Environmental Sustainability Council

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY COUNCIL ENERGY TRANSITION SUBCOMMITTEE Thursday, September 7, 2017 Dogwood Room, City Hall MINUTES CALL TO ORDER: Members Tim Stevens (Chair), Jon Ward, Tom Cash, Andy Crawford City Staff: Kate Walker (Staff Liaison and Environmental Programs Coordinator); City Council Liaison: Dan Sze; Guest Speaker: Scott Dicke – Arlington C-PACE Program Administrator. Public Comments: No public comments were received. Approval of Minutes (July 6, 2017): Minutes submitted by Tom Cash were approved. Staff Report (Kate) – Sept. 16 is the City’s Fall Festival event – volunteers needed for the City’s booth. Sept. 22 is Car Free Day throughout the region. October is Energy Action Month, and it was suggested we make a brief report to City Council during a regular meeting on activities undertaken in the City to reduce energy use and expand renewable energy use. Kate reported on a demonstration in Takoma Park of a new streetlight technology that makes use of capacitors to prolong battery life. If successful, this technology package would enable a jurisdiction to replace grid-tied streetlights with grid-independent streetlights, which would reduce expenses for electricity. Tom is familiar with this concept. Ongoing Business PACE – Scott Dicke, employed by SRS (firm selected by Arlington County to be their C-PACE Program Administrator) led a useful discussion on how C-PACE works, including questions and answers. The Arlington Board is scheduled to vote on a C- PACE ordinance in November, and is expected to be the first jurisdiction in Virginia to pass an ordinance. Arlington anticipates that other jurisdictions will want to make use of the provisions of their ordinance, and the services of SRS. Typically, a loan balance of at least 100K is needed to benefit all parties. Scott will provide us data on typical loan characteristics in other states where SRS is a program administrator. We expressed interest in having examples of projects using C-PACE loans. Scott covered the multiple benefits of C-PACE loans, including their role in facilitating economic development, and improving a jurisdiction’s tax base. There was consensus that other groups within the City need to be informed of C-PACE, including other City staff, EDA, City Council EDO, and Chamber of Commerce. Community Solar – Jon had several questions regarding the possible offering by Dominion Energy of a solar-based service (loosely called community solar). Tim shared that the legislation passed earlier this year requires Dominion to file a tariff to offer this service, and that the State Corporation Commission would need to review terms and conditions before the service could be launched. Thus far, Dominion has not filed a tariff. Tom, who is participating in the Rubin Group sub- team reviewing this offering, is interested in determining if an offering could be useful in the City. Schools Campus Site energy features – planning activity is waiting on the outcome of the November schools bond referendum. A geothermal conductivity test (costing roughly 10K, split between the City and MWCOG) could proceed if school and City administrators approve. Tim and Kate highlighted the need for further research into the issue of a hybrid versus single system approach, given the wide cost difference between these two approaches. Development Projects in the City – members discussed the City Hall renovation project. There is confusion regarding EV charging stations, and plans to prepare electrical systems to enable a possible solar canopy over the parking lot. Tim asked Kate for a meeting with James Mak (city staff member lead on the project) to discuss. Information Item We watched a short video recording of the Camden Maine Select Committee (city council) meeting in which they adopted a solar Power Purchase Agreement involving a solar garden. Next meeting: Thursday, October 5, 2017.