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,-... 5. The focus on renewable energy brings benefits of less pollution, reduces greenhouse gases, and improves sustainability. The focus on distributed generation improves reliability and reduces cost on a macro scale. The distributed nature ofthese activities create local economic opportunities, such as local jobs, new markets, and lowers energy bills. Energy money circulates locally, instead of leaving the state or the country. The photo voltaic sector is growing at a double-digit rate, even in the current economy. It provides more energy security due to less reliance on oil and natural gas generation, and may alleviate some of the energy consequences associated with the problems in the Middle East. It would help retire old, inefficient, polluting power plants, and mitigate the need to build new power plants. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Commissioner Sullivan noted that with respect to implementation, the Plan is a starting point, and the ideas needed further discussion and development before they may be implemented in an informed way. He believed that the ideas should be prioritized, detailed, plans and budgets developed, and recommendations provided to City Council for implementation. With respect to the EVC's comments whether the Committee should be formally established or an ad hoc committee, the ad hoc committee worked well to brainstorm ideas. It was broad-based, had a diversity of views, and allowed interested parties to come and go based on their particular interests. Now that the EAG is in an implementation mode, he did not believe an ad hoc structure would work. He believed that more structure was needed, with permanent committee members, an elected chair to run the meetings, staff for professional support, formal meeting minutes to document discussions and decisions, a committee voting process to determine direction, and a parliamentary process to maintain control and civility in the meetings. He had seen ad hoc committees operate in a less productive marmer, and he believed that a more structured process was necessary. .-- Commissioner Roberts noted that the Committee should be under the Brown Act. Commissioner Sullivan agreed with that assessment, and added that the Committee should be established by the City Council. He believed that any member of the EAG who would like to be appointed should be appointed. The meetings should be open to the public, with time for public comments on each agenda item. Commissioner Sullivan noted that Ms. Hosterman had previously read the list of endorsements for the Energy Plan. He added that there was tremendous interest and support among the high levels in the state, including two former Energy Commissioners. Commissioner Sullivan advised that his priorities for the Energy Plan were: - October 23, 2002 Page II PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES