{ "meetingId": "2026-10-20-hpc-1", "title": "Portland City Council Housing & Permitting Committee 10/20/26", "displayTitle": "Housing & Permitting Committee", "date": "2026-10-20T14:00:00-07:00", "duration": 185, "videoUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUuMJwbJCCg", "videoId": "HUuMJwbJCCg", "agendaUrl": "https://www.portland.gov/council/agenda/housing-and-permitting-committee/2026/10/20", "agendaItems": [ { "number": 2, "title": "Housing and Permitting community feedback", "type": "Public hearing", "url": "https://www.portland.gov/council/documents/public-hearing/housing-and-permitting-community-feedback" }, { "number": 3, "title": "Add Climate and Health Standards for Buildings Code to reduce carbon emissions of commercial and multifamily residential buildings and provide information to tenants to improve the affordability, health, and resilience of rental housing (replace Code Chapter 17.104)", "type": "Ordinance", "url": "https://www.portland.gov/council/documents/ordinance/climate-and-health-standards-buildings-code" } ], "summary": "**Housing and Permitting Committee Chair Candace Avalos (District 1) held off a vote on her proposed climate and health standards for large Portland buildings on Tuesday and set a Dec. 1 return \"for hopefully a vote\" ([03:02:37](meeting:2026-10-20-hpc-1@03:02:37)), after about 44 people testified.** A majority of those testifiers asked for a pause, a delay or exemptions.\n\n## What the ordinance would do\n\nThe ordinance would replace City Code Chapter 17.104. Damon Motz-Storey, Avalos's director of policy and communications, said buildings produce 42% of city emissions, and large buildings alone produce 16% ([00:22:31](meeting:2026-10-20-hpc-1@00:22:31)).\n\nThe ordinance has three main parts:\n- **Energy reporting:** it would add multifamily buildings to annual energy reporting.\n- **Emissions cuts:** it would require emissions cuts of **20% in 2030 and another 20% every five years**, reaching zero by 2050.\n- **Renter disclosure:** landlords would have to tell prospective renters about energy costs, bill-assistance programs and whether a unit has cooling or a gas furnace.\n\nRegulated affordable housing would be exempt, and off-track buildings would pay a carbon pollution impact fee. Retrofit costs could not be passed to residential tenants, and tenants displaced by upgrades would get relocation help and a right to return.\n\nAvalos said Portland electricity bills \"have risen by 50% on average over the past 5 years\" ([00:18:12](meeting:2026-10-20-hpc-1@00:18:12)). She said the standards would cover about 40% of building-sector emissions. Motz-Storey said the state standard would reach only about 5% of emissions from covered buildings.\n\n## Testimony split over cost, process and exemptions\n\nOpponents included landlords, Northwest Natural staff, building-trades unions, hospitals and commercial real estate groups.\n- Jonathan Clay of Multifamily Northwest said the policy \"dropped on July 14th\" and that Seattle's process took two years compared with \"only been 3 months\" here ([00:43:14](meeting:2026-10-20-hpc-1@00:43:14)).\n- Malcolm McIver of Commerce Properties said one building's rents rose 9% over five years while insurance rose 182%.\n- Tyler Reeves said the city's consultant estimated \"more than $10,000 per unit\" for older buildings ([02:10:27](meeting:2026-10-20-hpc-1@02:10:27)).\n- Kaeleigh Sheehan of Legacy Health cited \"near $1 billion\" in planned investment and said, \"We are not asking for an exemption\" ([00:41:01](meeting:2026-10-20-hpc-1@00:41:01)).\n\nHigher education institutions asked for the exemption K-12 schools receive. Portland State University's Sarah Heinicke said the university \"could owe more than $2 million a year\" while closing a $35 million deficit ([01:01:04](meeting:2026-10-20-hpc-1@01:01:04)). Oregon Health and Science University, Portland Community College and an independent-college alliance made the same request. The Port of Portland asked that aviation buildings be excluded.\n\nSupporters included tenants, physicians and climate groups.\n- Sarah Wood, a District 4 tenant, said heating her apartment costs \"around $300 a month\" ([02:09:14](meeting:2026-10-20-hpc-1@02:09:14)).\n- Carra Sahler of the Green Energy Institute said \"this policy is decidedly not an experiment. In fact, we're a laggard\" ([01:25:14](meeting:2026-10-20-hpc-1@01:25:14)).\n- Cherice Bock of 350 PDX said, \"Delay is the new climate change denial.\" ([01:55:34](meeting:2026-10-20-hpc-1@01:55:34))\n\nSeveral factual disputes were answered on the record:\n- **Economic study:** Northwest Natural's Amy Rathfelder said the Eco Northwest study \"evaluated an earlier version of this policy\" ([00:52:05](meeting:2026-10-20-hpc-1@00:52:05)). Ben Mason of the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability said that work was done \"in 2024 mostly,\" when the first standard was set for 2027 ([02:49:09](meeting:2026-10-20-hpc-1@02:49:09)).\n- **Electric grid:** Kevin Pahl cited an Oregon Public Broadcasting report of a \"9-gigawatt shortfall as soon as 2030.\" Avalos replied, \"The electrical grid is absolutely capable of handling building electrification\" ([02:22:21](meeting:2026-10-20-hpc-1@02:22:21)).\n- **Vacancy:** Ross Kelley said \"filling a vacant floor becomes a compliance violation\" ([01:39:31](meeting:2026-10-20-hpc-1@01:39:31)). Avalos said alternative compliance plans address vacancy changes.\n- **Resilience:** Northwest Natural's Jennifer Yocom said the chair's staff had told her winter resilience was \"not addressed through this policy.\" David Heslam of Earth Advantage said backup fossil-fuel generators remain allowed.\n- **Process:** On complaints about stakeholder engagement, Avalos said, \"we're going to have to agree to disagree.\" She distributed a red-line document tracing changes since 2022.\n\n## Councilors ask for more cost data\n\nCouncilor Steve Novick (District 3) asked for testimony from New York City's Department of Buildings. He also asked for cost projections for naturally occurring affordable housing (older, unsubsidized low-rent buildings) for 2035, 2040 and 2045, and for an estimate of how much the Portland Clean Energy Fund could cover.\n\nMason said commercial buildings have reported emissions since 2015, but multifamily buildings may have only three years of data. He called 2030 \"really a procedural compliance year\" ([02:47:33](meeting:2026-10-20-hpc-1@02:47:33)). Eric Kingstrom, the bureau's director, said early movers face a shallower \"slope of effort.\"\n\nVice Chair Mitch Green (District 4) called the state standard \"not aggressive enough.\" He said, \"I heard a lot of, frankly, strawman arguments today during testimony that were simply not in the policy.\" ([02:54:23](meeting:2026-10-20-hpc-1@02:54:23))\n\nAt the request of Councilor Tiffany Koyama Lane (District 3), Chief Sustainability Officer Vivian Satterfield said addressing building emissions \"is inevitable.\"\n\nCouncilor Elana Pirtle-Guiney (District 2) was absent. Her chief of staff, Devin Mullins, said she had strep throat ([02:18:54](meeting:2026-10-20-hpc-1@02:18:54)). He said she has questions about contingency plans if utilities miss clean-energy targets and about how enforcement discretion would apply to hospital campuses.\n\n## Testifier ordered to leave\n\nDuring his testimony on the ordinance, Brian Owendoff quoted a line from the film \"Tropic Thunder\" that contained a slur. Avalos responded, \"Excuse me, we do not allow that kind of language in here\" ([01:13:08](meeting:2026-10-20-hpc-1@01:13:08)). Owendoff continued: \"this is a poorly thought-out rush job, just like the Fair Share Act.\" ([01:13:12](meeting:2026-10-20-hpc-1@01:13:12)) Avalos then said, \"Your time is up. We do not appreciate those words in this chamber. Please leave.\" ([01:13:21](meeting:2026-10-20-hpc-1@01:13:21))\n\nThe next testifier, Russell Chide, thanked Avalos \"as a member of the disability community for, uh, calling that out\" ([01:13:34](meeting:2026-10-20-hpc-1@01:13:34)). Earlier, Avalos cut off union representative Howard Bell, saying \"You are 30 seconds over\" ([01:08:45](meeting:2026-10-20-hpc-1@01:08:45)). Jordan Lewis said giving Northwest Natural input on climate policy \"is like giving your car keys to a known carjacker\" ([01:50:54](meeting:2026-10-20-hpc-1@01:50:54)).\n\n## Open comment: a tree, a critique and severance pay\n\nThree people spoke in open comment.\n- **Lacey Sutton** said a 125-foot Douglas fir near her home, whose roots she said Habitat for Humanity damaged during construction, has an arborist-rated failure likelihood of \"imminent\" ([00:08:31](meeting:2026-10-20-hpc-1@00:08:31)). She asked the city and Habitat to pay for its removal. Chide later told councilors, \"the blood will not be on Lacey's hands. It will be on yours.\"\n- **Brian Owendoff** criticized the council and called the climate ordinance \"among the most reckless yet.\"\n- **Amber Cook** said former Home Forward CEO Ivory Matthews left with \"$171,000 severance\" plus $50,000 in transition services ([00:14:23](meeting:2026-10-20-hpc-1@00:14:23)). She called for an end to \"golden parachutes.\"\n\nAvalos invited the speakers to follow up with her office. In other business, the committee approved its September minutes without objection.\n\n## What's next\n\nThe ordinance returns **Dec. 1**. Before then, Avalos plans to review the written comments she received the night before the meeting, gather answers to councilors' questions and bring back a clean revised copy. She said she wants that copy \"instead of having to have a big amendment drama.\"\n\nOther open threads:\n- Novick's cost and administration requests are pending.\n- Pirtle-Guiney plans to raise her questions publicly.\n- The Sustainability and Climate Commission wants maximum indoor temperature standards taken up next.\n\nThe committee's next meeting is Nov. 17; it will not meet Nov. 3, Election Day.", "summaryText": "Housing and Permitting Committee Chair Candace Avalos (District 1) held off a vote on her proposed climate and health standards for large Portland buildings on Tuesday and set a Dec. 1 return \"for hopefully a vote\" (03:02:37), after about 44 people testified. A majority of those testifiers asked for a pause, a delay or exemptions.\n\nThe ordinance would replace City Code Chapter 17.104. Damon Motz-Storey, Avalos's director of policy and communications, said buildings produce 42% of city emissions, and large buildings alone produce 16% (00:22:31).\n\nThe ordinance has three main parts: - Energy reporting: it would add multifamily buildings to annual energy reporting. - Emissions cuts: it would require emissions cuts of 20% in 2030 and another 20% every five years, reaching zero by 2050. - Renter disclosure: landlords would have to tell prospective renters about energy costs, bill-assistance programs and whether a unit has cooling or a gas furnace.\n\nRegulated affordable housing would be exempt, and off-track buildings would pay a carbon pollution impact fee. Retrofit costs could not be passed to residential tenants, and tenants displaced by upgrades would get relocation help and a right to return.\n\nAvalos said Portland electricity bills \"have risen by 50% on average over the past 5 years\" (00:18:12). She said the standards would cover about 40% of building-sector emissions. Motz-Storey said the state standard would reach only about 5% of emissions from covered buildings.\n\nOpponents included landlords, Northwest Natural staff, building-trades unions, hospitals and commercial real estate groups. - Jonathan Clay of Multifamily Northwest said the policy \"dropped on July 14th\" and that Seattle's process took two years compared with \"only been 3 months\" here (00:43:14). - Malcolm McIver of Commerce Properties said one building's rents rose 9% over five years while insurance rose 182%. - Tyler Reeves said the city's consultant estimated \"more than $10,000 per unit\" for older buildings (02:10:27). - Kaeleigh Sheehan of Legacy Health cited \"near $1 billion\" in planned investment and said, \"We are not asking for an exemption\" (00:41:01).\n\nHigher education institutions asked for the exemption K-12 schools receive. Portland State University's Sarah Heinicke said the university \"could owe more than $2 million a year\" while closing a $35 million deficit (01:01:04). Oregon Health and Science University, Portland Community College and an independent-college alliance made the same request. The Port of Portland asked that aviation buildings be excluded.\n\nSupporters included tenants, physicians and climate groups. - Sarah Wood, a District 4 tenant, said heating her apartment costs \"around $300 a month\" (02:09:14). - Carra Sahler of the Green Energy Institute said \"this policy is decidedly not an experiment. In fact, we're a laggard\" (01:25:14). - Cherice Bock of 350 PDX said, \"Delay is the new climate change denial.\" (01:55:34)\n\nSeveral factual disputes were answered on the record: - Economic study: Northwest Natural's Amy Rathfelder said the Eco Northwest study \"evaluated an earlier version of this policy\" (00:52:05). Ben Mason of the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability said that work was done \"in 2024 mostly,\" when the first standard was set for 2027 (02:49:09). - Electric grid: Kevin Pahl cited an Oregon Public Broadcasting report of a \"9-gigawatt shortfall as soon as 2030.\" Avalos replied, \"The electrical grid is absolutely capable of handling building electrification\" (02:22:21). - Vacancy: Ross Kelley said \"filling a vacant floor becomes a compliance violation\" (01:39:31). Avalos said alternative compliance plans address vacancy changes. - Resilience: Northwest Natural's Jennifer Yocom said the chair's staff had told her winter resilience was \"not addressed through this policy.\" David Heslam of Earth Advantage said backup fossil-fuel generators remain allowed. - Process: On complaints about stakeholder engagement, Avalos said, \"we're going to have to agree to disagree.\" She distributed a red-line document tracing changes since 2022.\n\nCouncilor Steve Novick (District 3) asked for testimony from New York City's Department of Buildings. He also asked for cost projections for naturally occurring affordable housing (older, unsubsidized low-rent buildings) for 2035, 2040 and 2045, and for an estimate of how much the Portland Clean Energy Fund could cover.\n\nMason said commercial buildings have reported emissions since 2015, but multifamily buildings may have only three years of data. He called 2030 \"really a procedural compliance year\" (02:47:33). Eric Kingstrom, the bureau's director, said early movers face a shallower \"slope of effort.\"\n\nVice Chair Mitch Green (District 4) called the state standard \"not aggressive enough.\" He said, \"I heard a lot of, frankly, strawman arguments today during testimony that were simply not in the policy.\" (02:54:23)\n\nAt the request of Councilor Tiffany Koyama Lane (District 3), Chief Sustainability Officer Vivian Satterfield said addressing building emissions \"is inevitable.\"\n\nCouncilor Elana Pirtle-Guiney (District 2) was absent. Her chief of staff, Devin Mullins, said she had strep throat (02:18:54). He said she has questions about contingency plans if utilities miss clean-energy targets and about how enforcement discretion would apply to hospital campuses.\n\nDuring his testimony on the ordinance, Brian Owendoff quoted a line from the film \"Tropic Thunder\" that contained a slur. Avalos responded, \"Excuse me, we do not allow that kind of language in here\" (01:13:08). Owendoff continued: \"this is a poorly thought-out rush job, just like the Fair Share Act.\" (01:13:12) Avalos then said, \"Your time is up. We do not appreciate those words in this chamber. Please leave.\" (01:13:21)\n\nThe next testifier, Russell Chide, thanked Avalos \"as a member of the disability community for, uh, calling that out\" (01:13:34). Earlier, Avalos cut off union representative Howard Bell, saying \"You are 30 seconds over\" (01:08:45). Jordan Lewis said giving Northwest Natural input on climate policy \"is like giving your car keys to a known carjacker\" (01:50:54).\n\nThree people spoke in open comment. - Lacey Sutton said a 125-foot Douglas fir near her home, whose roots she said Habitat for Humanity damaged during construction, has an arborist-rated failure likelihood of \"imminent\" (00:08:31). She asked the city and Habitat to pay for its removal. Chide later told councilors, \"the blood will not be on Lacey's hands. It will be on yours.\" - Brian Owendoff criticized the council and called the climate ordinance \"among the most reckless yet.\" - Amber Cook said former Home Forward CEO Ivory Matthews left with \"$171,000 severance\" plus $50,000 in transition services (00:14:23). She called for an end to \"golden parachutes.\"\n\nAvalos invited the speakers to follow up with her office. In other business, the committee approved its September minutes without objection.\n\nThe ordinance returns Dec. 1. Before then, Avalos plans to review the written comments she received the night before the meeting, gather answers to councilors' questions and bring back a clean revised copy. She said she wants that copy \"instead of having to have a big amendment drama.\"\n\nOther open threads: - Novick's cost and administration requests are pending. - Pirtle-Guiney plans to raise her questions publicly. - The Sustainability and Climate Commission wants maximum indoor temperature standards taken up next.\n\nThe committee's next meeting is Nov. 17; it will not meet Nov. 3, Election Day.", "summaryLede": "Housing and Permitting Committee Chair Candace Avalos (District 1) held off a vote on her proposed climate and health standards for large Portland buildings on Tuesday and set a Dec. 1 return \"for hopefully a vote\", after about 44 people testified. A majority of those testifiers asked for a pause, a delay or exemptions.", "sections": [ { "title": "Minutes approval", "startTime": "00:05:48.178", "endTime": "00:07:58.956", "items": [ { "title": "Housing and Permitting Committee draft meeting minutes for September 1, 2026, and September 15, 2026", "startTime": "00:07:41.060", "endTime": "00:07:58.956", "agendaItemNumber": 1 } ] }, { "title": "Regular agenda", "startTime": "00:07:58.956", "endTime": "03:04:49.260", "items": [ { "title": "Housing and Permitting community feedback (Public hearing)", "startTime": "00:07:58.956", "endTime": "00:17:42.928", "agendaItemNumber": 2 }, { "title": "Add Climate and Health Standards for Buildings Code (Ordinance)", "startTime": "00:17:42.928", "endTime": "03:04:49.260", "agendaItemNumber": 3 } ] } ], "cues": [ { "id": "cue-1", "start": 146.397, "end": 153.988, "text": "Audio sounds great.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-2", "start": 154.777, "end": 155.229, "text": "Awesome.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-3", "start": 157.822, "end": 159.876, "text": "Mind if I test out the screen share?", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-4", "start": 161.096, "end": 161.642, "text": "Yeah, go for it.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-5", "start": 162.701, "end": 167.612, "text": "Great.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-6", "start": 170.71, "end": 173.375, "text": "Okay, that's working.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-7", "start": 173.714, "end": 174.813, "text": "It's getting there.", "speaker": "Claire" }, { "id": "cue-8", "start": 175.023, "end": 176.154, "text": "Hasn't started yet.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-9", "start": 177.527, "end": 178.931, "text": "Okay.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-10", "start": 180.528, "end": 185.176, "text": "Uh, I see your Zoom, uh, login page.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-11", "start": 185.369, "end": 186.843, "text": "Is that the page you were intending to show?", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-12", "start": 186.915, "end": 187.617, "text": "Oh, there, that looks better.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-13", "start": 192.359, "end": 194.982, "text": "It's a slide deck, but it's not at full screen.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-14", "start": 198.079, "end": 199.742, "text": "How about now?", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-15", "start": 200.663, "end": 201.745, "text": "Beautiful, perfect.", "speaker": "Claire" }, { "id": "cue-16", "start": 201.891, "end": 202.714, "text": "Okay, great.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-17", "start": 202.795, "end": 206.123, "text": "I'm gonna stop sharing and I'll come back to it one more time.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-18", "start": 206.441, "end": 207.563, "text": "Sounds great, thank you.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-19", "start": 348.179, "end": 353.1, "text": "Okay, good afternoon.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-20", "start": 353.182, "end": 363.231, "text": "I am going to call the meeting I now call the meeting of the Housing and Permitting Committee to order on Tuesday, October 20th, at 2:01 PM.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-21", "start": 363.874, "end": 364.936, "text": "Diego, please call the roll.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-22", "start": 365.61, "end": 366.012, "text": "Good afternoon.", "speaker": "Diego" }, { "id": "cue-23", "start": 366.447, "end": 366.737, "text": "Green?", "speaker": "Diego" }, { "id": "cue-24", "start": 367.8, "end": 367.865, "text": "Here.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-25", "start": 368.461, "end": 368.912, "text": "Pirtle-Guiney?", "speaker": "Diego" }, { "id": "cue-26", "start": 370.877, "end": 372.117, "text": "Here.", "speaker": "Elana Pirtle-Guiney" }, { "id": "cue-27", "start": 372.794, "end": 373.196, "text": "Novick?", "speaker": "Diego" }, { "id": "cue-28", "start": 374.002, "end": 374.131, "text": "Here.", "speaker": "Steve Novick" }, { "id": "cue-29", "start": 374.731, "end": 374.961, "text": "Avalos?", "speaker": "Diego" }, { "id": "cue-30", "start": 375.224, "end": 375.57, "text": "Present.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-31", "start": 376.475, "end": 378.087, "text": "Claire, can you please read the statement of conduct?", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-32", "start": 379.49, "end": 380.007, "text": "Thank you, Chair.", "speaker": "Claire" }, { "id": "cue-33", "start": 380.412, "end": 382.936, "text": "Good afternoon and welcome to the meeting of the Housing and Permitting Committee.", "speaker": "Claire" }, { "id": "cue-34", "start": 383.346, "end": 393.948, "text": "To testify before this committee in person or virtually, you must sign up in advance on the committee agenda at portland.gov/council/agenda/housingandpermittingcommittee or by calling 311.", "speaker": "Claire" }, { "id": "cue-35", "start": 394.64, "end": 397.828, "text": "Registration for virtual testimony closes 1 hour prior to the meeting.", "speaker": "Claire" }, { "id": "cue-36", "start": 398.424, "end": 401.611, "text": "In-person testifiers must sign up before the agenda item is heard.", "speaker": "Claire" }, { "id": "cue-37", "start": 402.447, "end": 407.798, "text": "If public testimony will be taken on an item, individuals may testify for 3 minutes unless the chair states otherwise.", "speaker": "Claire" }, { "id": "cue-38", "start": 408.473, "end": 410.401, "text": "Your microphone will be muted when your time is over.", "speaker": "Claire" }, { "id": "cue-39", "start": 411.062, "end": 411.992, "text": "The chair preserves order.", "speaker": "Claire" }, { "id": "cue-40", "start": 412.201, "end": 420.087, "text": "Disruptive conduct such as shouting, refusing to conclude your testimony when your time is up, or interrupting others' testimony or committee deliberations will not be allowed.", "speaker": "Claire" }, { "id": "cue-41", "start": 420.825, "end": 422.7, "text": "If you cause a disruption, a warning will be given.", "speaker": "Claire" }, { "id": "cue-42", "start": 423.069, "end": 425.297, "text": "Further disruption will result in ejection from the meeting.", "speaker": "Claire" }, { "id": "cue-43", "start": 425.794, "end": 428.727, "text": "Anyone who fails to leave once ejected is subject to arrest for trespass.", "speaker": "Claire" }, { "id": "cue-44", "start": 429.417, "end": 432.35, "text": "Additionally, the committee may take a short recess and reconvene virtually.", "speaker": "Claire" }, { "id": "cue-45", "start": 433.248, "end": 435.155, "text": "Your testimony should address the matter being considered.", "speaker": "Claire" }, { "id": "cue-46", "start": 435.492, "end": 437.223, "text": "When testifying, state your name for the record.", "speaker": "Claire" }, { "id": "cue-47", "start": 437.688, "end": 440.237, "text": "If you are a lobbyist, identify the organization you represent.", "speaker": "Claire" }, { "id": "cue-48", "start": 440.638, "end": 444.341, "text": "And finally, virtual testifiers should unmute themselves when the clerk calls your name.", "speaker": "Claire" }, { "id": "cue-49", "start": 444.565, "end": 444.822, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Claire" }, { "id": "cue-50", "start": 446.008, "end": 446.505, "text": "Thank you, Claire.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-51", "start": 447.21, "end": 449.374, "text": "We have 2 main items on today's agenda.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-52", "start": 449.454, "end": 460.371, "text": "We'll start off as we always do with some public comments on housing and permitting issues of concern or interest, and then we will have ample time for public testimony and discussion on the climate and health standards policy.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-53", "start": 461.06, "end": 464.798, "text": "But before we get to those items, we need to adopt climate our committee minutes.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-54", "start": 465.633, "end": 473.425, "text": "Uh, and so let's see, we are approving our committee minutes for our September meetings, and they are approved by unanimous consent.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-55", "start": 473.609, "end": 474.782, "text": "So are there any objections?", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-56", "start": 476.606, "end": 478.454, "text": "Seeing none, minutes are approved.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-57", "start": 478.957, "end": 480.205, "text": "Diego, please read item 2.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-58", "start": 481.649, "end": 487.526, "text": "Item 2, document number 2026-376, Housing and Permitting Community Feedback.", "speaker": "Diego" }, { "id": "cue-59", "start": 488.073, "end": 492.672, "text": "Great, we will, um, take some feedback from community on issues related to housing and permitting.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-60", "start": 492.736, "end": 493.685, "text": "So, uh, go ahead and call up our testifiers.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-61", "start": 496.29, "end": 498.004, "text": "We have 3 individuals signed up.", "speaker": "Diego" }, { "id": "cue-62", "start": 498.33, "end": 503.442, "text": "Lacey Sutton, Brian Owendoff, Amber Cook.", "speaker": "Diego" }, { "id": "cue-63", "start": 508.459, "end": 509.104, "text": "Welcome.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-64", "start": 511.605, "end": 512.476, "text": "Go ahead.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-65", "start": 513.928, "end": 528.914, "text": "I once asked an expert if a tree on our property, a 125-foot-tall, 50-inch-wide Douglas fir was more likely to fall away from the damage Habitat for Humanity did to its critical root system during construction, or toward it?", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-66", "start": 529.733, "end": 532.32, "text": "Away from our houses or toward them?", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-67", "start": 532.946, "end": 534.553, "text": "And I will never forget his response.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-68", "start": 535.019, "end": 537.783, "text": "He asked me, do you like going to Vegas?", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-69", "start": 538.795, "end": 539.47, "text": "And I said no.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-70", "start": 540.337, "end": 541.333, "text": "And he said, me neither.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-71", "start": 542.651, "end": 546.202, "text": "The city of Portland, though, likes going to Vegas.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-72", "start": 546.828, "end": 548.338, "text": "Habitat likes going to Vegas.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-73", "start": 548.387, "end": 548.499, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-74", "start": 549.013, "end": 551.805, "text": "Likes betting on our lives, on our children's lives.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-75", "start": 552.688, "end": 556.636, "text": "They both know we don't have the resources to take them on in court.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-76", "start": 557.342, "end": 564.901, "text": "They know that will change if that tree falls toward the damage they caused and allowed, especially after I've been making such a fuss about it.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-77", "start": 565.703, "end": 568.11, "text": "Over a year ago, I filed a code complaint.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-78", "start": 568.527, "end": 573.518, "text": "I sent the city photos of the excavation and construction that occurred horrifically close to this tree.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-79", "start": 573.968, "end": 574.947, "text": "You don't have to be an expert.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-80", "start": 575.011, "end": 575.107, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-81", "start": 575.332, "end": 579.09, "text": "To see it, but they sent out an inspector, said the tree was fine.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-82", "start": 580.252, "end": 581.849, "text": "Does that sound familiar to you?", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-83", "start": 584.02, "end": 586.751, "text": "Wasn't there just a lawsuit that went something like this?", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-84", "start": 586.928, "end": 591.251, "text": "The city said it was fine, and then the tree fell on the house and nearly killed a child.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-85", "start": 592.312, "end": 596.358, "text": "Did anybody learn anything from that, or did we just cut them a check?", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-86", "start": 598.537, "end": 603.18, "text": "I set up my phone on the ground near our tree on Thursday night, which was a little windy.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-87", "start": 603.804, "end": 608.927, "text": "And I sent the video I took to the highly qualified arborist who was doing a risk assessment for us.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-88", "start": 609.71, "end": 613.254, "text": "I asked if it was normal for the ground to move like that.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-89", "start": 616.79, "end": 622.025, "text": "He told me this tree's likelihood of failure is imminent, not just possible or probable.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-90", "start": 622.75, "end": 623.491, "text": "Imminent.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-91", "start": 624.296, "end": 630.939, "text": "In the arbor— arboricultural world, that word means it could fall over at any minute.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-92", "start": 630.988, "end": 631.248, "text": "Oh, my God.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-93", "start": 631.864, "end": 638.37, "text": "Emergency removal is required now, and it's going to be expensive because the tree is so close to the house.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-94", "start": 638.434, "end": 640.266, "text": "They might need a crane or 2.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-95", "start": 640.86, "end": 642.226, "text": "We may have to evacuate.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-96", "start": 643.254, "end": 645.84, "text": "Do you have any idea how that might disrupt our lives?", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-97", "start": 646.402, "end": 647.125, "text": "Where are we going to go?", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-98", "start": 647.929, "end": 649.391, "text": "A hotel for a day or 2?", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-99", "start": 650.322, "end": 654.226, "text": "We can't afford to pay for this, and I'm not going to waste my time explaining that.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-100", "start": 654.435, "end": 655.993, "text": "We shouldn't have to pay for it.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-101", "start": 656.668, "end": 658.355, "text": "This is on Habitat, and it's on the city.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-102", "start": 659.089, "end": 662.114, "text": "And I don't even care how you want to split the bill.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-103", "start": 663.675, "end": 671.26, "text": "I don't care where the money comes from, so long as it's not our wallets, our dinner tables, our gas tanks, our medicine cabinets.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-104", "start": 671.763, "end": 673.515, "text": "I've done enough figuring this out.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-105", "start": 675.656, "end": 676.525, "text": "It's your turn now.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-106", "start": 677.427, "end": 679.536, "text": "Figure this out for us today.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-107", "start": 680.566, "end": 687.012, "text": "Kids are going to be getting off the bus in an hour, and the arborist said he wouldn't even park his car near that tree.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-108", "start": 687.078, "end": 687.211, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-109", "start": 687.834, "end": 694.95, "text": "10 children will sleep under it tonight in a building he assured me this tree would slice in half.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-110", "start": 696.527, "end": 701.53, "text": "But hey, it's like a 50/50 chance, and maybe it falls away, you know.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-111", "start": 701.595, "end": 703.613, "text": "So like heads or tails, you know.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-112", "start": 705.854, "end": 706.891, "text": "I'm gonna see you guys tomorrow.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-113", "start": 707.134, "end": 707.442, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Jonathan Clay" }, { "id": "cue-114", "start": 707.717, "end": 711.12, "text": "Thank you, Lacey.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-115", "start": 712.174, "end": 713.47, "text": "My name is Brian Owendoff.", "speaker": "Brian Owendoff" }, { "id": "cue-116", "start": 713.535, "end": 717.377, "text": "I'm a District 4 resident, business owner, and commercial real estate professional with more than 30 years of experience.", "speaker": "Brian Owendoff" }, { "id": "cue-117", "start": 719.814, "end": 729.805, "text": "Since 2008, I've delivered $1.5 billion of office, apartment, and mixed-use developments in Portland's urban core and have completed more than 5 million feet of office leasing over my career.", "speaker": "Brian Owendoff" }, { "id": "cue-118", "start": 730.681, "end": 734.367, "text": "I understand what attracts investment and what drives it away.", "speaker": "Brian Owendoff" }, { "id": "cue-119", "start": 736.68, "end": 745.347, "text": "Portland has an income problem and a jobs problem, yet City Hall keeps proposing new mandates that makes doing business more expensive.", "speaker": "Brian Owendoff" }, { "id": "cue-120", "start": 746.395, "end": 768.084, "text": "For the past 20 months, the Peacocks has operated as a bad idea factory, churning out DSA and ACLU-backed policy experiments that do virtually nothing to address Portland's most urgent problems: public safety, homelessness, untreated mental illness, economic decline, and the deteriorating quality of life for all Portland residents.", "speaker": "Brian Owendoff" }, { "id": "cue-121", "start": 768.887, "end": 777.649, "text": "Instead of governing, you've prioritized ideological posturing over practical solutions and political agendas over the needs of the people who elected you.", "speaker": "Brian Owendoff" }, { "id": "cue-122", "start": 779.75, "end": 784.69, "text": "Instead of governing, you've prioritized ideological posturing.", "speaker": "Brian Owendoff" }, { "id": "cue-123", "start": 785.35, "end": 790.151, "text": "This 2026-377 legislation is among the most reckless yet.", "speaker": "Brian Owendoff" }, { "id": "cue-124", "start": 790.702, "end": 797.513, "text": "Its potential economic damage threatens to surpass even the harm inflicted by your previous parade of disastrous policies.", "speaker": "Brian Owendoff" }, { "id": "cue-125", "start": 798.108, "end": 799.606, "text": "Portland's businesses are struggling.", "speaker": "Brian Owendoff" }, { "id": "cue-126", "start": 799.799, "end": 800.8, "text": "Investment is fleeing.", "speaker": "Brian Owendoff" }, { "id": "cue-127", "start": 801.193, "end": 808.633, "text": "Employers are reconsidering their future here, and taxpayers are increasingly being asked to subsidize the consequences of your failures.", "speaker": "Brian Owendoff" }, { "id": "cue-128", "start": 809.469, "end": 810.723, "text": "How many businesses must leave?", "speaker": "Brian Owendoff" }, { "id": "cue-129", "start": 811.319, "end": 813.042, "text": "How many jobs must disappear?", "speaker": "Brian Owendoff" }, { "id": "cue-130", "start": 814.685, "end": 820, "text": "How much more investment must Portland lose before this council accepts responsibility for the damage it's causing?", "speaker": "Brian Owendoff" }, { "id": "cue-131", "start": 822.113, "end": 827.178, "text": "Portland does not need another ideological experiment designed to satisfy political activists.", "speaker": "Brian Owendoff" }, { "id": "cue-132", "start": 827.827, "end": 834.548, "text": "It needs competent leadership, fiscal discipline, public safety, and policies grounded on economic reality.", "speaker": "Brian Owendoff" }, { "id": "cue-133", "start": 835.366, "end": 842.44, "text": "Your job is to govern for all Portlanders, not to use the city as a laboratory for the DSA's political agenda.", "speaker": "Brian Owendoff" }, { "id": "cue-134", "start": 843.226, "end": 844.654, "text": "Stop manufacturing problems.", "speaker": "Brian Owendoff" }, { "id": "cue-135", "start": 845.327, "end": 852.001, "text": "Stop punishing the people who create jobs and generate tax revenue and start fixing the city you have been entrusted to lead.", "speaker": "Brian Owendoff" }, { "id": "cue-136", "start": 852.289, "end": 852.626, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Brian Owendoff" }, { "id": "cue-137", "start": 852.787, "end": 853.637, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-138", "start": 856.618, "end": 857.476, "text": "Amber is online.", "speaker": "Diego" }, { "id": "cue-139", "start": 857.816, "end": 860.099, "text": "Amber, you're welcome to unmute and begin when you're ready.", "speaker": "Diego" }, { "id": "cue-140", "start": 863.92, "end": 864.453, "text": "Great, thank you.", "speaker": "Amber Cook" }, { "id": "cue-141", "start": 865.714, "end": 867.072, "text": "Greetings, committee members.", "speaker": "Amber Cook" }, { "id": "cue-142", "start": 867.509, "end": 868.738, "text": "My name is Amber Cook.", "speaker": "Amber Cook" }, { "id": "cue-143", "start": 869.303, "end": 874.963, "text": "I'm here with some testimony on the recurring misconduct of our housing authority leaders.", "speaker": "Amber Cook" }, { "id": "cue-144", "start": 875.998, "end": 882.759, "text": "Last month, Andrea Bell, the director of the state housing agency, was exposed for misconduct and ethics violations.", "speaker": "Amber Cook" }, { "id": "cue-145", "start": 883.552, "end": 895.253, "text": "She neglected to disclose that she is married this whole time and that her husband works in housing development, running a company that her housing agency has awarded millions of dollars to.", "speaker": "Amber Cook" }, { "id": "cue-146", "start": 896.695, "end": 911.521, "text": "A year ago, Maggie Harris sat on the Housing Stability Council and repeatedly voted yes on giving the architecture firm she works for 4 different lucrative housing contracts with no disclosure until a member of the public watching those meetings exposed her.", "speaker": "Amber Cook" }, { "id": "cue-147", "start": 913.06, "end": 922.919, "text": "Our city housing officials are highly paid and also fired or removed very expensively on our backs, even when misconduct is involved.", "speaker": "Amber Cook" }, { "id": "cue-148", "start": 923.768, "end": 935.406, "text": "As we all know, you know, this year with Ivory Matthews, CEO of Home Forward, forced to step down after being exposed for abusing taxpayer money and disability discrimination, right?", "speaker": "Amber Cook" }, { "id": "cue-149", "start": 935.47, "end": 944.755, "text": "She left with $171,000 severance plus another $500,000 in career— $50,000, excuse me, in career transition services.", "speaker": "Amber Cook" }, { "id": "cue-150", "start": 945.414, "end": 960.97, "text": "That's $220,000 we taxpayers paid for her abusing us above her $343,000 yearly salary, along with car allowance, and of course the $100K or more she stole from us for vacations she didn't have to pay back.", "speaker": "Amber Cook" }, { "id": "cue-151", "start": 962.65, "end": 967.297, "text": "OJEC opened an investigation on Maggie Harris, but she was only issued a warning letter.", "speaker": "Amber Cook" }, { "id": "cue-152", "start": 968.532, "end": 986.597, "text": "It's disturbing that we taxpayers are burdened with paying them so much of our money for salaries that have mysteriously skyrocketed each and every year in the last decade, while riding atop a 14-year housing crisis that is only getting substantially worse every single year.", "speaker": "Amber Cook" }, { "id": "cue-153", "start": 988.614, "end": 999.338, "text": "To see how much misconduct is occurring unchecked and unpunished is also disturbing, and worse knowing we will again be footing the shockingly large bill for their safety nets.", "speaker": "Amber Cook" }, { "id": "cue-154", "start": 1000.196, "end": 1006.877, "text": "How much will Bell get for her knowing violations that have been enriching her household unethically for the last 2 to 3 years?", "speaker": "Amber Cook" }, { "id": "cue-155", "start": 1008.367, "end": 1016.394, "text": "What chance is there that there is no link between the degree of misconduct being allowed and the length and the severity of the housing crisis?", "speaker": "Amber Cook" }, { "id": "cue-156", "start": 1017.596, "end": 1028.939, "text": "How is it Portlanders are told that we lack money in the budget for basic services, but somehow there's yet another golden parachute for the next criminal director or CEO of housing?", "speaker": "Amber Cook" }, { "id": "cue-157", "start": 1029.035, "end": 1029.195, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Amber Cook" }, { "id": "cue-158", "start": 1031.37, "end": 1033.208, "text": "Salaries, they do need to be reconsidered.", "speaker": "Amber Cook" }, { "id": "cue-159", "start": 1034.64, "end": 1036.384, "text": "Golden parachutes eliminated.", "speaker": "Amber Cook" }, { "id": "cue-160", "start": 1037.175, "end": 1038.806, "text": "Misconduct punished.", "speaker": "Amber Cook" }, { "id": "cue-161", "start": 1039.985, "end": 1043.717, "text": "And I hope this committee will call for it even stronger at the city level.", "speaker": "Amber Cook" }, { "id": "cue-162", "start": 1044.856, "end": 1045.068, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Amber Cook" }, { "id": "cue-163", "start": 1046.792, "end": 1047.915, "text": "That concludes testimony.", "speaker": "Diego" }, { "id": "cue-164", "start": 1051.477, "end": 1056.198, "text": "Thank you for your time and sharing, um, your comments with us.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-165", "start": 1057.982, "end": 1060.602, "text": "Let's get some follow-up on some of those if you want to reach out to my office.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-166", "start": 1062.928, "end": 1065.898, "text": "Okay, so, oh yeah, go ahead and call the next item, please.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-167", "start": 1067.706, "end": 1073.656, "text": "Item 3, document number 2026-377, Climate and Health Standard.", "speaker": "Diego" }, { "id": "cue-168", "start": 1074.154, "end": 1090.244, "text": "Add climate and health standards for building codes to reduce carbon emissions of commercial and multifamily residential buildings and provide information to tenants to improve the affordability, health, and resilience of rental housing, replace Code Chapter 17.104.", "speaker": "Diego" }, { "id": "cue-169", "start": 1092.07, "end": 1092.345, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-170", "start": 1092.409, "end": 1092.909, "text": "That's a mouthful.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-171", "start": 1092.99, "end": 1093.795, "text": "Appreciate you, Diego.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-172", "start": 1094.648, "end": 1103.607, "text": "Um, all right, so colleagues, we are moving forward with our next step in the process of considering code changes to adopt the climate and health standards for large buildings in Portland.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-173", "start": 1104.399, "end": 1122.304, "text": "This is an exciting policy because it tackles multiple problems with rental housing at once: a lack of information about a building's energy use and cost burden for tenants considering applying to rent a unit, And the huge cumulative impact of pollution emitted by Portland buildings due to combustion of fossil fuels and wood on site for heating.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-174", "start": 1123.074, "end": 1126.908, "text": "By adopting the climate and health standards, we can solve both of these issues at the same time.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-175", "start": 1127.566, "end": 1134.16, "text": "We can create an environment where Portlanders breathe clean air that is unpolluted by the appliances in large commercial and residential buildings.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-176", "start": 1134.769, "end": 1140.689, "text": "We can make it so that renters know upfront before signing a lease how much to budget for their energy bills and whether a unit has air conditioning.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-177", "start": 1141.428, "end": 1144.784, "text": "This is essential information in our current affordability crisis.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-178", "start": 1145.459, "end": 1150.967, "text": "Electricity bills in Portland have risen by 50% on average over the past 5 years, outpacing inflation.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-179", "start": 1152.027, "end": 1155.464, "text": "This is also essential information for all of us living in a climate crisis.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-180", "start": 1156.122, "end": 1170.886, "text": "Climate change is making it so that extreme heat events happen increasingly often, such as the 2021 heat dome that tragically claimed the lives of dozens and dozens of our community members, many of whom many of whom were at home and without cooling.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-181", "start": 1172.69, "end": 1177.921, "text": "A whopping 42% of our city's carbon footprint comes from heating, cooling, and powering buildings.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-182", "start": 1178.598, "end": 1189.287, "text": "By reducing allowed emissions gradually over time, we can help ensure that our city meets its climate emergency work plan goals and successfully achieves zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-183", "start": 1190.611, "end": 1192.683, "text": "These are important housing policy issues.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-184", "start": 1193.432, "end": 1197.728, "text": "It is up to us to do our part and target the emissions that we cannot impact by making different choices in our everyday lives.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-185", "start": 1199.259, "end": 1204.912, "text": "Our constituents are looking to us to make sure that everyone does their fair share to address our city's contribution to climate change.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-186", "start": 1205.731, "end": 1206.919, "text": "And everything that we do matters.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-187", "start": 1207.352, "end": 1216.987, "text": "Lowering emissions means better weather outcomes long-term, and many of the same solutions that lower greenhouse gas emissions also make us better prepared to survive and thrive amidst increasing extreme weather.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-188", "start": 1218.416, "end": 1229.399, "text": "The state of Oregon has passed policy requiring our 2 biggest electric utilities to be emissions-free by 2040, and the state has passed building performance standards that help address commercial buildings 20,000 square feet and larger.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-189", "start": 1229.833, "end": 1232.9, "text": "And residential buildings 35,000 square feet and larger.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-190", "start": 1233.687, "end": 1240.722, "text": "But we have heard from our experts at the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability that the state policies don't go far enough to address pollution from Portland buildings.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-191", "start": 1241.621, "end": 1253.41, "text": "Our climate and health standards would cover about 40% of Portland's building sector emissions, making a substantial dent in the sector where all hands are on deck are needed between large building owners and small-scale property owners.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-192", "start": 1254.486, "end": 1268.025, "text": "We spent a good deal of our time at our Housing and Permitting Committee meeting on October 6th, earlier this month, learning about the history of this policy proposal, 6 years in the making with extensive community engagement throughout the process.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-193", "start": 1269.021, "end": 1282.063, "text": "We also had a chance to ask questions and hear from experts near and far about how we landed at this particular approach and how other cities with building standards have dealt with it, such as Seattle, New York, Boston, and Cambridge, Massachusetts.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-194", "start": 1283.219, "end": 1290.67, "text": "Now it is time to dig back into this policy, get a refresher on what it does, how we got here, and hear from the public about their current thoughts on the proposal.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-195", "start": 1291.344, "end": 1293.19, "text": "And then we will move to public testimony.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-196", "start": 1293.287, "end": 1303.113, "text": "I'll note for members of the public that we will be limiting testimony to 2 minutes per person since we have over 40 people signed up to testify, so we can make sure to get through all of that in this meeting.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-197", "start": 1303.852, "end": 1307.481, "text": "And then we'll have an opportunity to discuss the policy as councilors on this committee.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-198", "start": 1308.836, "end": 1312.802, "text": "I will also hand out some documents here, um, for the committee members in a moment.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-199", "start": 1313.931, "end": 1325.1, "text": "So to kick us off, I am excited to announce my newest team member, Damon Mott Story, our Director of Policy and Communications, to ground our discussion in where we have been so far.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-200", "start": 1325.212, "end": 1326.969, "text": "So Damon, take it away.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-201", "start": 1328.726, "end": 1329.922, "text": "Thank you so much, Councilor Avalos.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-202", "start": 1330.068, "end": 1330.714, "text": "Can you hear me okay?", "speaker": "Claire" }, { "id": "cue-203", "start": 1331.716, "end": 1333.606, "text": "Can we put up the volume in the chambers?", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-204", "start": 1334.215, "end": 1334.587, "text": "Try again.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-205", "start": 1335.734, "end": 1338.173, "text": "Testing, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-206", "start": 1339.126, "end": 1339.772, "text": "That sound all right?", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-207", "start": 1343.38, "end": 1346.159, "text": "Okay, one more time, Damon.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-208", "start": 1347.348, "end": 1349.18, "text": "Testing, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-209", "start": 1349.26, "end": 1349.919, "text": "Can you hear me all right?", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-210", "start": 1350.08, "end": 1350.562, "text": "Much better.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-211", "start": 1350.963, "end": 1351.204, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-212", "start": 1351.285, "end": 1351.542, "text": "Good afternoon.", "speaker": "Andy Mason" }, { "id": "cue-213", "start": 1351.606, "end": 1352.747, "text": "It's wonderful to be with you all.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-214", "start": 1352.811, "end": 1359.178, "text": "For the record, my name is Damon Mott Storey, um, and I am here to present a quick recap on the climate and health standards.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-215", "start": 1359.671, "end": 1360.646, "text": "I'm going to share my screen.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-216", "start": 1367.69, "end": 1368.205, "text": "Right, here we go.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-217", "start": 1368.849, "end": 1376.19, "text": "All right, so the climate and health standards, as Councilor Avalos was sharing with us, were shared in greater detail on October 6th.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-218", "start": 1376.818, "end": 1384.466, "text": "I'm going to take us through just a quick recap of the policy and that discussion, and we'll go through real quick here so we can get to the testimony.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-219", "start": 1384.515, "end": 1384.628, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-220", "start": 1385.574, "end": 1387.55, "text": "So, uh, part 1, the problem.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-221", "start": 1387.823, "end": 1389.124, "text": "What are we actually trying to solve?", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-222", "start": 1389.349, "end": 1390.088, "text": "Let's get into it.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-223", "start": 1391.276, "end": 1394.939, "text": "So large buildings in Portland are a major source of pollution and carbon emissions.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-224", "start": 1395.453, "end": 1403.034, "text": "They're a combined total of 42% of the city of Portland's emissions, and 16% of the city's emissions come from large buildings alone.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-225", "start": 1403.725, "end": 1407.788, "text": "It's not just carbon pollution that we're solving for here, it's also air pollution.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-226", "start": 1408.784, "end": 1415.358, "text": "Buildings make up cumulative a really large source of indoor and outdoor nitrogen oxide pollution.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-227", "start": 1416.116, "end": 1424.027, "text": "So solving for greenhouse gas emissions in this equation also solves for a public health issue that impacts Portlanders regardless of where they live.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-228", "start": 1425.98, "end": 1431.386, "text": "Breaking it down a little bit, the reason for this is that building energy use is currently a mix of a whole lot of different things.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-229", "start": 1431.499, "end": 1440.866, "text": "So it's electricity, of course, and that electricity is powered by both renewables and fossil fuels, a big mix of electricity from Pacific Power and Portland General Electric.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-230", "start": 1441.893, "end": 1447.235, "text": "In some buildings, there's still things like oil and wood burning that is used for energy use.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-231", "start": 1447.669, "end": 1459.267, "text": "And then a lot of buildings also rely on gas appliances, furnaces, hot water heaters, etc., that also vent to the outdoor air and contribute to greenhouse gas and air pollution.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-232", "start": 1460.358, "end": 1462.219, "text": "So this is the energy mix of buildings right now.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-233", "start": 1463.086, "end": 1479.01, "text": "Our dream and our vision for 2050 is that Portland buildings are powered by 100% emissions-free electricity, and that's because Oregon law requires Pacific Power and Portland General Electric to switch to 100% emissions-free electricity by 2040.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-234", "start": 1480.086, "end": 1492.337, "text": "And then with the climate and health standards, we would gradually, gradually move towards reducing emissions in large buildings in Portland and ensure that the electricity that they're powered by comes from those renewable sources.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-235", "start": 1493.958, "end": 1502.044, "text": "Another large part of the problem is that energy costs for rentals are not transparent, and we're in the midst of a really historic affordability crisis.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-236", "start": 1502.974, "end": 1513.515, "text": "Now, as we heard a little bit ago, both of our major electric utilities have increased rates by a very large amount over the past 5 years that has outpaced inflation.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-237", "start": 1514.59, "end": 1528.472, "text": "In just this one example, Oregon Citizens Utility Board spokesperson Charlotte Schuff was sharing it with OPB earlier this year, that there's been a nearly 50% increase between 2021 and 2025 for PGE alone.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-238", "start": 1528.617, "end": 1530.956, "text": "So these costs are really stacking up.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-239", "start": 1531.421, "end": 1549.714, "text": "And as we heard at the committee hearing on October 6th, Taryn Evans from the Coalition of Communities of Color reminded us that in many of the workshops around energy burden and cost, that they heard about tough choices that many communities community members face, such as choosing to pay energy bills or for medication and groceries.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-240", "start": 1549.762, "end": 1552.458, "text": "These are choices that people should never have to choose between.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-241", "start": 1553.566, "end": 1568.294, "text": "And so by, you know, making these costs more transparent and allowing people to plan and prepare and also know about the utility bill assistance programs, we can help to solve this issue and, and solve the problem of energy burden.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-242", "start": 1570.136, "end": 1579.591, "text": "We've heard a little bit also about Oregon's building performance standards, a law passed in 2023 that addresses building performance and energy efficiency statewide.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-243", "start": 1580.458, "end": 1589.321, "text": "Now, this is a pretty busy slide that I'm not going to go super in-depth on, but you can check out the Oregon Department of Energy's website for this graphic and more information.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-244", "start": 1590.011, "end": 1598.329, "text": "The bottom line here is that the state standard only covers commercial buildings over 20,000 square feet and residential buildings over 35,000 square feet.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-245", "start": 1598.377, "end": 1598.425, "text": "Okay.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-246", "start": 1598.925, "end": 1603.007, "text": "And that leaves a significant amount of Portland's building emissions uncovered.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-247", "start": 1603.604, "end": 1618.52, "text": "We heard from the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability on October 6th that that would only get at about 5% of the carbon emissions from Portland's covered buildings, but that our climate and health standards, if passed, would cover about 40% of Portland's building sector emissions.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-248", "start": 1619.47, "end": 1624.229, "text": "So this helps to fill in the gaps, which brings me to the solution, right?", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-249", "start": 1624.278, "end": 1626.052, "text": "So this So, this was the problem.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-250", "start": 1626.245, "end": 1630.22, "text": "Now, the climate and health solution— climate and health standards are the solution.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-251", "start": 1630.397, "end": 1632.224, "text": "And let's take a look at what that means.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-252", "start": 1632.817, "end": 1647.694, "text": "The ordinance itself does sort of 3 broad category issues: multifamily residential annual energy reporting, adding residential buildings to the already existing standard for commercial annual energy reporting for buildings.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-253", "start": 1648.528, "end": 1656.762, "text": "And that just means that we are tracking the data much better for what our large buildings are doing and how much energy they're consuming and from what sources.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-254", "start": 1658.239, "end": 1666.428, "text": "The ordinance also sets minimum carbon performance standards, and that's the mechanism by which we actually track reducing emissions from large buildings down to zero.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-255", "start": 1667.792, "end": 1675.837, "text": "And then the climate and health information and transparency for tenants, and this is about disclosing energy costs up front so that people can make informed decisions.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-256", "start": 1676.367, "end": 1681.569, "text": "About whether to rent an apartment based on its energy mix and cost.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-257", "start": 1683.03, "end": 1685.23, "text": "Let's get into that for— that one first.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-258", "start": 1685.776, "end": 1697.834, "text": "So the idea behind this is that we want to be able to make it a standard for Portlanders to expect that there's clear and transparent information about the costs of a potential unit that they are going to rent.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-259", "start": 1698.477, "end": 1709.542, "text": "So the ordinance will require building owners to track and disclose the energy cost peaks and averages for units' utility bills, what kinds of energy cost assistance programs are available.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-260", "start": 1709.67, "end": 1720.57, "text": "These programs have expanded significantly over the past 5 years, and so there is a lot of support for folks that are struggling to pay utility bills, but often people just don't even know that that support exists.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-261", "start": 1721.531, "end": 1734.553, "text": "And then the other piece of information disclosed will be the types of appliances in the unit, such as whether a unit has central air conditioning or some form of cooling, and whether the unit has a gas furnace, electric heat pump, etc.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-262", "start": 1735.197, "end": 1744.609, "text": "And these kinds of pieces of information will help tenants to be able to make informed decisions about what kinds of energy use is in their apartment and how much it costs.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-263", "start": 1746.887, "end": 1759.302, "text": "The carbon performance standards mean that we're going to be on a gradual and, and very realistic timeline from now to 2050 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from large buildings.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-264", "start": 1760.522, "end": 1763.316, "text": "Owners can select a baseline reporting year that works for them.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-265", "start": 1763.364, "end": 1771.906, "text": "There's a lot of flexibility and a lot of options for alternative compliance pathways that help to meet the unique needs of different types of buildings and building owners.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-266", "start": 1772.757, "end": 1791.622, "text": "But the basic gist of all of this is that we want everybody to be on the same track for reducing emissions to 100% emissions-free and here you can see the ways that that's been split out, starting in 20% reductions in 2030 and then an additional 20% every 5 years.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-267", "start": 1792.683, "end": 1801.355, "text": "And again, the reason that this works is that we are counting on the state law for PGE and Pacific Power to deliver 100% emissions-free electricity by 2040.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-268", "start": 1801.453, "end": 1802.944, "text": "That's an essential component of this.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-269", "start": 1805.542, "end": 1807.798, "text": "Another component of this, as I was Uh, thank you.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-270", "start": 1807.878, "end": 1816.054, "text": "So, the first thing I was mentioning is that we have phased flexible timeline with plenty of alternatives and options for compliances— options for compliance.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-271", "start": 1816.262, "end": 1819.677, "text": "And, uh, and, and there's a couple of different broad category things here.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-272", "start": 1819.869, "end": 1828.878, "text": "Regulated affordable housing is exempt, and we're seeing that a lot of that is already being covered by Portland Clean Energy Fund grants and other types of programs.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-273", "start": 1828.926, "end": 1831.956, "text": "So those buildings are already becoming very green and clean.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-274", "start": 1832.693, "end": 1844.397, "text": "And then there's there's a carbon pollution impact fee if a large building's energy usage is off track, and this helps to incentivize the kinds of upgrades and retrofits that we want to see in order to get emissions reductions.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-275", "start": 1845.473, "end": 1859.089, "text": "There are alternative compliance pathways for institutional campuses that have large shared energy systems, and so there are options and flexibility for compliance and special considerations for those kinds of energy users.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-276", "start": 1859.908, "end": 1866.394, "text": "And basically, additional considerations and exemptions will be made on a case-by-case basis under the policy as written.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-277", "start": 1867.213, "end": 1886.547, "text": "The idea here is that everybody's going to be headed towards 100% emissions reductions by 2050, but that there is a wide range of different kinds of buildings, ages, construction types, maybe upgrades that have already been made or deferred maintenance, and there's just a lot of different unique needs between different buildings.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-278", "start": 1886.659, "end": 1894.729, "text": "And so the policy intentionally has a lot of flexibility to make it as easy as possible for all sorts of different types of building owners to comply.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-279", "start": 1897.168, "end": 1910.534, "text": "A really important piece of feedback that was received over the many years of community engagement done by both the city and community-based organizations is that we heard pretty extensive Thank you.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-280", "start": 1910.662, "end": 1916.732, "text": "Councilmember Herbold, I think you mentioned this extensively, that tenant protections and anti-displacement measures for renters was really paramount importance in this process.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-281", "start": 1917.663, "end": 1927.329, "text": "It's important to focus on improving the health and efficiency of, of rental housing in Portland, but not at the expense of stability for renters.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-282", "start": 1927.988, "end": 1935.663, "text": "And so the policy has a number of different guardrails and sideboards to make sure that tenants are kept in place and can stay at home.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-283", "start": 1936.657, "end": 1970.594, "text": "And in the event that— in a very rare case in which a building upgrade would require temporary relocation for a tenant, there is extensive language in the ordinance that would help to make it very clear how to support that tenant, what the landlord's responsibility is if there is a need for a temporary relocation, a guarantee of a right to return to the same dwelling unit after those upgrades are complete, and also a whole other section that essentially just says the cost from the carbon performance standard retrofits and fees should not be passed on through to residential tenants.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-284", "start": 1971.299, "end": 1987.965, "text": "And we also discussed at the October 6th meeting an Eco Northwest study that that was performed, taking a look at the possible economic impacts to building owners and renters, and it found that there would really be no net impact to the cost of rent and utilities.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-285", "start": 1988.292, "end": 1991.113, "text": "For tenants in buildings that get upgraded.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-286", "start": 1993.43, "end": 2003.118, "text": "Finally, just sort of zooming out a little bit, this is just a recap on the really extensive community engagement and collaborative policymaking that has gone into this ordinance so far.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-287", "start": 2003.878, "end": 2013.565, "text": "There have been 60 different organizations that have been engaged in various ways, and that spans housing, industry, real estate, higher education, healthcare, and environmental justice.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-288", "start": 2013.792, "end": 2014.723, "text": "To stakeholders.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-289", "start": 2015.461, "end": 2029.085, "text": "There's been many multiple rounds of feedback and revision over the course of 6 years where the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability has worked collaboratively with a number of different community-based organizations that have worked on energy issues for a long time.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-290", "start": 2030.064, "end": 2035.664, "text": "And then in addition to all of that, Councilor Avalos convened her own feedback and input workshop in preparation for this discussion.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-291", "start": 2035.777, "end": 2049.282, "text": "So it's been a long road coming here, but now it's time for the City Council committee to really dig into it and, and discuss and make any other further observations that need to be made.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-292", "start": 2050.268, "end": 2054.289, "text": "And I look forward to being a part of helping to answer questions as part of that conversation.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-293", "start": 2054.86, "end": 2057.899, "text": "So that's my recap of the climate and health standards.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-294", "start": 2058.933, "end": 2061.083, "text": "And with that, I will pass it back to you, Chair Avalos.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-295", "start": 2062.716, "end": 2063.75, "text": "Thank you so much, Damon.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-296", "start": 2063.864, "end": 2068.138, "text": "Really grateful to have you on the team and appreciate you explaining the policy.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-297", "start": 2068.939, "end": 2072.818, "text": "So, um, we have a ton of testifiers.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-298", "start": 2073.187, "end": 2078.83, "text": "I'm sure we also have some questions that we will have as a committee and maybe technical questions.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-299", "start": 2079.327, "end": 2083.847, "text": "Are there any quick technical questions we want to get out of the way first, or do we want to move forward with testimony?", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-300", "start": 2083.927, "end": 2084.392, "text": "Let me just get a—.", "speaker": "Vivek Shandas" }, { "id": "cue-301", "start": 2085.033, "end": 2086.316, "text": "We're okay with moving forward?", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-302", "start": 2086.781, "end": 2089.474, "text": "Okay, well, in that case, uh, let's go ahead and jump on in.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-303", "start": 2089.698, "end": 2092.215, "text": "Diego, go ahead and call the first panel.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-304", "start": 2093.032, "end": 2094.555, "text": "Just a few reminders for our testifiers.", "speaker": "Diego" }, { "id": "cue-305", "start": 2094.957, "end": 2099.115, "text": "Those signed up to testify, each verbal testifier will receive 2 minutes each.", "speaker": "Diego" }, { "id": "cue-306", "start": 2099.693, "end": 2101.444, "text": "I will call up folks in groups of 5.", "speaker": "Diego" }, { "id": "cue-307", "start": 2101.877, "end": 2107.208, "text": "For those testifying in person, you'll see the timer countdown displayed on the monitor in front of the testimony table.", "speaker": "Diego" }, { "id": "cue-308", "start": 2107.818, "end": 2110.564, "text": "For those testifying virtually, the timer is displayed in Zoom.", "speaker": "Diego" }, { "id": "cue-309", "start": 2111.27, "end": 2114.048, "text": "When testifying, you'll hear the timer chime twice.", "speaker": "Diego" }, { "id": "cue-310", "start": 2114.321, "end": 2119.78, "text": "The first chime is a warning when there are 30 seconds left, and then a second is when your time is up.", "speaker": "Diego" }, { "id": "cue-311", "start": 2120.57, "end": 2123.996, "text": "And finally, before you begin your testimony, please state your name for the record.", "speaker": "Diego" }, { "id": "cue-312", "start": 2125.11, "end": 2136.158, "text": "First up, Vivek Shandas, Andrew Mason, Kaeleigh Sheehan, Greg Moawad, Jonathan Clay.", "speaker": "Diego" }, { "id": "cue-313", "start": 2142.896, "end": 2144.574, "text": "Hey, hello, hello everyone.", "speaker": "Vivek Shandas" }, { "id": "cue-314", "start": 2144.623, "end": 2145.372, "text": "I hope you can hear me.", "speaker": "Vivek Shandas" }, { "id": "cue-315", "start": 2145.991, "end": 2146.495, "text": "We can hear you.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-316", "start": 2147.066, "end": 2147.74, "text": "Okay, great.", "speaker": "Vivek Shandas" }, { "id": "cue-317", "start": 2148.189, "end": 2150.659, "text": "Hi, for the record, my name is Vivek Shandas.", "speaker": "Vivek Shandas" }, { "id": "cue-318", "start": 2150.996, "end": 2155.022, "text": "Thank you, Chair Avalos, Vice Chair Green, and members of the committee.", "speaker": "Vivek Shandas" }, { "id": "cue-319", "start": 2155.087, "end": 2158.567, "text": "For the record, I— Vivek, I use he/him pronouns.", "speaker": "Vivek Shandas" }, { "id": "cue-320", "start": 2158.615, "end": 2166.347, "text": "I'm co-chair of the Policy and Implementation Committee within the city's Sustainability and Climate Commission, here on behalf of the full commission.", "speaker": "Vivek Shandas" }, { "id": "cue-321", "start": 2167.117, "end": 2174.399, "text": "On August 20th, the commission voted to endorse the climate and health standards after reviewing the code language section by section.", "speaker": "Vivek Shandas" }, { "id": "cue-322", "start": 2175.217, "end": 2179.976, "text": "Our endorsement letter was in your packet at the October 6th committee meeting.", "speaker": "Vivek Shandas" }, { "id": "cue-323", "start": 2180.681, "end": 2187.62, "text": "I want— I primarily want to respond to a few questions from the last meeting and why we continue to urge you to advance this policy.", "speaker": "Vivek Shandas" }, { "id": "cue-324", "start": 2188.277, "end": 2189.735, "text": "First, on rental impacts.", "speaker": "Vivek Shandas" }, { "id": "cue-325", "start": 2190.199, "end": 2198.035, "text": "As Damon noted, the Eco Northwest study looked at rent plus utilities and found no net impact on renters.", "speaker": "Vivek Shandas" }, { "id": "cue-326", "start": 2198.308, "end": 2208.798, "text": "Most upgrades for multifamily residential developments come around 2040 to 2045, leaving ample time for implementation, and owners can draw on state energy trust and PSEF funding.", "speaker": "Vivek Shandas" }, { "id": "cue-327", "start": 2210.716, "end": 2214.315, "text": "On affordable buildings, each building is measured against its own baseline.", "speaker": "Vivek Shandas" }, { "id": "cue-328", "start": 2214.732, "end": 2225.692, "text": "That way, the worst-performing buildings, often the most affordable housing, don't have the— don't have to make the biggest jump in terms of meeting these standards.", "speaker": "Vivek Shandas" }, { "id": "cue-329", "start": 2225.741, "end": 2225.854, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Vivek Shandas" }, { "id": "cue-330", "start": 2226.562, "end": 2234.926, "text": "On policy efficacy, in the city's pilot, reporting took a few hours in the first year and less than 2 hours after that.", "speaker": "Vivek Shandas" }, { "id": "cue-331", "start": 2235.536, "end": 2241.219, "text": "Other cities settled the details, including hospitals and campuses, in rulemaking processes.", "speaker": "Vivek Shandas" }, { "id": "cue-332", "start": 2242.279, "end": 2245.682, "text": "On tenant protections, the community asked for them.", "speaker": "Vivek Shandas" }, { "id": "cue-333", "start": 2245.971, "end": 2254.526, "text": "Renters get key information before signing a lease and, and a lease plus relocation help and a right to return.", "speaker": "Vivek Shandas" }, { "id": "cue-334", "start": 2254.879, "end": 2258.63, "text": "We see decarbonization and rent protection as one goal.", "speaker": "Vivek Shandas" }, { "id": "cue-335", "start": 2259.367, "end": 2268.68, "text": "On leadership, the state standard would cut emissions from Portland's covered buildings by only about 5%, and it starts at 35,000 square feet, as Damon mentioned.", "speaker": "Vivek Shandas" }, { "id": "cue-336", "start": 2268.985, "end": 2275.862, "text": "Portland's 20,000 square feet threshold reaches more of our housing and gets us closer to our emission reductions goals.", "speaker": "Vivek Shandas" }, { "id": "cue-337", "start": 2276.471, "end": 2285.881, "text": "Something that's on the commission's mind, I, I would be remiss to not mention, is that the current proposal, uh, is that it does not include maximum indoor temperature standards.", "speaker": "Vivek Shandas" }, { "id": "cue-338", "start": 2286.538, "end": 2292.902, "text": "Um, we support taking that up in the next step, though still urgently moving that forward.", "speaker": "Vivek Shandas" }, { "id": "cue-339", "start": 2293.126, "end": 2295.451, "text": "And finally, our guidance hasn't changed.", "speaker": "Vivek Shandas" }, { "id": "cue-340", "start": 2295.531, "end": 2297.936, "text": "Please advance the climate and health standard.", "speaker": "Vivek Shandas" }, { "id": "cue-341", "start": 2298.096, "end": 2298.753, "text": "Thank you for your time.", "speaker": "Vivek Shandas" }, { "id": "cue-342", "start": 2300.18, "end": 2300.837, "text": "Thank you, Vivek.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-343", "start": 2301.847, "end": 2305.085, "text": "And clerk, it doesn't sound like the other bell worked.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-344", "start": 2305.149, "end": 2306.175, "text": "Is it going to work on the next one?", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-345", "start": 2306.417, "end": 2307.386, "text": "We're going to troubleshoot that.", "speaker": "Diego" }, { "id": "cue-346", "start": 2307.58, "end": 2308.79, "text": "Okay, sounds good.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-347", "start": 2309.904, "end": 2310.405, "text": "All right, thank you.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-348", "start": 2310.776, "end": 2311.713, "text": "Whoever would like to go next?", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-349", "start": 2317.767, "end": 2321.457, "text": "Good afternoon, Chair Avalos, Vice Chair Green, and members of the committee.", "speaker": "Andy Mason" }, { "id": "cue-350", "start": 2321.588, "end": 2324.213, "text": "My name is Andy Mason, Facilities Director of Providence Health.", "speaker": "Andy Mason" }, { "id": "cue-351", "start": 2324.84, "end": 2327.621, "text": "I'm joined today by my colleague from Legacy Health, Kaeleigh Sheehan.", "speaker": "Andy Mason" }, { "id": "cue-352", "start": 2328.456, "end": 2336.033, "text": "And in addition to our brief comments today, we have, uh, submitted a letter Uh, going into greater detail on our position on the climate and health standards.", "speaker": "Andy Mason" }, { "id": "cue-353", "start": 2336.691, "end": 2342.856, "text": "So let me start by saying that Providence and Legacy share the city's goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving community health.", "speaker": "Andy Mason" }, { "id": "cue-354", "start": 2343.691, "end": 2347.158, "text": "Providence's vision statement is health for a better world.", "speaker": "Andy Mason" }, { "id": "cue-355", "start": 2347.849, "end": 2351.926, "text": "Ensuring a stable climate and healthy planet is a crucial element of our envisioned world.", "speaker": "Andy Mason" }, { "id": "cue-356", "start": 2352.681, "end": 2370.413, "text": "At Providence, we are taking bold action to reduce our carbon emissions in this decade, working towards being carbon negative as an organization and we continue to make substantial progress across our system with energy reducing and carbon reducing projects throughout our portfolio.", "speaker": "Andy Mason" }, { "id": "cue-357", "start": 2371.44, "end": 2381.098, "text": "We've also gone to great lengths to understand what it will take to decarbonize a complex healthcare facility by investing in a detailed engineering study on the feasibility and impact of fully electrifying a major medical center.", "speaker": "Andy Mason" }, { "id": "cue-358", "start": 2381.643, "end": 2384.403, "text": "And we now have a clear picture of the costs and pathways to achieve this.", "speaker": "Andy Mason" }, { "id": "cue-359", "start": 2384.451, "end": 2384.563, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Andy Mason" }, { "id": "cue-360", "start": 2385.655, "end": 2391.08, "text": "However, hospitals serve as a healthcare safety net to our communities and must remain available at all times.", "speaker": "Andy Mason" }, { "id": "cue-361", "start": 2392.075, "end": 2405.107, "text": "During the 2021 heat dome that stressed building systems far beyond their design, and the 2024 MLK Day storm that closed roads and knocked out power throughout the region, people depended on us to remain open, functional, and available to provide care.", "speaker": "Andy Mason" }, { "id": "cue-362", "start": 2405.942, "end": 2413.469, "text": "That is why resiliency, in addition, in addition to efficiency, must remain a central consideration in any policy affecting hospital operations.", "speaker": "Andy Mason" }, { "id": "cue-363", "start": 2414.546, "end": 2419.864, "text": "Hospital infrastructure requires long-term planning and investment, as major systems cannot be replaced overnight.", "speaker": "Andy Mason" }, { "id": "cue-364", "start": 2420.587, "end": 2429.568, "text": "Transitioning away from existing equipment often requires replacement of entire integrated systems, not just a boiler or a chiller, which can take years and significantly impact the facility.", "speaker": "Andy Mason" }, { "id": "cue-365", "start": 2430.114, "end": 2446.516, "text": "Throughout Oregon, hospitals are operating at or near capacity every day, and taking critical, critical clinical spaces offline to replace complex infrastructure can have significant impacts on health Thank you.", "speaker": "Andy Mason" }, { "id": "cue-366", "start": 2450.253, "end": 2451.732, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Andy Mason" }, { "id": "cue-367", "start": 2453.775, "end": 2460.512, "text": "Councilmember Herbold.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-368", "start": 2461.252, "end": 2464.333, "text": "Good afternoon, Chair Avalos, Vice Chair Green, and members of the committee.", "speaker": "Kaeleigh Sheehan" }, { "id": "cue-369", "start": 2465.065, "end": 2468.64, "text": "My name is Kaeleigh Sheehan, Director of Environmental Sustainability with Legacy Legacy Health.", "speaker": "Kaeleigh Sheehan" }, { "id": "cue-370", "start": 2469.314, "end": 2473.321, "text": "As my colleague from Providence shared, we recognize climate change as a public health issue.", "speaker": "Kaeleigh Sheehan" }, { "id": "cue-371", "start": 2473.963, "end": 2479.429, "text": "Environmental stewardship is central to our mission of good health for our patients, our people, our communities, and our world.", "speaker": "Kaeleigh Sheehan" }, { "id": "cue-372", "start": 2480.279, "end": 2483.389, "text": "Legacy has a public goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.", "speaker": "Kaeleigh Sheehan" }, { "id": "cue-373", "start": 2483.741, "end": 2492.078, "text": "We've made meaningful progress through energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy investments, climate resilience assessments, and reducing the environmental impact of patient care.", "speaker": "Kaeleigh Sheehan" }, { "id": "cue-374", "start": 2492.943, "end": 2493.985, "text": "We're committed to this work.", "speaker": "Kaeleigh Sheehan" }, { "id": "cue-375", "start": 2494.483, "end": 2500.052, "text": "We share the city's goals of reducing emissions from our buildings, but we have real concerns over the policy as it's currently written.", "speaker": "Kaeleigh Sheehan" }, { "id": "cue-376", "start": 2500.983, "end": 2505.606, "text": "Hospitals are uniquely complex facilities operating under strict healthcare regulations.", "speaker": "Kaeleigh Sheehan" }, { "id": "cue-377", "start": 2506.183, "end": 2512.427, "text": "Our central utility plants, ventilation, sterilization, and emergency power systems are essential to patient safety.", "speaker": "Kaeleigh Sheehan" }, { "id": "cue-378", "start": 2513.101, "end": 2518.606, "text": "These systems are interconnected, require substantial capital investment and planning, and are replaced over decades.", "speaker": "Kaeleigh Sheehan" }, { "id": "cue-379", "start": 2519.441, "end": 2527.238, "text": "We appreciate the addition of the alternative compliance pathway for campuses, However, significant questions remain about how that pathway would actually work.", "speaker": "Kaeleigh Sheehan" }, { "id": "cue-380", "start": 2527.879, "end": 2531.937, "text": "The policy lacks a clearly defined process to amend or update these plans over time.", "speaker": "Kaeleigh Sheehan" }, { "id": "cue-381", "start": 2532.674, "end": 2535.85, "text": "These would be legally binding agreements recorded against the property.", "speaker": "Kaeleigh Sheehan" }, { "id": "cue-382", "start": 2536.668, "end": 2542.698, "text": "Hospitals need the ability to adapt as infrastructure, technology, regulations, and circumstances change.", "speaker": "Kaeleigh Sheehan" }, { "id": "cue-383", "start": 2543.644, "end": 2552.559, "text": "We recognize that many implementation details can be addressed through rulemaking, but the ordinance itself Council itself needs to establish the framework and authority for that flexibility.", "speaker": "Kaeleigh Sheehan" }, { "id": "cue-384", "start": 2553.2, "end": 2560.269, "text": "We cannot responsibly plan decades of investment, near $1 billion, around requirements that remain undefined.", "speaker": "Kaeleigh Sheehan" }, { "id": "cue-385", "start": 2560.814, "end": 2563.363, "text": "The potential financial implications are substantial.", "speaker": "Kaeleigh Sheehan" }, { "id": "cue-386", "start": 2563.539, "end": 2571.106, "text": "As nonprofit healthcare providers facing significant financial pressures, we must balance these investments with maintaining access to essential patient care.", "speaker": "Kaeleigh Sheehan" }, { "id": "cue-387", "start": 2571.955, "end": 2573.51, "text": "We are not asking for an exemption.", "speaker": "Kaeleigh Sheehan" }, { "id": "cue-388", "start": 2573.863, "end": 2580.435, "text": "We're asking council to pause advancement and work directly with healthcare and other affected stakeholders to establish a clear, flexible, achievable framework.", "speaker": "Kaeleigh Sheehan" }, { "id": "cue-389", "start": 2580.483, "end": 2580.579, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Kaeleigh Sheehan" }, { "id": "cue-390", "start": 2582.013, "end": 2586.494, "text": "Our joint written testimony provides additional technical detail on these concerns.", "speaker": "Kaeleigh Sheehan" }, { "id": "cue-391", "start": 2587.09, "end": 2588.219, "text": "We share the city's climate goals.", "speaker": "Kaeleigh Sheehan" }, { "id": "cue-392", "start": 2588.267, "end": 2589.895, "text": "We want to be part of the solution.", "speaker": "Claire" }, { "id": "cue-393", "start": 2590.94, "end": 2592.34, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Damon Motz-Storey" }, { "id": "cue-394", "start": 2594.095, "end": 2598.346, "text": "Good afternoon, Chair Avalos, Vice Chair Green, and members of the Housing and Permitting Committee.", "speaker": "Jonathan Clay" }, { "id": "cue-395", "start": 2599.3, "end": 2606.162, "text": "For the record, my name is Jonathan Clay, government and public affairs manager and registered lobbyist for Multifamily Northwest.", "speaker": "Jonathan Clay" }, { "id": "cue-396", "start": 2606.921, "end": 2612.645, "text": "Building efficiency and lower carbon emission goals are completely admirable.", "speaker": "Jonathan Clay" }, { "id": "cue-397", "start": 2612.84, "end": 2614.35, "text": "The issue is just how we get there.", "speaker": "Jonathan Clay" }, { "id": "cue-398", "start": 2616.21, "end": 2626.05, "text": "Housing providers of Multifamily Northwest remain very concerned with the uncertainty and liabilities this ordinance would impose on Portland's rental housing market.", "speaker": "Jonathan Clay" }, { "id": "cue-399", "start": 2626.71, "end": 2635.349, "text": "Portland needs a better policy that doesn't force arbitrary, unfunded building retrofits that neither renters nor housing providers can frankly afford.", "speaker": "Jonathan Clay" }, { "id": "cue-400", "start": 2635.4, "end": 2635.504, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Jonathan Clay" }, { "id": "cue-401", "start": 2636.518, "end": 2639.679, "text": "This policy process has been blazingly fast.", "speaker": "Jonathan Clay" }, { "id": "cue-402", "start": 2639.888, "end": 2645.873, "text": "It dropped on July 14th, the same day as the only public meeting so far.", "speaker": "Jonathan Clay" }, { "id": "cue-403", "start": 2646.082, "end": 2658.855, "text": "That left 5 hours to absorb this complex policy, and despite any platitudes or follow-up emails, it's hard to— it's hard to ignore the underlying message that was clearly sent.", "speaker": "Jonathan Clay" }, { "id": "cue-404", "start": 2658.984, "end": 2662.707, "text": "Hey, housing providers, your input is not really valued.", "speaker": "Jonathan Clay" }, { "id": "cue-405", "start": 2662.771, "end": 2662.915, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Jonathan Clay" }, { "id": "cue-406", "start": 2664.133, "end": 2669.548, "text": "When Seattle passed a similar policy, it was the product of a 2-year public process.", "speaker": "Jonathan Clay" }, { "id": "cue-407", "start": 2670.702, "end": 2672.048, "text": "There's only been 3 months.", "speaker": "Jonathan Clay" }, { "id": "cue-408", "start": 2673.169, "end": 2682.526, "text": "In efforts from Seattle, Boston, and New York, they acknowledged considerable financial hardships of compliance by awarding grants to qualifying buildings.", "speaker": "Jonathan Clay" }, { "id": "cue-409", "start": 2682.958, "end": 2700.313, "text": "This policy has still not incorporated resources for better compliance, nor does it provide a practical road to ensure housing providers decarbonization efforts are— will be sufficient to avoid the costly fee structure adopted by this policy.", "speaker": "Jonathan Clay" }, { "id": "cue-410", "start": 2700.505, "end": 2703.839, "text": "Again, more ambiguity, more uncertainty.", "speaker": "Jonathan Clay" }, { "id": "cue-411", "start": 2704.817, "end": 2711.18, "text": "The city's housing policy needs to reflect robust public process where all stakeholders are invited to the table.", "speaker": "Jonathan Clay" }, { "id": "cue-412", "start": 2711.565, "end": 2720.301, "text": "We respectfully ask that the committee separate the decarbonization provisions from any unfunded mandatory building retrofits.", "speaker": "Jonathan Clay" }, { "id": "cue-413", "start": 2720.381, "end": 2720.589, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Jonathan Clay" }, { "id": "cue-414", "start": 2720.847, "end": 2721.171, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Jonathan Clay" }, { "id": "cue-415", "start": 2723.531, "end": 2724.954, "text": "We have Greg joining us online.", "speaker": "Diego" }, { "id": "cue-416", "start": 2726.037, "end": 2727.056, "text": "Good afternoon, councilors.", "speaker": "Greg Moawad" }, { "id": "cue-417", "start": 2727.234, "end": 2727.961, "text": "Excuse me.", "speaker": "Greg Moawad" }, { "id": "cue-418", "start": 2728.074, "end": 2731.61, "text": "I'm Greg Moawad, Vice President for Campus Services at Oregon Health and Science University.", "speaker": "Greg Moawad" }, { "id": "cue-419", "start": 2731.867, "end": 2733.284, "text": "I appreciate the opportunity to speak.", "speaker": "Greg Moawad" }, { "id": "cue-420", "start": 2733.783, "end": 2737.502, "text": "OHSU supports the goals of the proposed changes to Chapter 17-104.", "speaker": "Greg Moawad" }, { "id": "cue-421", "start": 2738.13, "end": 2740.999, "text": "Reducing emissions and protecting community health are central to our mission.", "speaker": "Greg Moawad" }, { "id": "cue-422", "start": 2741.516, "end": 2747.949, "text": "We remain committed to carbon neutrality by 2050, but I urge you to exempt institutions of higher education from this legislation.", "speaker": "Greg Moawad" }, { "id": "cue-423", "start": 2748.647, "end": 2753.45, "text": "OHSU has already made significant investments in energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainable buildings.", "speaker": "Greg Moawad" }, { "id": "cue-424", "start": 2754.028, "end": 2757.305, "text": "Today, 87% of our electricity comes from carbon-free sources.", "speaker": "Greg Moawad" }, { "id": "cue-425", "start": 2757.739, "end": 2765.096, "text": "We've engineered a 38% reduction in our reported carbon emissions since 2015, despite substantial growth in our facilities and services.", "speaker": "Greg Moawad" }, { "id": "cue-426", "start": 2765.61, "end": 2768.469, "text": "We expect this to reach a 50% reduction by 2030.", "speaker": "Greg Moawad" }, { "id": "cue-427", "start": 2769.143, "end": 2773.4, "text": "Our concern is the proposal nearly— neither clearly recognizes those early investments.", "speaker": "Greg Moawad" }, { "id": "cue-428", "start": 2773.512, "end": 2773.689, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Greg Moawad" }, { "id": "cue-429", "start": 2774.123, "end": 2776.178, "text": "Nor adequately accounts for our financial reality.", "speaker": "Greg Moawad" }, { "id": "cue-430", "start": 2776.675, "end": 2783.755, "text": "We carry $1.3 billion in debt, $600 million in unfunded pension liabilities, and a $700 million maintenance backlog.", "speaker": "Greg Moawad" }, { "id": "cue-431", "start": 2784.173, "end": 2789.471, "text": "Additional compliance costs compete directly with investments in patient care, education, and essential infrastructure.", "speaker": "Greg Moawad" }, { "id": "cue-432", "start": 2790.001, "end": 2791.799, "text": "Those trade-offs have real consequences.", "speaker": "Greg Moawad" }, { "id": "cue-433", "start": 2792.28, "end": 2793.725, "text": "Our highest capital priority is expanding our.", "speaker": "Greg Moawad" }, { "id": "cue-434", "start": 2798.061, "end": 2802.676, "text": "We urgently need new additional neonatal intensive care capacity for critically ill babies.", "speaker": "Greg Moawad" }, { "id": "cue-435", "start": 2803.188, "end": 2807.514, "text": "Every dollar redirected toward new compliance requirements is a dollar unavailable for those in need.", "speaker": "Greg Moawad" }, { "id": "cue-436", "start": 2808.299, "end": 2812.545, "text": "We remain committed to reducing emissions and are prepared to be transparent with the city about our progress.", "speaker": "Greg Moawad" }, { "id": "cue-437", "start": 2812.963, "end": 2816.75, "text": "But we have to balance those commitments with our responsibility to patients and students.", "speaker": "Greg Moawad" }, { "id": "cue-438", "start": 2817.379, "end": 2822.127, "text": "I urge you to exempt institutions of higher education just as you have exempted K-12 schools.", "speaker": "Greg Moawad" }, { "id": "cue-439", "start": 2822.73, "end": 2827.093, "text": "Please allow us to continue pursuing our climate goals while fulfilling our essential public mission.", "speaker": "Greg Moawad" }, { "id": "cue-440", "start": 2827.691, "end": 2827.998, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Greg Moawad" }, { "id": "cue-441", "start": 2830.939, "end": 2841.396, "text": "Next, we have Madeline Miller, Cindy Robert, Jennifer Yocom, Amy Rathfelder.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-442", "start": 2842.797, "end": 2848.969, "text": "David Thompson.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-443", "start": 2861.09, "end": 2861.557, "text": "Good afternoon.", "speaker": "Cindy Robert" }, { "id": "cue-444", "start": 2861.847, "end": 2866.489, "text": "My name is Cindy Robert, and I'm here on behalf of the Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges and Universities.", "speaker": "Cindy Robert" }, { "id": "cue-445", "start": 2867.287, "end": 2873.874, "text": "The alliance includes 7 independent nonprofit higher education institutions within the Portland area.", "speaker": "Cindy Robert" }, { "id": "cue-446", "start": 2874.532, "end": 2879.904, "text": "Chair Avalos, in your district is Linfield University School of Nursing.", "speaker": "Cindy Robert" }, { "id": "cue-447", "start": 2880.001, "end": 2886.927, "text": "The campus is phasing out traditional fossil fuel maintenance equipment and building all major projects to pursue LEED certification.", "speaker": "Cindy Robert" }, { "id": "cue-448", "start": 2888.39, "end": 2892.052, "text": "In Councilor Pirtle-Guiney's district is University of Portland.", "speaker": "Cindy Robert" }, { "id": "cue-449", "start": 2892.816, "end": 2895.959, "text": "They are targeting carbon neutrality by 2040.", "speaker": "Cindy Robert" }, { "id": "cue-450", "start": 2897.066, "end": 2903.144, "text": "Councilor Elena Novak, in your district is Warner Pacific University and Western Seminary.", "speaker": "Cindy Robert" }, { "id": "cue-451", "start": 2903.978, "end": 2911.579, "text": "Western Pacific— I mean, Warner Pacific is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and has invested in multiple Energy Trust of Oregon-supported projects.", "speaker": "Cindy Robert" }, { "id": "cue-452", "start": 2912.237, "end": 2918.571, "text": "Western Seminary is in the process of replacing heating units that burn natural gas with high-efficiency electric pumps.", "speaker": "Cindy Robert" }, { "id": "cue-453", "start": 2919.292, "end": 2927.322, "text": "And in Councilor Green's district is Reed College, Lewis& Clark College, and Willamette University's Pacific Northwest College of Art.", "speaker": "Cindy Robert" }, { "id": "cue-454", "start": 2927.851, "end": 2937.002, "text": "Reed's carbon reduction plan targets 40% reduction by 2030 and then going beyond net zero and becoming climate positive by 2050.", "speaker": "Cindy Robert" }, { "id": "cue-455", "start": 2937.787, "end": 2943.06, "text": "Lewis& Clark has a self-imposed deadline of 2040 to reach net zero carbon emissions.", "speaker": "Cindy Robert" }, { "id": "cue-456", "start": 2943.957, "end": 2951.278, "text": "And Willamette's PNCA completed a major renovation of their flagship Portland building, achieving LEED Platinum status.", "speaker": "Cindy Robert" }, { "id": "cue-457", "start": 2952.115, "end": 2955.175, "text": "All of these institutions are integral to the fabric of Portland.", "speaker": "Cindy Robert" }, { "id": "cue-458", "start": 2955.946, "end": 2958.156, "text": "All of them want to be good partners with you.", "speaker": "Cindy Robert" }, { "id": "cue-459", "start": 2958.871, "end": 2960.692, "text": "All of them have climate goals and objectives.", "speaker": "Cindy Robert" }, { "id": "cue-460", "start": 2960.757, "end": 2962.756, "text": "In some cases, they are more progressive than yours.", "speaker": "Cindy Robert" }, { "id": "cue-461", "start": 2964.65, "end": 2967.067, "text": "So this work is going on, and you should be proud of it.", "speaker": "Cindy Robert" }, { "id": "cue-462", "start": 2968.147, "end": 2972.386, "text": "If it's already happening though, what's the big deal about the proposed ordinance?", "speaker": "Cindy Robert" }, { "id": "cue-463", "start": 2973.305, "end": 2976.616, "text": "Because compliance is a cost driver for higher education.", "speaker": "Cindy Robert" }, { "id": "cue-464", "start": 2977.083, "end": 2985.884, "text": "Paperwork, documentation, reporting, and personnel hours are all factors that contribute to tuition increases, while rising operational costs ultimately are absorbed by students.", "speaker": "Cindy Robert" }, { "id": "cue-465", "start": 2986.901, "end": 2992.086, "text": "Please add higher education institutions to the exemption that the ordinance provides to K-12 education.", "speaker": "Cindy Robert" }, { "id": "cue-466", "start": 2992.777, "end": 2993.102, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Samantha Hernandez" }, { "id": "cue-467", "start": 2996.852, "end": 2999.498, "text": "Good afternoon, Chair Avalos, Vice Chair Green, and committee members.", "speaker": "Madeline Miller" }, { "id": "cue-468", "start": 3000.492, "end": 3001.809, "text": "For the record, my name is Madeline Miller.", "speaker": "Madeline Miller" }, { "id": "cue-469", "start": 3002.098, "end": 3003.191, "text": "I use she/her pronouns.", "speaker": "Madeline Miller" }, { "id": "cue-470", "start": 3003.689, "end": 3012.025, "text": "I'm a lobbyist with a collaborative of the Building Owners and Managers Association, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association, Oregon Smart Growth, and the Portland Metro Chamber.", "speaker": "Madeline Miller" }, { "id": "cue-471", "start": 3012.539, "end": 3023.236, "text": "Together, we represent hundreds of organizations and thousands of employees that work across construction, development, engineering, architecture, the trades, property management, and the commercial real estate industry.", "speaker": "Madeline Miller" }, { "id": "cue-472", "start": 3023.942, "end": 3028.729, "text": "I've been analyzing housing issues, including affordable housing and homelessness policy, for over 12 years.", "speaker": "Madeline Miller" }, { "id": "cue-473", "start": 3029.563, "end": 3034.986, "text": "I have recently submitted a letter signed by 20 organizations outlining our concerns with this policy.", "speaker": "Madeline Miller" }, { "id": "cue-474", "start": 3035.66, "end": 3040.842, "text": "I want to begin by highlighting the impacts that the carbon performance standards would have on Portland's downtown recovery.", "speaker": "Madeline Miller" }, { "id": "cue-475", "start": 3041.499, "end": 3048.655, "text": "Across downtown, people are working hard to reactivate buildings, attract businesses, bring employees back, and restore the vitality of our city center.", "speaker": "Madeline Miller" }, { "id": "cue-476", "start": 3049.457, "end": 3054.799, "text": "These standards risk undermining that work by requiring costly building retrofits on aggressive timelines.", "speaker": "Madeline Miller" }, { "id": "cue-477", "start": 3055.232, "end": 3057.607, "text": "Or subjecting owners to noncompliance penalties.", "speaker": "Madeline Miller" }, { "id": "cue-478", "start": 3058.217, "end": 3067.075, "text": "Our industry supports the need to address climate change, but many office and multifamily properties are already facing record vacancies, declining revenues, and reduced property values.", "speaker": "Madeline Miller" }, { "id": "cue-479", "start": 3067.605, "end": 3071.247, "text": "These buildings simply lack the capital reserves to make these investments.", "speaker": "Madeline Miller" }, { "id": "cue-480", "start": 3071.761, "end": 3078.228, "text": "The city's own analysis indicates that most building owners would bear these costs directly, with no realistic plan for full subsidy.", "speaker": "Madeline Miller" }, { "id": "cue-481", "start": 3079.046, "end": 3085.369, "text": "These standards could further depress building valuations, which would reduce property tax revenues that fund essential city services.", "speaker": "Madeline Miller" }, { "id": "cue-482", "start": 3085.947, "end": 3091.474, "text": "And implementation and staffing costs would come at a time when the public resources are already very constrained.", "speaker": "Madeline Miller" }, { "id": "cue-483", "start": 3092.229, "end": 3094.847, "text": "These standards also present significant challenges for housing.", "speaker": "Madeline Miller" }, { "id": "cue-484", "start": 3095.185, "end": 3100.92, "text": "The city's analysis shows the cost per unit for older, naturally occurring affordable housing is the highest.", "speaker": "Madeline Miller" }, { "id": "cue-485", "start": 3101.37, "end": 3107.539, "text": "These are properties that are owned by small landlords who lack the financial reserves necessary to absorb major retrofits.", "speaker": "Madeline Miller" }, { "id": "cue-486", "start": 3108.037, "end": 3112.567, "text": "As a result, this could accelerate consolidation in the market and encourage these owners to sell.", "speaker": "Madeline Miller" }, { "id": "cue-487", "start": 3113.242, "end": 3120.639, "text": "The organizations I represent want to work with the city on a policy that advances climate goals without jeopardizing downtown recovery or housing affordability.", "speaker": "Madeline Miller" }, { "id": "cue-488", "start": 3121.18, "end": 3122, "text": "Please engage us further.", "speaker": "Madeline Miller" }, { "id": "cue-489", "start": 3122.258, "end": 3122.644, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Madeline Miller" }, { "id": "cue-490", "start": 3125.074, "end": 3129.564, "text": "Good afternoon, Chair Avalos, members of the committee.", "speaker": "Amy Rathfelder" }, { "id": "cue-491", "start": 3130.3, "end": 3131.974, "text": "Thank you for the opportunity to testify today.", "speaker": "Amy Rathfelder" }, { "id": "cue-492", "start": 3132.445, "end": 3133.518, "text": "My name is Amy Rathfelder.", "speaker": "Amy Rathfelder" }, { "id": "cue-493", "start": 3133.664, "end": 3137.094, "text": "I'm the government community affairs manager for Multnomah County and Northwest Natural.", "speaker": "Amy Rathfelder" }, { "id": "cue-494", "start": 3137.877, "end": 3140.136, "text": "I'm a registered lobbyist and I live in District 4.", "speaker": "Amy Rathfelder" }, { "id": "cue-495", "start": 3141.767, "end": 3149.283, "text": "Over the past several years, Northwest Natural has invested significant time and resources participating in Portland's stakeholder process on building decarbonization.", "speaker": "Amy Rathfelder" }, { "id": "cue-496", "start": 3150.1, "end": 3156.975, "text": "That's why we're concerned that the proposal before you today differs in significant ways from the framework stakeholders have spent years discussing.", "speaker": "Amy Rathfelder" }, { "id": "cue-497", "start": 3157.969, "end": 3165.901, "text": "Many of the policy choices now under consideration were not meaningfully vetted through, through the collaborative process stakeholders were repeatedly told would guide this effort.", "speaker": "Amy Rathfelder" }, { "id": "cue-498", "start": 3166.927, "end": 3173.177, "text": "Throughout that process, participants worked to evaluate implementation approaches, compliance pathways, and potential impacts.", "speaker": "Amy Rathfelder" }, { "id": "cue-499", "start": 3173.835, "end": 3178.931, "text": "Yet major elements of the current proposal have not been fully analyzed or reviewed with affected parties.", "speaker": "Amy Rathfelder" }, { "id": "cue-500", "start": 3180.069, "end": 3182.217, "text": "One example of this is the economic analysis.", "speaker": "Amy Rathfelder" }, { "id": "cue-501", "start": 3182.634, "end": 3187.634, "text": "The Eco Northwest study frequently referenced throughout this process evaluated an earlier version of this policy.", "speaker": "Amy Rathfelder" }, { "id": "cue-502", "start": 3188.355, "end": 3195.455, "text": "Since then, significant requirements have been added, including emissions reduction and efficiency provisions that were not included in that analysis.", "speaker": "Amy Rathfelder" }, { "id": "cue-503", "start": 3196.339, "end": 3206.204, "text": "Before moving forward, council should have the benefit of, of an updated economic information and a clear understanding of potential impacts on building owners' housing costs and investment decisions.", "speaker": "Amy Rathfelder" }, { "id": "cue-504", "start": 3207.506, "end": 3213.885, "text": "We're also concerned about advancing local requirements before Oregon's statewide building and performance standards have been fully implemented.", "speaker": "Amy Rathfelder" }, { "id": "cue-505", "start": 3214.672, "end": 3221.228, "text": "The state has invested years in developing those standards, and regulated entities are already preparing for compliance.", "speaker": "Amy Rathfelder" }, { "id": "cue-506", "start": 3221.276, "end": 3221.453, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Amy Rathfelder" }, { "id": "cue-507", "start": 3221.806, "end": 3226.918, "text": "Portland should evaluate how that framework works in practice before layering on additional local requirements.", "speaker": "Amy Rathfelder" }, { "id": "cue-508", "start": 3227.976, "end": 3233.088, "text": "Climate policy is most effective when it is grounded in collaboration, transparency, and sound analysis.", "speaker": "Amy Rathfelder" }, { "id": "cue-509", "start": 3233.36, "end": 3242.815, "text": "We urge the committee to pause this proposal, allow for updated economic review and stakeholder engagement, and ensure it is aligned with Oregon's existing statewide approach before moving forward.", "speaker": "Amy Rathfelder" }, { "id": "cue-510", "start": 3243.296, "end": 3244.786, "text": "Thank you for your time and consideration.", "speaker": "Amy Rathfelder" }, { "id": "cue-511", "start": 3247.703, "end": 3251.282, "text": "Good afternoon, Chair Avalos, Vice Chair Green, and members of the committee.", "speaker": "Jennifer Yocom" }, { "id": "cue-512", "start": 3251.715, "end": 3256.144, "text": "My name is Jennifer Yocom, and I am the Local Government Affairs Director at Northwest Natural.", "speaker": "Jennifer Yocom" }, { "id": "cue-513", "start": 3256.834, "end": 3259.498, "text": "I'm a resident of District 4 and a registered lobbyist.", "speaker": "Jennifer Yocom" }, { "id": "cue-514", "start": 3260.381, "end": 3268.886, "text": "We believe, we believe climate policies must be practical, resilient, and grounded in the realities of how energy systems operate.", "speaker": "Jennifer Yocom" }, { "id": "cue-515", "start": 3269.993, "end": 3274.005, "text": "That is why I was troubled by a recent conversation with the chair's staff.", "speaker": "Jennifer Yocom" }, { "id": "cue-516", "start": 3274.101, "end": 3274.149, "text": "Yes.", "speaker": "Jennifer Yocom" }, { "id": "cue-517", "start": 3275.092, "end": 3287.416, "text": "When Northwest Natural asked how resilience was evaluated in developing the proposal, we were told that community resilience during winter weather events was, quote, not addressed through this policy.", "speaker": "Jennifer Yocom" }, { "id": "cue-518", "start": 3288.468, "end": 3289.843, "text": "That is not a minor oversight.", "speaker": "Jennifer Yocom" }, { "id": "cue-519", "start": 3290.587, "end": 3291.654, "text": "That is a fundamental flaw.", "speaker": "Jennifer Yocom" }, { "id": "cue-520", "start": 3293.202, "end": 3301.864, "text": "As you consider the proposed climate and health standards, I encourage you to examine how this policy could affect energy resilience and system reliability over the long term.", "speaker": "Jennifer Yocom" }, { "id": "cue-521", "start": 3301.961, "end": 3302.057, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Jennifer Yocom" }, { "id": "cue-522", "start": 3302.286, "end": 3303.407, "text": "And your constituents.", "speaker": "Jennifer Yocom" }, { "id": "cue-523", "start": 3304.289, "end": 3307.557, "text": "Portlanders depend on reliable energy during emergencies.", "speaker": "Jennifer Yocom" }, { "id": "cue-524", "start": 3308.871, "end": 3320.071, "text": "In recent years, Oregonians have experienced severe weather, winter storms, extreme temperatures, wildfire smoke events, and other disruptions that have demonstrated how critical resilient energy systems are.", "speaker": "Jennifer Yocom" }, { "id": "cue-525", "start": 3320.424, "end": 3329.621, "text": "I'd be happy to share my personal experience of sheltering in place for 6 days during 20-degree weather in District 4.", "speaker": "Jennifer Yocom" }, { "id": "cue-526", "start": 3331.536, "end": 3335.044, "text": "During those events, resilience is not an abstract concept.", "speaker": "Jennifer Yocom" }, { "id": "cue-527", "start": 3336.181, "end": 3337.333, "text": "It is a public safety issue.", "speaker": "Jennifer Yocom" }, { "id": "cue-528", "start": 3338.65, "end": 3340.831, "text": "This is one reason energy diversity matters.", "speaker": "Jennifer Yocom" }, { "id": "cue-529", "start": 3342.076, "end": 3355.716, "text": "A resilient energy future, including multiple pathways for reducing emissions— building owners and affordable housing providers, healthcare facilities, schools, and businesses all have different operational needs.", "speaker": "Jennifer Yocom" }, { "id": "cue-530", "start": 3356.822, "end": 3358.196, "text": "And different financial constraints.", "speaker": "Jennifer Yocom" }, { "id": "cue-531", "start": 3358.843, "end": 3365.777, "text": "Maintaining flexibility helps ensure those needs can be met while continuing to make progress toward climate goals.", "speaker": "Jennifer Yocom" }, { "id": "cue-532", "start": 3367.09, "end": 3371.114, "text": "This proposal does not meaningfully evaluate resilience, among many other issues.", "speaker": "Jennifer Yocom" }, { "id": "cue-533", "start": 3371.452, "end": 3371.79, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Jennifer Yocom" }, { "id": "cue-534", "start": 3374.43, "end": 3378.855, "text": "Good afternoon, Chair Avalos, Vice Chair Green, members of the committee.", "speaker": "David Thompson" }, { "id": "cue-535", "start": 3379.456, "end": 3380.948, "text": "For the record, my name is David Thompson.", "speaker": "David Thompson" }, { "id": "cue-536", "start": 3381.062, "end": 3383.366, "text": "I'm the executive director of Multifamily Northwest.", "speaker": "David Thompson" }, { "id": "cue-537", "start": 3383.866, "end": 3390.15, "text": "Multifamily Northwest strongly opposes the proposed climate and health standards in buildings policy as currently drafted.", "speaker": "David Thompson" }, { "id": "cue-538", "start": 3390.711, "end": 3402.013, "text": "It would impose costly, unfunded retrofit mandates on housing providers without any serious accounting of the cost, the feasibility, or consequences to Portland's housing supply.", "speaker": "David Thompson" }, { "id": "cue-539", "start": 3402.574, "end": 3405.027, "text": "First, our concerns with the process.", "speaker": "David Thompson" }, { "id": "cue-540", "start": 3406.309, "end": 3420.102, "text": "For more than 2 years, the city has said And I quote from a BPS letter dated May 2024, no upgrades to buildings will be required as a part of this policy proposal.", "speaker": "David Thompson" }, { "id": "cue-541", "start": 3420.839, "end": 3426.213, "text": "The July 14th policy was the first time that these became a part of the policy.", "speaker": "David Thompson" }, { "id": "cue-542", "start": 3427.159, "end": 3433.847, "text": "On substance, first, the city has not determined what compliance will cost or whether it is feasible.", "speaker": "David Thompson" }, { "id": "cue-543", "start": 3434.778, "end": 3452.375, "text": "The city has often referred to the Eco Northwest study that was not even in existence when this policy was released, and the number of differences between what was in place and studied then and this policy is too numerous to even begin to talk about.", "speaker": "David Thompson" }, { "id": "cue-544", "start": 3453.401, "end": 3458.032, "text": "Third, the policy penalizes housing providers for what they cannot control.", "speaker": "David Thompson" }, { "id": "cue-545", "start": 3458.977, "end": 3465.612, "text": "Compliance is measured on each building's total emissions, including energy residents use, In their own homes.", "speaker": "David Thompson" }, { "id": "cue-546", "start": 3466.028, "end": 3471.604, "text": "Owners cannot dictate how residents heat, cook, or use electricity, yet owners pay the fee.", "speaker": "David Thompson" }, { "id": "cue-547", "start": 3472.534, "end": 3476.043, "text": "Second, the policy creates unfunded mandate for tenant displacement.", "speaker": "David Thompson" }, { "id": "cue-548", "start": 3477.02, "end": 3486.603, "text": "That was raised in our letter in 2024, and we were specifically told by the city that our raising displacement as a part of this was a specious argument.", "speaker": "David Thompson" }, { "id": "cue-549", "start": 3487.26, "end": 3491.009, "text": "Fourth, benchmarking should align with the state policy.", "speaker": "David Thompson" }, { "id": "cue-550", "start": 3491.363, "end": 3494.417, "text": "And finally, the policy works against Portland housing goals.", "speaker": "David Thompson" }, { "id": "cue-551", "start": 3494.514, "end": 3500.874, "text": "The city housing needs analysis calls for about 120,000 homes by 2045.", "speaker": "David Thompson" }, { "id": "cue-552", "start": 3501.488, "end": 3508.104, "text": "As written, this ordinance will divert capital from routine maintenance, push up rents, risk closure of buildings.", "speaker": "David Thompson" }, { "id": "cue-553", "start": 3510.23, "end": 3518.283, "text": "We ask you to take a pause on this policy and work with us so we can help develop a policy that works for all Portlanders.", "speaker": "David Thompson" }, { "id": "cue-554", "start": 3518.718, "end": 3519.009, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-555", "start": 3521.636, "end": 3532.587, "text": "Next is Michele Gila, Samantha Hernandez, Kathryn King, Sarah Heinicke, Michael Meyers.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-556", "start": 3545.784, "end": 3545.992, "text": "Go ahead.", "speaker": "Megan Howard" }, { "id": "cue-557", "start": 3547.467, "end": 3551.282, "text": "Good afternoon, Chair Avalos, Vice Chair Green, and members of the committee.", "speaker": "Samantha Hernandez" }, { "id": "cue-558", "start": 3551.474, "end": 3557.245, "text": "My name is Samantha Hernandez, and I am the advocacy manager at the Coalition of Communities of Color.", "speaker": "Samantha Hernandez" }, { "id": "cue-559", "start": 3558.271, "end": 3567.232, "text": "We appreciate the opportunity to comment on the climate and health standards ordinance proposal, and we strongly urge the committee to vote yes on this important policy.", "speaker": "Samantha Hernandez" }, { "id": "cue-560", "start": 3567.969, "end": 3574.526, "text": "I want to take a moment to uplift the sign-on letter I submitted yesterday on behalf of 28 organizations and businesses.", "speaker": "Samantha Hernandez" }, { "id": "cue-561", "start": 3575.055, "end": 3584.833, "text": "Some signatories include Community Energy Projects, the Oregon League of Conservation Voters, Oregon Business for Climate, and Birdsmouth Design Build, just to name a few.", "speaker": "Samantha Hernandez" }, { "id": "cue-562", "start": 3585.618, "end": 3598.01, "text": "Over the past 6 years, Portland has felt the effects of climate change more acutely than ever, putting the health and well-being of Portlanders at risk, especially low-income residents, communities of color, and energy-burdened households.", "speaker": "Samantha Hernandez" }, { "id": "cue-563", "start": 3598.667, "end": 3607.323, "text": "Historic heat waves, ice storms, and wildfires have highlighted how important our homes and buildings are for keeping people safe, healthy, and comfortable.", "speaker": "Samantha Hernandez" }, { "id": "cue-564", "start": 3607.997, "end": 3615.334, "text": "It's critical that our city take action now to reduce emissions from buildings and improve the health and well-being of those who live and work in them.", "speaker": "Samantha Hernandez" }, { "id": "cue-565", "start": 3615.928, "end": 3620.248, "text": "Other cities have already adopted similar requirements and have seen successful results.", "speaker": "Samantha Hernandez" }, { "id": "cue-566", "start": 3620.328, "end": 3635.969, "text": "For example, New York City's building performance mandate saw strong compliance in its first year, driven by energy efficiency measures such as lighting upgrades, envelope improvements, heat pump installations, and the implementation of building and energy management systems.", "speaker": "Samantha Hernandez" }, { "id": "cue-567", "start": 3636.546, "end": 3652.907, "text": "The climate and health standards will entail similar energy efficiency measures, and these measures not only reduce emissions and utility costs but also increase comfort and safety during extreme weather events, a growing concern as climate-related disasters become more frequent.", "speaker": "Samantha Hernandez" }, { "id": "cue-568", "start": 3653.308, "end": 3660.022, "text": "CCC urges the committee to vote yes on this policy and ordinance shaped by more than 7 years of meaningful community engagement.", "speaker": "Samantha Hernandez" }, { "id": "cue-569", "start": 3660.182, "end": 3662.185, "text": "Thank you so much for the opportunity to testify.", "speaker": "Samantha Hernandez" }, { "id": "cue-570", "start": 3664.928, "end": 3667.543, "text": "Good afternoon, Chair Avalos and members of the committee.", "speaker": "Sarah Heinicke" }, { "id": "cue-571", "start": 3668.121, "end": 3671.843, "text": "I'm Sarah Heinicke, Director of Planning Sustainability for Portland State University.", "speaker": "Sarah Heinicke" }, { "id": "cue-572", "start": 3673.094, "end": 3683.666, "text": "PSU respectfully asks the committee to extend the exemption given to K-12 schools, manufacturing, places of worship, and condominiums to higher education.", "speaker": "Sarah Heinicke" }, { "id": "cue-573", "start": 3684.581, "end": 3691.691, "text": "Public universities face the same fiscal constraints as K-12 schools, And while managing complex energy-intensive buildings.", "speaker": "Sarah Heinicke" }, { "id": "cue-574", "start": 3692.51, "end": 3693.506, "text": "The reason is cost.", "speaker": "Sarah Heinicke" }, { "id": "cue-575", "start": 3694.148, "end": 3705.502, "text": "Our preliminary analysis based on limited details suggests PSU could owe more than $2 million a year, and the city has not published a cost analysis for campus institutions.", "speaker": "Sarah Heinicke" }, { "id": "cue-576", "start": 3706.097, "end": 3715.379, "text": "Funding upgrades is difficult for public university given state bond processes and the unavailability of federal dollars under this administration's changing priorities.", "speaker": "Sarah Heinicke" }, { "id": "cue-577", "start": 3715.8, "end": 3723.6, "text": "PSU's Climate Action Plan targets an 80% emissions reduction by 2030 and a carbon neutrality by 2040.", "speaker": "Sarah Heinicke" }, { "id": "cue-578", "start": 3723.6, "end": 3725.31, "text": "And we are making real progress.", "speaker": "Sarah Heinicke" }, { "id": "cue-579", "start": 3725.9, "end": 3734.7, "text": "Since 2008, we have cut campus emissions from 105,000 to 44,000 metric tons.", "speaker": "Sarah Heinicke" }, { "id": "cue-580", "start": 3734.7, "end": 3740.56, "text": "Since 2012, our direct operational emissions are down nearly 74%.", "speaker": "Sarah Heinicke" }, { "id": "cue-581", "start": 3740.56, "end": 3745.52, "text": "Retrofits and modern facilities have reduced our electricity use by 28% and gas use by 20%.", "speaker": "Sarah Heinicke" }, { "id": "cue-582", "start": 3747.834, "end": 3755.393, "text": "Gas used mainly for heating accounts for just 13% of our total emissions, and our residence halls have no gas cooktops.", "speaker": "Sarah Heinicke" }, { "id": "cue-583", "start": 3757.23, "end": 3768.117, "text": "But PSU is working to close a $35 million deficit, and compliance costs would come from the same operating budget that pays for faculty, staff, and student services.", "speaker": "Sarah Heinicke" }, { "id": "cue-584", "start": 3768.636, "end": 3773.468, "text": "With 80% of that budget going to personnel, that means workforce reductions and tuition increases.", "speaker": "Sarah Heinicke" }, { "id": "cue-585", "start": 3774.243, "end": 3783.01, "text": "Oregon ranks 46th nationally in per-student funding for public universities, leaving little room to absorb an unfunded mandate.", "speaker": "Sarah Heinicke" }, { "id": "cue-586", "start": 3783.7, "end": 3791.038, "text": "If the council is not prepared to exempt higher ed, we urge you to delay the vote until a full public financial analysis is complete.", "speaker": "Sarah Heinicke" }, { "id": "cue-587", "start": 3791.568, "end": 3797.413, "text": "PSU will keep reducing emissions and gladly share data and technical expertise as the city refines its policy.", "speaker": "Sarah Heinicke" }, { "id": "cue-588", "start": 3797.525, "end": 3797.83, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Sarah Heinicke" }, { "id": "cue-589", "start": 3798.039, "end": 3798.312, "text": "Second.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-590", "start": 3805.924, "end": 3807.264, "text": "Diego, I don't know who the others are.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-591", "start": 3808.136, "end": 3812.317, "text": "Once more for Michele Gila, Kathryn King.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-592", "start": 3817.808, "end": 3823.655, "text": "Okay, we'll move on to Michael Meyers, Howard Bell.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-593", "start": 3825.31, "end": 3826.289, "text": "Randall Friesen.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-594", "start": 3827.954, "end": 3829.064, "text": "Brian Owendoff.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-595", "start": 3830.86, "end": 3831.57, "text": "River Scholl.", "speaker": "Diego" }, { "id": "cue-596", "start": 3837.573, "end": 3838.848, "text": "And we have Michael online.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-597", "start": 3839.429, "end": 3840.381, "text": "Feel free to begin when you're ready.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-598", "start": 3841.06, "end": 3841.351, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Michael Meyers" }, { "id": "cue-599", "start": 3841.869, "end": 3844.375, "text": "Good afternoon, Chair Avalos and members of the Housing and Permitting Committee.", "speaker": "Michael Meyers" }, { "id": "cue-600", "start": 3845.167, "end": 3846.202, "text": "My name is Michael Meyers.", "speaker": "Michael Meyers" }, { "id": "cue-601", "start": 3846.25, "end": 3847.98, "text": "I'm an economist with Northwest Natural.", "speaker": "Michael Meyers" }, { "id": "cue-602", "start": 3848.643, "end": 3852.176, "text": "Thank you for the opportunity to testify today on the proposed climate and health standards policy.", "speaker": "Michael Meyers" }, { "id": "cue-603", "start": 3853.573, "end": 3866.103, "text": "Portland is already facing significant economic headwinds, yet the city is considering a policy that could impose new costs and compliance obligations on housing providers, businesses, and building owners without an updated analysis of those impacts.", "speaker": "Michael Meyers" }, { "id": "cue-604", "start": 3867.417, "end": 3879.947, "text": "Oregon's labor market has weakened over the past year, while developers, affordable housing providers, and property owners continue to face high construction costs, financing challenges, rising insurance expenses, and broader economic uncertainty.", "speaker": "Michael Meyers" }, { "id": "cue-605", "start": 3881.295, "end": 3888.679, "text": "In this environment, even relatively modest new costs can influence investment decisions, housing production, and the resources available to support tenants.", "speaker": "Michael Meyers" }, { "id": "cue-606", "start": 3889.627, "end": 3891.858, "text": "That is why updated economic analysis matters.", "speaker": "Michael Meyers" }, { "id": "cue-607", "start": 3892.677, "end": 3898.584, "text": "The proposal before council today differs significantly from the versions previously evaluated during the development process.", "speaker": "Michael Meyers" }, { "id": "cue-608", "start": 3899.355, "end": 3907.237, "text": "The economic analysis that has been cited throughout this discussion was conducted on an earlier proposal, and since then the policy has evolved substantially.", "speaker": "Michael Meyers" }, { "id": "cue-609", "start": 3907.526, "end": 3910.076, "text": "Adding requirements that were not reflected in the original analysis.", "speaker": "Michael Meyers" }, { "id": "cue-610", "start": 3911.311, "end": 3920.277, "text": "Before adopting a policy with potentially significant economic consequences, council should have current information about costs, implementation impacts, and tradeoffs.", "speaker": "Michael Meyers" }, { "id": "cue-611", "start": 3920.999, "end": 3925.634, "text": "Policymakers should not be asked to make decisions of this magnitude based on outdated assumptions.", "speaker": "Michael Meyers" }, { "id": "cue-612", "start": 3926.709, "end": 3931.441, "text": "This concern is particularly important as Oregon's statewide building performance standards are still being implemented.", "speaker": "Michael Meyers" }, { "id": "cue-613", "start": 3932.146, "end": 3940.125, "text": "Building owners, utilities, and regulators are only beginning to understand the real-world real-world costs and operational impacts of those requirements.", "speaker": "Michael Meyers" }, { "id": "cue-614", "start": 3941.539, "end": 3945.41, "text": "Portland should evaluate those outcomes before layering on additional local mandates.", "speaker": "Michael Meyers" }, { "id": "cue-615", "start": 3946.198, "end": 3949.491, "text": "Climate goals and economic realities must be considered together.", "speaker": "Michael Meyers" }, { "id": "cue-616", "start": 3950.23, "end": 3955.034, "text": "Strong policy requires current data, rigorous analysis, and meaningful stakeholder engagement.", "speaker": "Michael Meyers" }, { "id": "cue-617", "start": 3955.773, "end": 3962.552, "text": "We urge the committee to pause this proposal until updated economic analysis has been completed and these questions have been fully addressed.", "speaker": "Michael Meyers" }, { "id": "cue-618", "start": 3962.601, "end": 3962.697, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Michael Meyers" }, { "id": "cue-619", "start": 3963.174, "end": 3964.467, "text": "Thank you for your time and consideration.", "speaker": "Michael Meyers" }, { "id": "cue-620", "start": 3971.11, "end": 3972.505, "text": "We have Howard Bell online.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-621", "start": 3974.89, "end": 3976.596, "text": "Howard, feel free to unmute and begin when you're ready.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-622", "start": 3977.417, "end": 3977.642, "text": "I got it.", "speaker": "Howard Bell" }, { "id": "cue-623", "start": 3977.723, "end": 3978.125, "text": "Can you hear me?", "speaker": "Howard Bell" }, { "id": "cue-624", "start": 3979.51, "end": 3980.412, "text": "We can hear you.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-625", "start": 3980.556, "end": 3981.104, "text": "All right, great.", "speaker": "Howard Bell" }, { "id": "cue-626", "start": 3981.184, "end": 3984.84, "text": "Thank you, Chair Avalos, members of the committee.", "speaker": "Howard Bell" }, { "id": "cue-627", "start": 3984.888, "end": 3985.811, "text": "I appreciate all of you.", "speaker": "Howard Bell" }, { "id": "cue-628", "start": 3986.522, "end": 3987.364, "text": "My name is Howard Bell.", "speaker": "Howard Bell" }, { "id": "cue-629", "start": 3987.493, "end": 3992.815, "text": "I serve as executive officer and executive secretary Treasurer, BOPU Local 11.", "speaker": "Howard Bell" }, { "id": "cue-630", "start": 3993.874, "end": 4001.314, "text": "I represent working men and women whose careers and retirement security depend on Oregon's energy, construction, and service industries.", "speaker": "Howard Bell" }, { "id": "cue-631", "start": 4002.068, "end": 4016.869, "text": "I support reducing emissions and protecting public health, but this ordinance commits Portland to an aggressive building decarbonization policy without adequately demonstrating that it is affordable, reliable, or achievable.", "speaker": "Howard Bell" }, { "id": "cue-632", "start": 4018.167, "end": 4021.356, "text": "Electrification does not automatically create more jobs.", "speaker": "Howard Bell" }, { "id": "cue-633", "start": 4022.205, "end": 4030.298, "text": "It can shift work and investment away from existing energy infrastructure and the skilled workers who build, maintain, and operate it.", "speaker": "Howard Bell" }, { "id": "cue-634", "start": 4031.628, "end": 4038.984, "text": "Why should Portland choose a policy that could eliminate family-wage careers without a credible plan for the workers affected?", "speaker": "Howard Bell" }, { "id": "cue-635", "start": 4040.057, "end": 4058.613, "text": "Our Northwest Natural Collective bargaining agreement covers pipeline welders and fabricators, construction equipment operators, field engineering technicians, system operations and gas storage employees, GIS technicians, customer service representatives, accountants, and administrative support staff.", "speaker": "Howard Bell" }, { "id": "cue-636", "start": 4059.159, "end": 4064.522, "text": "These are real people with families, healthcare, and retirement security at stake.", "speaker": "Howard Bell" }, { "id": "cue-637", "start": 4065.261, "end": 4066.642, "text": "Let technology compete.", "speaker": "Howard Bell" }, { "id": "cue-638", "start": 4067.894, "end": 4075.551, "text": "Evaluate heat pumps, hybrid systems, district energy, Thermal storage, renewable natural gas, and hydrogen where technically appropriate.", "speaker": "Howard Bell" }, { "id": "cue-639", "start": 4076.177, "end": 4085.502, "text": "Learn from Denmark and Northern Europe, where integrated energy systems, district heating, and industrial waste heat demonstrate the value of diverse energy portfolio.", "speaker": "Howard Bell" }, { "id": "cue-640", "start": 4086.063, "end": 4096.769, "text": "Our existing gas pipelines are energy, energy infrastructure, and their potential role in developing, delivering low-carbon energy deserves serious evaluation.", "speaker": "Howard Bell" }, { "id": "cue-641", "start": 4096.833, "end": 4096.929, "text": "Second.", "speaker": "Howard Bell" }, { "id": "cue-642", "start": 4097.925, "end": 4108.98, "text": "Finally, where are the transparent annual measurements of emissions reductions, energy costs, housing impacts, grid reliability, and job losses or gains?", "speaker": "Howard Bell" }, { "id": "cue-643", "start": 4109.237, "end": 4117.239, "text": "I urge the committee to reconsider a one-pathway mandate and adopt a technology-neutral, measurable, and workforce-centered approach.", "speaker": "Howard Bell" }, { "id": "cue-644", "start": 4118.155, "end": 4124.47, "text": "We can reduce emissions without treating working families and reliable energy infrastructure As collateral damage.", "speaker": "Howard Bell" }, { "id": "cue-645", "start": 4124.616, "end": 4124.958, "text": "And I, I—.", "speaker": "Howard Bell" }, { "id": "cue-646", "start": 4125.104, "end": 4125.966, "text": "Thank you, Howard.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-647", "start": 4126.551, "end": 4127.071, "text": "Thank you, Howard.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-648", "start": 4127.136, "end": 4128.534, "text": "You are 30 seconds over.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-649", "start": 4128.599, "end": 4129.314, "text": "Wrap up your thought.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-650", "start": 4131.653, "end": 4132.995, "text": "Oh, okay, never mind.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-651", "start": 4134.84, "end": 4135.402, "text": "Thank you, Howard.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-652", "start": 4135.45, "end": 4136.27, "text": "We have to move on.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-653", "start": 4137.283, "end": 4138.729, "text": "Go ahead, Diego, call the next person.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-654", "start": 4139.035, "end": 4140.064, "text": "We have Randall online.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-655", "start": 4141.06, "end": 4142.748, "text": "Oh, sorry, would you like—.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-656", "start": 4142.748, "end": 4143.278, "text": "Am I still on?", "speaker": "Howard Bell" }, { "id": "cue-657", "start": 4144.06, "end": 4144.901, "text": "Go ahead and wrap your thought.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-658", "start": 4146.7, "end": 4148.084, "text": "I'll give you 10 seconds to wrap up your thought.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-659", "start": 4148.381, "end": 4149.222, "text": "Yes, go ahead.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-660", "start": 4150.756, "end": 4152.774, "text": "Uh, it looks like Council Chambers is muted.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-661", "start": 4154.001, "end": 4156.099, "text": "One second.", "speaker": "David Thompson" }, { "id": "cue-662", "start": 4162.088, "end": 4163.744, "text": "It looks like the council is muted.", "speaker": "Randall Friesen" }, { "id": "cue-663", "start": 4164.669, "end": 4165.691, "text": "Yes, we are working on that.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-664", "start": 4165.805, "end": 4166.567, "text": "Okay, can you hear us now?", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-665", "start": 4167.509, "end": 4169.391, "text": "Yeah, this is Randall Friesen with the Columbia Pacific.", "speaker": "Randall Friesen" }, { "id": "cue-666", "start": 4169.44, "end": 4169.765, "text": "Can I go?", "speaker": "Randall Friesen" }, { "id": "cue-667", "start": 4170.88, "end": 4171.32, "text": "One second.", "speaker": "Megan Howard" }, { "id": "cue-668", "start": 4172.137, "end": 4174.555, "text": "Okay, Diego, are we good?", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-669", "start": 4176.69, "end": 4177.143, "text": "I believe so.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-670", "start": 4177.24, "end": 4178.227, "text": "Can you still hear us, Howard?", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-671", "start": 4181.51, "end": 4182.206, "text": "All right, let's just keep going.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-672", "start": 4182.741, "end": 4183.826, "text": "Uh, call whoever's next.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-673", "start": 4185.332, "end": 4187, "text": "Uh, Randall, I believe you are up next.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-674", "start": 4187.13, "end": 4187.956, "text": "Okay, go ahead, Randall.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-675", "start": 4188.59, "end": 4189.185, "text": "All right, thank you.", "speaker": "Randall Friesen" }, { "id": "cue-676", "start": 4189.572, "end": 4190.763, "text": "Uh, this is Randall Friesen.", "speaker": "Randall Friesen" }, { "id": "cue-677", "start": 4190.876, "end": 4195.32, "text": "For the record, I'm the executive director for the Columbia Pacific Building Trades Council.", "speaker": "Randall Friesen" }, { "id": "cue-678", "start": 4195.867, "end": 4203.391, "text": "We represent 22 building trades unions made up of over 20,000 skilled trades members in the Portland metro and Southwest Washington region.", "speaker": "Randall Friesen" }, { "id": "cue-679", "start": 4203.97, "end": 4207.889, "text": "Our members build and maintain the energy infrastructure and buildings that serve this community.", "speaker": "Randall Friesen" }, { "id": "cue-680", "start": 4208.548, "end": 4216.597, "text": "While we support practical efforts to reduce emissions and improve building performance, this proposal raises serious concerns because of the process used to develop it.", "speaker": "Randall Friesen" }, { "id": "cue-681", "start": 4217.079, "end": 4220.035, "text": "Simply put, the city is moving faster than the facts.", "speaker": "Randall Friesen" }, { "id": "cue-682", "start": 4220.677, "end": 4227.537, "text": "Many workers, contractors, housing providers, and property owners who must implement this policy were not meaningfully engaged.", "speaker": "Randall Friesen" }, { "id": "cue-683", "start": 4227.762, "end": 4235.186, "text": "Until very recently, council is being asked to advance a policy that still lacks clarity on 2 critical issues.", "speaker": "Randall Friesen" }, { "id": "cue-684", "start": 4235.779, "end": 4240.558, "text": "Before moving forward, council should complete and publish an updated impact analysis.", "speaker": "Randall Friesen" }, { "id": "cue-685", "start": 4241.311, "end": 4252.103, "text": "The policy has changed significantly, yet updated information regarding affordability, compliance obligations, and broader economic effects has not been made available for public review.", "speaker": "Randall Friesen" }, { "id": "cue-686", "start": 4252.84, "end": 4255.149, "text": "Good policy requires good information.", "speaker": "Randall Friesen" }, { "id": "cue-687", "start": 4256.464, "end": 4262.576, "text": "Council must also ensure any local requirements are fully coordinated with Oregon's Building Performance Standards Program.", "speaker": "Randall Friesen" }, { "id": "cue-688", "start": 4263.266, "end": 4270.388, "text": "The city should avoid creating an additional layer of regulation that increases confusion, duplication, and compliance burdens.", "speaker": "Randall Friesen" }, { "id": "cue-689", "start": 4270.965, "end": 4277.735, "text": "From a workforce perspective, regulatory certainty matters for training, staffing, and project delivery.", "speaker": "Randall Friesen" }, { "id": "cue-690", "start": 4278.44, "end": 4285.605, "text": "The broad coalition submitting testimony today represents tens of thousands of workers, Employers, associations, and residents.", "speaker": "Randall Friesen" }, { "id": "cue-691", "start": 4286.205, "end": 4298.741, "text": "Together, we are asking the city to pause, complete the necessary analysis, engage affected stakeholders, and evaluate how this interacts with state requirements before imposing additional local mandates.", "speaker": "Randall Friesen" }, { "id": "cue-692", "start": 4299.451, "end": 4300.969, "text": "Thank you for your time and consideration.", "speaker": "Randall Friesen" }, { "id": "cue-693", "start": 4305.178, "end": 4306.423, "text": "Brian Owendoff, District 4.", "speaker": "Brian Owendoff" }, { "id": "cue-694", "start": 4307.038, "end": 4318.514, "text": "This rushed and poorly written ordinance risks increasing construction and operating costs, adding red tape, discouraging investment, That's not climate leadership, it's economic self-sabotage.", "speaker": "Brian Owendoff" }, { "id": "cue-695", "start": 4319.044, "end": 4323.96, "text": "The ordinance makes no consideration of measures already taken by property owners to reduce consumption and carbon emissions.", "speaker": "Brian Owendoff" }, { "id": "cue-696", "start": 4324.008, "end": 4332.667, "text": "Regardless of whether a building is already certified as LEED Platinum, there still must be a 20% reduction in carbon emissions every 5 years, or there will be a significant penalty.", "speaker": "Brian Owendoff" }, { "id": "cue-697", "start": 4333.02, "end": 4340.346, "text": "The cost will fall heaviest on precisely the older, lower-rent housing that Portland's housing supply and affordability crisis can least afford to lose.", "speaker": "Brian Owendoff" }, { "id": "cue-698", "start": 4340.394, "end": 4340.635, "text": "Second.", "speaker": "Brian Owendoff" }, { "id": "cue-699", "start": 4341.518, "end": 4347.811, "text": "Where tenants hold a utility account directly, the building owner has no ability to elect an energy product with lower emissions on the tenant's behalf.", "speaker": "Brian Owendoff" }, { "id": "cue-700", "start": 4348.116, "end": 4354.986, "text": "Despite this, the draft ordinance assigns compliance obligation associated with penalty exposure to the owner on something they don't even control.", "speaker": "Brian Owendoff" }, { "id": "cue-701", "start": 4355.163, "end": 4355.789, "text": "That's insane.", "speaker": "Brian Owendoff" }, { "id": "cue-702", "start": 4357.089, "end": 4364.169, "text": "Adding another expensive building mandate will not bring employers downtown, fill vacant offices, increase retail foot traffic, or restore investor confidence.", "speaker": "Brian Owendoff" }, { "id": "cue-703", "start": 4365.196, "end": 4367.652, "text": "After 30 years in commercial real estate, I can tell you this.", "speaker": "Brian Owendoff" }, { "id": "cue-704", "start": 4369.448, "end": 4371.436, "text": "You cannot regulate your way into prosperity.", "speaker": "Brian Owendoff" }, { "id": "cue-705", "start": 4371.612, "end": 4374.241, "text": "You cannot mandate a thriving downtown into existence.", "speaker": "Brian Owendoff" }, { "id": "cue-706", "start": 4374.674, "end": 4378.168, "text": "Instead, council continues to spend time on symbolic policies.", "speaker": "Brian Owendoff" }, { "id": "cue-707", "start": 4379.001, "end": 4385.493, "text": "There's a famous line in the 2008 comedy movie Tropic Thunder that says, never go full-on retard.", "speaker": "Brian Owendoff" }, { "id": "cue-708", "start": 4385.717, "end": 4388.266, "text": "This legislation, as it is currently drafted—.", "speaker": "Brian Owendoff" }, { "id": "cue-709", "start": 4388.266, "end": 4390.799, "text": "Excuse me, we do not allow that kind of language in here.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-710", "start": 4390.943, "end": 4391.904, "text": "I'm going to have you wrap up.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-711", "start": 4392.081, "end": 4395.671, "text": "Poorly— this is a poorly thought-out rush job, just like the Fair Share Act.", "speaker": "Brian Owendoff" }, { "id": "cue-712", "start": 4395.929, "end": 4397.058, "text": "All right, your time is up.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-713", "start": 4397.107, "end": 4401.851, "text": "Hit pause and bring the stakeholders to the table, not just another ideologically aligned—.", "speaker": "Brian Owendoff" }, { "id": "cue-714", "start": 4401.964, "end": 4402.69, "text": "Your time is up.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-715", "start": 4402.771, "end": 4404.724, "text": "We do not appreciate those words in this chamber.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-716", "start": 4405.047, "end": 4405.369, "text": "Please leave.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-717", "start": 4405.579, "end": 4405.886, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-718", "start": 4406.725, "end": 4410.549, "text": "Next up, we have River online.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-719", "start": 4411, "end": 4412.146, "text": "River, you may begin when you're ready.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-720", "start": 4413.961, "end": 4413.993, "text": "Hi.", "speaker": "Howard Bell" }, { "id": "cue-721", "start": 4414.058, "end": 4423.074, "text": "Um, yeah, first off, uh, good afternoon, Chair Avalos, and thank you as a member of the disability community for, uh, calling that out.", "speaker": "Russell Chide" }, { "id": "cue-722", "start": 4423.267, "end": 4425.622, "text": "Uh, that was Rocking.", "speaker": "Russell Chide" }, { "id": "cue-723", "start": 4425.898, "end": 4427.161, "text": "Anyway, moving on.", "speaker": "Russell Chide" }, { "id": "cue-724", "start": 4428.651, "end": 4430.092, "text": "My name is Russell Chide.", "speaker": "Russell Chide" }, { "id": "cue-725", "start": 4431.145, "end": 4439.294, "text": "I am a person with disabilities, and I have lived in low-income housing pretty much my entire adult life and still do.", "speaker": "Russell Chide" }, { "id": "cue-726", "start": 4441.94, "end": 4449.666, "text": "I really appreciate these measures, and I just see a very small gap that I think can be relatively easily fixed.", "speaker": "Russell Chide" }, { "id": "cue-727", "start": 4450.296, "end": 4480.226, "text": "Um, when it comes to the policy talking about standards that will provide access and climate information for prospective tenants, I ask as a member of Habitat for Humanity community and a low-income housing owner that it also be provided to potential homeowners so that low-income homeowners particularly know what they're getting into and whether or not they can afford what that energy costs will be as we are trying to expand low-income homeownership, I hope.", "speaker": "Russell Chide" }, { "id": "cue-728", "start": 4480.29, "end": 4480.419, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Russell Chide" }, { "id": "cue-729", "start": 4481.236, "end": 4482.021, "text": "That should be included.", "speaker": "Russell Chide" }, { "id": "cue-730", "start": 4482.518, "end": 4489.985, "text": "The other part is the cost not being passed on to residential tenants, and that displacement must be impacted.", "speaker": "Russell Chide" }, { "id": "cue-731", "start": 4490.369, "end": 4501.89, "text": "When it comes to things like townhomes and condos, there are plenty of low-income housing people living in those that could not afford that displacement but are not covered by this policy.", "speaker": "Russell Chide" }, { "id": "cue-732", "start": 4502.387, "end": 4507.819, "text": "So we are asking for some sort of like support for the low-income homeowners.", "speaker": "Russell Chide" }, { "id": "cue-733", "start": 4507.947, "end": 4508.091, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Russell Chide" }, { "id": "cue-734", "start": 4508.476, "end": 4510.212, "text": "Condo owners, townhome owners as well.", "speaker": "Russell Chide" }, { "id": "cue-735", "start": 4511.128, "end": 4521.058, "text": "Um, so last, I do just want to speak on something that was spoke on earlier from Lacey Sutton.", "speaker": "Russell Chide" }, { "id": "cue-736", "start": 4521.106, "end": 4522.456, "text": "And I say this with love and respect.", "speaker": "Russell Chide" }, { "id": "cue-737", "start": 4522.552, "end": 4523.324, "text": "I adore you guys.", "speaker": "Russell Chide" }, { "id": "cue-738", "start": 4524.465, "end": 4532.804, "text": "If that tree is not taken care of by the city council and/or Habitat for Humanity and people die, the blood will not be on Lacey's hands.", "speaker": "Russell Chide" }, { "id": "cue-739", "start": 4533.061, "end": 4533.688, "text": "It will be on yours.", "speaker": "Russell Chide" }, { "id": "cue-740", "start": 4533.736, "end": 4533.929, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Russell Chide" }, { "id": "cue-741", "start": 4534.123, "end": 4535.91, "text": "And I am sorry to say it that way, but it is true.", "speaker": "Russell Chide" }, { "id": "cue-742", "start": 4537.29, "end": 4538.475, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-743", "start": 4540.619, "end": 4551.917, "text": "Next up we have Kellye Dundon, Jim Marquard, Brad Archuleta, Megan Howard, Carra Sahler.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-744", "start": 4563.397, "end": 4567.923, "text": "Do you want to go first?", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-745", "start": 4568.279, "end": 4568.798, "text": "Do you want to go first?", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-746", "start": 4569.649, "end": 4570.939, "text": "I'm not sure who goes first.", "speaker": "Jim Marquard" }, { "id": "cue-747", "start": 4571.165, "end": 4572.439, "text": "Okay, I can just go.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-748", "start": 4572.633, "end": 4573.311, "text": "Does it matter who goes?", "speaker": "Megan Howard" }, { "id": "cue-749", "start": 4574.311, "end": 4578.957, "text": "Okay, can you just call the person if you could, just to help me so that there's less confusion?", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-750", "start": 4579.054, "end": 4580.298, "text": "Just call the next person when they're up.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-751", "start": 4580.605, "end": 4580.944, "text": "Certainly.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-752", "start": 4581.397, "end": 4582.173, "text": "Uh, first up, Jim.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-753", "start": 4584.08, "end": 4585.81, "text": "Okay, good afternoon.", "speaker": "Jim Marquard" }, { "id": "cue-754", "start": 4585.858, "end": 4587.248, "text": "My name is Jim Marquard.", "speaker": "Jim Marquard" }, { "id": "cue-755", "start": 4587.329, "end": 4591.386, "text": "I'm a partial owner of 2 older 1920 Portland brickers.", "speaker": "Jim Marquard" }, { "id": "cue-756", "start": 4592.445, "end": 4595.494, "text": "One is in Northwest and the other is close in Southeast.", "speaker": "Jim Marquard" }, { "id": "cue-757", "start": 4596.233, "end": 4599.988, "text": "I'm retired at this point and the buildings are a primary income source.", "speaker": "Jim Marquard" }, { "id": "cue-758", "start": 4600.325, "end": 4609.12, "text": "Regarding the climate and health standards, I have reservations about the current requirements, and so today I testify in opposition.", "speaker": "Jim Marquard" }, { "id": "cue-759", "start": 4609.955, "end": 4612.635, "text": "Climate crisis, it's real, it's here.", "speaker": "Jim Marquard" }, { "id": "cue-760", "start": 4613.245, "end": 4614.978, "text": "Earthquakes pending.", "speaker": "Jim Marquard" }, { "id": "cue-761", "start": 4615.492, "end": 4621.512, "text": "Housing shortages and shortfall of city finances are all major issues for Portland.", "speaker": "Jim Marquard" }, { "id": "cue-762", "start": 4622.173, "end": 4625.176, "text": "They're interrelated and they all need to be addressed.", "speaker": "Jim Marquard" }, { "id": "cue-763", "start": 4626.048, "end": 4627.566, "text": "There's the— there's the problem.", "speaker": "Jim Marquard" }, { "id": "cue-764", "start": 4628.083, "end": 4633.075, "text": "This may not sound right, but sometimes pausing makes sense to get the response as good as possible.", "speaker": "Jim Marquard" }, { "id": "cue-765", "start": 4633.72, "end": 4637.427, "text": "Let's take a step back and bring all the stakeholders together.", "speaker": "Jim Marquard" }, { "id": "cue-766", "start": 4639.436, "end": 4641.913, "text": "Earthquakes posing a real danger to Portland.", "speaker": "Jim Marquard" }, { "id": "cue-767", "start": 4642.378, "end": 4648.217, "text": "Seismic upgrades are needed to help save lives and protect Portland's affordable housing stock.", "speaker": "Jim Marquard" }, { "id": "cue-768", "start": 4648.955, "end": 4655.483, "text": "So whatever the city approves regarding structures will also apply to the city's older buildings.", "speaker": "Jim Marquard" }, { "id": "cue-769", "start": 4656.879, "end": 4661.419, "text": "Remember what happened not long ago when the city mandated URM upgrades?", "speaker": "Jim Marquard" }, { "id": "cue-770", "start": 4662.718, "end": 4669.407, "text": "That did not go according to plan once the city looked fully at the costs involved and the liability involved.", "speaker": "Jim Marquard" }, { "id": "cue-771", "start": 4670.032, "end": 4671.538, "text": "Let's not repeat that.", "speaker": "Jim Marquard" }, { "id": "cue-772", "start": 4672.756, "end": 4679.854, "text": "I have worked to make my apartment buildings more energy efficient, comfortable to live in, and it's simply the right thing to be doing.", "speaker": "Jim Marquard" }, { "id": "cue-773", "start": 4680.351, "end": 4685.783, "text": "I recently replaced all the windows in one building, investing $500,000 for that upgrade.", "speaker": "Jim Marquard" }, { "id": "cue-774", "start": 4686.696, "end": 4693.153, "text": "Would this mean that I would have a harder time to hit in terms of reaching the required efficiency goals?", "speaker": "Jim Marquard" }, { "id": "cue-775", "start": 4694.227, "end": 4697.399, "text": "I would suggest again to slow down and consider the implications.", "speaker": "Jim Marquard" }, { "id": "cue-776", "start": 4697.976, "end": 4702.261, "text": "What is being proposed amounts to unfunded mandates to make this work.", "speaker": "Jim Marquard" }, { "id": "cue-777", "start": 4702.325, "end": 4707.38, "text": "Get the funding side of it in place first, then apply requirements.", "speaker": "Jim Marquard" }, { "id": "cue-778", "start": 4708.182, "end": 4713.526, "text": "Portland needs its older buildings as part of the city's character and to retain needed housing.", "speaker": "Jim Marquard" }, { "id": "cue-779", "start": 4714.377, "end": 4721.502, "text": "Do not gloss over the negative effects of proposed legislation that will have on the tenants involved.", "speaker": "Jim Marquard" }, { "id": "cue-780", "start": 4722.609, "end": 4723.251, "text": "And thank you.", "speaker": "Jim Marquard" }, { "id": "cue-781", "start": 4723.443, "end": 4724.503, "text": "I appreciate your time today.", "speaker": "Jim Marquard" }, { "id": "cue-782", "start": 4724.551, "end": 4724.679, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Ann Turner" }, { "id": "cue-783", "start": 4726.495, "end": 4727.529, "text": "Next up is Kelly.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-784", "start": 4727.709, "end": 4728.432, "text": "Kelly's online.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-785", "start": 4729.203, "end": 4730.205, "text": "You may begin when you're ready.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-786", "start": 4733, "end": 4735.249, "text": "Good afternoon, Chair Avalos and members of the committee.", "speaker": "Kelly Dundon" }, { "id": "cue-787", "start": 4735.667, "end": 4737.483, "text": "Thank you for the opportunity to provide comment.", "speaker": "Kelly Dundon" }, { "id": "cue-788", "start": 4737.676, "end": 4738.865, "text": "My name is Kelly Dundon.", "speaker": "Kelly Dundon" }, { "id": "cue-789", "start": 4739.122, "end": 4745.708, "text": "I'm the environmental policy manager at Northwest Natural, where I oversee our greenhouse gas reporting, among other responsibilities.", "speaker": "Kelly Dundon" }, { "id": "cue-790", "start": 4745.934, "end": 4749.694, "text": "Northwest Natural takes emission reporting and reduction seriously.", "speaker": "Kelly Dundon" }, { "id": "cue-791", "start": 4750.162, "end": 4762.208, "text": "We've invested significantly in reducing emissions through energy efficiency, pipeline replacement, Purchasing gas from lower-emitting producers, renewable natural gas, and our voluntary smart energy program.", "speaker": "Kelly Dundon" }, { "id": "cue-792", "start": 4762.979, "end": 4775.132, "text": "At the October 6th committee meeting, the chief sustainability officer at the city described natural gas as an outlier fuel, noting that it was the only major fuel source with increasing emissions and used it as justification for this policy proposal.", "speaker": "Kelly Dundon" }, { "id": "cue-793", "start": 4775.838, "end": 4778.311, "text": "But this characterization overlooks important progress.", "speaker": "Kelly Dundon" }, { "id": "cue-794", "start": 4778.487, "end": 4785.198, "text": "Between 1990 and 2024, emissions per Northwest Natural residential customer decreased by approximately 27%.", "speaker": "Kelly Dundon" }, { "id": "cue-795", "start": 4785.952, "end": 4790.815, "text": "While total emissions have increased, the efficiency of direct natural gas use has improved substantially.", "speaker": "Kelly Dundon" }, { "id": "cue-796", "start": 4791.553, "end": 4793.992, "text": "It's also important to consider the entire energy system.", "speaker": "Kelly Dundon" }, { "id": "cue-797", "start": 4794.618, "end": 4800.844, "text": "Much of the electric sector's emissions reductions have resulted— have been the result of replacing coal generation with natural gas.", "speaker": "Kelly Dundon" }, { "id": "cue-798", "start": 4802.063, "end": 4812.574, "text": "Since 2000, natural gas use for electricity in Oregon has increased 128%, while direct natural gas use for residential customers has only increased 9%.", "speaker": "Kelly Dundon" }, { "id": "cue-799", "start": 4813.632, "end": 4818.328, "text": "The proposed policy does not adequately reflect the realities of our energy system.", "speaker": "Kelly Dundon" }, { "id": "cue-800", "start": 4818.6, "end": 4827.622, "text": "It risks requiring costly building retrofits while shifting emissions and energy demand from one system to another, including increasing regional peak electricity needs.", "speaker": "Kelly Dundon" }, { "id": "cue-801", "start": 4828.616, "end": 4838.535, "text": "In case there's any confusion, I also want to make this committee aware that Northwest Natural already offers a service for renters to call us and receive information about potential energy costs.", "speaker": "Kelly Dundon" }, { "id": "cue-802", "start": 4839.298, "end": 4850.308, "text": "I urge the city to reconsider this proposal and ensure that its policies reflect the realities of our energy system and fully account for the emissions and reliability impacts of shifting energy between systems.", "speaker": "Kelly Dundon" }, { "id": "cue-803", "start": 4850.357, "end": 4851.231, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Kelly Dundon" }, { "id": "cue-804", "start": 4853.094, "end": 4853.952, "text": "Brad is online.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-805", "start": 4854.211, "end": 4855.458, "text": "You may begin when you're ready, Brad.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-806", "start": 4856.155, "end": 4856.43, "text": "Thanks.", "speaker": "Howard Bell" }, { "id": "cue-807", "start": 4856.495, "end": 4856.9, "text": "Can you hear me?", "speaker": "Brad Archuleta" }, { "id": "cue-808", "start": 4858.772, "end": 4858.885, "text": "Yes.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-809", "start": 4859.399, "end": 4859.897, "text": "Hi.", "speaker": "Brad Archuleta" }, { "id": "cue-810", "start": 4860.701, "end": 4861.279, "text": "Hi, councilors.", "speaker": "Brad Archuleta" }, { "id": "cue-811", "start": 4861.488, "end": 4863.448, "text": "Um, thank you for the opportunity to testify.", "speaker": "Brad Archuleta" }, { "id": "cue-812", "start": 4863.513, "end": 4867.61, "text": "My name is Brad Archuleta, rank and file member of Local 290 Plumbers, Steamfitters, and HVACR.", "speaker": "Brad Archuleta" }, { "id": "cue-813", "start": 4868.426, "end": 4875.206, "text": "UA290 joined a coalition representing tens of thousands of workers, employers, housing providers, community organizations, and more.", "speaker": "Brad Archuleta" }, { "id": "cue-814", "start": 4875.959, "end": 4878.011, "text": "We're urging you to pause this proposal.", "speaker": "Brad Archuleta" }, { "id": "cue-815", "start": 4878.524, "end": 4879.87, "text": "I want to focus on 2 issues.", "speaker": "Brad Archuleta" }, { "id": "cue-816", "start": 4880.062, "end": 4890, "text": "First, more coordination with State of Oregon is needed, whether through the Oregon Department of Energy Building Performance Standards Program, the Public Utility Commission, or DEQ.", "speaker": "Brad Archuleta" }, { "id": "cue-817", "start": 4890.641, "end": 4896.603, "text": "The city should align with existing state efforts, not create a new and separate schedule for decarbonization.", "speaker": "Brad Archuleta" }, { "id": "cue-818", "start": 4897.068, "end": 4909.682, "text": "Sound key— second key assumptions in the proposal do not align with current utility filings and recent reporting, particularly the assumption that electricity will be clean, available, and affordable by the proposed deadlines.", "speaker": "Brad Archuleta" }, { "id": "cue-819", "start": 4910.195, "end": 4916.543, "text": "Pacific Power's recent filings raise significant concerns about costs that have not been reflected in the city's analysis.", "speaker": "Brad Archuleta" }, { "id": "cue-820", "start": 4917.088, "end": 4924.829, "text": "The utility project's annual electricity rate increases ranging from 10% to 140% to comply with the state's climate mandates.", "speaker": "Brad Archuleta" }, { "id": "cue-821", "start": 4925.182, "end": 4927.621, "text": "That's 10 to 140% each year.", "speaker": "Brad Archuleta" }, { "id": "cue-822", "start": 4928.15, "end": 4932.546, "text": "PG also has raised doubts that meeting Oregon's 2030 clean energy mandates.", "speaker": "Brad Archuleta" }, { "id": "cue-823", "start": 4933.027, "end": 4945.829, "text": "In a filing released last week, the company stated it would need to add nearly 7 gigawatts of renewable generation in just 4 years, roughly double the capacity of the Pacific power plants it owns today.", "speaker": "Brad Archuleta" }, { "id": "cue-824", "start": 4946.663, "end": 4956.602, "text": "PG warned that adding the unprecedented amount of renewable energy while maintaining reliability and affordability poses clear execution challenges.", "speaker": "Brad Archuleta" }, { "id": "cue-825", "start": 4957.18, "end": 4959.928, "text": "All of this is before addressing another major concern.", "speaker": "Brad Archuleta" }, { "id": "cue-826", "start": 4959.992, "end": 4966.236, "text": "The city has not fully evaluated the true cost of this proposal and what other city programs would cut to pay for staffing.", "speaker": "Brad Archuleta" }, { "id": "cue-827", "start": 4966.688, "end": 4970.257, "text": "As a union member and building trades leader, I urge you to pause this proposal.", "speaker": "Brad Archuleta" }, { "id": "cue-828", "start": 4970.677, "end": 4971.602, "text": "Thank you for the time today.", "speaker": "Brad Archuleta" }, { "id": "cue-829", "start": 4974.341, "end": 4975.214, "text": "Megan, you may begin.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-830", "start": 4975.958, "end": 4976.136, "text": "Great.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-831", "start": 4976.847, "end": 4979.418, "text": "Hi, Chair Avalos, Vice Chair Green, and members of the committee.", "speaker": "Megan Howard" }, { "id": "cue-832", "start": 4979.758, "end": 4981.359, "text": "Uh, thank you for the opportunity to testify.", "speaker": "Megan Howard" }, { "id": "cue-833", "start": 4981.948, "end": 4982.974, "text": "My name is Megan Howard.", "speaker": "Megan Howard" }, { "id": "cue-834", "start": 4983.054, "end": 4983.887, "text": "It's nice to meet you.", "speaker": "Megan Howard" }, { "id": "cue-835", "start": 4984.256, "end": 4988.232, "text": "I am a second-generation owner, developer, and housing provider here in Portland.", "speaker": "Megan Howard" }, { "id": "cue-836", "start": 4988.985, "end": 4994.836, "text": "Climate change affects all of us, and as a lifelong Oregonian, I support cleaner, healthier, and more energy-efficient buildings.", "speaker": "Megan Howard" }, { "id": "cue-837", "start": 4995.317, "end": 4999.164, "text": "But I believe Portland's climate, housing, and affordability goals need to work together.", "speaker": "Megan Howard" }, { "id": "cue-838", "start": 4999.805, "end": 5002.819, "text": "One of our apartment communities began welcoming residents in 2020.", "speaker": "Megan Howard" }, { "id": "cue-839", "start": 5003.412, "end": 5006.602, "text": "Energy efficiency was already a major part of that project.", "speaker": "Megan Howard" }, { "id": "cue-840", "start": 5006.859, "end": 5013.559, "text": "We incorporated low-flow plumbing fixtures, LED lighting, high-performance insulation, efficient appliances, and other energy-efficient measures.", "speaker": "Megan Howard" }, { "id": "cue-841", "start": 5013.623, "end": 5013.784, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Megan Howard" }, { "id": "cue-842", "start": 5015.196, "end": 5019.883, "text": "We also chose to go up beyond the code because we wanted to pursue the NGBS Green certification.", "speaker": "Megan Howard" }, { "id": "cue-843", "start": 5020.477, "end": 5030.155, "text": "So I genuinely wonder, for a building this new where we've already invested significantly in efficiency, what exactly are we supposed to retrofit and how quickly can we realistically do this?", "speaker": "Megan Howard" }, { "id": "cue-844", "start": 5030.845, "end": 5032.338, "text": "I'm also concerned about occupancy.", "speaker": "Megan Howard" }, { "id": "cue-845", "start": 5032.771, "end": 5042.129, "text": "If a building is more fully occupied after its baseline is established, energy use may increase simply because more people are living there, not because of energy usage on the building itself.", "speaker": "Megan Howard" }, { "id": "cue-846", "start": 5042.193, "end": 5042.305, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Megan Howard" }, { "id": "cue-847", "start": 5043.027, "end": 5046.681, "text": "Filling apartment homes should be the housing success, not a compliance concern.", "speaker": "Megan Howard" }, { "id": "cue-848", "start": 5047.61, "end": 5049.501, "text": "Another concern I have is affordability.", "speaker": "Megan Howard" }, { "id": "cue-849", "start": 5050.271, "end": 5053.797, "text": "There isn't a separate money— separate bucket of money for these requirements.", "speaker": "Megan Howard" }, { "id": "cue-850", "start": 5054.262, "end": 5065.336, "text": "Significant unfunded capital investment means fewer dollars available for maintenance, improvements, and future reinvestment back into our community and building new housing inventory that the city desperately needs.", "speaker": "Megan Howard" }, { "id": "cue-851", "start": 5065.881, "end": 5071.987, "text": "We cannot continually make housing more expensive to operate and expect affordability and future investment to be unaffected.", "speaker": "Megan Howard" }, { "id": "cue-852", "start": 5072.676, "end": 5080.674, "text": "I continue to struggle with how Portland reconciles its desire for more housing with policies that add cost and complexity for housing providers who have chosen to remain here.", "speaker": "Megan Howard" }, { "id": "cue-853", "start": 5081.427, "end": 5086.251, "text": "If we genuinely care about increasing and preserving housing, housing providers need to be partners in these conversations.", "speaker": "Megan Howard" }, { "id": "cue-854", "start": 5086.876, "end": 5094.361, "text": "Before imposing mandates, please make sure meaningful financial assistance through the PSEF or other resources are actually available to the buildings required to comply.", "speaker": "Megan Howard" }, { "id": "cue-855", "start": 5095.194, "end": 5102.719, "text": "I ask you to please complete the city's landlord-tenant study and make those findings public before adopting additional regulations that materially increase the cost of providing rental housing.", "speaker": "Megan Howard" }, { "id": "cue-856", "start": 5103.139, "end": 5104.255, "text": "Portland needs housing.", "speaker": "Megan Howard" }, { "id": "cue-857", "start": 5104.352, "end": 5109.284, "text": "Our climate, affordability, and housing production goals should reinforce one another, not compete with one another.", "speaker": "Megan Howard" }, { "id": "cue-858", "start": 5109.769, "end": 5110.335, "text": "Thank you for your time.", "speaker": "Megan Howard" }, { "id": "cue-859", "start": 5112.342, "end": 5113.277, "text": "Carra, you may begin.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-860", "start": 5114.358, "end": 5117.794, "text": "Good afternoon, Chair Avalos, Vice Chair Green, and members of the committee.", "speaker": "Carra Sahler" }, { "id": "cue-861", "start": 5117.859, "end": 5118.972, "text": "My name is Carra Sahler.", "speaker": "Carra Sahler" }, { "id": "cue-862", "start": 5119.182, "end": 5125.588, "text": "I'm a climate policy and energy law attorney at the Green Energy Institute, which is housed within Lewis& Clark Law School.", "speaker": "Carra Sahler" }, { "id": "cue-863", "start": 5126.156, "end": 5129.545, "text": "I live and work in this city, and I'm a constituent of District 4.", "speaker": "Carra Sahler" }, { "id": "cue-864", "start": 5130.34, "end": 5136.603, "text": "So I want to assure you and the folks in the room that this policy is decidedly not an experiment.", "speaker": "Carra Sahler" }, { "id": "cue-865", "start": 5137.23, "end": 5138.402, "text": "In fact, we're a laggard.", "speaker": "Carra Sahler" }, { "id": "cue-866", "start": 5138.675, "end": 5148.681, "text": "Boston, New York, St. Louis, D.C., Washington State— those are just a handful of jurisdictions which have adopted a building performance standard like this one.", "speaker": "Carra Sahler" }, { "id": "cue-867", "start": 5149.516, "end": 5153.9, "text": "4 States, 11 cities, and 1 county have adopted standards like these.", "speaker": "Carra Sahler" }, { "id": "cue-868", "start": 5154.72, "end": 5161.744, "text": "Years of outreach, Research pilots and discussion with Portland stakeholders have resulted in us being here today.", "speaker": "Carra Sahler" }, { "id": "cue-869", "start": 5162.433, "end": 5172.356, "text": "I just want to note that you've heard both that there was not enough process and that there was quite a bit of process that doesn't reflect stakeholder feedback.", "speaker": "Carra Sahler" }, { "id": "cue-870", "start": 5172.853, "end": 5179.152, "text": "From my perspective, we have been talking about these rules, refining them, testing them, and waiting since 2019.", "speaker": "Carra Sahler" }, { "id": "cue-871", "start": 5179.906, "end": 5185.629, "text": "Just from a personal perspective, I'm excited about this policy because Portland is a lot of talk about climate action.", "speaker": "Carra Sahler" }, { "id": "cue-872", "start": 5186.318, "end": 5192.218, "text": "I'm excited to hear about all the institutions in our city which have voluntary plans to reduce emissions.", "speaker": "Carra Sahler" }, { "id": "cue-873", "start": 5192.811, "end": 5196.788, "text": "I believe that those institutions truly mean to do the right thing.", "speaker": "Carra Sahler" }, { "id": "cue-874", "start": 5197.446, "end": 5208.702, "text": "The reality, though, is that unless a regulation inspires an institution to prioritize the investments, there is always something that needs attention first.", "speaker": "Carra Sahler" }, { "id": "cue-875", "start": 5209.407, "end": 5213.16, "text": "We heard Denmark raised as an example for Portland to follow.", "speaker": "Carra Sahler" }, { "id": "cue-876", "start": 5213.753, "end": 5218.567, "text": "Denmark is legally obligated to reach carbon neutrality by 2050.", "speaker": "Carra Sahler" }, { "id": "cue-877", "start": 5219.274, "end": 5225.776, "text": "That policy has driven the kinds of innovative solutions that you heard about from that previous testifier.", "speaker": "Carra Sahler" }, { "id": "cue-878", "start": 5226.483, "end": 5228.94, "text": "I also want to note that there sounds like a lot of fear.", "speaker": "Carra Sahler" }, { "id": "cue-879", "start": 5230.015, "end": 5234.142, "text": "I think, Chair Avalos, that your FAQs on the webpage are excellent.", "speaker": "Carra Sahler" }, { "id": "cue-880", "start": 5234.929, "end": 5243.873, "text": "I think close reading will assure folks in this room that this policy is very doable and will give plenty of time and flexibility to comply.", "speaker": "Carra Sahler" }, { "id": "cue-881", "start": 5244.245, "end": 5244.552, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Madeline Miller" }, { "id": "cue-882", "start": 5247.655, "end": 5249.514, "text": "Once more for Ann Turner.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-883", "start": 5268.282, "end": 5272.817, "text": "Good afternoon, good afternoon, Chair Avalos and councilors.", "speaker": "Ann Turner" }, { "id": "cue-884", "start": 5273.49, "end": 5275.365, "text": "My name is Dr. Ann Turner.", "speaker": "Ann Turner" }, { "id": "cue-885", "start": 5276.215, "end": 5280.525, "text": "I'm speaking today on behalf of Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility.", "speaker": "Ann Turner" }, { "id": "cue-886", "start": 5281.503, "end": 5286.31, "text": "We strongly support the climate and health standards and urge you to pass this ordinance.", "speaker": "Ann Turner" }, { "id": "cue-887", "start": 5287.208, "end": 5292.768, "text": "The climate crisis is real, primarily driven by the fossil fuel industry.", "speaker": "Ann Turner" }, { "id": "cue-888", "start": 5294.307, "end": 5298.521, "text": "Whose main tactic over many years has been delay.", "speaker": "Ann Turner" }, { "id": "cue-889", "start": 5299.531, "end": 5301.294, "text": "We cannot afford to delay.", "speaker": "Ann Turner" }, { "id": "cue-890", "start": 5302.511, "end": 5312.848, "text": "As a physician, the importance of the fact that tenants will receive information about the health risks of appliances like gas stoves cannot be underestimated.", "speaker": "Ann Turner" }, { "id": "cue-891", "start": 5312.896, "end": 5318.665, "text": "We spend 90% of our time indoors, and indoor air quality is not regulated in the US.", "speaker": "Ann Turner" }, { "id": "cue-892", "start": 5318.793, "end": 5318.969, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Ann Turner" }, { "id": "cue-893", "start": 5319.13, "end": 5330.353, "text": "It's often worse than outdoor air quality, and gas stoves emit the same pollutants as car exhaust, including nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and benzene.", "speaker": "Ann Turner" }, { "id": "cue-894", "start": 5331.268, "end": 5347.199, "text": "Numerous scientific studies have shown that nitrogen oxides inflame the lungs and airways, increase the risk of childhood— of children experiencing asthma symptoms by 42%, and increase the risk of being diagnosed with asthma ever by 24%.", "speaker": "Ann Turner" }, { "id": "cue-895", "start": 5348.881, "end": 5363.117, "text": "This year, a study demonstrated that swapping out a gas stove for an electric one in households with people with poorly controlled asthma resulted in significantly fewer emergency department and hospital visits and fewer missed work and school days.", "speaker": "Ann Turner" }, { "id": "cue-896", "start": 5363.7, "end": 5365.799, "text": "This is an economic benefit.", "speaker": "Ann Turner" }, { "id": "cue-897", "start": 5367.6, "end": 5375.794, "text": "We also know that gas stoves emit many hazardous air pollutants, including blood cancer-causing benzene, benzene, even when they're off.", "speaker": "Ann Turner" }, { "id": "cue-898", "start": 5376.966, "end": 5389.366, "text": "So this ordinance requires that tenants not only know the type of cooking appliance, and for gas stoves, what they can do to minimize the risks, including ventilation and using other electric appliances when possible.", "speaker": "Ann Turner" }, { "id": "cue-899", "start": 5389.768, "end": 5397.285, "text": "So Oregon PSR strongly urges you to pass this ordinance to improve the health and safety of our residents, especially the most vulnerable.", "speaker": "Ann Turner" }, { "id": "cue-900", "start": 5397.838, "end": 5398.828, "text": "Thank you for your time.", "speaker": "Ann Turner" }, { "id": "cue-901", "start": 5401.666, "end": 5416.605, "text": "Next is David Heslam, Lauren Peng, Danny Noonan, Daniel Eisenbeis, Ross Kelley, David Burger.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-902", "start": 5421.284, "end": 5422.662, "text": "And I think we have Lauren online.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-903", "start": 5422.76, "end": 5423.744, "text": "You may begin when you're ready.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-904", "start": 5428.146, "end": 5428.965, "text": "Hi, councilors.", "speaker": "Lauren Peng" }, { "id": "cue-905", "start": 5429.029, "end": 5438.132, "text": "My name is Lauren Peng, and I am a 25-year veteran in the commercial real estate and property management industry and a resident of District 1.", "speaker": "Lauren Peng" }, { "id": "cue-906", "start": 5438.966, "end": 5447.812, "text": "Um, I believe we all share the same goals of improving our climate and energy efficiency and reducing our carbon footprint.", "speaker": "Lauren Peng" }, { "id": "cue-907", "start": 5448.358, "end": 5462.285, "text": "Um, and I like the goal of this initiative, but I think we need to take a pause and really be able to set up some better frameworks, um, and understand better how this program is going to be administered.", "speaker": "Lauren Peng" }, { "id": "cue-908", "start": 5462.333, "end": 5472.135, "text": "I attended one of the sessions earlier this year, and there were questions regarding, um, where there would be funding to administer this program.", "speaker": "Lauren Peng" }, { "id": "cue-909", "start": 5472.504, "end": 5486.724, "text": "Didn't sound like that had been answered, as well as the impacts on, you know, both residential developers, owners, landlords, both small and large, and as well as in the commercial industry that I work in.", "speaker": "Lauren Peng" }, { "id": "cue-910", "start": 5486.82, "end": 5496.515, "text": "Others have spoken just like I believe that right now we don't need a further impact on our downtown buildings and other office and commercial buildings in Portland.", "speaker": "Lauren Peng" }, { "id": "cue-911", "start": 5498.139, "end": 5522.754, "text": "The cost analysis has not been extensive enough To for folks to understand what this impact will be on those buildings, and it will continue to hinder owners and future owners of both commercial and residential buildings in our city, which could lead to further vacancies, further dark buildings, and further economic impacts on our city.", "speaker": "Lauren Peng" }, { "id": "cue-912", "start": 5523.822, "end": 5530.683, "text": "So I would just strongly urge that we take a pause, take some more time, that you continue.", "speaker": "Lauren Peng" }, { "id": "cue-913", "start": 5530.78, "end": 5550.288, "text": "We continue to seek feedback from commercial and residential owners and operators, and importantly, our colleagues at places like Providence and Legacy who expressed some severe concerns over what this impact would be on their ability to continue to care for individuals.", "speaker": "Lauren Peng" }, { "id": "cue-914", "start": 5550.385, "end": 5554.431, "text": "And same for some of our smaller medical office buildings that we manage and own.", "speaker": "Lauren Peng" }, { "id": "cue-915", "start": 5554.961, "end": 5555.475, "text": "Thank you so much.", "speaker": "Lauren Peng" }, { "id": "cue-916", "start": 5555.539, "end": 5555.667, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Lauren Peng" }, { "id": "cue-917", "start": 5557.864, "end": 5558.778, "text": "David, you may begin.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-918", "start": 5560.189, "end": 5560.67, "text": "Great.", "speaker": "Randall Friesen" }, { "id": "cue-919", "start": 5560.974, "end": 5567.21, "text": "Um, thank you for the opportunity to testify, um, Chair Avalos and other members of the committee.", "speaker": "David Heslam" }, { "id": "cue-920", "start": 5567.947, "end": 5580.771, "text": "Uh, I live in District 2 in North Portland, and, uh, I am the executive director of Earth Advantage, which is a nonprofit which does rent office space in downtown Portland in District 4, and, uh, we're proud to do so.", "speaker": "David Heslam" }, { "id": "cue-921", "start": 5581.444, "end": 5586.798, "text": "I'm just a little disappointed that my councilor is not here with everyone else today, but thank you for being here.", "speaker": "David Heslam" }, { "id": "cue-922", "start": 5587.68, "end": 5601.554, "text": "Um, I really appreciate that this policy takes the long view towards 2050, and I believe that actually answers a lot of the questions here, that we are taking the long view with this policy towards 2050.", "speaker": "David Heslam" }, { "id": "cue-923", "start": 5602.149, "end": 5610.676, "text": "And I just thought it was great to hear that there are so many shared goals from so many different voices here, whether it's been citizens, businesses, or the staff.", "speaker": "David Heslam" }, { "id": "cue-924", "start": 5610.74, "end": 5610.917, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "David Heslam" }, { "id": "cue-925", "start": 5611.366, "end": 5620.531, "text": "And that I do think rulemaking will offer the time and the opportunity to iron out a lot of the details and a lot of the questions or uncertainties that have been expressed today.", "speaker": "David Heslam" }, { "id": "cue-926", "start": 5621.638, "end": 5625.233, "text": "But I think a policy like this is supposed to set those long-term goals.", "speaker": "David Heslam" }, { "id": "cue-927", "start": 5625.891, "end": 5633.178, "text": "And it, as I sat there, reminded me of that Carl Schurz quote that's on the I-5 bridge, over I-5.", "speaker": "David Heslam" }, { "id": "cue-928", "start": 5633.226, "end": 5639.919, "text": "In case you don't know it, it's something like, you know, we look to the stars like the seafaring person looks to the stars for direction.", "speaker": "David Heslam" }, { "id": "cue-929", "start": 5640.031, "end": 5640.127, "text": "Yeah.", "speaker": "David Heslam" }, { "id": "cue-930", "start": 5640.512, "end": 5648.976, "text": "Not because they're ever going to be able to reach out and touch the stars, but because it gives you direction that then you can live by for a compass.", "speaker": "David Heslam" }, { "id": "cue-931", "start": 5649.329, "end": 5655.116, "text": "And this policy will set forward the direction and people can find their own pathway there, right?", "speaker": "David Heslam" }, { "id": "cue-932", "start": 5655.164, "end": 5656.96, "text": "There's a lot of room to find your own pathway.", "speaker": "David Heslam" }, { "id": "cue-933", "start": 5658.387, "end": 5665.921, "text": "And one element that I did want to point out is there was discussion earlier about resilience and the need potentially for fossil fuel power.", "speaker": "David Heslam" }, { "id": "cue-934", "start": 5666.162, "end": 5668.699, "text": "During ice storms and other things.", "speaker": "David Heslam" }, { "id": "cue-935", "start": 5669.148, "end": 5674.64, "text": "The policy does already include— you can have a backup generator run by fossil fuels.", "speaker": "David Heslam" }, { "id": "cue-936", "start": 5675.378, "end": 5677.53, "text": "And so those won't be taken away in this policy.", "speaker": "David Heslam" }, { "id": "cue-937", "start": 5677.883, "end": 5680.58, "text": "That type of resilience is foreseen and included.", "speaker": "David Heslam" }, { "id": "cue-938", "start": 5681.03, "end": 5688.817, "text": "And the last thing is energy efficiency work might not be glamorous, but it's local, and the jobs remain local, and the benefits remain local.", "speaker": "David Heslam" }, { "id": "cue-939", "start": 5689.444, "end": 5690.038, "text": "Thank you for your time.", "speaker": "David Heslam" }, { "id": "cue-940", "start": 5691.692, "end": 5692.626, "text": "Danny is online.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-941", "start": 5692.819, "end": 5693.865, "text": "You may begin when you're ready.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-942", "start": 5694.348, "end": 5694.558, "text": "I was—.", "speaker": "Alyson Kraus" }, { "id": "cue-943", "start": 5694.67, "end": 5696.023, "text": "Is it okay if I just say something to her?", "speaker": "Elayna Trucker" }, { "id": "cue-944", "start": 5696.087, "end": 5702.615, "text": "I just wanted to assure you that your councilor's chief of staff is sitting right behind you and they will be fully looped in and part of the conversation.", "speaker": "Alyson Kraus" }, { "id": "cue-945", "start": 5703.051, "end": 5703.359, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Tyler Reeves" }, { "id": "cue-946", "start": 5706.61, "end": 5707.371, "text": "All right, I'll jump in.", "speaker": "Danny" }, { "id": "cue-947", "start": 5707.565, "end": 5709.296, "text": "Hi everyone, my name is Danny.", "speaker": "Danny" }, { "id": "cue-948", "start": 5709.425, "end": 5714.171, "text": "I'm a registered lobbyist with Breach Collective and I am a resident of District 2.", "speaker": "Danny" }, { "id": "cue-949", "start": 5715.736, "end": 5720.841, "text": "Breach Collective signed on to the letter that Samantha mentioned, signed by 28 organizations and businesses.", "speaker": "Danny" }, { "id": "cue-950", "start": 5720.891, "end": 5730.812, "text": "We also submitted our separate I did just want to offer some maybe real-time feedback to some of the opposition testimony.", "speaker": "Danny" }, { "id": "cue-951", "start": 5732.78, "end": 5742.402, "text": "So to start with, I noticed that interest group after interest group that would be subject to this ordinance has claimed that they support climate action, have these ambitious corporate goals to reduce emissions.", "speaker": "Danny" }, { "id": "cue-952", "start": 5743.238, "end": 5750.358, "text": "If this is true, then the very generous compliance timeline outlined in the climate and standards policy should be no problem for them to comply with.", "speaker": "Danny" }, { "id": "cue-953", "start": 5750.407, "end": 5750.519, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Danny" }, { "id": "cue-954", "start": 5751.514, "end": 5755.7, "text": "The reason they're opposing this is because their internal climate commitments are voluntary and optional.", "speaker": "Danny" }, { "id": "cue-955", "start": 5755.83, "end": 5756.349, "text": "This is not.", "speaker": "Danny" }, { "id": "cue-956", "start": 5758.32, "end": 5768.844, "text": "Moving on, seems like several of the landlord and gas representatives seem to be under the impression that a building performance standard policy would somehow not have involved building upgrades.", "speaker": "Danny" }, { "id": "cue-957", "start": 5769.117, "end": 5780.136, "text": "So I would like these stakeholders to outline, and I did not hear them outline, how large existing buildings are supposed to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions without undertaking At a minimum, efficiency and weatherization upgrades.", "speaker": "Danny" }, { "id": "cue-958", "start": 5780.184, "end": 5781.485, "text": "That just doesn't seem to make sense to me.", "speaker": "Danny" }, { "id": "cue-959", "start": 5782.352, "end": 5795.486, "text": "I want to note that UA290 rank-and-file member Brad Archuleta is in fact the president of the Northwest Coalition for Energy Choice, which is a 501 organization arm of the Northwest Gas Association.", "speaker": "Danny" }, { "id": "cue-960", "start": 5796.161, "end": 5801.186, "text": "That's a collaborative between pipefitter leadership and the gas utilities in the region.", "speaker": "Danny" }, { "id": "cue-961", "start": 5801.235, "end": 5802.728, "text": "He's not just a rank-and-file member.", "speaker": "Danny" }, { "id": "cue-962", "start": 5803.466, "end": 5818.737, "text": "Uh, in response to, uh, Kelly Dundon, um, at a utility level, gas decarbonization relies on a suite of speculative technologies that have yet to scale, are multiple times more expensive than fossil gas, and may not actually reduce emissions materially or at all on a lifecycle basis.", "speaker": "Danny" }, { "id": "cue-963", "start": 5819.444, "end": 5834.778, "text": "Uh, and in response to Jennifer Yocom, um, that resilience narrative is the latest narrative for Northwest Natural to latch on to, and I would refer you to my, uh, June 26th, 2025 presentation at the Portland City Council Climate Resilience and Land Use Committee meeting on that point.", "speaker": "Danny" }, { "id": "cue-964", "start": 5835.133, "end": 5835.391, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Malcolm McIver" }, { "id": "cue-965", "start": 5838.115, "end": 5839.341, "text": "Daniel, you're up next.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-966", "start": 5841.33, "end": 5845.922, "text": "Chair Avalos, Vice Chair Green, members of the committee, for the record, I am Dan Eisenbeis.", "speaker": "Dan Eisenbeis" }, { "id": "cue-967", "start": 5846.132, "end": 5849.89, "text": "I'm a registered lobbyist with the Port of Portland where I serve as Regional Affairs Manager.", "speaker": "Dan Eisenbeis" }, { "id": "cue-968", "start": 5850.328, "end": 5852.831, "text": "Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments today.", "speaker": "Dan Eisenbeis" }, { "id": "cue-969", "start": 5853.481, "end": 5855.463, "text": "You'll also find written testimony in the record.", "speaker": "Dan Eisenbeis" }, { "id": "cue-970", "start": 5856.37, "end": 5860.887, "text": "The Port is a public agency whose mission is to build shared prosperity for our region through travel, trade, and economic development.", "speaker": "Dan Eisenbeis" }, { "id": "cue-971", "start": 5863.323, "end": 5868.604, "text": "We operate 3 marine terminals, 6 industrial parks, and 3 airports, including PDX.", "speaker": "Dan Eisenbeis" }, { "id": "cue-972", "start": 5869.664, "end": 5872.713, "text": "A guiding principle for the port is environmental leadership.", "speaker": "Dan Eisenbeis" }, { "id": "cue-973", "start": 5873.677, "end": 5879.343, "text": "The port has a goal of achieving net-zero carbon by 2050 for its Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions.", "speaker": "Dan Eisenbeis" }, { "id": "cue-974", "start": 5880.242, "end": 5890.178, "text": "Our approach seeks to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of investments through a holistic port-wide data-driven strategy focused on prioritizing our largest sources of emissions.", "speaker": "Dan Eisenbeis" }, { "id": "cue-975", "start": 5890.307, "end": 5890.435, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Dan Eisenbeis" }, { "id": "cue-976", "start": 5891.573, "end": 5898.835, "text": "The Port has also worked closely with the City of Portland since the city began administering its existing commercial building energy reporting requirements.", "speaker": "Dan Eisenbeis" }, { "id": "cue-977", "start": 5899.749, "end": 5908.325, "text": "Administration of those requirements has clarified 2 technical issues that we respectfully request council expressly incorporate into the proposed ordinance.", "speaker": "Dan Eisenbeis" }, { "id": "cue-978", "start": 5909.11, "end": 5913.903, "text": "First, the city has provided interpretation that aviation buildings are industrial buildings.", "speaker": "Dan Eisenbeis" }, { "id": "cue-979", "start": 5914.641, "end": 5932.306, "text": "This recognizes the industrial activity associated with the buildings and the specialized systems that must operate continuously to ensure the safety and reliability of aviation, such as runway lighting, security screening equipment, ventilation, baggage and cargo handling, and emergency response infrastructure.", "speaker": "Dan Eisenbeis" }, { "id": "cue-980", "start": 5933.556, "end": 5941.956, "text": "We ask that Council incorporate a technical revision expressly noting that covered building does not include buildings predominantly used for aviation purposes.", "speaker": "Dan Eisenbeis" }, { "id": "cue-981", "start": 5942.95, "end": 5959.276, "text": "And second, we would request that Council incorporate a technical revision to the definition of owner to expressly clarify ground lease situations where the lessee owns the building, but the owner of the ground does not have an ownership interest in the building itself.", "speaker": "Dan Eisenbeis" }, { "id": "cue-982", "start": 5959.906, "end": 5963.186, "text": "This would also track with current administrative rule provisions.", "speaker": "Dan Eisenbeis" }, { "id": "cue-983", "start": 5963.84, "end": 5964.622, "text": "Thank you for your consideration.", "speaker": "Dan Eisenbeis" }, { "id": "cue-984", "start": 5967.78, "end": 5968.512, "text": "Ross is online.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-985", "start": 5968.773, "end": 5969.766, "text": "You may begin when you're ready.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-986", "start": 5971.36, "end": 5973.02, "text": "Good afternoon, members of the council.", "speaker": "Ross Kelley" }, { "id": "cue-987", "start": 5973.326, "end": 5979.065, "text": "My name is Ross Kelley, and I'm a principal at Menashe Properties, which owns and operates office buildings here in Portland.", "speaker": "Ross Kelley" }, { "id": "cue-988", "start": 5979.959, "end": 5984.245, "text": "I am here with many of my fellow industry professionals in the spirit of respectful collaboration to land on good policy and solutions.", "speaker": "Ross Kelley" }, { "id": "cue-989", "start": 5987.194, "end": 5994.747, "text": "We share the goal of cleaner buildings, but as written, this ordinance would stall investment and downtime at the moment we need it most.", "speaker": "Ross Kelley" }, { "id": "cue-990", "start": 5995.356, "end": 6000.231, "text": "It has been extremely difficult to get investors or lenders to even look at downtown Portland recently.", "speaker": "Ross Kelley" }, { "id": "cue-991", "start": 6000.825, "end": 6004.449, "text": "We are just starting to gain some momentum, and I fear this policy would freeze it.", "speaker": "Ross Kelley" }, { "id": "cue-992", "start": 6005.091, "end": 6007.528, "text": "Specifically, I wanted to raise 3 problems.", "speaker": "Ross Kelley" }, { "id": "cue-993", "start": 6008.025, "end": 6009.132, "text": "First, the baseline.", "speaker": "Ross Kelley" }, { "id": "cue-994", "start": 6009.789, "end": 6012.147, "text": "The targets are set off 2027 or 2028.", "speaker": "Ross Kelley" }, { "id": "cue-995", "start": 6012.243, "end": 6012.435, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Ross Kelley" }, { "id": "cue-996", "start": 6012.772, "end": 6014.537, "text": "When downtown is still largely empty.", "speaker": "Ross Kelley" }, { "id": "cue-997", "start": 6015.018, "end": 6020.52, "text": "As tenants come back, energy use rises, and owners miss targets set against a half-vacant building.", "speaker": "Ross Kelley" }, { "id": "cue-998", "start": 6021.033, "end": 6025.059, "text": "Under this ordinance, filling a vacant floor becomes a compliance violation.", "speaker": "Ross Kelley" }, { "id": "cue-999", "start": 6025.508, "end": 6027.337, "text": "This is backwards from what downtown needs.", "speaker": "Ross Kelley" }, { "id": "cue-1000", "start": 6028.251, "end": 6030.513, "text": "Second, the targets are unfair as written.", "speaker": "Ross Kelley" }, { "id": "cue-1001", "start": 6031.138, "end": 6040.313, "text": "Tenants control much of the energy use, yet the owner carries the penalty regardless of what the lease says, and the 20% cut every 5 years applies the same to everyone.", "speaker": "Ross Kelley" }, { "id": "cue-1002", "start": 6041.067, "end": 6049.7, "text": "Owners have already invest— owners who have already invested in efficiency have used up their early savings, and they're asked to make the most expensive cuts now.", "speaker": "Ross Kelley" }, { "id": "cue-1003", "start": 6050.053, "end": 6053.006, "text": "This ordinance penalizes the people who acted early.", "speaker": "Ross Kelley" }, { "id": "cue-1004", "start": 6053.68, "end": 6058.013, "text": "And third, the ordinance effectively requires every downtown building to go all electric.", "speaker": "Ross Kelley" }, { "id": "cue-1005", "start": 6058.494, "end": 6064.319, "text": "It allows no offsets and no renewable natural gas, so working gas boilers will have to be torn out years early.", "speaker": "Ross Kelley" }, { "id": "cue-1006", "start": 6064.833, "end": 6067.609, "text": "Many of the buildings will also need major electrical service upgrades.", "speaker": "Ross Kelley" }, { "id": "cue-1007", "start": 6067.673, "end": 6067.769, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Ross Kelley" }, { "id": "cue-1008", "start": 6068.187, "end": 6070.9, "text": "That depend on utility capacity owners don't control.", "speaker": "Ross Kelley" }, { "id": "cue-1009", "start": 6071.558, "end": 6076.711, "text": "These are all multimillion-dollar projects, and the ordinance identifies no funding for them.", "speaker": "Ross Kelley" }, { "id": "cue-1010", "start": 6077.433, "end": 6080.29, "text": "I am asking the council to reject this ordinance as written.", "speaker": "Ross Kelley" }, { "id": "cue-1011", "start": 6080.804, "end": 6089.344, "text": "If the city wants a local standard, let's start over in partnership with the owners and tenants who have to deliver it and build it to work alongside the state standard rather than on top of it.", "speaker": "Ross Kelley" }, { "id": "cue-1012", "start": 6090.098, "end": 6094.946, "text": "Portland can lead on climate without driving away the investment the downtown recovery depends on.", "speaker": "Ross Kelley" }, { "id": "cue-1013", "start": 6095.011, "end": 6095.219, "text": "Second.", "speaker": "Ross Kelley" }, { "id": "cue-1014", "start": 6095.926, "end": 6097.117, "text": "Thank you very much for your time.", "speaker": "Ross Kelley" }, { "id": "cue-1015", "start": 6100.82, "end": 6101.373, "text": "David, you may begin.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-1016", "start": 6102.316, "end": 6105.424, "text": "Thank you, uh, Chair Avalos, uh, committee members.", "speaker": "David Burger" }, { "id": "cue-1017", "start": 6105.652, "end": 6107.279, "text": "Thank you for the opportunity to testify today.", "speaker": "David Burger" }, { "id": "cue-1018", "start": 6107.816, "end": 6108.988, "text": "My name is David Burger.", "speaker": "David Burger" }, { "id": "cue-1019", "start": 6109.342, "end": 6112.539, "text": "Um, I was a resident of District 4 for 19 years.", "speaker": "David Burger" }, { "id": "cue-1020", "start": 6113.278, "end": 6117.923, "text": "Um, I represent, uh, UA Local 290, about 5,500 workers across the state of Oregon.", "speaker": "David Burger" }, { "id": "cue-1021", "start": 6118.583, "end": 6134.256, "text": "I also serve as the president of the Oregon State Building Trades Council leadership, um, that works and builds, maintains, retrofits the infrastructure and buildings that keeps our communities running, and we are training the next generation of workers through our apprenticeships.", "speaker": "David Burger" }, { "id": "cue-1022", "start": 6135.138, "end": 6145.369, "text": "UA Local 290 joined a coalition representing tens of thousands of workers, employers, housing providers, community organizations, trade associations, small business, and residents.", "speaker": "David Burger" }, { "id": "cue-1023", "start": 6146.107, "end": 6149.379, "text": "We do not believe the proposal is ready for council's evaluation.", "speaker": "David Burger" }, { "id": "cue-1024", "start": 6149.443, "end": 6149.619, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "David Burger" }, { "id": "cue-1025", "start": 6150.277, "end": 6152.588, "text": "I want to highlight a couple of concerns.", "speaker": "David Burger" }, { "id": "cue-1026", "start": 6153.005, "end": 6161.637, "text": "First, transportation is Portland's largest emission source, yet the policy focuses largely— larger on buildings concentrated in the urban core.", "speaker": "David Burger" }, { "id": "cue-1027", "start": 6162.247, "end": 6168.04, "text": "Increasing the cost of owning and operating these buildings will inevitably increase costs for tenants and businesses.", "speaker": "David Burger" }, { "id": "cue-1028", "start": 6168.344, "end": 6173.8, "text": "Over time, that can push workers further from their work, potentially increasing transportation emissions.", "speaker": "David Burger" }, { "id": "cue-1029", "start": 6174.458, "end": 6177.747, "text": "Staff have not evaluated this impact yet.", "speaker": "David Burger" }, { "id": "cue-1030", "start": 6178.678, "end": 6192.388, "text": "Second, the proposal exempts emissions associated with electricity by assuming electricity is clean, while overlooking one of the least efficient heating technologies still common in buildings: electric resistance and baseboard heating.", "speaker": "David Burger" }, { "id": "cue-1031", "start": 6193.063, "end": 6198.794, "text": "If the goal is emissions reduction, energy efficiency, efficiency should be a central focus.", "speaker": "David Burger" }, { "id": "cue-1032", "start": 6199.324, "end": 6208.86, "text": "Converting inefficient resistance heating to high-efficiency heat pumps could deliver meaningful reductions while lowering energy costs for occupants.", "speaker": "David Burger" }, { "id": "cue-1033", "start": 6209.502, "end": 6221.609, "text": "UA's Local 290's highly trained HVAC technicians and workforce stand ready to help implement those upgrades, and Portland has resources such as Portland Clean Energy Fund that could help support that.", "speaker": "David Burger" }, { "id": "cue-1034", "start": 6222.348, "end": 6234.567, "text": "For these reasons and more, we respectfully request that the council please pause consideration of this proposal, conduct the necessary analysis, and engage stakeholders on a more valid path forward.", "speaker": "David Burger" }, { "id": "cue-1035", "start": 6234.952, "end": 6235.707, "text": "Thank you for your time.", "speaker": "David Burger" }, { "id": "cue-1036", "start": 6238.419, "end": 6249.386, "text": "Next is Ruth Dallas, Malcolm McIver, Elayna Trucker, Jordan Lewis, Jason Verduzco.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-1037", "start": 6254.607, "end": 6256.102, "text": "And Ruth, you may begin when you're ready.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-1038", "start": 6256.762, "end": 6258.967, "text": "My name is Ruth Dallas and I live in District 2.", "speaker": "Ruth Dallas" }, { "id": "cue-1039", "start": 6259.852, "end": 6262.299, "text": "I support the climate and health standards for buildings.", "speaker": "Ruth Dallas" }, { "id": "cue-1040", "start": 6262.738, "end": 6268.169, "text": "Again, individuals and members of the environmental groups come to our City Council to beg you to do more.", "speaker": "Ruth Dallas" }, { "id": "cue-1041", "start": 6268.874, "end": 6274.546, "text": "We, unlike the lobbyists from Northwest Natural and others, have no economic benefit to motivate us.", "speaker": "Ruth Dallas" }, { "id": "cue-1042", "start": 6274.802, "end": 6278.952, "text": "We are motivated by science and what we see right now with our own eyes.", "speaker": "Ruth Dallas" }, { "id": "cue-1043", "start": 6279.609, "end": 6283.887, "text": "The lobbyists all ask for more time, but we have no more time.", "speaker": "Ruth Dallas" }, { "id": "cue-1044", "start": 6284.191, "end": 6292.894, "text": "In the words of the UN Secretary-General, quote, we have a choice between collective action or collective suicide.", "speaker": "Ruth Dallas" }, { "id": "cue-1045", "start": 6294.371, "end": 6298.593, "text": "Lobbyists all decry the costs of making changes to their buildings.", "speaker": "Ruth Dallas" }, { "id": "cue-1046", "start": 6299.027, "end": 6309.125, "text": "I sympathize with their concerns, but their costs are nothing compared to what they and everyone on Earth will pay due to the climate change that is devastating our planet.", "speaker": "Ruth Dallas" }, { "id": "cue-1047", "start": 6309.719, "end": 6317.955, "text": "It is estimated that the average Oregonian is likely to lose roughly $12,000 in personal income per year in the next decade or so.", "speaker": "Ruth Dallas" }, { "id": "cue-1048", "start": 6318.372, "end": 6324.348, "text": "Due to changes in the climate that have already been set in motion from previous greenhouse gas emissions.", "speaker": "Ruth Dallas" }, { "id": "cue-1049", "start": 6325.165, "end": 6328.161, "text": "Climate change is no longer some far-off risk.", "speaker": "Ruth Dallas" }, { "id": "cue-1050", "start": 6328.242, "end": 6329.123, "text": "It is happening now.", "speaker": "Ruth Dallas" }, { "id": "cue-1051", "start": 6330.292, "end": 6339.906, "text": "Our children and grandchildren will pay so much more to both in loss of health and economic collapse, even loss of life.", "speaker": "Ruth Dallas" }, { "id": "cue-1052", "start": 6340.723, "end": 6345.385, "text": "So many industries in Oregon will suffer existential loss due to climate change.", "speaker": "Ruth Dallas" }, { "id": "cue-1053", "start": 6345.433, "end": 6356.444, "text": "How long do we expect our winter sports How long do we expect our fisheries to last?", "speaker": "Ruth Dallas" }, { "id": "cue-1054", "start": 6356.508, "end": 6363.156, "text": "Our forests are dying now from wildfire and insect infestations and drought due to climate change.", "speaker": "Ruth Dallas" }, { "id": "cue-1055", "start": 6363.814, "end": 6370.189, "text": "Builders and other industries fail to mention that due to climate change, their workers will not be able to put in an 8-hour shift.", "speaker": "Ruth Dallas" }, { "id": "cue-1056", "start": 6370.735, "end": 6371.987, "text": "How much will they lose then?", "speaker": "Ruth Dallas" }, { "id": "cue-1057", "start": 6372.164, "end": 6372.629, "text": "How much will they lose then?", "speaker": "Ruth Dallas" }, { "id": "cue-1058", "start": 6372.887, "end": 6378.554, "text": "Please listen to scientists and not to lobbyists who are paid to tell you that they need exemptions.", "speaker": "Ruth Dallas" }, { "id": "cue-1059", "start": 6378.699, "end": 6382.646, "text": "We can't delay cutting emissions when the consequences are so dire.", "speaker": "Ruth Dallas" }, { "id": "cue-1060", "start": 6383.277, "end": 6384.069, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Ruth Dallas" }, { "id": "cue-1061", "start": 6386.042, "end": 6387.335, "text": "Malcolm, you're up next.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-1062", "start": 6388.743, "end": 6389.628, "text": "Hello, my name is Malcolm McIver.", "speaker": "Malcolm McIver" }, { "id": "cue-1063", "start": 6389.773, "end": 6391.608, "text": "I'm the president of Commerce Properties.", "speaker": "Malcolm McIver" }, { "id": "cue-1064", "start": 6391.705, "end": 6398.385, "text": "We're an owner and manager of property in the Portland metro area, and we have several hundred NOAA units in the city of Portland.", "speaker": "Malcolm McIver" }, { "id": "cue-1065", "start": 6399.257, "end": 6404.673, "text": "I'd like to talk about the financial realities our buildings are facing and how this proposed ordinance could affect them.", "speaker": "Malcolm McIver" }, { "id": "cue-1066", "start": 6405.939, "end": 6412.573, "text": "Since 2021, it's been a very tough environment for providers of multifamily housing in Portland.", "speaker": "Malcolm McIver" }, { "id": "cue-1067", "start": 6413.198, "end": 6422.028, "text": "There's been a lot of pressure on rents through a combination of new supply and less job growth, and it's led to a downward spiral in financial performance.", "speaker": "Malcolm McIver" }, { "id": "cue-1068", "start": 6422.188, "end": 6426.198, "text": "I'd like to pick out one of our park buildings is an example of this.", "speaker": "Malcolm McIver" }, { "id": "cue-1069", "start": 6427.654, "end": 6430.793, "text": "Over the last 5 years, rents have increased 9%.", "speaker": "Malcolm McIver" }, { "id": "cue-1070", "start": 6430.971, "end": 6433.526, "text": "So that's 9% over 5 years, not per year.", "speaker": "Malcolm McIver" }, { "id": "cue-1071", "start": 6434.621, "end": 6441.047, "text": "Payroll costs are up 31%, utility costs are up 32%, and insurance is up 182%.", "speaker": "Malcolm McIver" }, { "id": "cue-1072", "start": 6442.659, "end": 6450.265, "text": "So what this means is that we've had a building that's gone from relative economic health to one that's just able to generate enough money to keep the lights on and pay the mortgage.", "speaker": "Malcolm McIver" }, { "id": "cue-1073", "start": 6451.651, "end": 6462.508, "text": "And if we are facing a mandated major capital expense that we have to pay for, that's going to be very difficult.", "speaker": "Malcolm McIver" }, { "id": "cue-1074", "start": 6465.38, "end": 6470.82, "text": "In brass tacks, what that could mean is a building like this can't raise the money to do the improvements.", "speaker": "Malcolm McIver" }, { "id": "cue-1075", "start": 6471.79, "end": 6475.648, "text": "It can't pay the penalties contemplated in this regulation.", "speaker": "Malcolm McIver" }, { "id": "cue-1076", "start": 6477.249, "end": 6479.117, "text": "It could well be driven into bankruptcy.", "speaker": "Malcolm McIver" }, { "id": "cue-1077", "start": 6480.39, "end": 6481.757, "text": "It might be able to come out of bankruptcy.", "speaker": "Malcolm McIver" }, { "id": "cue-1078", "start": 6481.922, "end": 6482.367, "text": "It might not.", "speaker": "Malcolm McIver" }, { "id": "cue-1079", "start": 6483.51, "end": 6488.064, "text": "It would have a big overhang of this mandate to install this equipment.", "speaker": "Malcolm McIver" }, { "id": "cue-1080", "start": 6488.757, "end": 6491.75, "text": "It would also be not very healthy financially.", "speaker": "Malcolm McIver" }, { "id": "cue-1081", "start": 6494.35, "end": 6497.236, "text": "And what I worry about is this is not unique.", "speaker": "Malcolm McIver" }, { "id": "cue-1082", "start": 6498.49, "end": 6500.807, "text": "There's a lot of NOAA buildings that are in this situation.", "speaker": "Malcolm McIver" }, { "id": "cue-1083", "start": 6501.964, "end": 6516.997, "text": "I would urge the council to take a pause on this regulation until you understand better the effect on multifamily housing, and certainly be cognizant of the fact that the unintended consequence could be less affordable housing in Portland.", "speaker": "Malcolm McIver" }, { "id": "cue-1084", "start": 6517.528, "end": 6518.479, "text": "Thank you very much for your time.", "speaker": "Malcolm McIver" }, { "id": "cue-1085", "start": 6520.599, "end": 6521.709, "text": "Elayna is online.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-1086", "start": 6521.99, "end": 6523.001, "text": "You may begin when you're ready.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-1087", "start": 6525.39, "end": 6528.864, "text": "Good afternoon, Chair Avalos, Vice Chair Green, and committee members.", "speaker": "Elayna Trucker" }, { "id": "cue-1088", "start": 6529.316, "end": 6530.519, "text": "My name is Elayna Trucker.", "speaker": "Elayna Trucker" }, { "id": "cue-1089", "start": 6530.759, "end": 6537.801, "text": "I live in Southeast Portland District 3, and I'm the Healthy Climate Program Director for Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility.", "speaker": "Elayna Trucker" }, { "id": "cue-1090", "start": 6538.378, "end": 6548.146, "text": "We are an organization of healthcare professionals and public health advocates working towards a healthy, just, and peaceful world for present and future generations.", "speaker": "Elayna Trucker" }, { "id": "cue-1091", "start": 6549.045, "end": 6557.369, "text": "Portland aims to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, and commercial and residential buildings account for 42% of the city's emissions.", "speaker": "Elayna Trucker" }, { "id": "cue-1092", "start": 6557.963, "end": 6565.789, "text": "People need to cook to heat and cool their homes, and changing how they do so will have a tremendous impact on our emissions and the health of our community.", "speaker": "Elayna Trucker" }, { "id": "cue-1093", "start": 6566.542, "end": 6576.453, "text": "The standards would inform renters whether homes have cooling systems, which saves lives in a heat wave, and will inform them of the risks posed to their health if the home has a gas stove.", "speaker": "Elayna Trucker" }, { "id": "cue-1094", "start": 6577.287, "end": 6583.605, "text": "To meet performance standards, building owners can make weatherization upgrades to make homes safer during extreme temperature events.", "speaker": "Elayna Trucker" }, { "id": "cue-1095", "start": 6583.942, "end": 6585.433, "text": "And air quality emergencies.", "speaker": "Elayna Trucker" }, { "id": "cue-1096", "start": 6586.107, "end": 6596.739, "text": "Weatherization and energy efficiency measures can reduce asthma-related emergency departments by 12%, and 40% of households who were helped with upgrades said their health improved afterwards.", "speaker": "Elayna Trucker" }, { "id": "cue-1097", "start": 6597.492, "end": 6608.3, "text": "Long-term exposure to pollutants associated with appliances burning natural gas indoors contribute to increased risk of chronic illnesses such as heart disease, lung cancer, and strokes.", "speaker": "Elayna Trucker" }, { "id": "cue-1098", "start": 6609.038, "end": 6610.273, "text": "Climate change is here.", "speaker": "Elayna Trucker" }, { "id": "cue-1099", "start": 6610.818, "end": 6616.785, "text": "Our communities have already faced its impacts through wildfires, record-breaking heat, and ice storms.", "speaker": "Elayna Trucker" }, { "id": "cue-1100", "start": 6617.379, "end": 6634.351, "text": "At a time when our federal government is abandoning efforts to take action on climate and abandoning the most vulnerable among us, it is critical that our local governments respond urgently to reduce climate change-causing greenhouse gas emissions and protect the health of our families, friends, and neighbors.", "speaker": "Elayna Trucker" }, { "id": "cue-1101", "start": 6634.945, "end": 6637.559, "text": "We urge you to vote yes on the climate and health standards.", "speaker": "Elayna Trucker" }, { "id": "cue-1102", "start": 6638.006, "end": 6638.815, "text": "Thank you for your time.", "speaker": "Elayna Trucker" }, { "id": "cue-1103", "start": 6641.82, "end": 6642.57, "text": "Jordan is online.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-1104", "start": 6642.853, "end": 6643.853, "text": "You may begin when you're ready.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-1105", "start": 6653.02, "end": 6654.257, "text": "Can you hear us all right?", "speaker": "Jason Verduzco" }, { "id": "cue-1106", "start": 6654.482, "end": 6655.397, "text": "My name is Jordan Lewis.", "speaker": "Jordan Lewis" }, { "id": "cue-1107", "start": 6655.542, "end": 6656.024, "text": "He/him.", "speaker": "Jordan Lewis" }, { "id": "cue-1108", "start": 6656.104, "end": 6661.423, "text": "I'm a D4 resident, a volunteer lobbyist for Portland DSA, though I'm speaking on my own behalf today.", "speaker": "Jordan Lewis" }, { "id": "cue-1109", "start": 6662.033, "end": 6664.22, "text": "I support the proposed changes to the building code.", "speaker": "Jordan Lewis" }, { "id": "cue-1110", "start": 6664.434, "end": 6671.148, "text": "I just want to say that giving Northwest Natural and other polluters input on climate policy is like giving your car keys to a known carjacker.", "speaker": "Jordan Lewis" }, { "id": "cue-1111", "start": 6671.678, "end": 6681.449, "text": "Large corporations came up today and said, as rehearsed, we care a lot about climate, but— and there's always a but— these institutions are not negotiating in good faith.", "speaker": "Jordan Lewis" }, { "id": "cue-1112", "start": 6681.722, "end": 6687.787, "text": "They are trafficking in doubt to undermine and stall climate action, not unlike what fossil fuel firms have done since the mid-20th century.", "speaker": "Jordan Lewis" }, { "id": "cue-1113", "start": 6688.364, "end": 6692.215, "text": "When large firms talk about going net zero by 2040, think critically about it.", "speaker": "Jordan Lewis" }, { "id": "cue-1114", "start": 6692.391, "end": 6695.873, "text": "Are employees taking electrified public transit to work in 2040?", "speaker": "Jordan Lewis" }, { "id": "cue-1115", "start": 6695.921, "end": 6695.985, "text": "Yes.", "speaker": "Jordan Lewis" }, { "id": "cue-1116", "start": 6696.467, "end": 6704.23, "text": "Surely firms like Portland Metro Chamber and the orgs they represent worked to support the 2020 Metro ballot measure, which would have built light rail to Tigard.", "speaker": "Jordan Lewis" }, { "id": "cue-1117", "start": 6704.647, "end": 6707.117, "text": "Surely there's evidence of that that we can find online.", "speaker": "Jordan Lewis" }, { "id": "cue-1118", "start": 6707.534, "end": 6708.513, "text": "Let me just look it up.", "speaker": "Jordan Lewis" }, { "id": "cue-1119", "start": 6709.219, "end": 6709.507, "text": "Oh dear.", "speaker": "Jordan Lewis" }, { "id": "cue-1120", "start": 6710.197, "end": 6716.18, "text": "These orgs actually fought that ballot measure and killed it successfully, despite their deeply stated care about climate change.", "speaker": "Jordan Lewis" }, { "id": "cue-1121", "start": 6716.678, "end": 6718.105, "text": "Actions speak louder than words.", "speaker": "Jordan Lewis" }, { "id": "cue-1122", "start": 6718.298, "end": 6719.292, "text": "Please keep the score.", "speaker": "Jordan Lewis" }, { "id": "cue-1123", "start": 6719.982, "end": 6723.687, "text": "Lastly, I'd push council to pursue reforms in zoning and code.", "speaker": "Jordan Lewis" }, { "id": "cue-1124", "start": 6723.896, "end": 6729.499, "text": "That would allow apartments to be located away from busy high-speed arterials and to allow single-family multifamily buildings.", "speaker": "Jordan Lewis" }, { "id": "cue-1125", "start": 6730.317, "end": 6732.115, "text": "Uh, single-stair multifamily buildings.", "speaker": "Jordan Lewis" }, { "id": "cue-1126", "start": 6732.501, "end": 6738.938, "text": "I lived on West Burnside for several years among loud through traffic, which would actually get louder into the night as streets got emptier.", "speaker": "Jordan Lewis" }, { "id": "cue-1127", "start": 6739.243, "end": 6744.268, "text": "Fire trucks would sound like they circled the block around my place as they moved between north-south and east-west arterials.", "speaker": "Jordan Lewis" }, { "id": "cue-1128", "start": 6744.765, "end": 6747.8, "text": "Locating more apartments away from arterials would alleviate this.", "speaker": "Jordan Lewis" }, { "id": "cue-1129", "start": 6748.458, "end": 6764.388, "text": "If I ever wanted to cook with the gas stove I was provided, I would have to open my windows and use a box fan to blow the smoke away from my ineffective hood vent because the dual-loaded corridor design of my apartment building gave apartment— my apartment a long cave-like floor plan with windows on one of the 4 sides of the unit.", "speaker": "Jordan Lewis" }, { "id": "cue-1130", "start": 6764.741, "end": 6771.406, "text": "Legalizing single-stair multifamily designs would alleviate smoke through better ventilation and allow more light into the unit through windows on multiple sides.", "speaker": "Jordan Lewis" }, { "id": "cue-1131", "start": 6771.791, "end": 6774.803, "text": "I'm also supportive of larger regulations on household gas stoves.", "speaker": "Jordan Lewis" }, { "id": "cue-1132", "start": 6775.236, "end": 6783.611, "text": "As stated recently, I lived my entire life with electric stoves until the age of 26, At which point I got one and found them to be smoky, annoying, and not worth the trouble in my apartment.", "speaker": "Jordan Lewis" }, { "id": "cue-1133", "start": 6783.757, "end": 6784.291, "text": "Thank you for your time.", "speaker": "Jordan Lewis" }, { "id": "cue-1134", "start": 6786.19, "end": 6787.156, "text": "Jason is online.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-1135", "start": 6787.413, "end": 6788.363, "text": "You may begin when you're ready.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-1136", "start": 6789.523, "end": 6791.342, "text": "Good afternoon, Chair Avalos and members of the committee.", "speaker": "Jason Verduzco" }, { "id": "cue-1137", "start": 6791.68, "end": 6794.015, "text": "Uh, thank you for the opportunity to testify today.", "speaker": "Jason Verduzco" }, { "id": "cue-1138", "start": 6794.176, "end": 6798.197, "text": "My name is Jason Verduzco, and I'm the Director of Advocacy for the Northwest Gas Association.", "speaker": "Jason Verduzco" }, { "id": "cue-1139", "start": 6798.941, "end": 6803.695, "text": "First off, we absolutely share the city's commitment to reducing emissions and improving community health.", "speaker": "Jason Verduzco" }, { "id": "cue-1140", "start": 6804.455, "end": 6819.702, "text": "We would welcome the opportunity to work with, alongside council and community partners to explore how we can advance those goals while maintaining reliable As you consider the proposed climate and health standards, we respectfully encourage you to allow additional time for conversations and analysis.", "speaker": "Jason Verduzco" }, { "id": "cue-1141", "start": 6820.038, "end": 6829.192, "text": "Northwest Gas Association would be glad to help convene a broader discussion bringing together utilities, businesses, community organizations, and regional partners such as PNUC.", "speaker": "Jason Verduzco" }, { "id": "cue-1142", "start": 6829.737, "end": 6835.476, "text": "That conversation could also include a shared review of the E3 study and its implications for choices before the city.", "speaker": "Jason Verduzco" }, { "id": "cue-1143", "start": 6836.309, "end": 6842.497, "text": "One opportunity for that discussion is to consider the range of approaches that could contribute to emissions reductions, including electrification, Thank you.", "speaker": "Jason Verduzco" }, { "id": "cue-1144", "start": 6842.882, "end": 6846.857, "text": "Renewable natural gas, hydrogen, hybrid heating, and district energy.", "speaker": "Jason Verduzco" }, { "id": "cue-1145", "start": 6847.771, "end": 6853.509, "text": "Evaluating these options together could help clarify these— their benefits, costs, and practical applications.", "speaker": "Jason Verduzco" }, { "id": "cue-1146", "start": 6854.102, "end": 6859.809, "text": "We would also appreciate a fuller conversation about how the proposal could affect Portland's interconnected energy systems.", "speaker": "Jason Verduzco" }, { "id": "cue-1147", "start": 6860.033, "end": 6864.906, "text": "Natural gas and electricity both serve important roles during peak demand and extreme weather.", "speaker": "Jason Verduzco" }, { "id": "cue-1148", "start": 6865.563, "end": 6874.226, "text": "Bringing regional planning perspectives and research into the discussion could help everyone better understand potential effects on reliability, infrastructure investment, and customer costs.", "speaker": "Jason Verduzco" }, { "id": "cue-1149", "start": 6874.868, "end": 6884.791, "text": "Additional analysis could also help clarify the proposal's expected emissions benefits and its relationship to existing state requirements, including Oregon's building performance standards.", "speaker": "Jason Verduzco" }, { "id": "cue-1150", "start": 6885.449, "end": 6889.928, "text": "That coordination could provide greater clarity for building owners and help support effective implementation.", "speaker": "Jason Verduzco" }, { "id": "cue-1151", "start": 6890.603, "end": 6895.789, "text": "With these opportunities in mind, we respectfully ask the committee to defer action and invite a broader collaborative process.", "speaker": "Jason Verduzco" }, { "id": "cue-1152", "start": 6896.386, "end": 6904.117, "text": "Northwest Gas Association is ready to help bring people to the table, listen, and support a shared path forward towards the city's climate and health goals.", "speaker": "Jason Verduzco" }, { "id": "cue-1153", "start": 6904.553, "end": 6905.265, "text": "Thank you for your consideration.", "speaker": "Jason Verduzco" }, { "id": "cue-1154", "start": 6908.09, "end": 6918.396, "text": "Next is Cherice Bock, Andrés Oswill, Melanie Plaut, Greg Astley, Joren Bass.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-1155", "start": 6929.606, "end": 6931.203, "text": "And Cherice, you may begin when you're ready.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-1156", "start": 6934.84, "end": 6937.108, "text": "Good afternoon, Chair Avalos and members of the committee.", "speaker": "Cherice Bock" }, { "id": "cue-1157", "start": 6937.708, "end": 6943.786, "text": "My name is Cherice Bock, and thank you for the opportunity to testify today on behalf of 350 PDX.", "speaker": "Cherice Bock" }, { "id": "cue-1158", "start": 6944.191, "end": 6950.433, "text": "We represent thousands of Portlanders who care about climate justice, and we're very excited to support the climate and health standards for buildings.", "speaker": "Cherice Bock" }, { "id": "cue-1159", "start": 6950.946, "end": 6952.952, "text": "We also signed the joint letter mentioned before.", "speaker": "Cherice Bock" }, { "id": "cue-1160", "start": 6953.659, "end": 6959.324, "text": "As you've heard from the presentations a couple weeks ago and today, this policy has been fully 6 years in the making.", "speaker": "Cherice Bock" }, { "id": "cue-1161", "start": 6959.934, "end": 6972.662, "text": "While 350 PDX was not part of the original formation of this policy, we're happy to support the excellent work done by environmental justice and tenant rights organizations and others, and it's in our climate justice platform.", "speaker": "Cherice Bock" }, { "id": "cue-1162", "start": 6973.417, "end": 6985.344, "text": "We also really appreciate the work BPS has done to prepare the policy, carrying out a helpful pilot project and learning from similar policies in other cities and States, as well as listening to feedback from stakeholders over many years.", "speaker": "Cherice Bock" }, { "id": "cue-1163", "start": 6986.42, "end": 6996.892, "text": "While the climate and health standards policy isn't perfect and doesn't include everything that we could wish for in terms of reducing emissions and increasing efficiency, it's a meaningful start, and it's important to start now.", "speaker": "Cherice Bock" }, { "id": "cue-1164", "start": 6998.144, "end": 7000.409, "text": "Delay is the new climate change denial.", "speaker": "Cherice Bock" }, { "id": "cue-1165", "start": 7001.276, "end": 7006.174, "text": "We've heard many industry lobbyists say today, oh, we care about the climate, we just need to work on this later.", "speaker": "Cherice Bock" }, { "id": "cue-1166", "start": 7006.881, "end": 7007.876, "text": "We don't have time for later.", "speaker": "Cherice Bock" }, { "id": "cue-1167", "start": 7007.925, "end": 7008.069, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Cherice Bock" }, { "id": "cue-1168", "start": 7008.823, "end": 7011.019, "text": "We must significantly reduce our collective emissions now.", "speaker": "Cherice Bock" }, { "id": "cue-1169", "start": 7011.468, "end": 7022.722, "text": "In early September, the United Nations announced the global community is not going to be able to stay below 1.5 degrees Celsius of warming, though hopefully we can overshoot briefly and come back below that safe-ish threshold soon.", "speaker": "Cherice Bock" }, { "id": "cue-1170", "start": 7023.427, "end": 7028.958, "text": "So-called natural methane gas is actually a more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide.", "speaker": "Cherice Bock" }, { "id": "cue-1171", "start": 7029.423, "end": 7033.559, "text": "Over the last several decades, we're told that natural methane gas is a bridge fuel.", "speaker": "Cherice Bock" }, { "id": "cue-1172", "start": 7033.623, "end": 7033.879, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Cherice Bock" }, { "id": "cue-1173", "start": 7034.216, "end": 7035.565, "text": "As we work to decarbonize.", "speaker": "Cherice Bock" }, { "id": "cue-1174", "start": 7035.982, "end": 7041.265, "text": "If we accept that framing, we can consider this as a 23-year bridge to decarbonize.", "speaker": "Cherice Bock" }, { "id": "cue-1175", "start": 7041.377, "end": 7043.577, "text": "That is plenty of time to figure this out.", "speaker": "Cherice Bock" }, { "id": "cue-1176", "start": 7044.348, "end": 7046.483, "text": "This is ample time to shift our systems.", "speaker": "Cherice Bock" }, { "id": "cue-1177", "start": 7047.157, "end": 7059.697, "text": "It's completely disingenuous to cry, what about climate resilience, when one's entire business model is based on adding massive amounts of greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere on a daily business basis, causing climate harm.", "speaker": "Cherice Bock" }, { "id": "cue-1178", "start": 7060.489, "end": 7065.476, "text": "This policy helps make buildings healthier for people and the environment and emphasizes affordability.", "speaker": "Cherice Bock" }, { "id": "cue-1179", "start": 7065.994, "end": 7068.456, "text": "We ask you to work on passing it now.", "speaker": "Cherice Bock" }, { "id": "cue-1180", "start": 7068.829, "end": 7069.219, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Cherice Bock" }, { "id": "cue-1181", "start": 7071.509, "end": 7072.45, "text": "Andrés is online.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-1182", "start": 7072.645, "end": 7073.603, "text": "You may begin when you're ready.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-1183", "start": 7076.408, "end": 7076.827, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Dan Eisenbeis" }, { "id": "cue-1184", "start": 7077.552, "end": 7080.096, "text": "Good afternoon, Chair Avalos and members of the committee.", "speaker": "Andrés Oswill" }, { "id": "cue-1185", "start": 7080.531, "end": 7082.512, "text": "My name is Andrés Oswill.", "speaker": "Andrés Oswill" }, { "id": "cue-1186", "start": 7082.705, "end": 7085.008, "text": "I use he, they, and el pronouns.", "speaker": "Andrés Oswill" }, { "id": "cue-1187", "start": 7085.542, "end": 7087.502, "text": "And I'm a registered lobbyist for Portland for All.", "speaker": "Andrés Oswill" }, { "id": "cue-1188", "start": 7088.45, "end": 7090.523, "text": "I'm here to urge you today to vote yes.", "speaker": "Andrés Oswill" }, { "id": "cue-1189", "start": 7091.31, "end": 7103.795, "text": "As you heard in the presentation, buildings make up a meaningful component of the city's greenhouse gas emissions, and we know that to make progress, we need to address our buildings on a faster timeframe than the state.", "speaker": "Andrés Oswill" }, { "id": "cue-1190", "start": 7104.823, "end": 7111.539, "text": "The city has long been committed to reducing our carbon footprint, and it is the morally correct thing to do.", "speaker": "Andrés Oswill" }, { "id": "cue-1191", "start": 7112.519, "end": 7117.512, "text": "As someone who has lived with asthma my whole life, clean air is not an abstract concept.", "speaker": "Andrés Oswill" }, { "id": "cue-1192", "start": 7117.577, "end": 7120.772, "text": "Pollution directly affects my ability to breathe.", "speaker": "Andrés Oswill" }, { "id": "cue-1193", "start": 7121.783, "end": 7126.215, "text": "Extensive work has gone into preparing these standards and the code changes before you.", "speaker": "Andrés Oswill" }, { "id": "cue-1194", "start": 7126.889, "end": 7136.78, "text": "Like you've heard today, there have been ample opportunities for feedback and revision, multiple public forums and opportunities for folks to provide input and feedback.", "speaker": "Andrés Oswill" }, { "id": "cue-1195", "start": 7137.647, "end": 7143.407, "text": "I know from my time developing city policy that there will always be pushback when you're proposing big change.", "speaker": "Andrés Oswill" }, { "id": "cue-1196", "start": 7144.401, "end": 7148.509, "text": "Anytime a new regulation comes forward, people will always pop out of the woodwork.", "speaker": "Andrés Oswill" }, { "id": "cue-1197", "start": 7148.974, "end": 7153.482, "text": "They will tell you that this has been too rushed, that you need to go back to the drawing board.", "speaker": "Andrés Oswill" }, { "id": "cue-1198", "start": 7153.932, "end": 7157.125, "text": "They support the concept, but this is just the wrong version of you.", "speaker": "Andrés Oswill" }, { "id": "cue-1199", "start": 7158.344, "end": 7166.109, "text": "People will always tell you that the sky will collapse if you adopt a new set of regulations and will make compelling cases for why they specifically should be exempt.", "speaker": "Andrés Oswill" }, { "id": "cue-1200", "start": 7167.488, "end": 7178.982, "text": "I encourage members of the committee to vote in line with our sustainable city principles and fight the urge to add additional carve-outs or exemptions beyond the avenues outlined in these code changes.", "speaker": "Andrés Oswill" }, { "id": "cue-1201", "start": 7179.11, "end": 7187.43, "text": "Portlanders overwhelmingly support making our city greener, more sustainable, and stewarding our environment for future generations.", "speaker": "Andrés Oswill" }, { "id": "cue-1202", "start": 7188.119, "end": 7191.999, "text": "I strongly encourage the committee to vote for these code changes as is.", "speaker": "Andrés Oswill" }, { "id": "cue-1203", "start": 7192.095, "end": 7192.239, "text": "Second.", "speaker": "Andrés Oswill" }, { "id": "cue-1204", "start": 7196.912, "end": 7197.923, "text": "Melanie, you may begin.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-1205", "start": 7199.079, "end": 7200.235, "text": "Good afternoon, councilors.", "speaker": "Melanie Plaut" }, { "id": "cue-1206", "start": 7200.3, "end": 7201.52, "text": "My name is Melanie Plaut.", "speaker": "Melanie Plaut" }, { "id": "cue-1207", "start": 7201.584, "end": 7204.442, "text": "I'm a retired OB-GYN doc and I live in District 2.", "speaker": "Melanie Plaut" }, { "id": "cue-1208", "start": 7205.213, "end": 7209.709, "text": "I'm going to tell you a short story about my relationship to gas stoves.", "speaker": "Melanie Plaut" }, { "id": "cue-1209", "start": 7210.415, "end": 7217.689, "text": "When I was a kid in the '50s, my father often used to say, now you're cooking with gas, as a synonym for well done.", "speaker": "Melanie Plaut" }, { "id": "cue-1210", "start": 7218.444, "end": 7219.776, "text": "Do you know where that phrase came from?", "speaker": "Melanie Plaut" }, { "id": "cue-1211", "start": 7220.354, "end": 7228.286, "text": "In the '30s, the American Gas Association used it as a marketing ploy and fed it to comedians like Bob Hope and Jack Benny.", "speaker": "Melanie Plaut" }, { "id": "cue-1212", "start": 7229.041, "end": 7229.924, "text": "It worked on me.", "speaker": "Melanie Plaut" }, { "id": "cue-1213", "start": 7230.245, "end": 7232.975, "text": "I grew up with a positive association with gas stoves.", "speaker": "Melanie Plaut" }, { "id": "cue-1214", "start": 7233.713, "end": 7239.157, "text": "So when we remodeled our kitchen 20 years ago, I thought putting in a 6-burner gas cooktop was a great idea.", "speaker": "Melanie Plaut" }, { "id": "cue-1215", "start": 7240.12, "end": 7252.668, "text": "The natural gas industry had known since the 1980s that unvented methane combustion was a health risk, but decided it would be too expensive to figure out how to vent gas stoves, so they buried this information.", "speaker": "Melanie Plaut" }, { "id": "cue-1216", "start": 7252.956, "end": 7253.63, "text": "Sound familiar?", "speaker": "Melanie Plaut" }, { "id": "cue-1217", "start": 7254.496, "end": 7258.346, "text": "It wasn't until about 10 years ago that independent research started to emerge.", "speaker": "Melanie Plaut" }, { "id": "cue-1218", "start": 7259.196, "end": 7266.271, "text": "The effect on the respiratory system is now clear, but there is also likely an increased risk of heart disease, dementia, and cancer.", "speaker": "Melanie Plaut" }, { "id": "cue-1219", "start": 7267.217, "end": 7275.781, "text": "So we decided we didn't want to expose our family to these risks and we took out the still-functioning gas stove and put in an induction stove.", "speaker": "Melanie Plaut" }, { "id": "cue-1220", "start": 7276.614, "end": 7280.43, "text": "And we had a kitchen, an airy kitchen, and a well-functioning fan.", "speaker": "Melanie Plaut" }, { "id": "cue-1221", "start": 7280.863, "end": 7294.7, "text": "But if you are a renter in a small apartment with one of those ineffective microwave fans over your range, you have potentially even more exposure to the harmful effects of nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and benzene.", "speaker": "Melanie Plaut" }, { "id": "cue-1222", "start": 7295.597, "end": 7299.445, "text": "Even if replacement is not an option, there are things you can do to decrease your risk.", "speaker": "Melanie Plaut" }, { "id": "cue-1223", "start": 7300.008, "end": 7307.541, "text": "Like opening a window when you cook and using electric appliances such as kettles or inexpensive induction hobs whenever possible.", "speaker": "Melanie Plaut" }, { "id": "cue-1224", "start": 7308.666, "end": 7310.715, "text": "I think it shouldn't just be people like me.", "speaker": "Melanie Plaut" }, { "id": "cue-1225", "start": 7311.409, "end": 7320.02, "text": "Everyone should have information about and access to clean and healthy cooking, which is why I ask you, among other reasons, to support this ordinance.", "speaker": "Melanie Plaut" }, { "id": "cue-1226", "start": 7320.374, "end": 7320.76, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Melanie Plaut" }, { "id": "cue-1227", "start": 7323.815, "end": 7324.684, "text": "Greg is online.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-1228", "start": 7324.861, "end": 7325.729, "text": "You may begin when you're ready.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-1229", "start": 7327.548, "end": 7330.257, "text": "Thank you, Chair Avalos, members of the Housing and Permitting Committee.", "speaker": "Greg Astley" }, { "id": "cue-1230", "start": 7330.433, "end": 7335.225, "text": "For the record, my name is Greg Astley, Director of Government Affairs for the Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association.", "speaker": "Greg Astley" }, { "id": "cue-1231", "start": 7335.818, "end": 7340.642, "text": "We represent Oregon's hospitality industry, including thousands of restaurants and hotels in Portland.", "speaker": "Greg Astley" }, { "id": "cue-1232", "start": 7341.363, "end": 7347.725, "text": "I'm testifying today in opposition to Document 2026-377, the Climate and Health Standards for Buildings Code.", "speaker": "Greg Astley" }, { "id": "cue-1233", "start": 7348.623, "end": 7356.427, "text": "ORLA has signed on to a coalition letter representing a broad cross-section of concerned groups and individuals who also oppose this policy.", "speaker": "Greg Astley" }, { "id": "cue-1234", "start": 7357.598, "end": 7362.072, "text": "First, this proposal risks duplicating Oregon's existing building performance standards.", "speaker": "Greg Astley" }, { "id": "cue-1235", "start": 7362.73, "end": 7370.54, "text": "Commercial buildings over 20,000 square feet could face both state and local requirements, creating unnecessary complexity and additional costs.", "speaker": "Greg Astley" }, { "id": "cue-1236", "start": 7371.149, "end": 7376.89, "text": "We would urge the city to let the state's program roll out first or coordinate with it to avoid duplicative regulations.", "speaker": "Greg Astley" }, { "id": "cue-1237", "start": 7377.997, "end": 7382.695, "text": "Secondly, this policy has moved too quickly without meaningful stakeholder engagement.", "speaker": "Greg Astley" }, { "id": "cue-1238", "start": 7383.337, "end": 7389.53, "text": "Short notice, limited opportunities to testify, and unanswered questions have made it difficult for businesses to participate.", "speaker": "Greg Astley" }, { "id": "cue-1239", "start": 7390.268, "end": 7394.07, "text": "ORLA was never consulted, and to our knowledge, neither were restaurant or lodging operators.", "speaker": "Greg Astley" }, { "id": "cue-1240", "start": 7395.37, "end": 7398.306, "text": "Finally, restaurants face unique challenges under this policy.", "speaker": "Greg Astley" }, { "id": "cue-1241", "start": 7398.916, "end": 7407.355, "text": "Natural gas is essential to many commercial kitchens, and practical, affordable alternatives aren't always available for specialized cooking equipment and techniques.", "speaker": "Greg Astley" }, { "id": "cue-1242", "start": 7408.526, "end": 7415.162, "text": "Restaurants are already struggling with high labor, food, utility, and rent costs while operating on razor-thin margins.", "speaker": "Greg Astley" }, { "id": "cue-1243", "start": 7415.9, "end": 7424.781, "text": "They cannot absorb another layer of regulatory costs without consequences for their ability to remain open, to retain employees, and to serve their communities.", "speaker": "Greg Astley" }, { "id": "cue-1244", "start": 7426.239, "end": 7434.479, "text": "I wish more restaurant operators could be here today to share these concerns, but many are working in their businesses just to keep their doors open amid these challenges.", "speaker": "Greg Astley" }, { "id": "cue-1245", "start": 7435.317, "end": 7444.683, "text": "We urge the city to slow this process, improve the transparency, engage meaningfully with affected businesses, and coordinate with the state to prevent duplicative requirements.", "speaker": "Greg Astley" }, { "id": "cue-1246", "start": 7444.816, "end": 7445.683, "text": "Thank you for consideration.", "speaker": "Greg Astley" }, { "id": "cue-1247", "start": 7450, "end": 7451.536, "text": "Joren, you may begin when you're ready.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-1248", "start": 7452.361, "end": 7454.205, "text": "Good afternoon, Chair and Council.", "speaker": "Joren Bass" }, { "id": "cue-1249", "start": 7455.03, "end": 7457.262, "text": "My name is Joren Bass and I live in District 4.", "speaker": "Joren Bass" }, { "id": "cue-1250", "start": 7457.795, "end": 7459.889, "text": "I'm an architect and vice president with Deacon Development.", "speaker": "Joren Bass" }, { "id": "cue-1251", "start": 7460.396, "end": 7462.932, "text": "We're a small, locally owned development company here in Portland.", "speaker": "Joren Bass" }, { "id": "cue-1252", "start": 7463.489, "end": 7469.246, "text": "We focus on producing and operating what's naturally affordable and workforce housing in Portland.", "speaker": "Joren Bass" }, { "id": "cue-1253", "start": 7469.778, "end": 7474.871, "text": "We wake up every day looking for ways that we can build housing and get more people in homes.", "speaker": "Joren Bass" }, { "id": "cue-1254", "start": 7476.52, "end": 7480.678, "text": "I'm sure everyone here today shares the goal of cleaner, healthier, more efficient buildings.", "speaker": "Joren Bass" }, { "id": "cue-1255", "start": 7481.245, "end": 7481.682, "text": "That's clear.", "speaker": "Joren Bass" }, { "id": "cue-1256", "start": 7482.523, "end": 7503.235, "text": "My concern is that rushing this policy that just came down in July creates an environment that makes more expensive— more expensive for renters, the ones that it's It also drastically reduces the already anemic supply of middle and lower-income unsubsidized housing that's being built.", "speaker": "Joren Bass" }, { "id": "cue-1257", "start": 7504.311, "end": 7508.023, "text": "We know Portland's housing supply is drastically undersupplied.", "speaker": "Joren Bass" }, { "id": "cue-1258", "start": 7508.57, "end": 7511.922, "text": "New supply projections are well below the targets that are needed.", "speaker": "Joren Bass" }, { "id": "cue-1259", "start": 7512.428, "end": 7515.969, "text": "Rushing this policy through will only further diminish that supply.", "speaker": "Joren Bass" }, { "id": "cue-1260", "start": 7517.827, "end": 7521.048, "text": "We will also see many existing units come off the market.", "speaker": "Joren Bass" }, { "id": "cue-1261", "start": 7521.447, "end": 7523.978, "text": "As costs to meet this policy take effect.", "speaker": "Joren Bass" }, { "id": "cue-1262", "start": 7525.036, "end": 7533.063, "text": "Contrary to popular belief, the majority of Portland's rental units are not owned by large corporations or national investment firms.", "speaker": "Joren Bass" }, { "id": "cue-1263", "start": 7533.448, "end": 7539.376, "text": "Local small businesses, individuals, mom-and-pops, families operate and own these units.", "speaker": "Joren Bass" }, { "id": "cue-1264", "start": 7540.081, "end": 7548.06, "text": "This type of owner and small business is the, is the type of owner the city should support, not punish and drive out of business.", "speaker": "Joren Bass" }, { "id": "cue-1265", "start": 7550.033, "end": 7551.608, "text": "This policy needs time.", "speaker": "Joren Bass" }, { "id": "cue-1266", "start": 7552.99, "end": 7563.123, "text": "We support working on it, but to just rush it in from July and impose it upon the city is not thought through.", "speaker": "Joren Bass" }, { "id": "cue-1267", "start": 7564.669, "end": 7569.546, "text": "We want to support bringing more affordable and workforce housing to this city.", "speaker": "Joren Bass" }, { "id": "cue-1268", "start": 7570.126, "end": 7574.631, "text": "We would hope the council and the members of this committee would also support that desire.", "speaker": "Joren Bass" }, { "id": "cue-1269", "start": 7574.889, "end": 7575.275, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Joren Bass" }, { "id": "cue-1270", "start": 7575.805, "end": 7576.111, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Joren Bass" }, { "id": "cue-1271", "start": 7579.687, "end": 7591.05, "text": "Next is Sarah Wood, Tyler Reeves, Helena Birecki, Kevin Pahl, Alyson Kraus.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-1272", "start": 7604.448, "end": 7607.45, "text": "If you're at the testimony table, you may begin when you're ready.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-1273", "start": 7608.398, "end": 7608.606, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-1274", "start": 7609.602, "end": 7612.171, "text": "Hello, and thank you, Councilor Avalos, for bringing this bill.", "speaker": "Helena Birecki" }, { "id": "cue-1275", "start": 7612.717, "end": 7614.226, "text": "For the record, my name is Helena Birecki.", "speaker": "Helena Birecki" }, { "id": "cue-1276", "start": 7614.563, "end": 7615.687, "text": "I live in D4.", "speaker": "Helena Birecki" }, { "id": "cue-1277", "start": 7616.811, "end": 7618.722, "text": "I want to start with a couple of facts.", "speaker": "Helena Birecki" }, { "id": "cue-1278", "start": 7619.236, "end": 7626.589, "text": "One, you cannot protect climate or health with gas or other combustion fuels.", "speaker": "Helena Birecki" }, { "id": "cue-1279", "start": 7627.183, "end": 7628.195, "text": "Not possible.", "speaker": "Helena Birecki" }, { "id": "cue-1280", "start": 7629.592, "end": 7642.806, "text": "2, You can pass this bill, and if there are real things that need to be fixed, you'll find that out with the data you get, and you can fix it as it goes along and make a better city for everybody.", "speaker": "Helena Birecki" }, { "id": "cue-1281", "start": 7644.203, "end": 7649.679, "text": "So I have a question for you, and I think I know your answers here, but do you think Portland's climate goals are important?", "speaker": "Helena Birecki" }, { "id": "cue-1282", "start": 7650.931, "end": 7654.906, "text": "And if so, Start by voting yes on the climate and health standards.", "speaker": "Helena Birecki" }, { "id": "cue-1283", "start": 7655.276, "end": 7660.898, "text": "Buildings are not technically hard to decarbonize, and they are 42% of Portland's emissions.", "speaker": "Helena Birecki" }, { "id": "cue-1284", "start": 7662.26, "end": 7675.008, "text": "Weatherizing buildings and replacing inefficient combustion or resistance appliances with heat pumps and induction stoves improves air quality and saves energy, meaning it saves residents and workers money on both utilities and healthcare.", "speaker": "Helena Birecki" }, { "id": "cue-1285", "start": 7676.773, "end": 7683.65, "text": "So there's all of this testimony that it needs to be delayed or it's not feasible.", "speaker": "Helena Birecki" }, { "id": "cue-1286", "start": 7684.164, "end": 7685.256, "text": "And I want to tell you a little story.", "speaker": "Helena Birecki" }, { "id": "cue-1287", "start": 7685.77, "end": 7691.438, "text": "Back in 2019, I lived in San Francisco and was involved in that city's building decarbonization task force.", "speaker": "Helena Birecki" }, { "id": "cue-1288", "start": 7692.016, "end": 7698.47, "text": "In the commercial retrofits group, behind closed doors, they were seeing was what they needed was regulatory certainty.", "speaker": "Helena Birecki" }, { "id": "cue-1289", "start": 7699.161, "end": 7702.436, "text": "And if they had that, they could decarbonize by 2035.", "speaker": "Helena Birecki" }, { "id": "cue-1290", "start": 7702.613, "end": 7703.03, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Helena Birecki" }, { "id": "cue-1291", "start": 7705.275, "end": 7708.129, "text": "Water heaters last 8 to 12 years, furnaces 15 to 20.", "speaker": "Helena Birecki" }, { "id": "cue-1292", "start": 7708.626, "end": 7711.046, "text": "Repairs and replacements have to be done anyway.", "speaker": "Helena Birecki" }, { "id": "cue-1293", "start": 7711.367, "end": 7713.836, "text": "Why not ensure they improve quality of life?", "speaker": "Helena Birecki" }, { "id": "cue-1294", "start": 7714.477, "end": 7724.143, "text": "Climate and health standards in front of you have already gone through years of tweaking to make sure both tenant protections and feasibility exceptions are good, and you can improve them further as time goes on.", "speaker": "Helena Birecki" }, { "id": "cue-1295", "start": 7724.913, "end": 7728.808, "text": "Far from any kind of fast track, full decarbonization isn't required until 2050.", "speaker": "Helena Birecki" }, { "id": "cue-1296", "start": 7728.904, "end": 7729.321, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Helena Birecki" }, { "id": "cue-1297", "start": 7729.974, "end": 7734.605, "text": "In San Francisco, they said they could decarbonize all electric by 2035.", "speaker": "Helena Birecki" }, { "id": "cue-1298", "start": 7734.67, "end": 7736.522, "text": "We have better and cheaper technology now.", "speaker": "Helena Birecki" }, { "id": "cue-1299", "start": 7738.05, "end": 7741.124, "text": "Don't let the special interests tie us to the current deadly status quo.", "speaker": "Helena Birecki" }, { "id": "cue-1300", "start": 7742.111, "end": 7744.279, "text": "Please pass the climate and health standards.", "speaker": "Helena Birecki" }, { "id": "cue-1301", "start": 7744.473, "end": 7744.845, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Helena Birecki" }, { "id": "cue-1302", "start": 7747.23, "end": 7748.233, "text": "Sarah is online.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-1303", "start": 7748.4, "end": 7749.402, "text": "You may begin when you're ready.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-1304", "start": 7753.711, "end": 7754.06, "text": "Hello.", "speaker": "Greg Astley" }, { "id": "cue-1305", "start": 7754.326, "end": 7755.523, "text": "Sorry, I'm getting my notes up.", "speaker": "Sarah Wood" }, { "id": "cue-1306", "start": 7756.364, "end": 7757.262, "text": "My name is Sarah Wood.", "speaker": "Sarah Wood" }, { "id": "cue-1307", "start": 7757.551, "end": 7759.604, "text": "I am a tenant in District 4.", "speaker": "Sarah Wood" }, { "id": "cue-1308", "start": 7759.957, "end": 7765.926, "text": "I support the environmental goals of this measure, and I strongly support access to utility cost information for prospective tenants.", "speaker": "Sarah Wood" }, { "id": "cue-1309", "start": 7766.471, "end": 7772.889, "text": "When I moved into my current apartment, I did not realize it would cost me around $300 a month to heat the apartment to 68 degrees in the winter.", "speaker": "Sarah Wood" }, { "id": "cue-1310", "start": 7773.21, "end": 7778.632, "text": "There's poor insulation, there are resistance heaters, single-pane windows, and my landlord is happy to let tenants eat the costs.", "speaker": "Sarah Wood" }, { "id": "cue-1311", "start": 7779.226, "end": 7781.135, "text": "Water and trash is another $150 a month.", "speaker": "Sarah Wood" }, { "id": "cue-1312", "start": 7781.552, "end": 7785.449, "text": "There are a high number of low-income tenants here in this building, including a lot of people on vouchers.", "speaker": "Sarah Wood" }, { "id": "cue-1313", "start": 7785.818, "end": 7790.18, "text": "A lot of them get surprised by the high costs of utilities here and can't afford to keep the heat on.", "speaker": "Sarah Wood" }, { "id": "cue-1314", "start": 7790.774, "end": 7800.492, "text": "The air gets really smoky in the winter because people burn the fireplaces constantly instead, and each year there are pipe breaks from the cold that cause mold, and tenants in the building get stuck with the water bills for that as well.", "speaker": "Sarah Wood" }, { "id": "cue-1315", "start": 7801.118, "end": 7808.431, "text": "I would not have moved here if I knew utilities would cost so much, and the landlords won't make any improvements here unless they have to or are incentivized to.", "speaker": "Sarah Wood" }, { "id": "cue-1316", "start": 7808.912, "end": 7820.92, "text": "So I strongly urge the council to make utility costs much more transparent for prospective tenants so we don't get ambushed by high costs, and to provide more incentives for landlords to actually make energy efficiency upgrades.", "speaker": "Sarah Wood" }, { "id": "cue-1317", "start": 7821.583, "end": 7821.907, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Sarah Wood" }, { "id": "cue-1318", "start": 7825.061, "end": 7825.935, "text": "Tyler is online.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-1319", "start": 7826.21, "end": 7827.148, "text": "You may begin when you're ready.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-1320", "start": 7827.99, "end": 7830.245, "text": "Yes, thank you, Chair Avalos, members of the committee.", "speaker": "Tyler Reeves" }, { "id": "cue-1321", "start": 7831.308, "end": 7841.741, "text": "My name is Tyler Reeves, and I appreciate the opportunity to speak before you today as both a small landlord District 4, Northwest Portland, as well as a commercial real estate developer with Spec Development.", "speaker": "Tyler Reeves" }, { "id": "cue-1322", "start": 7842.693, "end": 7855.544, "text": "I'd also first like to echo the earlier sentiment that I too am here on behalf of the commercial real estate industry as a show of collaboration in a respectful capacity with the city to find a better future for the city of Portland.", "speaker": "Tyler Reeves" }, { "id": "cue-1323", "start": 7856.508, "end": 7866.926, "text": "While I support climate resilience like so many on this call today, my concern is not the approach— excuse me, my concern is not the goal but the approach, which is unfunded mandates at the exact moment Portland needs investment.", "speaker": "Tyler Reeves" }, { "id": "cue-1324", "start": 7867.388, "end": 7870.913, "text": "I'd like to share 3 concerns starting as a small landlord.", "speaker": "Tyler Reeves" }, { "id": "cue-1325", "start": 7871.618, "end": 7874.711, "text": "First, owner carries the entirety of the cost with no financial relief.", "speaker": "Tyler Reeves" }, { "id": "cue-1326", "start": 7875.849, "end": 7889.902, "text": "While I agree with earlier comments that tenants should not bear these costs, the policy itself offers no upfront funding, and financial hardship doesn't qualify for an exemption unless I and so many other small owners around the city can demonstrate near insolvency.", "speaker": "Tyler Reeves" }, { "id": "cue-1327", "start": 7890.591, "end": 7893.027, "text": "However, these costs have to come from somewhere.", "speaker": "Tyler Reeves" }, { "id": "cue-1328", "start": 7893.091, "end": 7893.315, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Tyler Reeves" }, { "id": "cue-1329", "start": 7893.52, "end": 7900.93, "text": "And for small owners like myself, that means less money for repairs and maintenance, things that directly impact tenants like we just heard on a daily basis.", "speaker": "Tyler Reeves" }, { "id": "cue-1330", "start": 7901.78, "end": 7911.43, "text": "So while it's recognized yet or not, these additional costs borne by the landowners will in some capacity negatively pass through to the tenants themselves throughout the city of Portland.", "speaker": "Tyler Reeves" }, { "id": "cue-1331", "start": 7912.26, "end": 7914.11, "text": "Second, the help just comes too late.", "speaker": "Tyler Reeves" }, { "id": "cue-1332", "start": 7914.56, "end": 7920.54, "text": "The city's own consultant estimates repair costs, improvement costs, and upgrade costs of more than $10,000 per unit.", "speaker": "Tyler Reeves" }, { "id": "cue-1333", "start": 7920.54, "end": 7920.58, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Tyler Reeves" }, { "id": "cue-1334", "start": 7920.646, "end": 7924.879, "text": "Per unit for older units, and that's just to meet the first step of compliance.", "speaker": "Tyler Reeves" }, { "id": "cue-1335", "start": 7925.312, "end": 7930.411, "text": "Yet the only assistance fund is filled by penalties, so help arrives after the owners have already failed.", "speaker": "Tyler Reeves" }, { "id": "cue-1336", "start": 7931.806, "end": 7934.34, "text": "Third, relocation costs fall entirely on us as owners.", "speaker": "Tyler Reeves" }, { "id": "cue-1337", "start": 7934.532, "end": 7943.287, "text": "We got to pay for the upgrades, we have to pay for the relocation, moving, and storage of the tenants, and guarantee their ability to move back into the unit after we're done.", "speaker": "Tyler Reeves" }, { "id": "cue-1338", "start": 7944.057, "end": 7947.905, "text": "A single instance can wipe out years of income for so many small owners across the city.", "speaker": "Tyler Reeves" }, { "id": "cue-1339", "start": 7948.596, "end": 7951.799, "text": "There will be one result: local owners selling to large operators.", "speaker": "Tyler Reeves" }, { "id": "cue-1340", "start": 7953.69, "end": 7957.706, "text": "As far as the commercial real estate investment side is concerned, this creates a liability with no ceiling.", "speaker": "Tyler Reeves" }, { "id": "cue-1341", "start": 7958.204, "end": 7961.562, "text": "Penalties are open-ended, can only go up, and include limits on building permits.", "speaker": "Tyler Reeves" }, { "id": "cue-1342", "start": 7961.996, "end": 7969.718, "text": "When we and so many others are underwriting a deal, uncapped risk such as this makes it more than enough to walk away from the city of Portland and other nearby cities.", "speaker": "Tyler Reeves" }, { "id": "cue-1343", "start": 7970.67, "end": 7973.117, "text": "Second, the timing and optics of this are very concerning.", "speaker": "Tyler Reeves" }, { "id": "cue-1344", "start": 7973.266, "end": 7975.816, "text": "With occupancy Office vacancy still north of 25%.", "speaker": "Tyler Reeves" }, { "id": "cue-1345", "start": 7975.944, "end": 7978.547, "text": "We're just now seeing signs of recovery.", "speaker": "Tyler Reeves" }, { "id": "cue-1346", "start": 7979.238, "end": 7982.468, "text": "Investors locally and nationally are paying very close attention to this vote.", "speaker": "Tyler Reeves" }, { "id": "cue-1347", "start": 7983.528, "end": 7992.559, "text": "I'd also encourage us to look at nearby cities such as Denver with a similar program, who's already extending its deadlines for compliance and cutting its fine in half after hearing from owners.", "speaker": "Tyler Reeves" }, { "id": "cue-1348", "start": 7992.976, "end": 7994.76, "text": "It's also facing federal lawsuit.", "speaker": "Tyler Reeves" }, { "id": "cue-1349", "start": 7995.708, "end": 7999.596, "text": "Portland would be adopting a stricter version just as our peer cities are already pulling back.", "speaker": "Tyler Reeves" }, { "id": "cue-1350", "start": 7999.661, "end": 7999.789, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Tyler Reeves" }, { "id": "cue-1351", "start": 8000.327, "end": 8003.927, "text": "Yet we won't even study the cost or grid capacity until after the first deadline.", "speaker": "Tyler Reeves" }, { "id": "cue-1352", "start": 8005.084, "end": 8009.636, "text": "It's with all that I want to respectfully ask the committee not to advance this policy as drafted.", "speaker": "Tyler Reeves" }, { "id": "cue-1353", "start": 8010.303, "end": 8021.015, "text": "Instead, please pause, engage stakeholders, especially those who are bearing the entirety of the financial responsibility, fund compliance up front, and align with the state's existing standards.", "speaker": "Tyler Reeves" }, { "id": "cue-1354", "start": 8022.015, "end": 8022.595, "text": "Thank you for your time.", "speaker": "Tyler Reeves" }, { "id": "cue-1355", "start": 8024.515, "end": 8024.805, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Tyler Reeves" }, { "id": "cue-1356", "start": 8027.238, "end": 8029.185, "text": "We have Kevin online in the lobby.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-1357", "start": 8029.528, "end": 8031.605, "text": "Kevin, if you could accept the panelist invite.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-1358", "start": 8032.66, "end": 8034.942, "text": "Uh, for now we'll move on to Alyson, who's online.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-1359", "start": 8041.5, "end": 8041.79, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Alyson Kraus" }, { "id": "cue-1360", "start": 8041.855, "end": 8045.056, "text": "Uh, good afternoon, Chair Avalos and members of the Housing and Permitting Committee.", "speaker": "Alyson Kraus" }, { "id": "cue-1361", "start": 8045.33, "end": 8046.979, "text": "For the record, my name is Alyson Kraus.", "speaker": "Alyson Kraus" }, { "id": "cue-1362", "start": 8047.335, "end": 8050.018, "text": "I'm the Senior Government Relations Manager at Portland Community College.", "speaker": "Alyson Kraus" }, { "id": "cue-1363", "start": 8050.664, "end": 8057.724, "text": "On October 6th, PCC Interim President Katie Ho sent a letter to this committee outlining the college's concerns with the proposed climate and health standards.", "speaker": "Alyson Kraus" }, { "id": "cue-1364", "start": 8058.077, "end": 8060.487, "text": "We've also submitted that letter as written testimony today.", "speaker": "Alyson Kraus" }, { "id": "cue-1365", "start": 8061.129, "end": 8063.892, "text": "PCC strongly supports the goals of this proposal.", "speaker": "Alyson Kraus" }, { "id": "cue-1366", "start": 8064.1, "end": 8070.332, "text": "Reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving energy efficiency, and creating healthier communities are commitments we share with the city.", "speaker": "Alyson Kraus" }, { "id": "cue-1367", "start": 8070.782, "end": 8074.268, "text": "Sustainability is embedded in PCC's mission and operations.", "speaker": "Alyson Kraus" }, { "id": "cue-1368", "start": 8074.605, "end": 8079.696, "text": "We have a climate action plan, invest in renewable energy and conservation, and publicly track our progress.", "speaker": "Alyson Kraus" }, { "id": "cue-1369", "start": 8079.761, "end": 8079.857, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Alyson Kraus" }, { "id": "cue-1370", "start": 8080.628, "end": 8084.304, "text": "Our concern is not with the goals of this ordinance, but how it applies to higher education.", "speaker": "Alyson Kraus" }, { "id": "cue-1371", "start": 8084.962, "end": 8090.997, "text": "PCC has engaged with the city in this process, and we appreciate that some changes were made in response to stakeholder feedback.", "speaker": "Alyson Kraus" }, { "id": "cue-1372", "start": 8091.302, "end": 8098.109, "text": "However, after reviewing the revised proposals, we continue to have concerns about how the standards would apply to higher education institutions.", "speaker": "Alyson Kraus" }, { "id": "cue-1373", "start": 8098.767, "end": 8106.536, "text": "PCC facilities are classrooms, laboratories, and workforce training environments with energy needs directly connected to our educational mission.", "speaker": "Alyson Kraus" }, { "id": "cue-1374", "start": 8107.275, "end": 8110.373, "text": "We have a responsibility to steward limited public resources.", "speaker": "Alyson Kraus" }, { "id": "cue-1375", "start": 8110.421, "end": 8110.517, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Alyson Kraus" }, { "id": "cue-1376", "start": 8111.046, "end": 8115.519, "text": "This— the proposal creates potential new compliance costs without providing dedicated funding.", "speaker": "Alyson Kraus" }, { "id": "cue-1377", "start": 8115.952, "end": 8122.251, "text": "Those costs would have to be balanced against educational programs, student services, facilities maintenance, and energy improvements.", "speaker": "Alyson Kraus" }, { "id": "cue-1378", "start": 8123.085, "end": 8134.034, "text": "As Dr. Ho's letter explains, our preference remains a collaborative approach that recognizes higher education circumstances while maintaining accountability for emissions reductions.", "speaker": "Alyson Kraus" }, { "id": "cue-1379", "start": 8134.466, "end": 8164.862, "text": "However, because these concerns remain unresolved, PCC is asking this committee to exempt public and nonprofit higher education institutions Good afternoon, board and committee.", "speaker": "Alyson Kraus" }, { "id": "cue-1380", "start": 8164.927, "end": 8165.915, "text": "My name is Kevin Pahl.", "speaker": "Kevin Pahl" }, { "id": "cue-1381", "start": 8166.174, "end": 8167.906, "text": "I am a District 4 resident.", "speaker": "Kevin Pahl" }, { "id": "cue-1382", "start": 8168.616, "end": 8175.188, "text": "Also part of a rather small property management organization here in the Portland area.", "speaker": "Kevin Pahl" }, { "id": "cue-1383", "start": 8175.91, "end": 8187.115, "text": "First became aware of this only a few days ago, and in the course of today's discussion, it does sound to me like things have probably been moving faster than they should.", "speaker": "Kevin Pahl" }, { "id": "cue-1384", "start": 8187.211, "end": 8196.012, "text": "And right up front, would, would recommend taking a bit of a pause and slowing things down a little bit until we work out some more of the details.", "speaker": "Kevin Pahl" }, { "id": "cue-1385", "start": 8196.444, "end": 8210.256, "text": "What I'm seeing is a document of about 17 to 20 pages that I read through last night, and honestly, there is quite a lot of complexity here that is going to hit property managers directly.", "speaker": "Kevin Pahl" }, { "id": "cue-1386", "start": 8212.051, "end": 8227.097, "text": "I do generally agree with the objectives you're trying to achieve here, but I also feel like just having good objectives and intentions don't mean you're going to get good results.", "speaker": "Kevin Pahl" }, { "id": "cue-1387", "start": 8227.161, "end": 8234.343, "text": "So I would strongly encourage the committee to, to take a step back and study things a little bit more closely.", "speaker": "Kevin Pahl" }, { "id": "cue-1388", "start": 8235.001, "end": 8266.416, "text": "Some of the, some of the primary concerns that jump out to me— one thing that I have not heard mentioned at all today, I mean, it seems like a big part of this is a push to get away from natural gas, uh, and, and I understand that, but one thing that has not come up is whether the electrical grid in the Portland area, in the Northwest in general, can withstand the extra load that is expected over the next few years with EVs, etc., coming online.", "speaker": "Kevin Pahl" }, { "id": "cue-1389", "start": 8266.464, "end": 8276.75, "text": "As I— the numbers I've seen from a report on OPB is a 9-gigawatt shortfall as soon as 2030.", "speaker": "Kevin Pahl" }, { "id": "cue-1390", "start": 8276.991, "end": 8280.329, "text": "Of course, that's, uh, that's a little bit undetermined.", "speaker": "Kevin Pahl" }, { "id": "cue-1391", "start": 8280.393, "end": 8280.457, "text": "Yes.", "speaker": "Kevin Pahl" }, { "id": "cue-1392", "start": 8281.003, "end": 8285.063, "text": "But I'd like to see that at least considered before we rush into this.", "speaker": "Kevin Pahl" }, { "id": "cue-1393", "start": 8285.176, "end": 8287.76, "text": "The other thing is, do people be prepared?", "speaker": "Kevin Pahl" }, { "id": "cue-1394", "start": 8288.45, "end": 8298.994, "text": "I expect that I would have clients if this goes through as is, very small residential rental owners who would say, you know what, I've had enough.", "speaker": "Kevin Pahl" }, { "id": "cue-1395", "start": 8299.219, "end": 8303.488, "text": "Too much regulation, too much oversight, too much compliance that I have to comply with.", "speaker": "Kevin Pahl" }, { "id": "cue-1396", "start": 8304.194, "end": 8305.109, "text": "It's time to sell.", "speaker": "Kevin Pahl" }, { "id": "cue-1397", "start": 8305.719, "end": 8309.927, "text": "Those units would no longer be on the rental market, more than likely.", "speaker": "Kevin Pahl" }, { "id": "cue-1398", "start": 8309.991, "end": 8312.202, "text": "So I urge you to keep that in mind.", "speaker": "Kevin Pahl" }, { "id": "cue-1399", "start": 8312.251, "end": 8316.193, "text": "If this goes through, don't be surprised if housing prices go up.", "speaker": "Kevin Pahl" }, { "id": "cue-1400", "start": 8316.454, "end": 8316.781, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Kevin Pahl" }, { "id": "cue-1401", "start": 8318.661, "end": 8319.805, "text": "That concludes testimony.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-1402", "start": 8321.55, "end": 8321.662, "text": "Great.", "speaker": "Helena Birecki" }, { "id": "cue-1403", "start": 8321.807, "end": 8327.281, "text": "Um, and then before we, uh, finish, we've got Devin from Councilor Pirtle-Guiney's office.", "speaker": "Diego" }, { "id": "cue-1404", "start": 8327.522, "end": 8331.273, "text": "Um, she was, uh, I don't know, you can share why she's not here.", "speaker": "Diego" }, { "id": "cue-1405", "start": 8331.321, "end": 8331.569, "text": "I don't know.", "speaker": "Melanie Plaut" }, { "id": "cue-1406", "start": 8332.051, "end": 8333.353, "text": "Um, Yeah, go ahead.", "speaker": "Melanie Plaut" }, { "id": "cue-1407", "start": 8333.626, "end": 8333.867, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-1408", "start": 8334.895, "end": 8338.572, "text": "Chair Avalos, Vice Chair Green, members of the committee, my name is Devin Mullins.", "speaker": "Dan Eisenbeis" }, { "id": "cue-1409", "start": 8338.685, "end": 8340.869, "text": "I'm the chief of staff for Councilor Elana Pirtle-Guiney.", "speaker": "Dan Eisenbeis" }, { "id": "cue-1410", "start": 8341.656, "end": 8344.178, "text": "I am very sorry for the councilor's unexpected absence.", "speaker": "Dan Eisenbeis" }, { "id": "cue-1411", "start": 8344.29, "end": 8349.59, "text": "To be transparent, just moments before committee, Councilor Pirtle-Guiney started feeling very unwell and had to go to urgent care.", "speaker": "Dan Eisenbeis" }, { "id": "cue-1412", "start": 8350.072, "end": 8350.907, "text": "I did get a text from her.", "speaker": "Dan Eisenbeis" }, { "id": "cue-1413", "start": 8350.971, "end": 8353.621, "text": "She's doing okay and is at home, but she has strep throat.", "speaker": "Dan Eisenbeis" }, { "id": "cue-1414", "start": 8354.906, "end": 8358.985, "text": "We know this policy is incredibly important, both in vision and in anticipated impacts.", "speaker": "Dan Eisenbeis" }, { "id": "cue-1415", "start": 8359.564, "end": 8362.844, "text": "The councilor takes that very seriously and really wishes she could be here right now.", "speaker": "Greg Astley" }, { "id": "cue-1416", "start": 8363.262, "end": 8367.298, "text": "We appreciate the many conversations we've had with stakeholders and the sponsor up to this point.", "speaker": "Dan Eisenbeis" }, { "id": "cue-1417", "start": 8367.909, "end": 8377.17, "text": "She does have questions and points to raise on a number of the policy details and wants to do so in a public forum where the stakeholders and constituents who took time out of their day to be here in chambers can be part of it.", "speaker": "Dan Eisenbeis" }, { "id": "cue-1418", "start": 8377.717, "end": 8380.08, "text": "She looks forward to having those conversations in the near future.", "speaker": "Dan Eisenbeis" }, { "id": "cue-1419", "start": 8383.94, "end": 8387.442, "text": "Thanks for bearing with us, and thanks sincerely to Chair Avalos for the flexibility here.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-1420", "start": 8388.486, "end": 8390.285, "text": "Our climate goals must be ambitious.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-1421", "start": 8390.735, "end": 8397.997, "text": "The city is committed to reducing carbon emissions 50% below 1990 levels by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-1422", "start": 8398.784, "end": 8402.897, "text": "These goals are only ambitious because inaction and climate negligence are the status quo.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-1423", "start": 8403.603, "end": 8407.017, "text": "We could be doing better, but these are practical goals we need to be working towards.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-1424", "start": 8407.931, "end": 8413.671, "text": "This reality makes it all the more real that these are not aspirational goals we can afford to treat as optional.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-1425", "start": 8414.248, "end": 8422.601, "text": "They represent a basic responsibility we have to our community and planet to reduce our contribution to climate change and preserve a livable future for generations to come.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-1426", "start": 8423.787, "end": 8430.665, "text": "Meeting these targets will require bold policies, sustained commitment, and a willingness to take action on challenges that cannot be solved through incremental change alone.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-1427", "start": 8431.242, "end": 8432.733, "text": "We must be willing and prepared to take—.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-1428", "start": 8432.733, "end": 8432.941, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-1429", "start": 8433.102, "end": 8439.064, "text": "On meaningful action that puts us on a credible path to meeting our goals and helps foster a safer and healthier Portland for all.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-1430", "start": 8439.833, "end": 8447.847, "text": "Before coming to City Council, before being elected to City Council, Councilor Pirtle-Guiney led a state-level workgroup focused on improving energy efficiency in new construction.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-1431", "start": 8448.328, "end": 8453.12, "text": "And while that work was a significant step forward, it was understood even then that it would only get us so far.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-1432", "start": 8453.761, "end": 8457.96, "text": "If we are serious about achieving our climate commitments, we must address emissions from our existing buildings.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-1433", "start": 8458.425, "end": 8462.095, "text": "The councilor appreciates that this proposal seeks to identify strategies to do just that.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-1434", "start": 8462.832, "end": 8465.492, "text": "No single city can solve the climate crisis single-handedly.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-1435", "start": 8465.973, "end": 8471.725, "text": "Our actions alone cannot eliminate the harms we are seeing from climate change, but that does not diminish our responsibility to act.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-1436", "start": 8472.35, "end": 8479.865, "text": "Our work to reduce carbon emissions matters, our leadership in this space matters, and the example we set can help demonstrate important climate action on a local level.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-1437", "start": 8480.715, "end": 8483.984, "text": "At the same time, those ambitions must be matched with thoughtful policymaking.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-1438", "start": 8484.304, "end": 8491.038, "text": "We have a responsibility to ensure that the policies we adopt are not only effective and advance our climate goals, But also practical and workable.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-1439", "start": 8491.76, "end": 8500.111, "text": "That means listening to the people and organizations who will be affected, understanding the implications of the proposal, and carefully considering the questions and concerns that will help us get it right.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-1440", "start": 8500.753, "end": 8503.114, "text": "That is the spirit in which the councilor is approaching this ordinance.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-1441", "start": 8503.965, "end": 8510.116, "text": "She was planning to ask a lot of questions today that have come up for her personally, as well as things that have been raised by stakeholders.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-1442", "start": 8511.015, "end": 8516.443, "text": "A few of these include questions around contingency plans if electric utilities fail to meet their clean energy targets.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-1443", "start": 8517.014, "end": 8528.971, "text": "Questions concerning the application of different definitions used in the ordinance, and questions around how areas of enforcement left to the discretion of city officials will actually be applied if entities with unique buildings like hospital campuses.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-1444", "start": 8529.87, "end": 8539.173, "text": "The councilor is looking forward to having further discussion on this policy and asking many of these questions to ensure the final product both helps us achieve our climate objectives and accounts for the realities of implementation.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-1445", "start": 8539.526, "end": 8540.169, "text": "Thank you very much.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-1446", "start": 8541.76, "end": 8542.37, "text": "Thank you, Devin.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1447", "start": 8542.483, "end": 8545.439, "text": "And to Councilor Pirtle-Guiney, I hope she feels well soon.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1448", "start": 8547.47, "end": 8553.736, "text": "Okay, so what we are going to do is let us take a— I'm going to give us a 13-minute break.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1449", "start": 8553.784, "end": 8556.922, "text": "Let's come back at 4:30 and we'll get into discussion.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1450", "start": 8557.518, "end": 8557.775, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1451", "start": 8559.127, "end": 8565.048, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1452", "start": 9489.351, "end": 9496.415, "text": "All right, we are going to call this meeting back to order at 4:33, uh, and we're going to get into some discussion.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1453", "start": 9496.464, "end": 9501.579, "text": "And I'll— I'm going to kick us off and just share some reflections, and then yeah, we'll, we'll get into it.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1454", "start": 9502.41, "end": 9507.7, "text": "Um, so first of all, thank you so much for all of the public testimony.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1455", "start": 9507.7, "end": 9511.08, "text": "Really grateful that you took the time to engage in this policy.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1456", "start": 9511.18, "end": 9522.21, "text": "This is a really important policy for our city, and, um, whether I agree with your comments or not, uh, I appreciate your voice, and I need your voice in order to make this a policy that we can all stand by.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1457", "start": 9522.28, "end": 9535.484, "text": "I am, um, struck by the powerful stories of folks like Sarah Wood, who was surprised by huge energy bills over $300 and can feel the air quality impact of wood stove backups for folks facing high gas and electric bills.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1458", "start": 9535.981, "end": 9540.425, "text": "And it's folks like Sarah and future generations that are the reason that we are moving this policy forward.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1459", "start": 9541.131, "end": 9544.355, "text": "So I want to take a moment to respond to a few of the claims that we've heard so far.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1460", "start": 9545.141, "end": 9549.489, "text": "First of all, I'm happy to share that many of the concerns raised today have already been addressed.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1461", "start": 9550.194, "end": 9562.675, "text": "My office and BPS have made sure that there are sideboards and flexibility to allow for considerations of buildings' unique situations or needs, as well as progress that buildings have already made towards eliminating emissions.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1462", "start": 9562.867, "end": 9571.381, "text": "I was really grateful to hear So many of the folks share that they already have plans to reduce emissions by 2030, 2040, 2050.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1463", "start": 9571.861, "end": 9575.42, "text": "So I think that that aligns perfectly with this policy.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1464", "start": 9575.468, "end": 9586.561, "text": "Not only are you ahead of the curve, but we've also made sure that, you know, we've heard the concern that building owners who are already working towards decarbonization goals feel that this is duplicative.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1465", "start": 9586.978, "end": 9596.083, "text": "But the point of the flexibility in selecting a baseline year to measure against is to give credit to building owners who are already making progress toward net zero and decarbonization.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1466", "start": 9596.131, "end": 9596.275, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1467", "start": 9596.855, "end": 9600.317, "text": "And if a building's efficiency is already high due to past upgrades, that's great.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1468", "start": 9601.041, "end": 9611.297, "text": "The climate crisis still requires us, though, to transition away from fossil fuels as soon as possible, and this policy gives a very long on-ramp to eliminate those remaining emissions.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1469", "start": 9612.831, "end": 9620.737, "text": "The long road from 2030 to 2050 is meant to give plenty of time to building owners to replace appliances and make upgrades as part of regular upkeep.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1470", "start": 9621.349, "end": 9626.155, "text": "We're simply ensuring that those fixes and replacements are emissions-free and not locking in new fossil fuel appliances.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1471", "start": 9627.763, "end": 9631.902, "text": "And this is a direct quote from our ordinance under alternative compliance plans.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1472", "start": 9632.479, "end": 9642.569, "text": "Alternative compliance plans are intended to provide flexibility in the replacement of long-lived equipment such as air conditioning and heating, or long-lived envelope components such as windows and insulation.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1473", "start": 9643.563, "end": 9648.873, "text": "As it relates to the claims that stakeholders haven't been engaged sufficiently, we're going to have to agree to disagree.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1474", "start": 9649.643, "end": 9650.268, "text": "Here's what we've done.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1475", "start": 9651.006, "end": 9661.348, "text": "Years of BPS roundtables with impacted parties, including building owners, we've done years of community workshops hosted by the Coalitions of Communities of Color, Verde, and other community-based organizations.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1476", "start": 9661.862, "end": 9663.501, "text": "I hosted a workshop earlier this year.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1477", "start": 9664.176, "end": 9669.574, "text": "And overall, what, uh, for my colleagues, I shared with you a large document.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1478", "start": 9670.056, "end": 9675.68, "text": "And what that document shows is on the right column— there's 3 columns— in the right column you'll see 2022 at the top.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1479", "start": 9676.001, "end": 9680.693, "text": "That shows kind of the origin or the, the OG version of the, um, ordinance.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1480", "start": 9681.126, "end": 9689.51, "text": "In the middle column that says 2025, those are all of the changes that happened between 2022 and 2025 prior to me being involved, right?", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1481", "start": 9690.263, "end": 9699.465, "text": "And so those changes were a result of the pilot program, the Eco Northwest study, years of engagement that BPS has done.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1482", "start": 9699.978, "end": 9703.152, "text": "And so the middle column shows all of those changes.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1483", "start": 9703.264, "end": 9706.999, "text": "And then on the left column is where you see my changes.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1484", "start": 9707.111, "end": 9713.635, "text": "So my office, once we entered office and started working on this policy to try to enter it into the legislature, legislative process.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1485", "start": 9714.244, "end": 9715.206, "text": "And so you'll see that.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1486", "start": 9715.511, "end": 9721.057, "text": "I think what you'll notice when you look through those documents is that a lot of the red lines are in the middle column.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1487", "start": 9721.538, "end": 9727.87, "text": "A lot of this, this policy was devised and developed over those many, many years of engagement.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1488", "start": 9728.896, "end": 9735.5, "text": "As for cost of compliance, the pilot program showed minimal impact from energy reporting, including no new staffing needed.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1489", "start": 9736.029, "end": 9746.53, "text": "And there are numerous pools of funding to support building owners in making upgrades, such as PSEF, of course, but also the Oregon Housing and Community Services Community Energy and the Energy Trust of Oregon.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1490", "start": 9747.107, "end": 9752.528, "text": "We are uniquely fortunate in Portland to have PSEF, something other cities like Seattle and NYC don't have.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1491", "start": 9753.041, "end": 9763.4, "text": "At the same time, the city expects private building owners to pay for their own assets and investments in properties, and we have given a long implementation timeline to allow owners to do that when they are able to.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1492", "start": 9764.202, "end": 9770.087, "text": "The policy also includes consideration for extra support for building owners facing undue hardships, including bankruptcy.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1493", "start": 9770.536, "end": 9785.238, "text": "So please refer in the policy to Section 17.104.170, under extensions and exemptions in the draft ordinance, which includes a list of 9 situations anticipated for possible exemptions or timeline extensions for covered buildings.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1494", "start": 9786.055, "end": 9796.523, "text": "The electrical grid is absolutely capable of handling building electrification, and energy efficiency measures mean that demand should fall in the near term as electrification proceeds across the state of Oregon.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1495", "start": 9797.693, "end": 9803.352, "text": "Finally, climate scientists worldwide have clearly stated that we need to transition away from burning fossil fuels.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1496", "start": 9803.945, "end": 9809.395, "text": "Our buildings make up 42% of Portland's emissions, and they need to to make that transition sooner or later.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1497", "start": 9810.021, "end": 9815.775, "text": "This policy gives plenty of time for building owners to make the change as their existing appliances age out of functioning.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1498", "start": 9816.208, "end": 9823.133, "text": "And we are moving forward with this policy because, as testifiers have mentioned, we must act now to address the scale of the climate crisis.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1499", "start": 9823.999, "end": 9827.189, "text": "So, um, we've got, you know, 22 more minutes.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1500", "start": 9827.237, "end": 9831.357, "text": "Let's see how far we get, and then we can talk towards, um, what it looks like at the end of our time.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1501", "start": 9831.838, "end": 9845.194, "text": "But, um, now is the time to ask technical questions, reflect on the testimony, or if you have any other thoughts or comments on the and let's kick it off with Councilor Novick.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1502", "start": 9846.15, "end": 9846.895, "text": "Thank you, Madam Chair.", "speaker": "Steve Novick" }, { "id": "cue-1503", "start": 9848.352, "end": 9862.851, "text": "Um, one thing that I think that we'd really benefit from, and I think we had somebody who was familiar with New York testify a couple of weeks ago, but I think it would be lovely if we could have somebody who's intimately involved with New York City's implementation, because I'm sure they heard all these arguments too.", "speaker": "Steve Novick" }, { "id": "cue-1504", "start": 9863.076, "end": 9867.832, "text": "Like, they heard from restaurants, they heard from— I'm sure they heard from They heard from hospitals.", "speaker": "Steve Novick" }, { "id": "cue-1505", "start": 9868.361, "end": 9873.601, "text": "So I'd like to hear from the city that's already done this, sort of how they are dealing with those issues.", "speaker": "Steve Novick" }, { "id": "cue-1506", "start": 9874.675, "end": 9880.748, "text": "And specifically, actually read an article just a few days ago, maybe a month ago, about New York City's implementation.", "speaker": "Steve Novick" }, { "id": "cue-1507", "start": 9880.844, "end": 9897.044, "text": "And the Department of Buildings said that they're considering adding a measurement for energy efficiency, discussing how to account for density of residents, which I think ties into one of the arguments we heard that, well, if I've got an empty building now, but I'm going to have a full building 10 years from now, do I get penalized for that?", "speaker": "Steve Novick" }, { "id": "cue-1508", "start": 9898.486, "end": 9900.329, "text": "So it sounds like New York is thinking about that.", "speaker": "Steve Novick" }, { "id": "cue-1509", "start": 9900.426, "end": 9904.354, "text": "And another thing they said was how to better support landlords of apartment buildings.", "speaker": "Steve Novick" }, { "id": "cue-1510", "start": 9904.629, "end": 9910.673, "text": "So I'd love to actually hear from— if we could hear from the person in the Department of Buildings that wrote that report, I think that would be great.", "speaker": "Steve Novick" }, { "id": "cue-1511", "start": 9912.247, "end": 9918.967, "text": "One question I have is we're talking about buildings being able to sort of use their own baseline.", "speaker": "Steve Novick" }, { "id": "cue-1512", "start": 9919.016, "end": 9919.065, "text": "Yeah.", "speaker": "Steve Novick" }, { "id": "cue-1513", "start": 9920.387, "end": 9928.036, "text": "And what I'm wondering is, does that mean that will building owners actually know what their emissions were like 10 years ago?", "speaker": "Steve Novick" }, { "id": "cue-1514", "start": 9928.132, "end": 9930.936, "text": "Like they've said, we made investments 10 years ago.", "speaker": "Steve Novick" }, { "id": "cue-1515", "start": 9931.486, "end": 9935.251, "text": "Would we expect to know what their emissions were, you know, a year before that?", "speaker": "Steve Novick" }, { "id": "cue-1516", "start": 9937.227, "end": 9940.945, "text": "And we've got some staff here from BPS to help us answer these technical questions.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1517", "start": 9941.304, "end": 9942.005, "text": "Thank you so much.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1518", "start": 9948.317, "end": 9952.283, "text": "For the record, I'm Ben Mason with the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability.", "speaker": "Ben Mason" }, { "id": "cue-1519", "start": 9954.076, "end": 9975.151, "text": "Um, so in regards to the question about baseline, so, uh, since 2015, commercial buildings of the same threshold for the current legislation that you're considering is 20,000 square feet larger, and those buildings have been required to report annually In terms of energy use, but also carbon emissions.", "speaker": "Ben Mason" }, { "id": "cue-1520", "start": 9975.845, "end": 9987.678, "text": "So if they have been in compliance with the state— or sorry, the city regulation, then they would have access to baselines for the last 10 years.", "speaker": "Ben Mason" }, { "id": "cue-1521", "start": 9988.747, "end": 9990.464, "text": "What about multifamily residential though?", "speaker": "Steve Novick" }, { "id": "cue-1522", "start": 9991.76, "end": 9998.336, "text": "Multifamily residential, we do not have that same requirement, so they may not have access to that baseline.", "speaker": "Ben Mason" }, { "id": "cue-1523", "start": 10000.06, "end": 10010.122, "text": "I believe that there's state regulations now because of the state building performance standards that the last 3 years of data can be available to them.", "speaker": "Ben Mason" }, { "id": "cue-1524", "start": 10010.251, "end": 10013.175, "text": "So they can reference some of their previous years.", "speaker": "Ben Mason" }, { "id": "cue-1525", "start": 10013.754, "end": 10019.363, "text": "But if they're saying we made this big investment 10 years ago, but we don't know exactly what the carbon impact is, they might be right.", "speaker": "Steve Novick" }, { "id": "cue-1526", "start": 10021.62, "end": 10023.111, "text": "That's right.", "speaker": "Steve Novick" }, { "id": "cue-1527", "start": 10023.338, "end": 10032.886, "text": "Did you guys give thought to— I think that in some other context, You know, to partly to address this, um, well, we're more energy efficient now than our competitors, so you're being unfair.", "speaker": "Steve Novick" }, { "id": "cue-1528", "start": 10033.079, "end": 10042.536, "text": "I think that in some instances, uh, people have said, okay, we'll set an energy efficiency target for everybody to meet as an alternative to reducing by X percent.", "speaker": "Steve Novick" }, { "id": "cue-1529", "start": 10043.195, "end": 10051.56, "text": "Uh, did you consider sort of having that 2-tiered thing saying either you reduce by 20% or you say you are reaching a certain energy efficiency target?", "speaker": "Steve Novick" }, { "id": "cue-1530", "start": 10053.246, "end": 10061.997, "text": "Yes, so that was where we started when we first engaged a wide range of stakeholders in 2022, was to set a target.", "speaker": "Ben Mason" }, { "id": "cue-1531", "start": 10062.141, "end": 10067.102, "text": "And it's similar to where Seattle was looking at greenhouse gas intensities.", "speaker": "Ben Mason" }, { "id": "cue-1532", "start": 10068.002, "end": 10089.154, "text": "And our concern at that time, because we were thinking about the potential equity impacts and unintended consequences, is that if we set a A target for building owners to reach that the lowest performing buildings, particularly if they are naturally occurring affordable housing, would have the longest way to go.", "speaker": "Ben Mason" }, { "id": "cue-1533", "start": 10089.957, "end": 10107.768, "text": "So then later we had the Eco Northwest analysis, and the key takeaway from that analysis is that a long compliance period is really necessary to allow for the market to adjust and not results in the pass-through of compliance costs.", "speaker": "Ben Mason" }, { "id": "cue-1534", "start": 10108.345, "end": 10115.4, "text": "So we actually changed to a much longer compliance period where 2030, for instance, is really a procedural compliance year.", "speaker": "Ben Mason" }, { "id": "cue-1535", "start": 10116.025, "end": 10119.601, "text": "It's not any change that's anticipated within buildings.", "speaker": "Ben Mason" }, { "id": "cue-1536", "start": 10120.098, "end": 10123.145, "text": "So it's really back-end loading any retrofits.", "speaker": "Ben Mason" }, { "id": "cue-1537", "start": 10123.241, "end": 10126.945, "text": "And Councilor, for the record, Eric Kingstrom, Director of the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability.", "speaker": "Eric Kingstrom" }, { "id": "cue-1538", "start": 10127.009, "end": 10132.909, "text": "Keep in mind that the end goal is the same for all, whether you're starting close to your goal or far from your goal.", "speaker": "Eric Kingstrom" }, { "id": "cue-1539", "start": 10133.171, "end": 10134.9, "text": "The long-term end goal is the same.", "speaker": "Eric Kingstrom" }, { "id": "cue-1540", "start": 10136.57, "end": 10140.012, "text": "So your slope of effort is shallower if you're already halfway there.", "speaker": "Eric Kingstrom" }, { "id": "cue-1541", "start": 10141.67, "end": 10147.446, "text": "On costs, I mean, Eco Northwest looked at cost of compliance by 2030, right?", "speaker": "Steve Novick" }, { "id": "cue-1542", "start": 10149.468, "end": 10154.375, "text": "And at that time, the first carbon performance standard was 2027.", "speaker": "Ben Mason" }, { "id": "cue-1543", "start": 10154.813, "end": 10158.587, "text": "So their work was in 2024 mostly.", "speaker": "Ben Mason" }, { "id": "cue-1544", "start": 10160.629, "end": 10160.965, "text": "Would it be—.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1545", "start": 10160.981, "end": 10168.873, "text": "I mean, and I'm particularly interested in the effect on sort of naturally occurring affordable housing, like, you know, the Joe Weston, you know, complexes.", "speaker": "Steve Novick" }, { "id": "cue-1546", "start": 10170.027, "end": 10179.426, "text": "Have we done sort of like a case study of here's what a— for one thing, how many naturally affordable housing units are gas-powered?", "speaker": "Steve Novick" }, { "id": "cue-1547", "start": 10179.49, "end": 10188.199, "text": "Have you done like a case study of like over the next 20 years, what kind of investments would a Joe Weston type have to make in order to come into compliance?", "speaker": "Steve Novick" }, { "id": "cue-1548", "start": 10190.001, "end": 10205.584, "text": "It wasn't over the next 20 years, but again, the initial greenhouse gas intensity target was set as assuming that a lot of naturally occurring affordable housing that would not reach it initially.", "speaker": "Ben Mason" }, { "id": "cue-1549", "start": 10206.84, "end": 10214.255, "text": "And so the estimate was the number of units out there, and so they assumed an 80% AMI.", "speaker": "Ben Mason" }, { "id": "cue-1550", "start": 10214.368, "end": 10214.545, "text": "Okay.", "speaker": "Ben Mason" }, { "id": "cue-1551", "start": 10215.349, "end": 10221.436, "text": "For the renters to define what would be natural currently for affordable housing, and then looked at a rent associated with that.", "speaker": "Ben Mason" }, { "id": "cue-1552", "start": 10222.354, "end": 10225.747, "text": "And then they looked at a CoStar database and did some extrapolations too.", "speaker": "Ben Mason" }, { "id": "cue-1553", "start": 10225.797, "end": 10227.007, "text": "I think they said a regression model.", "speaker": "Ben Mason" }, { "id": "cue-1554", "start": 10229.586, "end": 10237.259, "text": "And the conclusion from that, we asked them to be conservative because we were trying to avoid unintended consequences.", "speaker": "Ben Mason" }, { "id": "cue-1555", "start": 10237.874, "end": 10241.047, "text": "So they looked at 80% of— 80% of the units.", "speaker": "Ben Mason" }, { "id": "cue-1556", "start": 10241.494, "end": 10257.701, "text": "Naturally occurring affordable housing is probably all electric, but at the same time, they made some assumptions about if those buildings didn't get there through the clean energy targets plus the gas-served buildings, then what's the highest amount of impact that could be affected in 2027?", "speaker": "Ben Mason" }, { "id": "cue-1557", "start": 10257.75, "end": 10269.834, "text": "And Councilor, just keep in mind, when in 2024, when we paused our work on this, one of the reasons was we wanted to stand up the PCEV program that is aimed at naturally occurring affordable housing.", "speaker": "Eric Kingstrom" }, { "id": "cue-1558", "start": 10270.937, "end": 10275.78, "text": "Before this was reconsidered, and that program is now close to being underway.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-1559", "start": 10275.86, "end": 10282.226, "text": "So that's a piece of this, is we do have resources stood up for that segment of the market.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" }, { "id": "cue-1560", "start": 10283.044, "end": 10290.228, "text": "Okay, I'm actually— I don't want to hog all the time, so I want to like fire off some questions and we'll answer, see whatever answers we can get now.", "speaker": "Steve Novick" }, { "id": "cue-1561", "start": 10290.356, "end": 10298.585, "text": "Some of them could be postponed till later, but one question is, I mean, we had again Eco Northwest looked costs by 2030.", "speaker": "Steve Novick" }, { "id": "cue-1562", "start": 10298.762, "end": 10312.559, "text": "I would be interested to see what, you know, an analysis of costs for various affordable, naturally occurring affordable housing, what we'd estimate for 2035 and 2040 and 2045, particularly for those that are currently gas-powered.", "speaker": "Steve Novick" }, { "id": "cue-1563", "start": 10313.217, "end": 10336.617, "text": "On the issue of PSEF and other, you know, and the Energy Trust of Oregon, etc., etc., I'd like to get some more precision as to how much we anticipate the overall costs are going to be, like, over the next 20 years, and how much of that we think that those entities could reasonably cover, particularly because there's, you know, other demands for PSEF as well.", "speaker": "Steve Novick" }, { "id": "cue-1564", "start": 10337.243, "end": 10358.836, "text": "So I just have no concept of whether we think that overall conversion is going to cost $8 billion and we expect PSEF and those other things to cover $1 billion of it, or if we expect the cost to be $1 million and we expect PSAP and those other, those other providers, those other givers to give, you know, $700 million.", "speaker": "Steve Novick" }, { "id": "cue-1565", "start": 10361.187, "end": 10364.793, "text": "And another question I have is, what about new buildings?", "speaker": "Steve Novick" }, { "id": "cue-1566", "start": 10365.051, "end": 10374.986, "text": "If a building is built now, do they have to reduce 20% every X number of years, or are they exempted for some period of time?", "speaker": "Steve Novick" }, { "id": "cue-1567", "start": 10375.453, "end": 10379.126, "text": "Notably, this policy is climate and health standards for existing buildings.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1568", "start": 10379.598, "end": 10385.404, "text": "It purposefully is not addressing that because there's a whole other kind of set of conditions for new buildings.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1569", "start": 10386.302, "end": 10388.29, "text": "So that's why we decided to tackle this.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1570", "start": 10388.403, "end": 10391.418, "text": "And if you want to add anything else, but just wanted to point you to those.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1571", "start": 10392.011, "end": 10392.893, "text": "Okay.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1572", "start": 10394, "end": 10418.938, "text": "Yeah, I mean, if we have just a minute to address the vacancy issue, like what would happen to a building that is empty now, that is 50% empty now, but and that's something I think we talked about last time, that it really just comes down to the ACPs, the alternative compliance plans, to be able to adjust in those cases.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1573", "start": 10419.002, "end": 10424.044, "text": "Because, yeah, we heard that people were concerned about, you know, if it's vacant and how that changes the energy use.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1574", "start": 10424.108, "end": 10427.721, "text": "But that is why we built in protections in the ACP for that.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1575", "start": 10428.443, "end": 10442.702, "text": "And another question, you don't have to answer it now, is that To the extent we're creating flexibility, I think that we're creating work for the city and sort of, you know, administering a flexible program and being able to work with individual buildings for individual timelines.", "speaker": "Steve Novick" }, { "id": "cue-1576", "start": 10442.814, "end": 10448.867, "text": "So I see you've got some estimates of the cost to BPS of implementing some of this.", "speaker": "Steve Novick" }, { "id": "cue-1577", "start": 10449.14, "end": 10454.696, "text": "I'd like to sort of follow up on line of, you know, how much the cost increased depending on how flexible we are.", "speaker": "Steve Novick" }, { "id": "cue-1578", "start": 10456.547, "end": 10456.988, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Steve Novick" }, { "id": "cue-1579", "start": 10457.379, "end": 10459.632, "text": "Okay, thank you, Councilor.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1580", "start": 10459.73, "end": 10460.84, "text": "Councilor Vice Chair Green.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1581", "start": 10463.066, "end": 10466.002, "text": "Uh, thank you, Chair Avalos, and all good questions, Councilor Novick.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-1582", "start": 10466.05, "end": 10468.115, "text": "I'm curious to see those responses as well.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-1583", "start": 10469.115, "end": 10471.615, "text": "Um, I just want to thank you for bringing this forward.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-1584", "start": 10472.09, "end": 10476.127, "text": "Um, thank you for preparing this document which gives us a tour through the history.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-1585", "start": 10476.725, "end": 10480.073, "text": "I was not working on this in 2022, but clearly others were.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-1586", "start": 10480.218, "end": 10480.429, "text": "I was.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1587", "start": 10480.85, "end": 10481.773, "text": "You were working on it.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-1588", "start": 10483.243, "end": 10497.871, "text": "The red lines are really important because, I mean, oftentimes when we pursue policy, there's folks who say, you just— this came out of nowhere, or, you know, it's not clear that you listened or that anyone has been engaging with us.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-1589", "start": 10497.935, "end": 10505.915, "text": "But you've very clearly provided a forensic analysis of all the changes that have gone on for the last 6 years in this policy.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-1590", "start": 10505.963, "end": 10506.847, "text": "So I think that's notable.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-1591", "start": 10508.826, "end": 10511.158, "text": "I think there's just a couple comments I want to make here.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-1592", "start": 10513.4, "end": 10526.897, "text": "First is, I don't know if there's any skiers in the room or snowboarders in the room or anyone watching online, but this is maybe the first year that there's not a Palmer Snowfield operating on Timberline Lodge.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-1593", "start": 10527.187, "end": 10528.103, "text": "Mm-hmm.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-1594", "start": 10528.28, "end": 10531.883, "text": "So we no longer have a year-round mountain to ski on.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-1595", "start": 10533.122, "end": 10539.211, "text": "And that used to draw in, I mean, U.S. team used to practice at Mount Hood for the Olympics.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-1596", "start": 10540.384, "end": 10544.225, "text": "Used to be a site of destination and tourism, economic development.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-1597", "start": 10544.868, "end": 10546.137, "text": "And that's just one example.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-1598", "start": 10546.185, "end": 10547.792, "text": "It's not the most important thing in our local economy.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-1599", "start": 10547.856, "end": 10554.252, "text": "But if you look at pictures of the glacier fields on Mount Hood, the Zigzag Glacier is gone.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-1600", "start": 10555.168, "end": 10560.004, "text": "The Palmer Glacier has been gone since— I mean, for a while now, but they've always had a snowpack field.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-1601", "start": 10560.294, "end": 10560.679, "text": "That's gone.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-1602", "start": 10561.659, "end": 10565.354, "text": "And that's interesting because it's driven by climate change.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-1603", "start": 10565.451, "end": 10576.407, "text": "And if you look at the weather record at Portland Airport, we have an increasing number of hot weather days every single year.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-1604", "start": 10577.725, "end": 10581.404, "text": "And the 2010s decade was a banner decade for weather extremes.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-1605", "start": 10582.159, "end": 10587.477, "text": "And so a lot of folks think about Portland as a place of climate policy leadership.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-1606", "start": 10587.541, "end": 10587.605, "text": "Yes.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-1607", "start": 10588.264, "end": 10599.73, "text": "And so when I hear that, hey, your policy is not aligned with the state's, that's not a very compelling critique because the state's is not very aggressive and it's not aggressive enough.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-1608", "start": 10600.388, "end": 10609.943, "text": "And so in the absence of the ability to get the state to move faster and have a better and frankly more right-sized policy framework, cities step up.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-1609", "start": 10610.425, "end": 10614.777, "text": "And Portland has been lucky to have leadership on this question for a long time.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-1610", "start": 10615.242, "end": 10616.463, "text": "So I just needed to lay that there.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-1611", "start": 10617.314, "end": 10625.535, "text": "And if you're thinking about the electrical grid, you know, most of our energy is served by hydroelectric power in the Pacific Northwest.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-1612", "start": 10626.386, "end": 10634.735, "text": "And a significant source of that energy is driven by— or I'm sorry, the fuel source for that is stored in the mountains and snowpack.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-1613", "start": 10634.848, "end": 10635.699, "text": "Okay?", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-1614", "start": 10635.939, "end": 10639.825, "text": "And so our dams were built based upon certain assumptions of snowpack.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-1615", "start": 10639.889, "end": 10640.098, "text": "Well, that—.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-1616", "start": 10640.098, "end": 10640.275, "text": "That's right.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-1617", "start": 10641.094, "end": 10646.119, "text": "Runoff has started earlier and earlier every single year for the last decade.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-1618", "start": 10646.938, "end": 10660.458, "text": "And so what we, what we now find is you have to spill water earlier in the year to maintain certain constraints on the system, which means that you have to go buy it back in the market, and sometimes with carbon embodiments.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-1619", "start": 10660.827, "end": 10665.387, "text": "It's a, that's a less clean fuel, uh, in the parts of the summer that are expensive.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-1620", "start": 10665.5, "end": 10681.416, "text": "And so We're exposing ourselves increasingly to a very expensive regional wholesale energy market, while at the same time our unwillingness to move faster and wean ourselves off of fossil fuel is driving the very thing that's making that expensive.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-1621", "start": 10681.48, "end": 10683.118, "text": "And so there's a certain connectedness here.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-1622", "start": 10683.247, "end": 10692.209, "text": "And while Portland's building codes and standards can't necessarily solve the problem on its own, it's up to us to lead.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-1623", "start": 10692.722, "end": 10697.79, "text": "And so I think, you know, building emissions is a primary source, and we have an obligation to do it.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-1624", "start": 10697.918, "end": 10707.316, "text": "And so when I think about costs, it is appropriate to raise costs when you think about a policy, but those costs need to be weighed against other costs of inaction.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-1625", "start": 10708.503, "end": 10718.959, "text": "And the generations that come after us are gonna wonder why we didn't take action to lower their energy bills, to improve their health standards, and so on and so forth.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-1626", "start": 10719.023, "end": 10720.739, "text": "So I'm fully supportive of this process.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-1627", "start": 10720.852, "end": 10722.263, "text": "I really appreciate your willingness to—.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-1628", "start": 10722.263, "end": 10722.391, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-1629", "start": 10723.034, "end": 10726.118, "text": "Be responsive to all of these stakeholder concerns.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-1630", "start": 10727.034, "end": 10733.734, "text": "I've had my own questions, but also your FAQ on the website is pretty comprehensive and your stuff's been posted there.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-1631", "start": 10733.798, "end": 10737.976, "text": "And so I suspect you'll continue to be flexible and continue to iterate.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-1632", "start": 10738.12, "end": 10752.765, "text": "And, you know, folks who think that, you know, I really encourage you to read what's actually been posted and read about all the exemptions and ways to comply on this because I heard a lot of, frankly, strawman arguments today during testimony that were simply not in the policy.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-1633", "start": 10753.086, "end": 10768.123, "text": "So I don't know when we're gonna move towards, you know, formalizing this, but I'm supportive of it and I'm gonna be really supportive of the broader conversation in this committee to finally land this, whatever the final policy looks like.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-1634", "start": 10768.86, "end": 10769.486, "text": "And that's it for now.", "speaker": "Mitch Green" }, { "id": "cue-1635", "start": 10770.704, "end": 10771.041, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1636", "start": 10771.73, "end": 10772.515, "text": "Councilor Koyama Lane.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1637", "start": 10773.509, "end": 10775.064, "text": "Thank you for this discussion.", "speaker": "Tiffany Koyama Lane" }, { "id": "cue-1638", "start": 10775.193, "end": 10776.988, "text": "Thank you to everyone that came to testify.", "speaker": "Tiffany Koyama Lane" }, { "id": "cue-1639", "start": 10777.341, "end": 10806.925, "text": "Thank you to all the folks here for all the work you if it's okay with you, Chair, I would love to see if our sustainability officer, Vivian Satterfield, is interested in coming up and sharing about how her work as our first sustainability officer connects to these policies, if there are any code changes in particular that connect to some of our goals that we have, if there are any pieces that you see as being the most impactful.", "speaker": "Tiffany Koyama Lane" }, { "id": "cue-1640", "start": 10807.005, "end": 10809.371, "text": "Councilor We'd love to hear from you.", "speaker": "Tiffany Koyama Lane" }, { "id": "cue-1641", "start": 10818.21, "end": 10819.982, "text": "Thank you, Councilor, for the invitation.", "speaker": "Tiffany Koyama Lane" }, { "id": "cue-1642", "start": 10820.239, "end": 10823.204, "text": "For the record, Vivian Satterfield, Chief Sustainability Officer for the city.", "speaker": "Tiffany Koyama Lane" }, { "id": "cue-1643", "start": 10824.106, "end": 10833.503, "text": "As you all know, my time here at the city started at the Bureau of Planning Sustainability, so I am familiar with some aspects of this proposed legislation.", "speaker": "Tiffany Koyama Lane" }, { "id": "cue-1644", "start": 10833.858, "end": 10853.355, "text": "And, you know, as I've mentioned before, you know, my goal in stewarding the city's next climate action plan alongside the Sustainability and Climate Commission is to really offer the strategies and the frameworks that help identify and help prioritize the areas that are most impactful, building off of the great work of the Climate Emergency Work Plan, which is our current climate action plan.", "speaker": "Tiffany Koyama Lane" }, { "id": "cue-1645", "start": 10854.109, "end": 10858.521, "text": "So addressing the emissions that come from our building sector is inevitable.", "speaker": "Tiffany Koyama Lane" }, { "id": "cue-1646", "start": 10858.714, "end": 10874.929, "text": "Similarly, and it's been mentioned here on transportation, that is another significant source and so it is inevitable that there will have to be both behavior changes, advances in technology that we can continue to hope for and spur innovation in.", "speaker": "Tiffany Koyama Lane" }, { "id": "cue-1647", "start": 10876.44, "end": 10881.627, "text": "And I believe some regulatory frameworks that will have to be— that will have to impact these sectors.", "speaker": "Tiffany Koyama Lane" }, { "id": "cue-1648", "start": 10882.84, "end": 10889.073, "text": "So the Sustainability and Climate Commission did hear the presentation from the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability.", "speaker": "Tiffany Koyama Lane" }, { "id": "cue-1649", "start": 10889.122, "end": 10896.148, "text": "And we will continue to monitor the progress has considered also with Councilor Avalos's leadership the various changes that have come with that.", "speaker": "Tiffany Koyama Lane" }, { "id": "cue-1650", "start": 10896.822, "end": 10906.781, "text": "I believe the letter from the Sustainability Commission helps emphasize that the tenant protections component of the updated code was of great interest.", "speaker": "Tiffany Koyama Lane" }, { "id": "cue-1651", "start": 10907.021, "end": 10908.032, "text": "Give me one moment.", "speaker": "Tiffany Koyama Lane" }, { "id": "cue-1652", "start": 10909.106, "end": 10912.554, "text": "It's integrating the building decarbonization with the tenant protections component.", "speaker": "Tiffany Koyama Lane" }, { "id": "cue-1653", "start": 10913.516, "end": 10932.577, "text": "The commission also appreciated the information to renters about energy use and the health impacts that can exist in their housing unit before signing the lease, and supported the Eco Northwest study around the long implementation period, was that.", "speaker": "Tiffany Koyama Lane" }, { "id": "cue-1654", "start": 10932.673, "end": 10942.404, "text": "And again, to the point that many have made about the complementary components in the state, that this builds upon and closes the gap in the state standard.", "speaker": "Tiffany Koyama Lane" }, { "id": "cue-1655", "start": 10942.692, "end": 10947.453, "text": "And that is very much in alignment with what I foresee that will also be reflected in the climate action plan.", "speaker": "Tiffany Koyama Lane" }, { "id": "cue-1656", "start": 10947.501, "end": 10947.629, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Tiffany Koyama Lane" }, { "id": "cue-1657", "start": 10947.742, "end": 10951.356, "text": "Plan as ongoing strategies that they will be identifying as well.", "speaker": "Tiffany Koyama Lane" }, { "id": "cue-1658", "start": 10953.49, "end": 10954.505, "text": "Thank you, Officer Satterfield.", "speaker": "Tiffany Koyama Lane" }, { "id": "cue-1659", "start": 10954.57, "end": 10955.263, "text": "That's helpful.", "speaker": "Tiffany Koyama Lane" }, { "id": "cue-1660", "start": 10957.777, "end": 10958.728, "text": "All right, thank you everybody.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1661", "start": 10959.602, "end": 10965.9, "text": "So, um, I don't see any other hands and we're about 3 minutes out, so here is what I'm planning for next steps.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1662", "start": 10966.41, "end": 10976.464, "text": "Um, first, again, thank you to all of the folks who have engaged, uh, so far and also who have brought things in testimony that are worth Uh, looking at and considering.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1663", "start": 10977.041, "end": 10984.755, "text": "Um, we are not only out of time, but also I think it's, uh, worth having some more time in committee to discuss this.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1664", "start": 10985.22, "end": 10989.454, "text": "I'm glad that we were able to at least take the time to hear from testimony.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1665", "start": 10989.871, "end": 10995.917, "text": "I knew that once I saw the list kind of, uh, creeping up in numbers, I realized that we might not get to all of our discussion today.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1666", "start": 10995.981, "end": 10996.27, "text": "Mm-hmm.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1667", "start": 10996.767, "end": 11005.765, "text": "Um, and so I have made some space on the December 1st So that is when this will return for hopefully a vote at that time.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1668", "start": 11006.311, "end": 11015.808, "text": "My plan between now and then, because I've got a deluge of letters last night that I haven't had time to parse through and look at, I'm going to take a look at those with my team.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1669", "start": 11016.738, "end": 11021.086, "text": "For councilors, obviously, you know, I've heard some questions that have emerged.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1670", "start": 11021.166, "end": 11024.359, "text": "We'll work on getting answers to anything that came up in committee.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1671", "start": 11025.257, "end": 11026.653, "text": "Damon is going to support us in that.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1672", "start": 11026.701, "end": 11026.829, "text": "Thank you.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1673", "start": 11026.91, "end": 11027.038, "text": "Okay.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1674", "start": 11027.567, "end": 11036.332, "text": "And then, uh, we— the goal will be to make any additional changes that we feel are necessary, uh, before bringing it back on December 1st.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1675", "start": 11036.412, "end": 11039.136, "text": "So, um, we can keep discussing what that looks like.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1676", "start": 11039.2, "end": 11047.277, "text": "I think at a minimum, um, you know, please do come and discuss, come talk with me if you have, um, questions or ideas so that we can start putting those in.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1677", "start": 11047.597, "end": 11053.639, "text": "Because ideally we can come in on 12/1 with a new policy instead of having to have a big amendment drama.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1678", "start": 11053.703, "end": 11056.722, "text": "I think that's going to be more bureaucratic and annoying.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1679", "start": 11057.316, "end": 11063.803, "text": "And so I'm trying to minimize that, especially too because what I don't want is for amendments to have disparate effects.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1680", "start": 11063.899, "end": 11065.136, "text": "And if we're approving that, right?", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1681", "start": 11065.2, "end": 11077.082, "text": "So I want to have a chance to work with BPS, work with the lawyers, consider any possible amendments and changes, and make those in conjunction with each other so that we can have a nice clean copy coming on December 1st.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1682", "start": 11077.532, "end": 11081.289, "text": "So for those who have engaged up until this point, please do reach out to my office.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1683", "start": 11081.562, "end": 11083.298, "text": "We will continue to be responsive.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1684", "start": 11083.796, "end": 11088.762, "text": "Um, check out my website where we have everything that you need to know about the history, where this is headed.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1685", "start": 11089.26, "end": 11092.859, "text": "Um, and yeah, we will, uh, continue that on 12/1.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1686", "start": 11094.659, "end": 11098.37, "text": "Thank you for your time, BPS, and Vivian, for being here.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1687", "start": 11098.531, "end": 11102.819, "text": "So, um, with that, our next meeting is Tuesday, November 17th.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1688", "start": 11102.884, "end": 11106.412, "text": "And note that we do not have a meeting on Tuesday, November 3rd, which is Election Day.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1689", "start": 11107.237, "end": 11112.267, "text": "And then we will, like I said, return with this policy at our next meeting, which will be 12/1.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1690", "start": 11112.958, "end": 11118.1, "text": "With that, I will adjourn the meeting of the Housing and Permitting Committee at 5:00 PM.", "speaker": "Candace Avalos" }, { "id": "cue-1691", "start": 11118.348, "end": 11118.514, "text": "Adjourned.", "speaker": "Unidentified speaker" } ] }