Environmental Sustainability Council

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY COUNCIL ENERGY TRANSITION SUBCOMMITTEE Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017 Dogwood Room, City Hall MINUTES CALL TO ORDER: Members: Tim Stevens (Chair), Jon Ward, Chris McCloud City Staff Liaison: Kate Walker (Environmental Programs Coordinator), City Council Member/Liaison: Dan Sze Public Comments: No public comments were received. New Business NVRC SolSmart Advisor Application: The committee decided more time and information was needed to understand the commitments and value of this program; Kate to advise NVRC. ESC Review of Voluntary Concessions: ESC has taken up review of the City’s template for voluntary concessions applicable to prospective commercial developers. ETS will coordinate with ESC on prior efforts to examine Arlington’s green buildings program. Further research of Floor Area Ratio use for mixed-use development projects is needed. Ongoing Business Energy Efficiency for City Hall and Library Renovations: Dan Sze offered to have someone from Prospect Solar contact ETS regarding solar canopy covers over parking lots. The committee discussed the challenge with the current guidelines given to CMAR (Construction Manager At Risk) whereby they have a firm upper limit on construction costs. Adding to that limit for upgraded energy efficiency projects seems difficult, even if those projects save money through lower operating costs over time. GHG Emissions Reductions Resolution and Inventory: Kate will look for a date to introduce both the draft Resolution to adopt MWCOG goals for GHG reductions, and the 2017 Solarize Campaign resolution. Tim will mention the resolution at an upcoming Planning Commission meeting. Solarize Campaign: Discussion focused on a site for the launch meeting. On balance, the Community Center seems to be better than an offer to use a local realtor’s office, although finding a realtor who understands the impact of a solar installation on resale value would be very helpful – Kate will ask MWCOG for a recommendation, and will explore a date for the meeting at the Community Center. Jon will help with the launch meeting effort to portray the math of a solar Installation (cost, payback, etc.), and both Chris and Jon volunteered to help when available at the farmer’s market table. Tim will ask Sarah Bayldon for a student drawing to support Solarize outreach materials, and volunteered to discuss the campaign at VPIS, CBC. Dan offered to seek funding for the outreach effort. Information Items VW Settlement – MWCOG will facilitate grants from the “VW” pot of money, DEQ will facilitate grants from the “VA” pot of money ($87M). No updates beyond this. PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) loans: Tim shared that Arlington has selected a Program Manager. More research is needed to see how this might apply to Falls Church. Arlington will not take up their enabling ordinance until 2Q. VA state legislation: The Wagner Community (so-called) Solar bill will likely pass. It will require enactment by the State Corporation Commission. Details for how it might apply locally will be a future issue for ETS. Schools Geothermal Study: Final results of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory study (grant obtained by the City) have been delayed, awaiting decisions by the joint City Council/School Board Task Force on what type of building program will apply to our high school. Next meeting: Thursday, March 2nd, 2017.