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Sustainable Environment Commission reviews water conservation, e‑waste, pesticide-reduction and energy outreach
Summary
Steve McGahn, chair of the Sustainable Environment Commission, presented the commission’s annual report highlighting water conservation-plan updates, electronic-waste practices, pesticide-reduction efforts (rotating pesticide-free parks), an edible-forest effort at Harvest Park, and energy outreach including Avista’s clean-energy goals and upcoming public events.
The Sustainable Environment Commission (SEC) presented its annual report to the Moscow City Council, covering activities and recommendations spanning water conservation, solid-waste and e-waste handling, pesticide management, an edible-forest project and energy outreach.
Steve McGahn, SEC chair, described the commission’s role in advising the city on environmental management practices and summarized updates to the city’s water-conservation plan (last iteration cited from 2015–2016). The commission endorsed device and rebate programs, proposed irrigation audits for hotter, drier summers and supported a site-specific commercial rebate program.
On e-waste, McGahn referenced a presentation by Josh Lunt from Inland Northwest: e-waste is routed to Recycle Boise for disassembly and precious-metal recycling, CRTs to a facility in Oregon, batteries to a Lewiston facility, and larger appliances typically go to landfill salvage for scrap metal; McGahn said citizens should be mindful to scrub personal data from devices before drop-off.
The commission discussed pesticides and reported a policy of reduced use and integrated pest management in parks, plus a rotating pesticide-free park program (this year: Orchard Park/Water Tower Park). McGahn also praised the long-term Harvest Park edible-forest project south of town near the police station.
Energy topics included Avista’s presentations. McGahn said Avista discussed a goal of 100% carbon-neutral electricity capacity by 2028 and a 100% clean electricity goal by 2045, and described grid-resiliency measures such as cameras and sensors to mitigate wildfire risk.
The commission promoted outreach events: an electric transportation fair at PCEI on Sept. 21 and an energy-efficiency and electrification expo planned for next spring at the Latah County Fairgrounds (cosponsored by Avista and Citizens Climate Lobby of the Palouse). Council members asked about e-waste economics and pesticide-free park selection; SEC agreed to follow up with Inland Northwest and confirmed Orchard/Water Tower Park as the pesticide-free park for the year.
The report was received as informational; council did not take formal action on the SEC report at the meeting.
