Environmental Sustainability Council

DRAFT Minutes Falls Church Environmental Services Council Thursday, 16 October, 2014 7:30 - 9:30 pm Dogwood Room ESC Council members: Peter Adriance, Raymond Arnaudo, Sarah Bayldon, Peter Oppenheimer, Tim Stevens, Suzanne Updike, Andy Crawford Present: Tim Stevens (Chairman), Peter Oppenheimer, Sarah Bayldon, Peter Adriance, Ray Arnaudo, Suzanne Updike, Andy Crawford, Allison Lohrenz – City Staff Liaison, Mike Collins – City Staff Visitors: Bob Lazaro, Solarize Program, - Ex Mayor Purcellville, VA Currently Director of Regional Energy Planning with the Northern Virginia Regional Commission Angela Hopkins, LEAP Jeff Peterson, VPIS 2 GMHS students running to become ESC Liaisons – Tyler Gogal and Christian ? 1. Call to Order 2. New Business Bob Lazaro, Solarize presentation. At present we get .06% power from solar & wind in Virginia. 6% renewable – mostly biomass. No wind. Solarize hopes to make a positive difference in NOVA. NVRC has an energy program for local governments – 1000 rooftop challenge. Solarize NOVA is a grassroots effort. They are currently working with local governments, churchs, 360.org. They are self-funding, just need help spreading the word. They receive business sponsorships, in-kind support, etc. The NVRC Solarize program costs a little more than other programs because they want to both increase use of sustainable energy and promote the US alternative energy industry. So, they use all-American components, and local companies. Why Solarize? Good rate, 15% discount. Dominion Power is a partner. Provide materials. 100 people in Loudon County. Hope FC City will support idea and promote it. They are working in Leesburg already and Charlottesville. Because they facilitate moving to solar it is more likely to happen. Tim = liaison. Seeking MWCOG “rooftop solar challenge” grant which could be used to enhance outreach. Fairfax County, Arlington and Vienna are already in. They are hoping to add Fairfax City, Alexandria, and Falls Church. LEAP provides the conduit for the homeowners to contract with solar companies. Government is only tangentially involved (primarily to promote the program). Lots of benefits to homeowners and leads provided by local governments are valuable to companies. City of FC does not currently have an energy program, so the NVRC solarize proposal is a good opportunity to fill this gap. (Tim) (Peter) – Mentioned Interfaith Power and Light. Similar program. Maybe a little cheaper but Solarize determined to use US suppliers to promote industry here. SunPower = most efficient panels = need fewer of them. Solar hot water panels also an option. Elon Musk - solar panels in Buffalo because government incentives are great in NY. (Tim) – EPA Clean Power Plan – trying to decrease carbon footprint by 30%, so solar will receive additional emphasis. We will want to obtain a resolution from City Council in support of the NVRC solarize program, and endorsement by Wyatt Shields – City Manager. Governor McAuliffe just released an energy plan – wants solar energy development authority. Hates being ‘behind’ and we are. MOU with LEAP already discussed. Check out LEAP-VA.org. Benefits to vetting by NVRC and LEAP. Reston MOU mostly informational – rather than endorsement. Good. Should not be a problem. 3. Old Business Jeff Peterson – VPIS – updating 5 Env goals for City – 5 yrs old. Looking for feedback on updating the goals and perhaps on progress towards goals. Comments on Open Space Chapter by end of year. (Peter O) Solar on Schools – (Tim) – Mt Daniel would have good area for PV if renovated, (which it will be since the referendum passed – sb). New HS – prob more solar opportunities. Any grants for solar on schools? - (Andy). Probably not because Arlington was self-funded. Urban Land Institute –works re: land use – team of experts last 2 days working on boundary adj and advising re:use of new land from county. (Tim) Energy Leadership Award from COG – Tim displayed photo. COG had contest – small city category – for leadership I getting to be Green Community – basically we bought RECs. (Susan) – leaves and leaf recycling revisited. (Sarah) Operation EarthWatch activity will address this topic. 4. Set Next Meeting Thursday, November 20, 20014, (Dogwood Room, City Hall) 5. Approval of July and September 2014 Minutes Approved by vote Adjournment – 9:15 p.m.