Nevada County Candidates' Energy Security Answers

Published on May 19, 2008 - 10:54:36 AM

By: YubaNet

NEVADA CITY May 19, 2008 - APPLE (the Alliance for a Post Petroleum Local Economy), the Clean Power Coop of Nevada County and Power Up-Nevada City put 10 questions to the four candidates running for a seat on Nevada County's Board of Supervisors. The groups' intention was to make energy security and economic prosperity an election issue and to get each candidate to take a position on these issues.

APPLE, PowerUp-NC, and the Clean Power Co-op would like to personally thank the candidates for taking time from their busy schedules to respond to our questions on what will likely be one of the most pressing questions of the next few years - globally, nationally, and locally. Below are the questions and the respective candidates' unedited answers. The candidates are listed in alphabetical order.

Editor's note: Nate Beason's answers have been added to this article after publication. Mr. Beason did send his responses in on time, a technical glitch prevented the organizations from receiving them immediately.

1) Would you support the formation of a local Energy Solutions Task Force as a joint effort between local communities and the County to address uncertainty in future energy supplies?

Nate Beason: I do not think it's necessary to create a aLocal Energy solutions Task Force at the present time. Local jursidictions ahve sufficient resources to address any potential uncertainty in future enrgu supplies.

Robert Joehnck: Your letter of May 8, 2008, asks a series of complex questions but requires "concise" responses to those questions, and these two parameters of the inquiries make truly responsive answers difficult. I note that the questions themselves appear in some cases to be divorced from the wider world of energy production and consumption (interstate transmission lines, nuclear power, just to name two) , that are certainly pertinent to any over-all framework for energy consumption or power generation in Nevada County. Lastly, the questions are not framed in any stated relationship to economics (whether cost or benefit or subsidy). Having prefaced my answers above, the answers, numbered to correspond to the numbering of your questions, are listed below: 1. Yes. However, to be comprehensive, the team should include NGOs and private sector energy providers, not just communities (cities) and the County.

Alan Kilborn: Did not respond within the 10-day time limit.

Ted Owens: I would support an AdHoc Committee that looks at the impacts to our local community and would suggest that perhaps this effort might be incorporated into the efforts of the Economic Resource Council (ERC).

Ed Scofield: I certainly would not oppose it but I'm uncertain that very much could be done locally. It's important to realize that, while energy prices are likely to continue upward, scarcity is unlikely as long as markets are allowed to function. Government has a history, however, of interfering in markets and that could lead to scarcity as it did with the electricity crisis of a few years past.

2) Are you in favor of adopting a local green building requirement to ensure all new construction and remodels are built and tested to meet a high energy efficiency standard?

Nate Beason: California's Title 24 appears to be sufficient. The Commission will meet again in 2010, and I anticipate more regulations. Anything beyond what the state requires, at this point, should be on an invidivudual, voluntary basis.

Robert Joehnck: No. The reason for this response is complex, but is the same reason I oppose a mandatory LEED certification. First, unless the code contains only cost competitive materials and construction techniques it drives up the cost of housing, with the most notable percentage cost increase being in lower priced housing. Second, the mandatory aspects of such a code (except for large governmental building) should come from the state, so that localities are not pitted against one another in a fight to see how non-green they can be in order to attract industries and commercial activities that improve their tax bases, but not necessarily their communities. A good illustration of the complexities of the LEED process and why I would opposed any imposition of LEED as part of a mandatory process in this County at this time, is the current issue (Summer 2008, No. 195) of Fine Homebuilding magazine. The added costs of LEED certification, at any particular level, are still too high for most builders to justify in terms of having to sell the product once completed.

Alan Kilborn: Did not respond within the 10-day time limit.

Ted Owens: No. The state is currently working on what will be a mandated one-size fits all approach. I oppose government mandates. The marketplace is now taking the lead in this development...it is the industry of the new century and is already rapidly developing new technologies.

Ed Scofield: While I am strongly in favor of persuading and educating people to build in an energy efficient manner I do not favor adopting green building requirements. The current codes are restrictive enough that building costs are much higher than they should be already, making affordable housing a real issue in our community.

3) Would you support the investigation of opportunities for local renewable energy generation?

Nate Beason: I would and have supported investigation of local or regional renewable energy generation . I am on a Board of Directors that has includede that task in its work plan.

Robert Joehnck: Yes. I would be particularly interested in bio-mass energy production and co-generation facilities, and adding small generators where feasible to existing water discharge facilities as I understand Nevada City is doing, using the water flowing out of its water/sewage treatment plants.

Alan Kilborn: Did not respond within the 10-day time limit.

Ted Owens: Yes, I support this concept.

Ed Scofield: Yes

4) Do you see an opportunity for local economic revitalization from green jobs, energy conservation, and renewable energy? What programs would you support?

Nate Beason: I think there is and will be ample opportunity for green jobs as part of the larger economy. Diversity is the key to our local economic progress.

Robert Joehnck: Yes. The Sundance Channel, which profiles a "mayor of the week" in its Monday programming schedule, recently interviewed the mayor of Albuquerque, New Mexico, who spoke at some length about the benefits that city had derived from being able to attract "green manufacturing and energy conservation manufacturing activity to the Albuquerque area. There is a need to develop both an outward profile ("branding") of the County if you will, as being an area that welcomes these types of enterprises, much as AJA Video, the GV Thompson group, and others, have established the City of Grass Valley as an electronics television/video camera center. The main incentive is and will hopefully always remain the natural beauty and small town character of the County. But at least two other incentives might be looked at, that tie in nicely with "branding" as well. The first is establishing some sort of architectural contest (hopefully, an annual event) for green building design of a cost effective nature. This could be done in conjunction with the AIA, perhaps Professional Builder or Dwell magazine, etc. There would be some sort of guaranteed publicity for all entries and perhaps we can find a vacant residential lot to be awarded to the winner. Building materials and design criteria would have to be those that "respected" the rural character of the area but not one which slavishly mimic a fake federalist or 1890's look. The same type of award concept could be applied to awarding small retrofit designs for energy saving to existing buildings again, only where cost effective. We might also look to providing incubator spaces for start-up companies in the energy saving field. Given the depressed real estate market it may be possible to find a landlord willing to gamble some space for a year at next to no real net rent, to try out this idea. Space requirements preclude further discussion of this response.

Alan Kilborn: Did not respond within the 10-day time limit.

Ted Owens: Yes. Again, this was a part of a discussion during the County-City-Town recent economic summit. This is something that should be worked on in conjunction with the ERC.

Ed Scofield: I don't think we can count on these to alone revitalize our economy but each can contribute.

5) We have a serious air pollution problem in Nevada County; some is locally produced, but the majority is carried in. What actions will you promote locally and in Sacramento to ensure air quality is protected?

Nate Beason: 90% of our air quality degradation comes from the Valley and the Bay Area. As Chair of the BOS in 2006, I assembeld the Sacramento Air Quality District's leasdership to explainf their plans for reducing the air contamination that affects Nevada County. I did it again in 07 for a plan update. Unfortunately, their planning horizons are unacceptable. Locally, we can continue to reduce energy usage and consequent air quality effects by using less petroleum based energy, public, private sectors and as inviduals. This question requires a annswer much more complex and lengthy than I can give here.

Robert Joehnck: Other than trying to prevent the inadvertent development of "hot spots" from traffic congestion, I would concentrate all my efforts on Sacramento. I am no expert in this area but it seems that the problem is a state problem that cannot be satisfactorily resolved until the air pollution coming from the Bay-Delta area is eliminated or significantly reduced. As noted below, some trip lessening practices might reduce the vehicle traffic on the road, thus somewhat minimizing the local generate of ozone precursors.

Alan Kilborn: Did not respond within the 10-day time limit.

Ted Owens: I have already taken action in this regard. Last year as Chair of the Northern Sierra Air Quality Management District, I began working with StaiN folks on first, a summit on the issue of transport, and second coalition building to create a more unified voice so we may have greater impact on Sacramento. The Ozone Summit will be held in Grass Valley on June 4, 2008. I have served on the Air Quality board for three years and on Truckee's board prior.

Ed Scofield: As you correctly point out, most of our problem is currently not of our causing. Indeed, Sacramento also has a problem with the pollution blown in from the San Francisco area. So any solutions cannot really be local but must involve all of Northern California. The only solution for us is to either promote ever more stringent requirements on these other cities, or somehow reverse the prevailing winds (which may be no harder than influencing these other cities). Working together with other foothill Counties will also help increase our influence with Sacramento and Bay Area issues. It also is important to identify just what problems are being caused by the elevated levels of ozone. Is it really a health hazard? If it is, identify the proof of the hazard so the evidence can be used against the biggest offending counties.

6) What threats to public safety and city services do you foresee if the price of transportation and home heating fuel were to double during your term in office?

Nate Beason: Intuitively, it is possible that we could reach a point of emergency. When that is, I don't know. The County has plans in palce to adress decling avaiability of energy and increasing costs of energy. Also, I provided your org. a three-page document some months ago that laid out what the county has neen doing/is doing to reduce dependence on energy.

Robert Joehnck: I am not sure that "threats" is the appropriate word to characterize the "results" I anticipate if gas, diesel, and propane prices double during the next four years. To state the obvious, gas siphoning may become a bigger issue; illegal timber cutting for wood fires may increase; road repairs will be neglected because of asphalt prices; car sales will plummet, adversely affecting sales tax revenues, and home heat loss retrofitting may become a real industry. The need for local transit services should increase dramatically. Food costs based on transportation to the County will increase and home prices may decrease where they are based in part on commuting to Sacramento, which will become very expensive. All of this assumes no cost breakthroughs on solar heating, fuel efficient cars and the development of alternative and cost-effective engines and transmissions for automobiles.

Alan Kilborn: Did not respond within the 10-day time limit.

Ted Owens: I believe the County would deliver the same level of service in terms of public safety as it does today...it would cost more.

Ed Scofield: These services would be threatened only if we, as a community, are unwilling to shoulder the additional energy costs. It is important to note that the major costs for these services are and will be salaries, and energy costs, while significant, will continue to be a relatively small portion of the total costs.

7) What would you recommend that the citizens do to prepare for sharp increases in energy prices in the future?

Nate Beason: Drive less, plan trips, use public transit, recycle everything they can, keep the thermostat lower in winter and higher in summer, use energy saving devices, including lights. Unplug energy theives when not in use. I could go on. Most of it's pretty well-established, and the average pesron has eneough sense to know what to do.

Robert Joehnck: The obvious steps for anyone to take are to reduce current consumption of energy resources. Car pooling for trips to the store; looking into an increase in school bussing vs. trips to the high schools being made in individual cars, whether driven by parents or students. Preventing passive heat gains in summer by putting awnings over east and west facing windows, or some similar covering; using drip irrigation for watering and drought tolerant plantings in areas not subject to intense gardening; turning the thermostat down in winter and conversely wearing warmer clothing indoors; just turning out the lights when they are not being used; planting shade trees or just trees in general (obviously, those plantings would have to be coordinated with fire safety clearance standards).

Alan Kilborn: Did not respond within the 10-day time limit.

Ted Owens: Conserve and save energy. Save money for the additional expense.

Ed Scofield: More of what many of us are already doing. Using compact fluorescent light bulbs, replacing current vehicles with more efficient ones when we change vehicles, using different strategies to cool our houses in the summer such as roof sprinklers, etc. I think there is a lot we can still do without entirely changing our lifestyles.

8) What do you think are your jurisdiction's primary vulnerabilities in the event of a prolonged energy shortage?

Nate Beason: lack of road communication and all the attendant supply issues. I think that we will learn that we can live with a lot less than have become accustomed to. The County's priorities wil be public health and safety. We will work with other local agencies as well as the state and feds.

Robert Joehnck: I view the primary vulnerability to the County from prolonged energy "shortages" (high prices) as impacting our job creation and retention capabilities. Many smaller businesses may be forced to close; larger businesses may locate where energy costs are significantly lower, and tourism will decline.

Alan Kilborn: Did not respond within the 10-day time limit.

Ted Owens: Truckee has always been expensive in terms of fuel and the cost of food and goods. Prior to the construction of I-80, it was common to have been cutoff from sources. In the event of a prolonged situation, it would be advisable to go back to storage of food and fuel.

Ed Scofield: As stated earlier, energy shortages are unlikely unless government does something foolish. But energy prices will be a significant problem and that is what we will need to respond to. We need to bring services to our county to eliminate the need to drive to Auburn, (Even Grass Valley if you live in Lake of the Pines or surrounding areas), Roseville or Sacramento for daily needs. I'm not suggesting a box store, but enough local services to allow for the majority of shopping to done locally.

9) What could we do to reduce our dependency on food, fuel, and other necessities imported into our area in order to make our community more resilient to future energy uncertainty?

Nate Beason: In the interest of time, I think the answer to this question is contained or implicit in the 8 foregoing answers.

Robert Joehnck: In the face of energy "uncertainty" the County and its constituent cities and citizens might want to look at some of the following: having commercial "holidays" when stores, or stores of a certain type are closed. When I grew up the barber shops were never opened on Mondays, so no one drove to a barber shop on Monday. This would have to be a voluntary program to work. Perhaps, on the average, a day a week would be "saved" in overall commercial commuting if this were done. Government buildings could be open less, but perhaps open at times when natural energy (cooling and heating) from Mother Nature, were at their peaks. I would not seek to shut down government functions, but rearrange them, so that citizens would not be traveling to do their business with government, either on certain days, or certain times of day. I have already mentioned creating bio-mass power generation plants as another way to make our county more "resilient" in terms of energy shortages. We can encourage "home" vegetable production by making certain that small garden plots are allowed uses in all residential zones.

Alan Kilborn: Did not respond within the 10-day time limit.

Ted Owens: Difficult for Truckee. Due to our climate, one can't grow foods here. Everything we use is imported here. Again conservation is advisable.

Ed Scofield: There are a large number of small things we can do which will add up to a major change if they are implemented. One small example is to stop buying bottled water which is shipped in from a great distance and just refill our own. At the fairgrounds we've decided to do away with buying pallets of bottled water for out employees during the Fair. Instead we will have water coolers and containers available in convenient locations for employees.


10) Thank you for answering our questions. In conclusion, what adjustments have you and your family made in response to increasing energy prices that could be an example to the community?

Nate Beason: We drive less, use alternative forms of transport, use a lot less heat/AC, recycle almost EVERYTHING, my garden has been organic for years, I have a heavily-insulated home, including hot water pipes, keep lights off as much as possible, read under windows that emit sun.

Robert Joehnck: Without setting out these items as examples I am merely listing some things our three generation family tries to do to conserve resources. First, we do have a permanent 3 generation household, so we have two families living in the floor space one might ordinarily take, with a more minimal footprint than otherwise, etc. We have recently remodeled our living space with all new insulation, double paned windows, and mandated low energy fixtures in bathrooms and kitchen. We have horses and use manure for soil augmentation and amendment. We have a solar heated pool. We use drip irrigation in our intensely planted areas. We recycle newspapers and CRV bottles and cans. We have seasonal vegetable gardens and have numerous mature shade trees.

Alan Kilborn: Did not respond within the 10-day time limit.

Ted Owens: We are saving more. Going out less. Not driving unnecessarily.

Ed Scofield: Thanks for asking. We personally have replaced all but a little few of our light bulbs with compact fluorescents, we've put timers on many lights so they aren't on when we're not using them, we've installed a whole house fan and seldom use our AC, we've eliminated our garage refrigerator, and my daily work transportation is a small, fuel efficient car. As CEO of the fairgrounds, we're in the first stage of bringing limited solar power to the grounds. We are planning on installing electrical instruments to make our power usage more harmonious, which use to save energy. Meters are being installed on our major buildings to encourage heat and AC limitations, and recent replacement of old natural gas and water lines will conserve energy simply by eliminating leakage. Thank you for providing this opportunity for discussion. Ed Scofield, Candidate for Nevada County Supervisor for District II.

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