Sustainability Advisory Committee

Sustainability Advisory Committee Thursday, March 16, 2017 11:10 to 12:00 Meeting Minutes

SAC Committee Members: Dennis Elliot (chair), Michael Lucas, Kevin Piper, Patrick Lemieux, Jill Nelson, Shelby Thomas, Jocelyn Lu, Megan Coats, Hunter Francis, Ron Skamfer, Scott Bloom Ex Officio: Julie Hawkins, Steve Polvi Guests (invited): Eric Veium (recorder), Kylee Singh, Claire Balint, Ron Hostick, Scott Loosley, Greg Yeo, Molly Barker, Mark Sine, Naba Ahmed

Attendance: Dennis Elliot, Michael Lucas, Kevin Piper, Patrick Lemieux, Ron Skamfer, Eric Veium, Scott Bloom, Kylee Singh, Ben Christensen, Cheryl Andrus, Hunter Francis, Molly Barker, Julie Hawkins, Claire Balint

Approval of Minutes –  Minutes from the February meeting were approved

SAC Meeting Attendance  Not addressed during this meeting.

Green Building Policy  Reviewed Dennis’ draft of Sustainability Goals for Major Capital Projects – feedback: o Michael Lucas . There is a need to specify our life cycle requirements, referring to bullet point, “Materials, surfaces, and finished shall be selected for long life and durability…” . We may wish to tie in 60-year life cycle to many different projects, as it has been for some other new construction on campus. . Need to address bike parking/storage . Need to articulate role of transportation in capital projects o Jill Nelson . Wants to widen scope of solar PV and solar thermal to other emerging technologies . Worried about LCA budgeting for 60-year life cycle (and eventual replacement) of mechanical systems that will fail earlier than the estimated LC. o Dennis Elliot . Interested in hosting a design charrette/facilitated discussion/dialogue with designers and stakeholders of new building.  This is being done in other construction projects, we wish to model it after those discussions.  Opportunity to emphasize carbon neutrality goals with designers o Eric Veium . LCA by default accounts for failure of mechanical systems and their replacement (in response to Jill’s concerns) . These goals should be numbered for easier reference . Upcoming revisions to Title 24- are these buildings residential? Commercial? This will change our standards and legal requirements. . Deciding on our expectations for the life span of these buildings is dependent on our discount rate and the present value of these systems. . LEED isn’t a carbon-centric evaluation system, unlike Cal Poly’s priorities.  Find a way to emphasize the “check boxes” within LEED certification that relate to carbon output  Internally devalue those “check boxes” that are “squishy”- carpet replacements, recycled cork boards, etc. o Scott Bloom . Wants to emphasize overlap with PolyCAP . Concerned about the more narrow energy and water focused scope within LEED framework. . Wants to eliminate standard for getting rid of paper towels in bathrooms- Scott has concerns over students in resident halls needing paper towels . Wishes to prescribe more EV charging stations- maybe a % of total parking spots o Julie Hawkins . Concerned about timing of committee recommendation. Needs to be early enough to influence design process but late enough that designers have at least something to work with o Dennis Elliot . At conclusion of discussion Dennis wished to remind committee that this document is intended to work within the LEED framework while highlighting specific LEED points that align with Cal Poly’s existing policy goals. . There are disadvantages to being very specific with engineering metrics in policy recommendations- there is a need to constantly adjust and adapt. . Must find balance in specificity and the freedom to adapt and be flexible in design.

Solar Farm Academic Applications, REI, CENG Programs  Development of solar engineering laboratory as part of solar farm project is ongoing  Conversations are ongoing between EU&S, CAED and CENG about possible reactivation of the Renewable Energy Institute – would provide academic framework to make use of the solar engineering laboratory and support curriculum development, applied research, and pursue grant funding for future projects

PolyCAP and Charrette  Brief update on outcomes from Sustainability Charrette and PolyCAP as outlined in Bi-annual Sustainability Report o CTLT o Sustainability metrics in RPT process o Guest speakers for Earth Week o Clean Tech competition to be announced during Earth Week o ASI position- Shelby Thomas o TGIF o Parking and Transportation Committee being formed

Earth Week Planning  Outlined schedule of events o Tuesday April 25- Zero Waste o Wednesday April 26- Climate and Clean Tech o Thursday April 27- Local Food and Water o Friday April 28- Sustainability Charrette to build on 2016 Charrette  Asked for committee members to o spread the word o encourage professors to offer class credit for attendance to an event o submit more proposals to give presentations/tours Adjourned: 12:00 pm