Moving Toward a Carbon Free Future
City Council candidates share ideas to make good on the City’s 100% Renewable Resolution
On April 18, 2017 the South Lake Tahoe City Council unanimously passed a resolution to 1) Power the South Lake Tahoe community with electricity provided from 100 percent renewable sources by 2032 and 2) Reduce community carbon emissions from baseline by at least 80 percent by 2040. In September the 100% Renewable Committee (a committee formed to assist the City with implementation of the resolution) circulated a short questionnaire to each of the candidates running for City Council. Of the nine candidates running, eight responded. Candidates shared thoughts on preparing, adapting and responding to climate change, and on actions to reduce our City’s carbon footprint and transition our community’s power to renewable sources. We hope the responses will be of interest to voters seeking to elect leaders on this issue.
City Council Candidate Questionnaire and Candidate Responses
*Candidates’ unedited responses are ordered according to chronology of receipt: Tamara Wallace, Hal Cole, Wendy David, Austin Sass, Cody Bass, Devin Middlebrook, Bruce Grego and Tom Davis.
What concerns you about local and international research that indicates that climate change is human caused and has already started to have a negative impact on South Lake Tahoe? How should the City prepare, adapt and respond?
Tamara Wallace: There is no doubt that mankind has had an effect on all three of our precious resources those being air land and sea (ground water in our case). That is evidenced by chemicals in our own land and water such as MTBE and PCE that our water companies such as Lukins, TKPOA and Lakeside Park Water Company are dealing with. Lahontan Regional Water Control Board is responsible for cleaning it up. My point is that our government agencies have been slow to react. As for manmade causes here in the basin and all across the West, the issue is fire. An inexorably slow federal government response to the change in the weather/drought has caused catastrophic wildfires in the west. Those fires have further introduced millions of tons of ash and chemicals into our air that literally cover the globe. The research locally and nationally has indicated a desperate need to properly thin our forests especially in SEZ environments. Senator Feinstein warned all the agencies in the basin in 2004 that a catastrophic fire was in our future, the Angora fire in 2007 was what transpired. Our City needs to understand and push hard for the resources and best practices for thinning/protecting our forests. While there is other evidence of change the one that our city can have the greatest effect on is forest thinning. Our city is already part of an around the Lake group of fire departments and water agencies seeking federal funds especially through the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act. That is a step in the right direction.
Hal Cole: There is no argument, the earth is warming. Most likely the trend is being exacerbated by human activity. The public debates about how much our gas emissions are contributing is ridiculous! We should avoid at all costs dumping anything into our air or water that would disrupt the delicate balance that has allowed life to flourish on this planet for millions of years.
The City, along with everyone else for that matter, should get good information. Good information leads to good decisions. My understanding is the City did approve the funding of a graduate student in the field to help identify opportunities and help shape our strategic planning. I do believe that LTUSD hired a full time employee to do the same.
Wendy David: My greatest concern about climate change is the world I am creating for my children and grandchildren. Our habits, complacency and deliberate ignorance of the data and realities of climate change can no longer be ignored. Our days are warmer; our weather systems have changed. Our forests are dying; our wildfires are increasing. These are environmental and life threatening events. Our wildlife is threatened, our crops and our food supply is threatened. Our air is polluted, increasing air pollution related diseases.
We, as the elected body for the City, have taken a lead in adopting the resolution to have the goal of powering our South Lake Tahoe community with 100% renewable sourced energy by 2032 and reducing our carbon emissions by 80% by 2040. Big goals for this national treasure, Lake Tahoe. We have begun with our first solar project at the airport and with the beginning expansion of electric re-charge hubs in our community. I would suggest that South Lake Tahoe needs to do two things: create a community sustainability partnership with the other public and private entities that have committed to the same goals and secondly, develop with these partners, achievable, affordable, effective and agreed upon goals for 1 year, 5 years, 10 years and our goal year of 2032 and 2040. A staff position/department in each agency should be designated as a contact person engaged in reaching these goals. Using best practices of other communities, information from our Civic Spark Fellow and others, we can chart a path and commit to it as a larger community.
Austin Sass: My biggest concern is the health of the lake and the decreasing amounts of snowpack we are seeing. The lake is getting warmer which will diminish clarity, make it easier for AIS to prosper and enable non-native fish to grow their populations. The city needs to work alongside the TRPA and reduce vehicle miles travelled in the basin and promote non-motorized transportation. In addition, we should be investigating all forms of net zero energy options.
Cody Bass: The concerns have become statistical reality, as we have just seen our lake water temperature hit record high water temperatures. Our world is constantly growing larger and it doesn't seem there are any signs of slowing. I believe it was a responsible step for the city to adopt the resolution, however I do believe we can convert the city’s power to 100% renewable before 2032. We may not be able to build the infrastructure that captures the power, however we could almost immediately move to purchasing our power from companies that only provide renewable power, I would support that action happening immediately, a small increase in cost to support sustainable ways is a worthwhile investment.
Devin Middlebrook: The newest climate science that was just released as part of the California 4th Climate Change Assessment is scary. In the not too distant future we will experience more extreme weather, drought, floods, wildfires, and more. This is the greatest threat facing our community today. By 2100, snow in the Sierra below 6,000 feet will no longer exist. How does our community and economy respond to that? We are already seeing the impacts and they will only get worse.
The city needs to be more proactive in addressing climate change impacts. The 100% commitment is a great first step. That should be achieved ahead of schedule. We also need to eliminate our use of fossil fuels as much as possible. An all-electric city fleet would be a great first step. Finally, the impacts of climate change are coming, and we must adapt to them. We need to start working today to develop a resilient economy, environment and community.
Bruce Grego: There is no doubt that our climate is changing. The City alone can do but a small part of what can be done worldwide. Obviously using our resources wisely is a good first start, and auditing all of our city facilities is worth doing. From there, just as we need to assist our affordable housing, we can assist in this venture by seeing that our local regulations do not get in the way of progress and the 2032 goal.
Tom Davis: Climate change is real and is having some serious impacts on our environment not only here in South Lake Tahoe but worldwide. The city has already responded and on April 18, 2017 the city Council adopted a resolution to power the South Lake Tahoe Community with electricity provided from 100% renewable sources by 2032. I was proud to have been part of adapting that resolution. The city must continue to find new and innovative ways to reduce our carbon footprint.
Lake Tahoe Unified School District has implemented energy efficiency upgrades resulting in cost savings of more than $200,000 annually, and committed to electrifying 50% of its transportation fleet by 2020. Do you support the City making similar commitments? How will you support the City’s implementation of similar energy efficiency upgrades and vehicle electrification investments?
Tamara Wallace: Yes, I support our City evaluating and comparing ALL the opportunities available to us to become more energy efficient. It all comes down to money with most of the government agencies. Once the School District shows that it can be done and be profitable, I believe others will follow. The City budget has been eaten up by non-essential projects and programs that don’t go to enhance the core services the City was created for. Those are Police, Fire and roads (repairs and snow removal). Unfortunately, housing has also become a core issue. On another note, I must admit that when the City built a very expensive entry foyer at City Hall that included a fire place that didn’t provide heat, I was very concerned. It was a great waste of an opportunity to show how to use solar or some other clean energy that would provide heat. Even Geo-Thermal can work using the heat of the earth to provide energy. Geo-Thermal can and does work even here in Lake Tahoe.
I believe that the pace of research and success for electric vehicles will increase the efficiency and lower the cost. At present the City does not have the financial ability to purchase vehicles that will cost more in the long run. For instance, our Police department is short of staff which could put our citizens in danger. And I explained about fire in question #1. Those two key city services are in need funding. And you only have to drive on any city street and be bounced around by pot holes to see the need for road repairs. I’ve been investing time into studying our safety services. I recently did a ride along with the police. The gas-powered vehicles literally fall apart within about three years because for the most part they run twenty-four hours a day. It is quite possible that electric police vehicles might end up more cost effective because of less motor wear and tear. So, my answer is that I intend to look into the financial issues of converting to electric and when possible, I will be for less expensive vehicles over the long run.
Hal Cole: Yes, I do support that effort.
Wendy David: I do support these goals or something similar for the City. Of course, the City, like the school district is a business that must be fiscally responsible at all times. LTUSD has managed to implement these changes and save money in their budget. As stated in my first answer about the importance of partnerships, I would look to LTUSD as one of our partners and to the specifics within the department that achieved these goals. Collaborating and sharing our brain trust with each other will bring positive results. Our fleet of vehicles is significantly aged. We will be looking at a long range replacement plan and can also look at cost and availability of electrifying our fleet. Do electric snowplows exist? Are they feasible for our 24 hour usage during extreme weather? Questions to now ask and have become a part of every conversation. Grant funding, matching funds, investment from our partners are all possibilities. Easy, no. Does our future literally depend upon it? Yes.
Austin Sass: Yes, we strive to do the same. By ensuring that staff seeks out all grants so that we can afford to purchase similar vehicles.
Cody Bass: We must be committed to adapting to new ways of the world, especially when it comes to sustainability. Bringing our city into the most up to date energy efficient operation should be a priority, as this could be shown as an investment with a return due to the savings on power consumption. I would support directing our entire fleet where its possible to move into electric vehicles. I would research how far off things like electric snow removal equipment and large equipment become available, if that seems soon, I would support holding off on new purchases of old technology, while building the reserves to afford new state of the art emission free equipment. With an investment into solar and battery banks, this could also be viewed as investment with return as we could reduce fuel and power cost for our fleet.
Devin Middlebrook: The school district made a great commitment. To truly address the challenges we face the city should not only match this goal but attempt to go even further. As council member I would be an advocate for these actions. There are millions of grant dollars and financing available from California to fund energy and electric vehicle projects. As a first step, I would direct staff to go after these opportunities more aggressively.
Bruce Grego: The reality is that soon many cities in our state will be going bankrupt over the next few years due to PERS funding. The current City Council says that my promise to fund essential road repairs is unrealistic. I believe that the priority of the Council needs to be the Police, Fire and Road Repair/Snow Removal. Then all else follows. While I believe that we could save monies on making good environmental improvements, it cannot happen if we don’t have the money to make the improvements. Perhaps we can find some grant money to do so.
Tom Davis: Yes I do support to city of South Lake Tahoe in their effort to continue to find alternative sources for Renewable electricity.
What additional ideas do you have for supporting electric and other alternative transportation options, and for reducing auto dependence and limiting greenhouse gas emissions?
Tamara Wallace: One other technological advance that has intrigued me is hydrogen powered vehicles. Hydrogen is a naturally occurring substance. Hydrogen’s by product is only water and is not hard on the motor. In addition, the weight of the vehicle can be much lighter than the battery driven electric vehicles with much less use of valuable earth resources like lead and copper. The down side of hydrogen is that in large quantities it can be explosive. That can be offset by having technology that would have the vehicle make the hydrogen in small amounts on demand. Locally we have had innovative ideas such as STPUD producing electricity using their downhill pipeline in Alpine County. Innovative local ways that of course include solar power at for instance the large area the airport provides could be beneficial. I am aware that the airport manager found a grant source for solar power that for some reason the Council voted down. I believe that I would have voted for the free money to install the solar panels.
Hal Cole: As a member of the TRPA governing board for many years, I have always advocated encouraging development in pedestrian friendly town centers. Work force housing and convenient transportation should always be included when we move or expand our commercial core areas.
Wendy David: So glad you you asked this question. During my first term, there was a concentration on economic development and we have seen great results in the redevelopment of the Crossings, Whole Foods, breweries, a climbing gym, and much more. Much was achieved in many areas. During my second term, I would like to concentrate on workforce housing that can have the density and location that will not require a car, and the development of a public transit that can get people, workers and tourists, up and down our main artery, Highway 50, every 15 to 20 minutes, as well as out to our beaches, and other recreational destinations. A goal of our City must include an (ideally electric) transit system, like much of our European destination cities, which are public transit oriented, get people out of their cars, and onto transit that is convenient, dependable and preferable. We, too, can look to see what fits for us. Biking and scooter stations? Greater availability with good laws and ordinances for safety? Short term fixes and ideas, long term strategic planning, then funding, implementation and outcome. It is up to us.
Austin Sass: An entry into the basin so that we can implement a basin wide transportation system. In addition, we should prohibit travel to areas like Sand Harbor, Emerald Bay and our beaches so that tourists are required to take public transportation. There is no parking on most weekends and all the cars do is produce emissions and cause more traffic.
Cody Bass: I support ensuring that our fleet be converted to electrical vehicles, as soon as the next new purchases our set to take place. We live in the most beautiful environment in the world, in my mind it would be irresponsible to the planet to not require this of our city fleet. I also support breaking our public transit away from TTD and creating a new agency for public transportation that is focused purely on public transit not on redevelopment projects. We have a terrible public transportation system that has put little to no attention into sustainability. Our fleet of buses should be full electric, as many buses and models are available all electric. As a long term vision I would like to see a train from Reno to South Lake Tahoe, I believe we must create public transportation as a viable way to travel into the mountains, if people were able to arrive at the airport in Reno and hop on a hor train, they would not be driving while here and would reduce the number of cars in the basin. Having a train between Reno and Tahoe would help our environment, and public safety as people should not be driving in the snow when they are not from the mountains.
Devin Middlebrook: To support electric transportation options, the city needs to develop a network of public charging stations on city properties and parks. This will encourage use of electric vehicles by residents and visitors. The biggest impact on clean transportation the city could have is electrifying our fleet, starting with light-duty vehicles, then trucks, tractors, street sweepers and snow plows. Technology isn’t quite there yet but will be. We also need to support development of battery storage projects to bring resiliency to our power grid. Finally, getting people out of their cars is the best solution. The city should expand bike paths and complete street projects.
Bruce Grego: I have driven a Prius for many years now. It is a great feeling to be making energy rather than expending energy while driving. It is obvious that we do not have a good public transportation system. That is under the responsibility of the Tahoe Transportation District and Tahoe Regional Planning Agency.
I believe the best way at this juncture to limit greenhouse gas emissions is by solving our affordable housing problem. A good portion of the people working in Tahoe are commuting from Carson and Gardnerville. Then we have those who live in Tahoe that commute the other direction. If we can have a wholesome vital community, where people live, work, play and shop where they live, it will decrease the greenhouse gas emissions.
Tom Davis: At some point as the technology becomes available and is cost-effective. I would like to see the city convert its entire fleet of vehicles if possible to alternative sources of energy.
What a better place to demonstrate this technology in South Lake Tahoe. We have discussed this for years but at some point we need to figure out how to provide a free efficient transportation system in the South Shore using renewable energy.
Redevelopment and green building practices can play a major role in reducing carbon emissions. How do you think your policy stance on housing and redevelopment would impact our community’s carbon footprint?
Tamara Wallace: The high dollar condo projects should be encouraged and given incentives to follow green practices. It has become so expensive to build new projects here that projects fall short in attempting to improve the carbon footprint of their project. It takes so long to get permitted even for just a single-family home that they often have up to $70,000 gleaned from them before a shovel of dirt is turned. It comes down to money. If TRPA, the City, County and others were to lower their fees, I believe the proponents would be more likely to decide to do the right thing where it comes to green building. Frankly, I’m not certain how to encourage green building on workforce and affordable housing projects. The main reason we don’t have enough affordable housing projects is that they are far from penciling out. I do believe that the day is coming when the materials for green building will be lower in cost. I’m most certainly open to any and all ideas.
Hal Cole: California is pretty much doing this for us. Our building codes are constantly being modified to reduce the energy used.
Wendy David: I believe that at each and every step that we can have a priority to determine if a building project or redevelopment project has a positive outcome of reducing our carbon footprint, and then incentivize, encourage and have policies that support development that encourages green practices. Again, this would be a part of a long term strategic plan that would include our goals and commitments to our community’s environmental health and the air our children and our children’s children will breathe.
Austin Sass: I am and have been a big proponent of redevelopment. New projects must be near transportation systems. New construction must use best practices and if possible we should mandate solar energy.
Cody Bass: I am a member of USGBC and avidly support the green building movement. As a city we should be demanding new commercial and condo development be built to at least silver LEED standards, and we should be providing incentive for developers that meet the highest level of certification. LEED certification should be written into our current building code for large commercial development. Allowing developers to make millions on new developments, while not holding their feet to the fire on conscious sustainable building methods is wrong and a failure of our current city leadership.
Devin Middlebrook: Heating and powering our aging buildings are two of the three top sources of GHG emissions in the city. Environmentally friendly redevelopment can greatly reduce the emissions of buildings and provide a boost to our economy. As council member I would support developing strong incentives to encourage private developers to build green. This could policy driven and mandate that all new buildings need to reach a certain standard. Or you could incentivize it by offering streamlined permitting, reduced fees, or other levers.
Bruce Grego: We need to encourage residents and businesses to repair and upgrade their properties, and the City can participate by getting out of the way. As homes and businesses are brought up to date they will be more environmentally friendly. To make more regulations will only discourage renovations. I would strongly encourage the infill of lots in our residential neighborhoods. I would also encourage granny flats, helping our home buyers to be able to afford a home while also housing singles. Again, if we have a healthy community where people live, work, play and shop in the same place greenhouse gas emissions will decrease.
It is hard to identify anyone displaced by redevelopment that was happy with the outcome. I do not believe in eminent domain.
Tom Davis: I think if you look at our redevelopment projects the City has required the developers to use the Best Management Practices available. The City is in the process of reviewing its energy needs and how to reduce its carbon footprint.
Please add any other ideas you have to ensure the City successfully implements its resolution to: A. Power the SLT community with electricity from 100 percent renewable sources by 2032, and B. Reduce community carbon emissions from baseline by at least 80% by 2040?
Tamara Wallace: If you don’t set the date you will never get married. The idea of setting the date does create a sense of urgency that should weigh on the minds of all concerned. I’m a little concerned that having set the date so far out could cause complacency on the part of future City Councils. I’m also concerned that because I witnessed the Council turn down the airport manager’s grant proposal that they weren’t as serious about their pledge as they should be. Future Councils may not feel bound by the promises of those who came before them. I think the way to get there is to continue to find incremental victories like the School District decision. As I pointed out STPUD has created a hydro electric generator using their downhill pipeline creating 381,000 kilowatts per year just using what they already had in place. That is an incremental victory that has come because of the community consciousness on this issue. I do not know for sure the exact dates we will succeed as much of our current power is from utility companies that come from several out of state sources. It will take diligence and the ability to show cost savings that exceed the returns of current sources. The pace of technology is advancing at such a pace that miracles can and do happen. In addition, our school systems locally as well as nationally have taught our children about the importance of resource conservation. They are now in key decision-making positions.
In conclusion, I believe that good ideas will always eventually have their day all over the world. With the advent of the internet the entire world can be informed for little cost. I was invited by Green Peace to Lake Baikal Russia in the Summer of 2000 to be a part of a U.S. Forest Service and South Lake Tahoe Chamber mission. The mission was to be part of an international conference on how a tourism economy could flourish in an environmentally sensitive environment. Lake Baikal is like Lake Tahoe used to be. Right from the inception they have reached out regarding how to protect that Lake while growing their economy. I was pleased to be a part of that incubator project to protect the environment of that lake. As I pointed out, our information capabilities can reach around the world. Thank you for the opportunity to share my views and interest in this subject.
Hal Cole: Electricity generation, fuel for our transportation and housing can no longer be supplied by burning fossil fuels. My view of how this whole transformation will be implemented relies greatly on the technology being researched and developed. The whole industrialized world realizes that, and the developers of these innovations will be greatly rewarded in the marketplace. History has shown that to be true.
Wendy David: A) As we replace our lights, go solar. Look to others, invite them to share solar energy ideas. I was just speaking to a motel owner who is very interested in using solar panels on his roof for his entire motel. He talked about some obstacles, one being funding. A solar loan program maybe for those that use a considerable amount of energy. Paid back with their energy savings? Incentives, education, partnerships, having many private parties, pair together for greater savings are all ideas. Collaboration and sharing of ideas, resources, etc. could be powerful. The City took many years to create and approve our design elements for building. We can do the same with our resolution for 2032, approve our green, solar, etc. elements as well for our City.
B) My ideas for this are included. I am not an expert or professionally trained in this area but what I can do as part of an elected body is to become educated on the collection of best practices and then encourage, direct, ask questions, strategically plan and vote on policies and ordinances that include our goals.
Austin Sass: Make sure staff is aware of the resolutions and implements contracts that meet that goal.
Cody Bass: A) Directing city staff to begin reviewing all of our current construction plans to ensure we are using the most energy efficient fixtures and appliances available, as the technology changes fast and some plans were approved many years ago. We should ensure that all new light post have solar panels attached. We should begin bringing each building to full NetZero power operation, if we accomplished one building a year, by 2032 all city owned buildings would be generating its own electricity.
B) That is a huge reduction, and something i believe can be accomplished! I believe the project of building a train could help reduce the emissions in the basin as many visitors would no longer rent a car. The city would need to have a fully electric fleet, snow removal equipment, all electric bus fleet, ask Vail to make the same electric fleet commitment, purchase a new electric snowcat fleet, if we adapt to these as a city we must ensure cal-trans, El Dorado County and any part of the State also adapt to these standards when working in the basin. This is a great goal, to accomplish this goal it will take major collaboration between two states, and five counties, complicated however it also provides many funding sources. These are all great goals that take lots of resources, however the investment into our planet, ensuring we have clean air to breath and water to drink should be the number one priority of our people, it certainly is to me.
Devin Middlebrook: The city, and the many community partners, are on the right path to reaching 100% renewable energy. The city needs to remain true to this commitment. To reduce carbon emissions by 80% will take innovative ideas and bold leadership. We must address transportation and gas (heating) usage in our community and work to reduce and electrify our system.
Bruce Grego: The City should be diligent in exercising its options in the government community and with appropriate agencies and to look to the private sector when opportunities arise. However, I would be satisfied if our electricity is substantially generated from renewable resources. It might be economically infeasible to achieve 100% as to any energy option, but my view could change based upon further development of renewable options. Ditto as to carbon emissions.
Tom Davis: The City can’t do this alone. We need to review new ideas and technology as it becomes available. I look forward to being part of this process, these are exciting times and I always look forward to new ideas and technologies that help us achieve our 2032 goals.