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ERTH members debate energy policy subcommittee and possible moratorium on data centers
Summary
ERTH discussed a proposal for an Energy Policy, Infrastructure and Geothermal Subcommittee and public commenters urged rapid action; board members said parts overlapped existing committees, and members agreed to draft a letter to the county Energy Adhoc Committee and Board of Supervisors.
Sterling Wellman presented an ERTH Energy Policy, Infrastructure and Geothermal Subcommittee proposal at the June 3 meeting and urged rapid movement to include energy priorities in the General Plan. "Sterling Wellman presented her proposal for an ERTH Energy Policy, Infrastructure and Geothermal Subcommittee," meeting notes said.
Board members and public commenters debated scope and jurisdiction. Angela Amaral and Holly Harris said many components of the proposal appeared to fall under existing bodies such as the county Energy Adhoc Committee, the General Plan/Local Area Plan committees and ERTH’s existing Land Use and Road Safety committees. Public commenters Betsy Kahn and Margaux Kambara urged ERTH to move rapidly to include the proposal in the General Plan; Sterling Wellman expressed concern about AB 531 and state authority over energy projects. ERTH agreed to prepare a draft letter to the county Energy Adhoc Committee and the Board of Supervisors to convey local concerns and recommendations.
In new business, Sterling Wellman and public commenters raised interest in exploring a moratorium on data centers; some participants suggested the District 3 MAC consider the topic for future work. ERTH did not vote on forming the subcommittee or adopting a moratorium at the meeting; members directed staff and volunteers to prepare draft language for committee and county consideration.
