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SUSTAINABILITY ADVISORY BOARD
OCTOBER 6, 2014
PRESENT: Kim Biedermann, Margy Davey, Nikki Stoll, Michelle Bogden Muetzel, Samara
Hamze, Jan Scalpone, and Tom Pech
EXCUSED: Bob Breest and Lori Palmeri
STAFF: Elizabeth Williams, Assistant Planner
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 6:04 p.m. by Chair Margy Davey.
PUBLIC COMMENT
No public comment was received.
APPROVE MINUTES
Motion by Ms. Scalpone and second by Ms. Hamze to approve minutes as written. Motion carried 7-0.
CITIZENS CLIMATE LOBBY – DICK SMITH
Dick Smith presented on behalf of the Citizens Climate Lobby, a group of activists working with members of congress
to support a fee and dividend bill that would create a revenue-neutral carbon tax to help reduce greenhouse gas
emissions in America.
Mr. Smith provided an overview of global warming stating that it is real, since 1880, the globe has warmed 0.85° C
(1.5° F). Global warming is human created, since 1950, all the warming has been created by human activities. Global
warming is dangerous; a 2° C increase in global temperatures is the threshold for danger.
Mr. Smith reported to stay below the 2° C increase in global temperatures, there would need to be an 80% reduction in
CO² emissions by 2050 and 80% of the fossil-fuel reserves must stay in the ground.
The Citizens Climate Lobby has proposed a fee and dividend bill that would create a revenue-neutral carbon tax of
$10/ton on CO². The bill would require an annual tax increase of $10/ton each year for the next 20 years. The bill
would also require the tax be 100% revenue neutral, with all tax revenue returned to American households to allow the
revenue to stay in the economy. Lastly, the bill would need a stipulation that includes boarder taxes on imports to
protect American businesses from unfair foreign competition from countries that don’t have a comparable system for
reducing emissions.
Mr. Smith explained Regional Economic Models, Inc, a private sector firm that analyzes new tax policy, has reviewed
the proposed bill and found that 2.1 million extra jobs would be created within 10 years. The GDP would increase
$70-$85 billion annually after 2020. Finally, CO² emissions would be reduced by 80% by 2050.
Mr. Pech questioned if the tax would be applied when fossil fuels are extracted or when products are manufactured.
Mr. Smith responded that the tax would be applied at the time of extraction or release of emissions and there would be
a system of credits developed for companies that keep emissions out of the atmosphere.
Ms. Hamze requested a copy of the presentation be made available to board members.
Mr. Smith responded he would forward a copy of the presentation to Ms. Davey for distribution to members of the
Sustainability Advisory Board.
2 | October 6, 2014 Sustainability Advisory Board Minutes
SHORELAND RESTORATION REPORT – LETTER OF SUPPORT
Members reviewed and made edits to a letter of support for the Shoreland Restoration 5-Year Report. Motion by Mr.
Pech and second by Ms. Stoll to accept the letter of support as amended. Motion carried 7-0.
SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES
Ms. Biedermann reported that the subcommittee worked on drafting a letter of support for the Shoreland
Restoration Report. Members also reviewed the last Parks Advisory Board meeting to better understand citizen
concerns prior to drafting the Sustainability Advisory Board’s letter of support for the Shoreland Restoration
Report.
CLIMATE CHANGE
Ms. Davey reported the subcommittee will continue working on ICLEI Milestones 2 & 3.
NEXT MEETING MONDAY, DECEMBER 1ST
Chair Davey reminded the Board of the next meeting.
ADJOURN
Motion by Ms. Stoll and second by Mr. Pech to adjourn the meeting to work session. Motion carried 7-0. Meeting
adjourned at 7:33 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Elizabeth Williams
Assistant Planner