mobility 21 Summit will be held on September 5 at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim. 8) SB Valley College has requested Inland Action’s participation in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding its Department of Labor grant application for Retooling the Workforce for Nanotechnologies.
M/S/P: Inland Action write a letter in support of the grant application and refer the request for MOU participation to the Executive Committee.
M/S/P: Minutes from June 10, 2014.
Bill Lemann introduced Barbara Riordan, member of the California Air Resources Board (CARB). Ms. Riordan has dedicated many years in public service to residents of San Bernardino County, not only as a member of CARB, but also as a member of the Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District and past member of the County Board of Supervisors and Redlands City Council.
Ms. Riordan indicated that CARB consists of twelve members, divided among public sector, private sector, and elected officials. It is a diverse membership which has unique knowledge of a broad range of issues. Members bring information and depth to CARB discussions for beyond staff reports and recommendations.
In 2006, Senate Bill 32 was enacted, requiring California to return to the 1990 level of greenhouse gas emissions by 2020, a 15% reduction from existing levels. AB 32 made CARB responsible for review, monitoring, and development of a pathway to meet required goals. In 2010 Proposition 33 was on the ballot, which would have suspended AB 32 requirements until the unemployment rate fell to previous levels. Proposition 33 was defeated. Ms. Riordan pointed out that the voters did speak on these issues, and there is strong public sentiment regarding the need to improve air quality in California.
CARB has developed a scoping plan which includes traditional rules and regulations, but also contains market strategies for meeting goals. Currently California is on target to meet those goals. CARB is working with others throughout the State to cut carbon content of vehicles on the road, which is the biggest challenge ahead.
A key element of the plan is to employ clean technology and promote innovation. California has become a magnet for investment in clean technology. In 2012, there was over $2 billion in capital investments in California for clean technology, more than the other 49 states put together. Part of the plan’s strategy is the comprehensive Cap and Trade program, which puts a cap on all emission sources.
CARB is responsible for oversight of the Cap and Trade Program, which includes a graduated scale of reducing allowable emissions annually by 2% in 2013, then 3%, and so on. Under the program, businesses can make improvements to their facilities and equipment which create additional emissions by purchasing emission credits from other businesses, using the CARB Cap and Trade Market. Emissions are auctioned four times a year, and revenues from the auction must be used for projects which further reduce air emissions.
A key element of this strategy is that businesses can also go to another businesses not covered by Cap and Trade. As an example of innovation, the New York Times carried a story about a business that went to a dairy to purchase emission credits from removing the high levels of methane produced by cows. The diary purchased a digester to efficiently eliminate methane emissions which was otherwise too costly for the dairy operator. Driven by a Caterpillar generator, electricity was produced for 1200 homes. This is a story about how technology and innovation can be brought into the market to help us reach California emission goals.
A major challenge is to get more people involved, in other States and globally in order to make a difference. Neither California nor the United States can do it alone. CARB has had visitors from Quebec, China and Mexico to review the program. Hopefully, countries like India will one day get involved. If everyone is involved and the program works well, it will eliminate the movement of polluting equipment to unregulated areas.
In the coming months, CARB will be letting a contract for a year-long economic analysis on the impact of the Cap and Trade Program. The results of the study will help CARB understand the economic issues, as CARB wants to ensure that Cap and Trade does not negatively impact the California economy.
Discussion ensued. Members commented that CARB, SCAQMD, and SANBAG should work in partnership to send a message to Washington, D.C. about our progress and the challenge of mitigating mobile source emissions. The federal government must be well informed about our achievements; because Federal emission goals, which may not be attainable, could result in penalties to California.
The meeting adjourned at 8:40 a.m.