Sustainability Task Force Meeting Minutes

Monday, March 13th, 2017 – 2:00pm – 4:00pm Barrett Athletic Administration Center Conference Room

Introductions & Administrative Overview

Welcome & opening remarks from Co-Chairs Mary Stephens, Paul Laris, Reza Toossi

Paul Laris: In light of the current administration, our campus does not need to look to the federal

government to make significant strides in sustainability. Recommended read; LA Times, We may live in a

post-truth era, but nature does not.”

Introductions (Holli Fajack)

Welcome new members: 1. Nhan Tran, ASI Secretary for Sustainability, Designee of ASI President Marvin Flores 2. Emily Colville, Executive Assistant to Dean of COTA, Staff Council Representative 3. Marvin Mayo, Instructional Designer, Academic Technology, Designee of AVP of Academic

Technology Shawna Dark

Open call for new business (Holli Fajack)

Christine Whitcraft: Would like to reopen the discussion about evolving the role, charge and structure of

the Sustainability Task Force (STF):

o Academic Senate (AS) created STF to create and implement a Climate Action Plan. As a result,

the STF was limited in membership to certain staff and faculty.

o The STF’s role expanded from the initial charge and should look to become a more inclusive

representation of operations on campus.

o Next steps are to have a conversation with the AS & STF members about ending the STF as it is

(having completed its “task”) and expanding and redefining the group to include all colleges and

more staff and student reps from across campus.

o Intend to bring this to STF as proposal to request formal endorsement before bringing to the AS.

Recent climate change reports & updated projections – Dean Toji

Dean Toji: Climate change issues have become more intense; the problem has become worse; the

solutions are becoming better; and the politics have gotten more intense.

Targets we currently have look at how many degrees Celsius of pre-industrial CO2 levels are causing the

increase in temperature. The target set in the Paris Agreement was 2 degrees C but others, including

group of smaller, developing countries that are experiencing serious climate impacts are pushing for 1.5

degree target (say they cannot survive a 2 degree increase). (See Climate Vulnerable Forum)

Current climate projections show an increase in temperature with each year. Last year it was the first

time that the concentration levels of CO2 did not go below 400, so there is an increase in CO2 and,

therefore, an increase in global temperature.

Reducing emissions by the 1.5-degree limit means reaching Net-Zero for the world by 2070.

CSULB’s target year is 2030. We have resources and are doing what is appropriate as an institution and

as leaders to show everyone else that it is possible and to encourage them to do the same.

Solutions:

o We must decrease our dependence on fossil fuels and look towards renewable energy.

o Late 2016, costs of utility scale solar and wind have lowered and become more affordable.

o Renewable energy sources will be more abundant than fossil fuels by 2040; Solar panels, Battery

prices, LED, create more jobs. The solar industry now employees more people than the fossil

fuels industry.

New & Developing Initiatives Student Sustainability Coalition –Meg Workman

The goal of creating this Student Sustainability Coalition (SCC) is to get students involved and aware of

both the STF and campus sustainability efforts.

The idea came from a similar group formed at other universities and presented at the California Higher

Education Sustainability Conference (CHESC) and from STF’s concern with student engagement.

The Coalition would mirror the STF (i.e., advisory board, give updates, meet 3-4 times a year, etc.) and

include different representatives from sustainability-focused student clubs and organizations.

The Coalition has submitted a “take-interest form” to Student Life and Development (SLD) to start the

process of the SCC being recognized as a campus student club/organization.

It was suggested to reach out to students from all majors not only from the environmental sciences.

Someone encouraged reaching out to faculty to identify key faculty collaborates that will help spread

the word about the coalition to their students.

Sustainability Center –Michael Gardner

Sustainability Center concept is moving forward via a partnership between PPFM and ASI and the

organizations are making plans to work together to develop the idea.

The planning process will begin with a new Working Group co-chaired by Sylvana Cicero and Michael

Gardner.

Currently looking at the area adjacent to the ASI Recycling Center called the Laydown Yard.

Goal is to create a space where students can work on sustainability projects, effectively develop the

Zero Waste program, faculty sustainability initiatives, etc.

Please contact Michael.Gardner@csulb.edu if interested in the working group. Hope to have an update

about this project early in the Fall.

Bike Master Plan (Melissa Soto)

Working with the City of Long Beach to identify bike community concerns. The city has just created a

new Bike Master Plan and we are going to piggyback off their efforts to bring similar changes to CSULB

with the goal of increasing cycling to campus.

Currently have a Bike Master Plan Advisory group that includes faculty, staff, ESP/GEOG 392 students

who are helping develop a plan by conducting data collection and surveys.

This summer the City is putting in dedicated bike lanes running north and south from Atherton to Lyons,

which will connect Long Beach neighborhoods to major streets.

Campus is working with the city to look at opening up the Bouton Creek pathway to connect to Clark

Street.

Also working with Cyclehop (Bike share vendor) to increase bike share on campus and decrease prices

for students. Also looking at secure bike parking and perhaps bike lockers.

These new biking alternatives and improvements, combined with existing sustainable transportation

options could deter students living in on campus housing from bringing cars to campus.

The 49er Shops has space in front of the University Bookstore that could use as space for of bike repairs

or sales. It was suggested that this project would be great for ASI to take on and be student run. There is

a notion of “bike kitchens” where people can fix their bikes and fill their tires. This would create a sense

of community among students, staff, and the biking community.

Freight Farms/CBA Coffee Cart (Michael Gardner)

This is a project with 49er Shops. We are currently looking to identify a space on campus.

Original proposal considered the finances and what we can produce but did not think about the

preparation of the land and that it needs to be close to power.

There is also a project to take the Wallstreet Coffee cart off the grid. We are working with Kumbaya who

was going to donate equipment but the project is still in development, waiting to hear from vendor.

CCPE building broke ground and will be the first Net-Zero classroom building in the CSU system.

Working Group (WG) Progress Reports Water Conservation WG Report (Paul Wingco)

Updating Water Action Plan and will have draft ready for review by STF in May.

Working Group looked into water efficiency measures and identified some potential projects at SRWC.

Will discuss with Sylvana Cicero and report back to STF

ASI is comfortable with the initiative and will look into lowering temperature of the pool; had staff

research showerheads for facilities and it is something they can afford; will take the pool cover

recommendation back to the board and do additional research.

Long Beach Water Department has showerhead rebate that may cover cost of upgrades.

Clean Energy WG Report (Paul Wingco, Dean Toji)

Finalized scope of Clean Energy Master Plan; plan to do formal RFP for development of the plan.

Clean Energy Projects: Biggest solar project in all of CSU System. This will be the 4.75-megawatt solar

energy farm installed in lots 7 and 14, which will take us from 2% to 15% renewable energy. This project

is a “private public partnership” (P3) meaning CSULB has no upfront cost but will pay for project

overtime.

Battery Storage Project: 1 megawatt battery, installation in process now; to be completed and

functioning by the end of March. This is also a P3 project.

It was pointed out that energy is lost when it is transmitted via electrical wiring so when we are storing

it on campus, that is an additional positive.

Communications & Engagement WG Report (Christine Whitcraft, Holli Fajack)

Communications group came up with wish list for creating a Communications Strategy/Plan, which

included media and branding kit, marketing, current coverage, strategy that identifies audience, who we

are reaching out to and who we want to reach.

Next steps: reach out to marketing & business department/faculty about writing this communications

strategy over the summer (summer salary a possibility). Working Group will formalize the wish list to

create some kind of proposal.

Sustainable Procurement WG Report (Malia Kinimaka)

Last meeting, STF endorsed two sustainable procurement policy proposals.

One policy was to have departments purchase at least 30% recycled printer paper and the other was to

have a policy that all new hardware and technology purchased to include EPEAT certification.

Presented this idea to the administration.

Next steps include doing a broad consultation of campus constituents to identify exceptions and

challenges and to develop the policies around them. Working with students from ESP/GEOG 392 class;

would like more assistance in reaching ASMs, Deans, staff etc.

Asked for assistance in communicating these policies to broader campus community. Please contact

Malia.Kinimaka@csulb.edu if interested.

Staff Council Representative to STF is key person to connect with possible partners to help.

It was suggested that Malia attend meetings like the AS’s Executive Committee to inform them and get

buy-in

Malia was invited to attend the University Resource Council meeting.

Resilience WG Report (Lily House-Peters)

Almost one year since Resilience Commitment was signed by President Conoley (April 2016).

First-year goal is to form Campus-Community Coalition. Have been working diligently to identify possible

coalition members. Working to increase CSULB’ visibility in the city.

Working with City of Long Beach Planners who hired AECOM to draft the city’s Climate Adaptation and

Action Plan. Will be on the scientific advisory committee for the city’s efforts. Currently working with

Dean Toji’s (Without the last name the reference to “Dean” could be confused with a college dean by a

future reader of the minutes.) students to identify indicators for CSULB’s future resilience assessment.

The goal is to have a kick-off meeting of Campus-Community Coalition in June.

Zero Waste WG Report (Holli Fajack & Lee Johnson)

Waste hauler RFP proposals have been received and being reviewed by the Working Group

Zero Waste Program: Phase 1 includes converting the Library and Brotman Hall

Met with Andy Hoang and the university marketing team to request assistance in developing a Zero

Waste campaign that is as effective as the Breathe Campaign.

Sustainability in the Curriculum Green Thread Initiative (Chris Najera – recently appointed Green Thread Workshop Facilitator)

With support of STF, attended AASHE Workshop “Sustainability in Curriculum” in Atlanta in January.

Since then, have met with Paul Laris and past Green Thread facilitator, Ezra LeBank for input.

Wants to focus on increasing the level of engagement and get faculty excited for this workshop.

Currently looking at creative ways of getting faculty involved. Goal is to have one workshop by the end of the semester, which will be co-facilitated by Ezra.

SMBA Project Ideas (Michael Gardner & Holli Fajack)

Saturday MBA class must complete a sustainability-related capstone project.

Possible projects proposed by Office of Planning & Sustainability:

1. Sustainable Transportation Solutions

2. Housing Expansion Impact

3. Green Office Program

4. Communications Strategy

Other suggestions made by committee members:

o Students could look into “Off-site Electrical Production” plan since we can only produce 50% on

site.

o Converting food into energy and knowing where to dispose the by-product would be interesting

o Offsetting by using the skills and techniques developed on campus to help neighboring

communities and school districts. What CSULB has done can be turned into a model for LBUSD,

for example.

o Article about carbon offsetting with the LA Times. Look into offsets that do not involve planting

trees in another country but should be done locally.

Open call for new business & Announcements

On the topic of suggestions for reorganizing STF,

o It was noted that it would be helpful to work with the Academic Senate chair upfront to make sure

we have a document to share that includes infrastructure before approaching AS.

o A document has been drafted (by committee members) which will be brought to the STF for review,

and Reza Toosi, who sits on the Academic Senate, can bring the proposal formally to the Academic

Senate.

Name Title Sign in

Mary Stephens Vice President, Administration and Finance Present

Paul Laris Director, Geography and Environmental Science and Policy Present

Reza Toossi Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Present

Jacqueline Wilvers

Grant Development Specialist, Office of Research & Sponsored

Programs, Designee of Simon Kim Present

Jeanette Schelin Director, Japanese Gardens, designee Present

Shawna Dark Associate Vice President, Academic Technology Serv ices

Designee: Marvin Mayo

Present

David Salazar

Associate Vice-President, Physical Planning & Facilities

Management Present

Paul Wingco Energy Manager, Facilities Management Present

Amy Gerety Interim Director, Parking & Transportation

Pamela Lewis Assistant Director of Conduct and Title IX Investigator

Malia Kinimaka Director, Purchasing Present

Don Penrod General Manager, 49er Shops or Designee Present

Brian Nowlin Chief Operating Officer, CSULB Foundation

Sylvana Cicero Interim Associate Executive Director/Director, USU & SRWC Present

Nhan Tran Designee of ASI President, ASI Secretary of Sustainability Present

Emily Colv ille

Designee of Staff Council, Exec Asst to the Dean, COTA

Administration Present

Christine Whitcraft Assistant Professor, Biology Present

Dean Toji Assistant Professor, Asian & Asian American Studies Present

W. Gary Griswold

Designee of University Resource Council, Assistant Department

Chair, Director, Professional Writing Certificate Program

Department of English Present

Wesley Woelfel Assistant Professor, Design

Name Title Working Group (if applicable)

Amber Ceja Student Sustainability Assistant Communications

Sylvia Palomera Sustainability Program Assistant all

Holli Fajack Sustainability Coordinator all

Madison Simon Communications & Outreach Student Assistant Communications

Marvin Mayo Lead Instructional Designer Academic Technology Services

Adeline Morley ES&P Club Officer Water Conservation

Diana Sanchez Student

Melissa Soto Campus Planner Transportation

Michael Gardner Manager of Sustainability Transportation

Lily House-Peters Resilience Commitment Coordinator & Geography Professor Resilience

Wade Martin Faculty

Eric Bryan ASI Recycling Specialist Zero Waste

Chris Najera Lecturer & Green Thread Facilitator Clean Energy

Meg Workman ASI Sustainability Assistant Zero Waste

Daniel Pierce ASI Sustainability Assistant Zero Waste

Arnecia Bryant ASI Associate Director

Lee Johnson ASI Recycling Coordinator Zero Waste

Saurabh Pandya Student Clean Energy

Duc Tran Student Clean Energy

Cole Maloney Space Analyst Resilience

ROSTER, CSULB CAMPUS SUSTAINABILITY TASK FORCE

Additional Meeting Attendees

CSULB Sustainability Task ForceCLIMATE CHANGE UPDATE

March 13, 2017

Climate Leadership Statement

We believe carbon neutrality and resilience are extremely high priority areas of action for all institutions and

we aim to lead the nation in these efforts. We urge others to join us in

transforming society towards a sustainable, healthy, and more

prosperous future.

Projected Impacts under a High Emission Scenario

Presenter

Presentation Notes

http://www.ipcc.ch/graphics/syr/fig3-6.jpg

PARIS AGREEMENTUNITED NATIONS

2015

This Agreement . . . aims to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change, in the context of sustainable development and efforts to eradicate poverty . . . by:Holding the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, recognizing that this would significantly reduce the risks and impacts of climate change ...http://unfccc.int/paris_agreement/items/9485.php

Advocates for 1.5º C - 103 countries, led by the Climate Vulnerable Forum (Least Developed Countries, Small Island Developing States and Africa Group)

IPCC is now studying how to constrain warming to 1.5º

Global Warming of 1.5 °Can IPCC special report on the impacts of global warming of

1.5°C above pre-industrial levels and related global greenhouse gas emission pathways, in the context of strengthening the global response to the threat of climate change, sustainable

development, and efforts to eradicate povertyhttps://www.ipcc.ch/report/sr15/

NOAA/NASA – Annual Global Analysis for 2016 2016 was third successive record warm year - Temperature relative to a common 1961-90 base period

CO2 CONCENTRATIONS

To meet either emissions target (2° or 1.5°C), the world must reachzero GHG emissions by mid-century.

2°C - about 2070

1.5°C – 2045-2060

We have already reached 1 degree.

(“RCP2.6” = 1.5° scenario. Representative Concentration Pathways)

ACHIEVING ZERO EMISSIONS REQUIRES:Ending the use of fossil fuelsTransition to a zero-GHG energy systemEnd deforestation & increase afforestationFundamental reforms in agriculture

The Good News: The Rise of Renewable Energy

Utility-Scale SolarAbove: Solar Star projects, in Kern and Los Angeles counties.

One of the largest solar power plants in the world (579 megawatts), opened in 2015.

Reductions in Costs of Utility-Scale Solar and Wind, 2009-2016Unsubsidized Levelized Cost (facility lifetime) Comparison – Lazard, 2016

Presenter

Presentation Notes

http://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2016/12/22/14022114/solar-year-two-remarkable-facts

Electricity from Utility-Scale Solar and Wind in the U.S.is Now (2016) Often Cheaper than Natural Gas or Coal

Unsubsidized Levelized Cost (facility lifetime) Comparison – Lazard, 2016

Prices per kiloWatt-hour of storagefrom battery surveys by Bloomberg New Energy Finance

Energy efficiency – LEDs are “potentially one of the fastest technology shifts in human history.” Goldman Sachs, The Low Carbon Economy, 2016

Renewables projected to provide more electricity globally than either coal, gas, nuclear or oil in 2040. International Energy Agency

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Forbes. http://www.forbes.com/sites/niallmccarthy/2017/01/25/u-s-solar-energy-employs-more-people-than-oil-coal-and-gas-combined-infographic/#629c0b7c7d27

The hard part

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Buildings to be converted 2016-17

Buildings to be converted 2017-18

Buildings to be converted 2018-19

Buildings to be converted 2019-20

Non-State Buildings (conversion schedule TBD)

INTERIOR PROGRAM ROLL-OUT

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