BOARD MEETING DATE: January 8, 2010
AGENDA NO. 20
PROPOSAL:
Update on AQMD Green Team
SYNOPSIS:
This report provides a summary of the composition and initial efforts of the AQMD Green Team.
COMMITTEE:
Not Applicable
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Receive and file.
Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer
Background
At the October 2009 meeting, the Governing Board approved a Green Policy for the agency to continue the District’s tradition of good environmental stewardship. Implementing this policy will complement the Board approved Climate Change Policy and help reduce the District’s carbon footprint from building operations, purchases, and employee work-related activities. In addition, actions stemming from the Policy can help us continue progress towards energy independence and efficiency, conserve water, reduce waste and use of harmful substances, lower criteria, toxic and greenhouse gas emissions, improve indoor air quality, minimizing environmental impacts, and encourage employees to improve the environment at work and home.
The policy calls for establishing an internal committee (the Green Team) that will meet quarterly to evaluate different potential approaches and review progress. Periodic reports will be made to the Climate Change Committee, and an annual report will be given to the Governing Board including, but not limited to, program implementation, SCAQMD annual carbon footprint, as well as per employee carbon index.
Green Team
The Green Team members are listed in the table below. The team was carefully selected by the Executive Council to include staff with a variety of backgrounds and areas of expertise, and has representatives from all major departments and the two employee unions.
Division or Union |
Representative(s) |
Title |
Executive Office |
Barry Wallerstein |
Executive Officer |
Planning, Rule Development & Area Sources |
Jill Whynot Michael Morris |
Director of Strategic Initiatives
Air Quality Specialist |
Technology Advancement |
Matt Miyasato |
Assistant Deputy Executive Officer |
Engineering & Compliance |
Mohan Balagopalan |
Senior Air Quality Engineer |
Public Affairs |
Anupom Ganguli |
Public Advisor |
Legal |
Barbara Baird
John Olvera |
District Counsel
Principal Deputy District Counsel |
Administration & Human Resources |
Sylvia Oroz
Gary Heiss |
Business Services Manager
Building/Maintenance Manager |
Finance |
Dean Hughbanks |
Procurement Manager |
Media Office |
Sam Atwood |
Media Manager |
Information Management |
Chris Marlia |
Assistant Deputy Executive Officer |
Union Representatives: Teamsters Professional Employees Association |
Phill Hubbard Kambiz Hadjforoosh |
Supervising Investigator
Air Quality Engineer II |
The first meeting of the Green Team occurred on December 17, 2009. Participants reviewed the Green Policy and why it was drafted, discussed the importance of this effort and the main functions of the team. The majority of the meeting focused on brainstorming ideas for both initial efforts and longer-term projects.
The Green Team suggests that the initial efforts include the following projects, which can be implemented in 3 to 6 months:
Solar Energy
Staff will complete analysis of the feasibility and cost of installing more solar-generating capability for our operations.
LED Lighting Pilot Program
LED lighting has the potential to reduce energy costs with a short pay-back period. Staff is installing some LED lighting as part of a pilot program, and will provide a report and recommendations on whether this should be expanded.
Energy Audit
Staff will investigate energy audit grants that the California Energy Commission is making available at low, or no, cost to government agencies. To be considered for a grant, a Board resolution including a commitment to seek funding to implement feasible reduction measures would be required.
Reduce Use of Paper
As the District continues to strive towards a paperless operation, several ideas can be implemented inexpensively, including reminders to employees to only print when necessary, and default settings on printers for double sided printing. Staff will also look at work flow, forms, and records to see what can be done electronically. Per capita paper usage over the last 5 years will be quantified, and staff will set a goal to reduce, and encourage employees to contribute.
Employee Recycling
A reminder will be sent via email to employees regarding the existing recycling bins to encourage their use. Additional small containers may be placed in coffee/copy rooms to facilitate recycling for batteries and lamp bulbs.
Web Information on Best Green Practices
Staff will develop and begin populating a ‘Best Green Practices’ section on our website for employees and others to use as an easy reference for ideas that can be put in place to reduce emissions and improve the work environment.
Waterless Urinals
Team members will research the feasibility of replacing urinals with waterless systems and report back on current water usage, and potential water reductions, costs, and pay-back periods.
The team will normally meet every quarter, but recommended another meeting in January to continue discussions and to evaluate and prioritize other short-, medium- and long-term projects. Periodic reports will be made to the appropriate Board Committee and any individual items that require expenditures that are not budgeted will be brought back to the Board. An annual report regarding these efforts will be made to the full Board each January.