HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-24-20 Public Comment - D. Hines - Bozeman Climate PlanFrom:Deborah HInes
To:Agenda
Cc:Natalie Meyer; wallnerforbozeman@gmail.com
Subject:Bozeman Climate Plan
Date:Saturday, October 24, 2020 6:17:53 PM
Attachments:Bozeman Climate Plan.docx
Please find attached my comments on the Bozeman Climate Plan.
Thank you for your consideration.
Deborah Hines
To City of Bozeman City Commissioners and Climate Planners,
While I appreciate all the effort that has gone into this plan, I must start by saying that it is more
of a policy document rather than a plan. It does not lay out the concrete actions to achieve the
stated goals, which are achievable and are on track with aligned and concrete actions and
funding. The plan conveniently skips including a standard structure for a plan: objectives,
actions, targets and timeline, budgets and key performance indicators. It does not identify the
key actionable steps require to achieve emissions reductions in line with the stated goals. Most
concerning for residents is how these unfocused actions will be paid for. As a result, it appears
to be an unfocussed wish list.
Climate plans that I have worked on must be based on do no harm principles and state
specifically:
What will be done; Who will do what and when; with what resources; when results will be
achieved; and who will benefit from the actions?
I also am deeply concerned with the lack of concrete attention to equity and vulnerability issues
especially for the most vulnerable in our community. They really appear as an afterthought. The
resilience section- and resilience to what is never clarified- does not address basic adaptation
principles.
Other concerns include:
• Adopting North Western’s metric of carbon intensity instead of emissions reductions. Carbon intensity is useful for comparing energy sources for a given amount of energy
produced, but not useful for climate change mitigation and the amount of GHG emitted. Carbon intensity is not what affects climate change – emissions do.
• Reliance on North Western to meet the stated targets is unrealistic as they do not plan to reduce emissions and it goes against their business. Coal will be part of their portfolio
for years to come. It is misleading to refer to them as a key partner when their objectives are clearly so different.
• Insufficient attention is given to addressing deficiencies in local laws, ordinances and codes. More attention should be given to ensure that building codes are strong enough to meet new expected standards or to address insufficiencies that exist in most Bozeman buildings.
• Alternative transportation options are very general, incentives are very week, and zoning options to reduce vehicle miles in the downtown area are not supported. We need
feasible options for people, and bike and pedestrian paths are not even given the attention they deserve. Concrete plans for more public transportation and incentives to use it and fees for not using it such as increased parking fees are missing.
• The Green Tariffs Plan relies too heavily on individual voluntary action and shifts blame from the corporate utility who may not produce more clean energy in the region.
• Area population growth will prevent goals from being met without requiring a clean grid and electrifying everything.
• An effective and fair carbon price should be an integral part of this plan as should other market- based solutions, based on accepted carbon pricing principles. Bozeman should demand that Northwestern use emissions and not a carbon intensity metric and provide
more clean energy based on renewables in collaboration with other towns in Montana and regionally. Otherwise they should pay the fee.
• The plan must push for community solar and ensure that all residents can have access, not just the better off.
Finally, the real input of local residents is missing, starting with the composition of the plan committee – many not really qualified to be on a serious planning team. So, the question is how
will Bozeman residents really have an opportunity to shape a credible goal achievable plan? Rushing this document through is not the answer.
Thank you for considering these suggestions.
Deborah Hines
A concerned Bozeman resident