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Ashland moves towards locally sourced energy Wednesday Aug 17, 2016 at 8:12 PM Aug 17, 2016 at 8:12 PM Julie AkinsFor the Tidings The Ashland City Council on Tuesday pushed forward on a citizen initiative to require Ashland to obtain at least 10 percent of its energy through renewable resources by the year 2020.  The initiative called “10 by 20” was put together by a group of environmental activists and scientists who want to see the city take a more aggressive stand on climate change. The group was required to collect 1,644 signatures and they exceeded that with 1,714 certified signatures.  The City Council had two options available to them: do nothing and allow the initiative to go on the November ballot or adopt the initiative and get to work on the plan as soon as possible. Councilors opted to adopt the initiative. They will officially adopt it with an emergency first and second reading at the Sept. 6 business meeting.  “Ashlanders care deeply about climate change," said Councilor Rich Rosenthal. "The sooner we can have staff working on this the better, especially considering the tight deadline.” His sentiments were echoed by the rest of the council, which voted unanimously to get moving on the initiative while continuing with the climate and energy action plan also underway and expected to be presented for adoption in January 2017.  Only Councilor Mike Morris, who also voted in favor, expressed concerns around the cost of the project. “I think the citizenry needs to be aware of what this is going to cost and get the numbers and logistics. It’s a pretty big motion, but I’ll support it.”  The overarching sentiment was voiced in terms of climate change action and the need to begin tangible actions quickly. “We lost so many years after a very promising start in the '70s," said Councilor Pam Marsh, referring to solar energy initiatives under President Jimmy Carter. "We have to get back on it and get it started again.”  Tom Marvin, a professor of physics at Southern Oregon University, was among those leading the charge for the initiative, telling the council he is convinced solar power is the way to meet the goal. “There is absolutely no doubt solar is the future. It’s going to eventually be one of the principal ways humans on the planet get their power sustenance.” Marvin began living off the grid in 1980 when he installed his first solar panels. “One week living with those panels made it so clear to me — this is the future.”  The council had 30 days from certification to respond. A unanimous first and second reading to adopt the initiative on Sept. 6 squeaks in just before the deadline, otherwise it would go to the voters, delaying the process until after November, assuming it passed.  The council also adopted a resolution declaring support for the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). The resolution was sponsored by the American Association of University Women.  The resolution's sponsors plan to take it to the state legislature along with successful resolutions passed in Eugene and, they hope, Portland. It stems from a 1970s United Nations Convention, where 189 nations signed the treaty. The United States was not one of them. “The only right currently guaranteed women under the Constitution is the right to vote. Hard to believe, but true,” said Regina Ayers, representing that AAUW. In adopting the resolution, Councilor Carol Voisin said, “Here we are stepping forward to the United Nations saying that we want to be part of the 189 nations that signed this treaty and that we in the state of Oregon want to be part of this movement. So let’s move forward.”  The resolution was brought to the council by Mayor John Stromberg and Councilor Pam Marsh, who said, “This is a slam dunk. I think we as a city need to take this step.” Councilor Stefani Seffinger put it in more personal terms, saying, “I know women aren’t paid as much as men, they aren’t in enough city jobs and represented enough on commissions. I’m so pleased and proud of what the women in our community do.” Email Ashland freelance writer Julie Akins at [email protected] and follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/@julieakins.