Clean Energy Advisory Committee

Beverly Clean Energy Advisory Committee Meeting 5/19/2021 6:30-8:00pm via Google Hangouts meet.google.com/nyx-ohre-edm Agenda Call to order: 6:32 pm Roll call committee: Julia Long, Julie DeSilva, Fred Hopps, Sean Leach, Amy Smith, Tom Keeley Absent: N/A Guests: Beverly’s Sustainability Director Erina Keefe, Stacia Chamberlain, Robert Bonney, Sue Patriola, Mayor Mike Cahill, Bruce Egan, Dean Berg, Wayne Miller, Jordan Stutt, Councillor Scott Houseman, Rick Zeroka, Lyndon Holmes Motion to approve April Minutes by Julie and seconded by Fred; approved 5 to 0; Approved March and April minutes to be forwarded to Council Clerk Lisa Kent Fred Hopps Update  Cedes time to Councillor Houseman for offshore wind project, which is a huge win for MA and the country. Thankful to Houseman for his support of the committee’s work. Councillor Scott Houseman Update  Five-term city councillor involved in clean energy efforts for several years; testified at joint committee meetings at state level; supportive of the GMA working with committee and mayor on this effort and hiring the city’s first sustainability position. He is interested in new initiatives and future role for the committee other than being “simply cheerleaders.” Tom responds that the committee will continue to serve a substantial role in putting forth clean energy initiatives that are important to the committee and the citizenry. Houseman qualified that the committee has been instrumental in the past and wants to know what the committee sees its role to be now that we have paid staff that does much of the work the committee has done in the past.  Cedes rest of his time to guest Rick Zeroka about offshore wind. Guest Rick Zeroka (shared 2 slides below)  In the environmental science field for 30 years most recently through NEPA and offshore wind, working with a London-based firm that used to be an oil/gas firm and is now working on wind  Currently 13 areas on the Atlantic seaboard that have a developer tied to them; Zeroka is part of RPS Group as its director of permitting  Vineyard Wind 12 m south of MV and 12 miles W of Nantucket will tie into MA  800 MW to be produced and converted to AC power that can go through the transmission grid  Interconnection will be issue for all developers moving forward  6 parcels about to come up for auction  ME Governor will not allow wind off the coast of Maine  Pilot study for floating wind turbines off the coast of Maine  Lyndon Holmes asked if current lease south of the islands will cover the 5400 MW mandated by the state; Zeroka says no and that 3 requests have gone out for additional parcels. Also asked for online date. All goes well anticipated 2023 go live for Vineyard Winds.  Zeroka will entertain questions via email at: rgzsailor@gmail.com City Update by Erina Keefe (PLEASE REVIEW, YOU TALK FAST! 😉)  A lot going on and many projects underway!  PACE Program property assess clean energy program passed the CC unanimously this week and allow properties of 5 units and more to make clean energy improvements. We are one of 40+ cities to join. If any commercial properties are interested in joining point them to Erina. Houseman is exploring opportunity to expand the program to residential.  Aggregation plan and package was submitted a few months ago. Next step is virtual public hearing. Would like CEAC to provide a letter of support.  Monday grant accepted by CC for $50000 for retrofit program, partnering with Salem on initiatives including engaging an org via RFP to meet people where they are with outreach for things like Mass Save, etc. and Beverly neighbor case studies.  National Grid Community Solutions program also in partnership with Salem. MOU (document screenshared) shares objectives for three-year program that will target municipal buildings, small businesses, landlords, and new construction to take advantage of incentives to build green or retrofit for cleaner energy use.  Attended Conservation Commission meeting to present three sites: middle and high school and the McPherson Youth Center (which is yet to be approved)  Demand Response program for use with bus  Partnering with Change is Simple on video on e-bus; call for committee members/friends and children to volunteer. Committee member Sean volunteered.  Resilient Together plan is in final draft form for review and comments and tweaking  Jordan Stutt commented on EVs re: phase 3 from National Grid. Yes, there was a presentation by NG indicating that the program is still in development but it will be a “huge” phase according to Sean L, including fleet incentivizing and residential support. City applied for funding that we should hear back on end of summer/early fall.  Sean suggests outreach on aggregation might be paired with EV info in the future if timing works  Wayne Miller commented that the mayor wanted to thank Councillor Houseman. Tom and Wayne: Working with Dean Berg (see slides for details)  Green Beverly website to become a 501C3 in a physical space! Working with municipal groups but as its own entity. Will be located at 107Q Cummings Center (prime real estate next to Flip the Bird)  Adding a physical space to complement Green Beverly. It will be staffed with coaches. Serves like an exhibit space to touch and feel things.  Cummings Center offers a community space for hosted events.  Partnering with Change is Simple, also a Cummings Center client.  We will hear about volunteer opportunities soon. Julia L.: Future of CEAC  Expand membership?  Originated as rabblerousers and disrupters for progressive ideas and new and unexplored initiatives. Based on what’s happening now what do we want to do next as a committee amidst the climate crisis.  Fred says moving from climate leader to cheerleader is a natural fit. He feels that the Resilient Together toolkit helps. Suggests diversifying the committee. He would also like to be involved in reviewing and discussing retrofit grant.  Wayne also likes the toolkit as a way to plan using the seven points. All committees need to have a sense of urgency regarding climate crisis.  Tom says we all need to “do stuff” and take individual action! Future is getting others to do!   Julie D. mentions that education is key. The committee needs to share with our families, friends, and networks all things big and small that people can do and inspire them to take action. Our committee should be a catalyst to further action.  Scott Houseman asked Erina’s opinion for future role of the committee. She said she always needs help and she is very appreciative of the energy of the committee and making this work fun. She needs help with: engagement within the community; research like the type Wayne Miller has done; interconnection between committees.  Wayne offered that he will do “anything at all.” Julie D. offered editing, writing, and research help.  Scott: Thanks to all of you for your good energy and great passion for this important work! Adjourn: 8:00 PM Schedule shift to 3rd Wednesdays: 2/17, 3/17, 4/21, 5/19, 6/16 (adjourn for summer break) Next meeting: 6/16/21, 6:30–8:00