PROVO MAYOR’S SUSTAINABILITY AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE REPORT FOR 2016

Draft 18 January 2017

TABLE OF CONTENTS LOCAL SUPPORT………………………………………………………………………………………………………….2 AIR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT..…………………………………………………………………………………….2 Clean Air Blitz………………………………………………………………………………………………………….2 School air quality campaign……….……………………………………………………………………………3 Provo Clean Air Toolkit.……………………………………………………………………………………….….3 Diesel emissions testing ………………………………………………………………………………………….3 AGRICULTURE IN PROVO……………………………………………………………………………………………...4 County Agriculture Tool Box……………………………………………………………………………4 Provo Agricultural Commission………………………………………………………………………………..4 ROCK CANYON PRESERVATION ……………………………………………………………………………………5 DISPLAYS ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..5 ENERGY-EFFICIENT BUILDINGS …………………………………………………………………………………….6 GREEN BUSINESS RECOGNITION PROGRAM…………………………………………………………………6 SOLAR SURCHARGE………………………………………………………………………………………………………6 COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION AND NETWORKING ………………………………………………………..6 APPENDICES………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….8

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PROVO SUSTAINABILITY AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE 2016

LOCAL SUPPORT Since the Committee was begun in 2011, much of its success has been due to the direction, support and cooperation of Mayor Curtis, the Municipal Council, and numerous city employees. This year the Committee has especially been aided by Council members David Sewell and David Knecht; Mr. Sewell has worked closely with the Mayor, the Committee, and the Clean Air Task Force, while Mr. Knecht has provided extraordinary support for the Agriculture Commission and its aims. We have also benefitted from many hours of work by BYU interns ‘Shebby’ Phelan and Chris Haines.

AIR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT Clean-air blitz: Continuing our annual campaign, Mayor Curtis and City Councilman David Sewell participated in a morning “Clean Air Blitz” organized by the Committee at Walden Secondary School on 9 November. Principal Lois Bobo, staff, and student leaders participated in handing out anti-idling literature and window clings to parents dropping off their children. Their response was uniformly positive.

Walden Secondary School Principal Lois Bobo, its staff and student leaders participated with Mayor Curtis, Provo City Councilman David Sewell, and Sustainability Committee members Don and Janelle Jarvis in a “Clean Air Blitz” on 9 November 2016

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School air quality campaign: Using materials designed by Breathe Utah, Committee member Janelle Jarvis and BYU intern Chris Haines have presented air-quality lessons in Provo elementary schools in 56 classes to 1,986 students. And again this year she distributed air-quality posters to all Provo Schools and, with Provo PTA leaders, provided over 15,000 electronic or hard-copy handouts to all Provo school pupils.

Janelle Jarvis teaching elementary students

Provo Clean Air Toolkit: Using $70,000 in funding from Utah Clean Air Partners (UCAIR) and Provo city, Envision Utah organized three stakeholder meetings in 2015 and a final one on 18 February 2016. Committee members supported project manager/Council Chair Harold Miller and participated in all these meetings. After extensive negotiations with and Provo City, the Toolkit was ready for launch at the end of 2016. (It was actually released on 4 January 2017) See www.provocleanair.org Publicizing and implementing the Toolkit’s recommendations will be a key task for 2017.

Harold Miller, Project Director of the Provo Clean Air Toolkit

Front page of the Provo Clean Air Toolkit website

Diesel Emissions Testing: Utah County is the only populous county along the not requiring annual testing of light and medium-duty diesel vehicles. Working with HEAL Utah’s Ashley Soltysiak and the Utah Valley Clean Air Task Force, we recommended that Mayor Curtis and the Municipal Council pass a joint resolution supporting annual testing in Utah County of all diesel vehicles made after 2007 (see Appendix 1). These can easily be tested just as gasoline vehicles are. Discussion of this with the Council is ongoing as is a proposed bill in the Utah Legislature requiring it.

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AGRICULTURE IN PROVO Utah County Agriculture Tool Box: Loss of agricultural land to urban sprawl threatens not only our access to local food but also our air quality and an important Provo industry. To protect and promote agriculture in Provo and throughout Utah County, the Sustainability Committee and Provo resident LaDonn Christianson worked with the Utah County Commission, Provo City, and Envision Utah to fund and produce the Utah County Agriculture Tool Box, released on 29 September. See www.utahagriculture.org for over 67 pages of facts about local agriculture and tested suggestions on how to preserve and promote it. Hard copies are also available. As a by- product of George Handley’s fund-raising for this project, Provo City received $25,000 from The Nature Conservancy to save open space and agriculture in the city.

Front page of the Utah County Agriculture Toolbox website

Provo Agricultural Commission: One of the key recommendations of the Tool Box is to “Create local agricultural commissions that specifically promote agriculture in individual communities.” Accordingly, this summer Mayor Curtis authorized creation of a Provo Agricultural Commission, which is to report to the Provo Sustainability Committee. Commissioner Marcus Smith organized several well-attended meetings of volunteers interested in the Commission, focusing on preservation of agricultural land in Provo and educating residents about the value of local agriculture. The Commission is considering appropriate uses of the $25,000 fund mentioned above. Smith resigned due to ill health, and the new commissioner is Shawn Miller. As mentioned, Councilman Dave Knecht has been a vigorous participant of this commission and a strong advocate of preserving Provo’s remaining agricultural land. The Provo Municipal Council is considering a resolution establishing the Provo Agricultural Commission (see Appendix 2).

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ROCK CANYON PRESERVATION Since the Sustainability Committee’s inception, Ginger Woolley and several other of its members have worked to preserve Rock Canyon - Provo's most iconic and majestic natural resource. In March 2016, Provo acquired the last piece of private land, eliminating the potential threat of development in the mouth of the canyon. More than half of the funding to purchase this land was raised through private donations, which Committee members were involved in soliciting for this final critical parcel to protect our magnificent community asset.

Beginning in April 2016, Committee members participated in initial efforts to create a master plan for Rock Canyon. This plan will address the need for additional parking, select a trail-like surface to replace the old crumbling asphalt road, and design a children's nature interpretive center. Our committee members will continue working on this project during the first five months of 2017. Mayor Curtis will unveil the completed masterplan at a donors’ event in May.

DISPLAYS To inform Provo residents of Mayor Curtis’ environmental priorities, Kim Jones and other Committee members staffed displays explaining how to improve air quality at Provo’s Spring Fest on 16 April, and at the Centro Hispano Latin-American Festival September 2nd, 3rd and 5th. Many residents pledged to drive less, walk and bike more, and use public transit.

Cultural program during Festival Latinoamericano. 25% of Provo’s school children are Hispanic.

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ENERGY-EFFICIENT BUILDINGS Energy-efficient residential mortgages: Nancy Evenson created a helpful information sheet on energy- efficient mortgages for residences (see Appendix 3) but found few local realty lending organizations interested in publicizing and encouraging them. We regretted her leaving the Provo area to escape local air pollution and will miss her expertise in the Committee.

C-PACE Financing: Ned Hill, Don Jarvis and Councilman David Sewell, aided by Shawna Cuan from the Governor’s Office of Energy Development, successfully convinced the Municipal Council to accept the state-approved system of Commercial Property-Assessed Clean Energy (C- PACE) financing for new buildings and remodels in Provo (See Appendix 4), although the Council temporarily excluded net-metering projects from Provo’s program. The challenge now is publicizing this system to local builders and developers.

GREEN BUSINESS RECOGNITION PROGRAM Rick Cox worked several months to devise a recognition program for Provo businesses which invest significant amounts toward making their companies more environmentally sustainable. The program is close to completion and will likely be launched early next year.

SOLAR SURCHARGE At the initiative of Provo City Power, the Municipal Council in October approved a significant surcharge on residential net-metering (roof-top solar) in order to cover PCP’s fixed costs for lines, billing, administration, etc. Committee members worked with solar advocates to modify this surcharge and were pleased that Mayor Curtis urged broader discussion of the issue and announced his intent to veto it. Thereafter the Council rescinded its decision and together with the Mayor established a Solar and Energy Commission to revisit the issue with more input from residents, the Utah Solar Energy Association, and the non-profit renewable power advocacy group Utah Clean Energy. At the end of 2016 that commission recommended a compromise policy that included grandfathering all present residential solar owners, reducing the rate PCP would pay for power exported to its grid to $.067, and over four years gradually doubling the base rate that each customer pays per month. However, Kate Bowman of Utah Clean Energy abstained from voting on that policy while Ryan Evans of the Utah Solar Energy Association voted against it. Further discussion of the issue is inevitable.

COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION AND NETWORKING Reporting: The Committee reported monthly to Mayor Curtis, with Councilman David Sewell often attending events as well as Committee meetings. We also reported every six months to the Municipal Council, monthly to the Utah Valley Clean Air Task Force and periodically to Utah Clean Air Partners (UCAIR) in Salt Lake City. Committee member Matthew Jelalian developed an excellent Facebook page for the Committee and regularly updated it.

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Sub-committees: Displays—Kim Jones Energy efficient buildings—Nancy Evenson, Ned Hill Green business recognition program—Rick Cox Open space preservation—Don Jarvis, George Handley Publicity—Matthew Jelalian Recycling—Ginger Woolley School air quality presentations—Janelle Jarvis Solar surcharge—Ned Hill, Don Jarvis

Membership: Matthew Jalalian joined the Committee this year. See Appendix 5 for the complete roster.

Networking: Committee members worked with Orem City to establish its own sustainability committee, which it did this June, with Sarah Bateman as chair of a new “Natural Resources Stewardship Committee." Provo City joined the nationwide STAR Community Rating System to benchmark our present situation and track future progress under the coordination of Dustin Wright, who is a city planner and serves as official liaison with the Committee. We participated actively with Provo City Employees’ Interdepartmental Sustainability Committee, Rock Canyon Preservation Alliance, Utah Clean Air Partners (UCAIR), Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Clean Air Task Force, BYU Earth Stewardship Club, and coordinated with Utah Valley Earth Forum. Members attended the Governor’s Energy Development Symposium on 25 May and meetings of the Provo Energy Board.

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APPENDIX 1 Draft resolution on testing of light and medium-duty diesel vehicles This version: 7 January 2017, 7:30 pm SHORT TITLE A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE PROVO MAYOR AND MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OUTLINING THEIR SUPPORT FOR TESTING OF MEDIUM AND LIGHT-DUTY DIESEL VEHICLES IN UTAH COUNTY. WHEREAS the safety, health, and well-being of Provo residents is profoundly affected by air quality of Utah County, and Provo City policies, including the master plan and the general plan, give specific attention to the achievement of clean air; and WHEREAS Utah County still remains out of attainment of National Ambient Air Quality Standards for PM2.5, and vehicles are the main contributors to that pollution; and WHEREAS the 20,266 light and medium-duty diesel vehicles registered in Utah County— representing 5.6% of all vehicles in the County--are not currently subject to any emissions testing requirement, unlike such vehicles in all other populous counties along the Wasatch Front; and WHEREAS a recent Davis County/University of Utah study found that pollution from a failing diesel vehicle is four times that of a compliant diesel vehicle and seven or eight times that of an average gasoline vehicle; and WHEREAS light and medium-duty diesel vehicles tested in Davis County are eight to nine times more likely to fail emissions testing than comparable gas vehicles, and nearly six percent of new vehicles in Salt Lake County fail to meet emissions standards; and

WHEREAS diesel vehicles built in 2008 or later, unlike those built earlier, have computerized on-board diagnostics that allow rapid, inexpensive testing with only minimal software upgrades at present vehicle testing facilities; and

WHEREAS all owners of gasoline-powered vehicles in counties requiring emissions testing pay for such testing to help reduce pollution, while owners of Utah County diesel vehicles are exempted from this cost, yet those machines contribute more NOx and PM2.5 pollution per vehicle than gasoline ones do; and NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that we, the members of the Provo City Municipal Council and jointly with the Mayor of Provo City support expansion of the current vehicle inspection/maintenance (I/M) program of Utah County to include emissions testing for diesel vehicles under 14,000 lbs. built in 2008 or later, together with simple visual inspection of all such vehicles built after 1997; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Clerk of Provo City transmit duly authenticated copies of this resolution to the Utah County Commission, to the President of the Utah Senate, to the Speaker of the Utah House of Representatives, to the Clerk of the Legislature, and to the news media of Utah.

END OF RESOLUTION

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APPENDIX 2 Draft Resolution on a Provo Agricultural Commission This version: 3 January 2017, 10 p.m. SHORT TITLE A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE PROVO MAYOR AND MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OUTLINING THEIR SUPPORT FOR A PROVO AGRICULTURE COMMISSION WHEREAS Envision Utah’s recent, extensive survey found that ninety-eight per cent of Utahns want to increase food security and self-sufficiency; and WHEREAS Utah County produces more agricultural profits than any other county in Utah; and WHEREAS agriculture is a significant part of Provo’s heritage, and local food is becoming increasingly important here; and WHEREAS agronomists confirm that Provo City contains some of the best prime soil and most suitable climate for agriculture in the entire state of Utah; and WHEREAS agriculture contributes more in revenue than it requires in city expenditures, while residential land usually contributes less in revenue than it requires; and

WHEREAS Provo proponents of agriculture have obtained $60,000 from The Nature Conservancy for a visioning process with the Utah County Commission, local stakeholders, and Envision Utah to create a set of suggested policies and actions called the Utah County Agriculture Tool Box; and

WHEREAS Provo supporters of agriculture have obtained $25,000 from the Nature Conservancy to protect and promote agriculture and open space in the city; and

WHEREAS the Utah County Agriculture Tool Box recommends creation of local agricultural commissions to protect and promote agriculture; and

NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that we, the members of the Provo City Municipal Council and jointly with the Mayor of Provo City support creation of a Provo Agriculture Commission composed of local volunteers as a sub-committee of the Provo Mayor’s Sustainability Committee to promote local commercial and non-commercial agriculture; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Clerk of Provo City transmit duly authenticated copies of this resolution to the Utah County Commission, to the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce, to Envision Utah, to Mountainland Association of Governments, and to the news media of Utah County.

END OF RESOLUTION

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APPENDIX 3

ENERGY EFFICIENT MORTGAGES — SAVINGS & CLEAN AIR! Nancy Evenson, AIA

“The Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM) has been available since the early 90’s, but has been used so infrequently that most lenders don’t know anything about it. If you’re building or buying a new house, however, it could be of great benefit to you to find a lender who’s willing to work with you in attaining one. If you’re buying an existing home, it’s a no brainer…...The beauty of using an energy efficient mortgage is that you get a house with a higher up-front-cost, but, because you’re financing that cost and the operating expenses are lower, you end up saving money from the first month you’re in the house.” See Energy Vanguard.

EEM’s are available to buyers of new homes, existing homes, and owners who are refinancing.

Here’s how it works:

An EEM allows you to make energy upgrades, fold the cost into your mortgage, and pay the extra monthly mortgage principal and interest with the money you save on utility bills.

1. Lenders require a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) report which analyzes the existing home energy requirements, makes recommendations for cost effective upgrades, and predicts the resulting monthly energy savings. Monthly energy savings must exceed what the energy upgrade adds to the monthly mortgage payment. . The cost of the HERS report ($300-800 depending on the home) can be included in the mortgage as well, meaning that there is no upfront cost to the EEM. 2. Federal and state tax credits, along with utility company incentives make the energy upgrades even more attractive. The largest incentive currently available is a 30% solar panel tax credit from the federal government coupled with a $2,000 Utah state tax credit. Credits and incentives for other upgrades are less generous, but still well worth pursuing. 3. Note that the EEM contains adjustments that factor in the life of an upgrade. A new water heater, for example, may have a life expectancy of 20 years while the mortgage lasts for 30— thus only 20 years of water heater savings will be credited to EEM cost savings. 4. Money that would otherwise literally “go up the chimney” in energy bills, instead goes to finance energy upgrades that enhance the value of your home—both in terms of daily comfort and increased sale price. Given the tax credits and incentives, and since the monthly principal and interest is less than the energy costs you now don’t pay, you can actually save money. 5. EEM’s allow the energy part of the mortgage to be added without increasing the down payment or requiring re-qualifying if the loan exceeds borrowing limits.

It’s worth shopping around for a lender willing to help you get an EEM. They can find information on it at Energy.gov and at Energy Star.

The above analysis concentrates on financial advantages to the homeowner, but the benefits spread further as more efficient energy use translates into cleaner, healthier air for all of us.

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APPENDIX 4

THE CHALLENGE OF BUILDINGS AND THE VALUE OF C-PACE Testimony to the City Council by Don Jarvis, Provo Mayor’s Sustainability Adviser

Nearly half the energy we consume, and three quarters of the electricity we generate in the United States is used to heat, cool, light, and otherwise operate our buildings. As our vehicles and gasoline get cleaner in the near future, most of our Utah air pollution will be produced not by vehicles, but by buildings. Buildings last a long time and not only produce pollution, but cost a lot to heat and cool, so it makes sense to help developers who want to build energy-efficient buildings to reduce their customers’ utility bills. Commercial Property-Assessed Clean Energy financing (C-PACE) overcomes challenges that have hindered adoption of energy efficiency and related projects in our nation’s commercial buildings. C-PACE financing was begun in 2008 and solves the upfront cost barrier by providing 100% financing for projects. Long- term loans of up to 30 years make longer payback projects immediately cash-flow positive and buildings more valuable. For contractors, C-PACE facilitates closing a larger sale. As of the third quarter of 2015, 480 C-PACE projects in thirteen states had been funded for a total of $176,000,000. C-PACE financing is now available in 32 states, including Utah. C-PACE does require some minimal city involvement to allow the financing to be repaid as a property tax assessment. The city faces minimal risk, according to PACE Nation, which supports C-PACE projects nationwide, because not a single project has undergone foreclosure.

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APPENDIX 5

SUSTAINABILITY AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE ROSTER, DECEMBER 2016

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