Environmental Sustainability Council

Environmental Sustainability Council Energy Transition Subcommittee 7 April 2016 Minutes In attendance: Tim Stevens (Chair), Nisha Thirumurthy, Kate Walker (City staff liaison), Loren Bruce, Chris McCloud, Andy Crawford 1. The minutes for the March meeting were approved. 2. GHG inventory 2.1. The committee reviewed a factsheet on MWCOG GHG inventory. Kate said that she would send data to Nisha to help support the GHG inventory process. The committee discussed the apparent disparity between the MWCOG data and our previous Climate change/Renewable Energy Committee’s estimates, noting that we had estimated lower per capita emissions than MWCOG. Nisha mentioned that we would create a 2015 inventory for Falls Church, adding that MWCOG uses statewide average inputs whereas this committee aimed to create customized numbers. 2.2. Nisha noted that she is trying to link up with Dominion Virginia Power to get electricity consumption data for the Falls Church public schools. She also mentioned that it would be best to have the data in 15 or 30 minute intervals. This would help us to identify potential behavioral changes that would lead to the highest energy savings. The committee agreed that it was important to determine current energy usage and GHG emissions patterns to help the city establish a viable reduction goal. Tim noted that we should differentiate between government and community energy use. 2.3. Nisha said that she had spoken with staff in Arlington County and at MWCOG; both organizations were interested in getting better data from Dominion. Isabel Ricker is working on a DOE grant examining GHG emissions trends and she was able to receive data from Pepco to the zip-code+4 level. Nisha added that if there is precedent there with Pepco, why should Dominion not also be able to provide comparable data? 3. District Energy Loren reported some updates regarding the potential installation of a district energy system for the George Mason High School re-development project. Oak Ridge would do an economic and site assessment for the GMHS site. Loren pointed out the Washington Gas & Light proposal is not a combined heat and power project. Right now, there is a 100% dependency risk on natural gas. He noted the importance of balancing on-site photovoltaics with elements of the district energy plan. 4. Solar Power 4.1. Solar for FCCPS Tim shared that Secure Futures is scheduled to present the results of their preliminary study of PV for MEH and TJ schools on April 21. 4.2. Solarize II Kate shared that the campaign is continuing through the end of May and that the launch event at Clare & Don’s on April 3 was a success.