CAT, Carbon Neutral 6/17/26

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Attending: Jim B, David S., John O.

Agenda:

  • Notes from the May 19th meeting
  • Status of our climate action/justice funds
    • Balance as of June 15th: $12,807.76
    • $10,000 allocated for windows
    • The office is drawing on these funds every month for the monthly surcharge for 100% clean energy
  • How do we advertise exceeding our 2030 greenhouse gases emissions?
    • Lisa Young says she will include a write up to the Idaho Sierra Club’s monthly Climate Justice Newsletter
    • Jim will write a Press Release
  • BUUF Carbon Footprint – carbon neutral by 2030
    • Building and grounds
      • Waiting for new windows to improve energy efficiency and then we’ll see what could be done next. 
      • BUUF Solar
        • Since BUUF is all electric, how does that change the decision to do a solar installation?
        • What are the weights of considerations other than ROI and pay off schedule for having a solar installation?
          • Does a visible installation influence others to do the same
          • Does the increasing costs of energy in general as well as petrochemicals influence a decision?
          • What about the end of incentives under the Trump admin.  The incentive that BUUF can access will end at the end of 2027
    • Transportation
      • Looking for interest in carpooling is a long term project. 
    • Household Footprints
      • Climate Minutes
        • First Climate Minute sent out on May 26th
        • Second submitted on June 14th
        • Need topic for third & fouth
          • Car efficiency from the household carbon footprint 
          • Something about gasoline
        • Trade offs of using household solar electricity for charging an electric car vs household using.  David’s numbers seem to indicate a car gives a larger ROI than household.  Improving efficiency of electricity usage, what are the tradeoffs. 
  • Climate Action Team’s Plate Partner
    • Idaho Interfaith Power and Light
      • Still waiting to give them their plate partner check
    • Idaho Sierra Club’s Community Solar  & Energy Justice Team
  • Next Meeting
    • Tentative August 24 or 25

You’re Invited: Community Roundtable on Community Solar! 

By LIsa Young, Director, Idaho Chapter Sierra Club

Hi friends, neighbors, and community partners,

Here’s the summary version 🙂

We’re having a “Community Roundtable on Community Solar” on Wed, July 1, 5:30-6:30pm at the Whitney Community Centerand we would appreciate your help spreading the word and even joining us, if you can! Please reply and let us know! lisa.young@sierraclub.org

Here’s the detailed version 🙂

As many of you already know, we’ve been working with City of Boise staff and officials to try to develop the state’s first low-income community solar pilot project (!). It involves putting solar on the City-owned affordable housing complex on Vista Ave and then passing on some of the power bill savings to local residents in need. A good chunk of the project will be paid for through local business donations (thank you Clēnera!) and federal tax credits that are set to expire soon.

The City Council is currently in the process of deciding whether it can include the remaining costs in its FY27 City Budget and make this project a reality. This is a really important time to make our voices heard and tell the City Council that people and groups across the city want to see this project happen!

As part of our ongoing efforts around public education and community engagement, we’re hosting a “Community Roundtable on Community Solar” with the Vista Neighborhood Association on Wed, July 1 at the Whitney Community Center, attached to Whitney Elementary. This event will bring local residents and groups together to learn more and talk about why projects like this are so important for our neighborhoods. Key City Councilors will be there to listen and engage, as well!

We would love to have you and your organization join us for this event! You can have a table there to share more about your group with attendees, or simply just help us share out the event with your networks and show your support that way.

Please reply and let us know if/how you can be involved in this event, and/or this effort overall. Then, in a couple weeks, we’ll have the RSVP link and flyer ready to share out. We appreciate your partnership and support!

Best,

Lisa