Sustainability Commission

SUSTAINABILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SAC) Event Minutes: July 1, 2021 Attending: Tina Lieberman (Chair), Daniel Kirk-Davidoff (Secretary, Outreach), Jason West (Energy Manager, non-voting), Joe Coffey (Water Department), Ewa Sobczynska (Outreach), Gabriella Cebada Mora (Vice Chair, Water), Jackie Gonzales (Environmental Equity), Laura Gulfo (Law Dept), Andre Lake (Environmental Equity), Andre Lake (Environmental Equity), Pete Sheehan (Energy) Absent: Scott Kellogg (Urban Ag), Frank Zeoli (DGS), Harriet Lewis (Transportation), Hyde Clark (Outreach), Randy Milano (Engineering), Bill Trudeau (Traffic Engineering), Lauren Alpert (Planning Department), 1. Regular Business ● Tina Lieberman called the event to order at 6:01 pm. ● June 3, 2021 Minutes: Tina reminds us to review the minutes for approval at the August meeting. ● Public comment period (meeting was open to the public via the Mayor’s Office of Energy & Sustainability Facebook page and the Sustainable Albany Facebook page and via emails to sac@albanyny.gov or Sustainability@albanyny.gov): No comments. 2. New business ● Update from Chong Lin on the National Grid/Aztech Geothermal/GreyEdge Group response to NYSERDA PON 4614 involving a Geothermal loop in Sheridan Hollow. Chon Lin works in NG’s Future of Heat project. Jerry Acton works for the GreyEdge Group. John Ciovacco is CEO of Aztech Geothermal. They are actively looking at both the Mansion District and Sheridan Hollow as neighborhoods that would support installation of a geothermal loop (see map of potential service areas here: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1vwuIcCHstxL4s0HU9RvvfyuNzDV X1lmE&usp=sharing ). Sheridan Hollow is looking particularly promising, since it seems scalable to other areas in the State, and has resources for heat transfer from city water and stormwater. Also, the gas pipes need to be replaced, meaning that this would be a good time to change heating systems completely. Sheridan Hollow would also benefit from an energy generation component with solar PV-thermal panels placed on carports on the Elk Street Parking lot where boreholes for the geothermal would be drilled. On the other hand, the Mansion District has the possibility of gaining waste heat from the Empire State Plaza (including cooling water drawn from Hudson). NYSERDA proposals are being prepared for both areas. These partners are aiming for $100,000 awards for each area to fund site investigations. In the design and construction phase, 50% of costs could be covered up to $4 million towards construction. Additional funding for Sheridan Hollow may be available via Brownfields restoration funds. Deadline for the NYSERDA PON proposal is August 17. Technical details: Ambient loop would provide coolant at either ~85F (winter) 1  and ~45F (summer) to minimize the heating work needed to be done on site. 42 systems have been installed in the western US by GreyEdge Group. One of the scoping studies will look into the possibility of making use of the existing heating/cooling systems in the neighborhood (see: ). Joe Coffey asks about environmental review, and is told that they’re sure they’ll be a lot of environmental review. In response to Tina’s question, the envision that clients will be able to get hot water using a “superheater” installed along with the household heat pump system. https://greyedgegroup.com/#projects ). Joe Coffey asks about environmental review, and is told that they’re sure there will be a lot of environmental review. In response to Tina’s question regarding if this supplies both heat and hot water, the presenters envision that clients will be able to get hot water using a “superheater” installed along with the household heat pump system. ● Reif Larsen (Future of Small Cities Institute) presented on a vision for a South End Clean Energy Hub. Slides attached. Example of PUSH Buffalo’s Green Development Zone. https://www.pushbuffalo.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/PPG- PUSH-GDZ-Report.6.2017.pdf. Ask: City of Albany needs to take ownership, form a core group of stake-holders, and seek funding for this stuff (via Securing America’s Future Act). Joe Coffey says the Port is looking at green energy sources, but that Reif should be talking to the County, since it’s better positioned to act across multiple jurisdictions. Reif says he’s approached the county, and they’re interested, but he’s concerned that the County has had a mixed reception in the South End, and there might be tensions with the City. Joe recommends talking with Kevin O’Connor as someone at the County who has good relationships in the City. Suggestion that we have Megan Daily from Port of Albany present the Port’s plans for green energy development, and invite folks from the South End to attend. Reif asks us to think about what entity could take on planning for this. ● Next meeting will be in person. Work is planned to allow for hybrid meetings by adding video equipment to the City Hall meeting rooms. We discussed improving things with a webcam attached to a laptop. Some problems include State Laws that require that the public be present at any location from which members are participating in the meeting. ● Climate emergency budget proposal. Tina, Jason and Lauren have been working on this, and are close to writing a narrative. ● Subcommittee budget requests should be submitted next week. (eg. tent for tabling). ● Announcements o CDTA Nature Bus. Free bus from downtown neighborhoods going to natural areas. https://www.cdta.org/news/nature-bus-now-running o CDTA Ditch-the-car campaign ● Ewa’s farewell – we thank her, she thanks us, for eight great years. 3. Adjournment: Event adjourned at 7:30 pm. Next meeting is Thursday, August 5, 2021, in person. Minutes prepared by Daniel Kirk-Davidoff, July 1, 2021 2