Candidates' Answers to Question #3

Bill Fulton: We have already begun to do this by taking small steps, such as, for example, installing photovoltaics in our maintenance yard, which is in the process of being taken off the
electricity grid. But I would go much further than what is proposed in the question. I
would suggest that Ventura adopt a goal of “carbon free by ’33.” That will give us 25
years to find ways to make sure our entire city, all of its population, and all the buildings
and activities within the city can meet this challenge.

Doug Halter:From my knowledge this, in fact, looks very good! We have many ways to reduce energy use and create new renewable technology to tack advantage of solar, wind, motion and other energy sources other than fossil fuels.

Christy Weir: Green building is possible and preferable. The “greenest” sites are infill properties such as former parking lots and brownfields. Green materials include recycled and salvages materials, toxin-free insulation, low-VOC paints. Natural ventilation is simple in Ventura—building orientation, operable windows, bring fresh air into the house. We can bring natural lighting in using large windows and skylights. Efficient lighting, heating and cooling and water-heating systems—EnergyStar appliances—are available as well as water-efficient fixtures. Vine-covered “green screens” and large trees should shade exterior walls, driveways, patios and other hardscape.

Carroll Dean Williams: Saving energy in eery way should be an ongoing endeavor for our city.

Mike Gibson: I think there are many opportunities to move towards "carbon neutral" buildings by 2030 by some innovative approaches to building design that encourages new, renewable energy technologies designed to reduce carbon emissions and use energy in more efficient and environmentally-sensitive ways.

Carl Morehouse: Personally, I hope that the City accepts and meets the “2030 Challenge”. The City has already accomplished a number of energy wise practices, including adopting new building codes to lead us toward more sustainable building practices for public buildings (http://www.cityofventura.net/GreenVentura).

In addition, the City is required to comply with AB 32, which was signed into law last year by the Governor and which is now being rigorously enforced by Attorney General Brown. This law requires California to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 to the levels that existed in 1990. The City of Ventura will not be immune from that, and I have been at the forefront of leading the charge, along with Councilmember Brennan, to begin the process of reducing our community’s carbon footprint in order to achieve required reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Through the implementation of “green” building requirements and other incentives for both public and private sector development, I anticipate we can be “carbon neutral” by 2030.

Jerry D. Martin: Without question we as individuals, city, state and federal governments must promote the research and use of alternative fuels. The clean spin off business this research and development would create would strengthen our economy, decrease our dependence of foreign fuels and clean the environment. Locally, through the use of education, tax incentives and building codes, we can adopt standards which require energy efficient design.

Lou Cunningham: We need to put codes in place that would require builders and designers to have these areas covered in their plans before we approve them. We should require such things as better insulation, in-sta hot water heaters, and solar electric, solar pr-heating of hot water and air tight windows. We could also set codes in place for any remodels and repairs to meet the same goals.

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