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install a transmission line through a residential neighborhood. He further advised that there is also the general uncertainty of the deregulated electrical environment. Chairperson Sullivan questioned whether the City wants to sit back and wait to see what happens or whether the City wants to be proactive and try to set a direction by putting programs in place to ensure an adequate supply and demand equation. He posed the following questions: Do we want to make sure that the solutions that are put forth are environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable? Do we want to protect our residents and businesses from high rates and inadequate supply? Do we want to establish some type of framework in the General Plan as to what is and what is not acceptable for our community? He stated that he believes the City should propose the solution and not wait for others to impose a solution on it. Chairperson Sullivan stated that he would like to see the Planning Commission recommend to the City Council that a study be performed with the goal of establishing a community energy strategy and policy to permit a proactive approach to and solutions for energy problems. He stated that he would like to see a community-based approach with all of the stakeholders involved, including residents, businesses, developers, energy industry representatives, and environmental and energy advocates, as well non-governmental organizations, such as the Local Government Commission and the Natural Resources Defense Council. Chairperson Sullivan advised that he would like to see the following elements that were presented in the staff report included in the study: local generation vs. relying on imported power what can be done on the sub-regional basis energy efficiency whether short-term, market-based decisions should be augmented by requiring attention be given to environmental externalities of ail types and long-term sustainability integrated energy approach (high efficiency generation) renewable power energy efficiency measures distributive generation conservation exploration of public and private partnerships range of community involvement local vs. regional approach analyzed Chairperson Sullivan stated that he believes the focus of the program should be on environmental, social, and economic sustainability. He advised that he feels decentralism and local controlled energy vs. centralized energy control needs to be discussed. Chairperson Sullivan advised that he would like the process to be an independent study, not tied to an application EIR, noting that he believes more options can be considered with an independent study. He further advised that he would like to see a moratorium on power plant applications, as he is not comfortable that someone will come back requesting that an application PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES November 28, 2000 Page 10