Pacific Council adopts staff plan to refine IRA special projects, approves seeking extension through 2027

Gilly Lyons presented staff recommendations for the council’s three Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) special projects and described a projected $336,000 gap between identified project work and remaining IRA funding. Staff proposed categorizing remaining work into tasks to finish under IRA by the end of 2026, tasks to complete under an IRA no‑cost extension (NCE) by 12/31/2027, and tasks to continue under regular council (base) funding.

The council debated priorities and oversight, with advisory bodies (the GAP, EWG and EAS) largely supporting finishing core deliverables and urging caution about convenings that require additional funding. GAP recommended dedicating most remaining IRA funds to Special Project 1 and suggested virtual or council‑paired events for some outreach activities. The Budget Committee and council members asked for clearer accounting of how IRA funds were spent and how base funding might be used if the NCE is not granted.

Councilmember Corey moved that the council adopt the recommendations in “C3 supplemental attachment 5” and advance the items specified for completion under a no‑cost extension of the current IRA grant to be completed by 12/31/2027. Jamie Dimond seconded the motion, and the chair called the question. The motion carried unanimously.

Staff and the executive director said staff will update plans and timelines based on council direction, pursue the no‑cost extension request, and report budget details to the Budget Committee to provide further oversight.