Environmental Sustainability Council

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY COUNCIL ENERGY TRANSITION SUBCOMMITTEE Thursday, January 3, 2017 Dogwood Room, City Hall MINUTES CALL TO ORDER: Members Tim Stevens (Chair), Nisha Thirumurthy, Peter Adriance, Tom Cash, Jon Ward, Aziz Shaik; City Staff: Kate Walker (Staff Liaison and Environmental Programs Coordinator) Public Comments: No public comments were received. Approval of Minutes (December 1, 2016): Minutes were approved. New Business - Energy Efficiency for City Hall & Other Projects: Tom shared that he has had discussions with Eboni Wimbush of Siemens and with City staff regarding the City Hall Renovation. He is investigating possible equipment opportunities, and energy performance contracting. He will inform the group as progress is made. Nisha shared that she has an acquaintance who can model energy savings in building projects. Tom shared that the library renovation has been placed on temporary hold. Old Business - GHG status and reduction goal: Tim related the support of the ESC for the ETS proposed resolution adopting MWCOG’s regional GHG reduction goals for the City. ESC suggested two modifications, and the committee agreed to adopt them. Kate will bring the resolution to a City Council Government Operations subcommittee meeting on Jan. 24, after which presentation to full City Council is expected. Nisha explained that she has 2015 GHG data for the city government sector. - Lending Library Energy Toolkit Launch: Tim demonstrated use of the thermal imaging camera. The Armacases have been purchased. Next steps are production of the laminated instructions, completion of the comment cards, review by VPIS, review with library staff, coordination of outreach, etc. Plans are to launch the toolkits on Jan. 23, subject to completion of all activities that need to be done. - Solarize Campaign: Tim distributed a draft list of activities, and asked for committee members to select what interests them. Information Items  - VW Settlement – Kate shared a request from MWCOG asking for input on whether they should act as an agent on behalf of regional jurisdictions to seek funds from the settlement fund managed by VW. The committee agreed. Tim explained that the other settlement fund, managed by the Virginia Department of Environment, will not be distributing funds until later this year. At this time, we do not know what kinds of projects will be eligible. - PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) loans: Tim shared that Arlington has again delayed bringing a PACE ordinance to their county board. It is now expected that they will take this up sometime in 2Q. - Solar legislation update – Tim explained that a Community Solar bill will be introduced to this year’s state General Assembly, but that it will be limited to participation through a customer’s local electricity utility. Full details will not be known until the actual bill is introduced. Next meeting: Thursday, February 2nd, 2017.