Environmental Sustainability Council

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY COUNCIL ENERGY TRANSITION SUBCOMMITTEE Thursday, November 2, 2017 Oak Room, City Hall DRAFT MINUTES CALL TO ORDER: Members: Tim Stevens (Chair), Thomas Cash, Jon Ward Staff Liaison: Kate Walker (Environmental Programs Coordinator) Public Comments: No public comments were received. Staff Report Urban Sustainability Directors Network Group - San Diego, CA. A very useful networking opportunity. USDN gives us access to the work of jurisdictions across the country, avoiding duplication of effort and providing the opportunity to learn from others’ mistakes. Key sessions of interest included a reviewed of ESCO programs (Boston was happy with performance but third party verification was required. Alexandria has concerns about contractors manipulating the quotes to absorb any savings.), and one on working with residential landlords to do energy retrofits. Virginia Energy and Efficiency Council – The conference was interesting and informative, but given our limited resources, will probably not be a priority for next year. Northern Virginia Regional Commission - NVRC has picked up the large scale solar off- site renewable energy concept (developed by CRS and others) as a way for jurisdictions to meet their GHG reduction and sustainability goals. Kate raised the potential problem arising from recently proposed EPA regulations for Green Power Partners, requiring all of a jurisdiction's power (government sector) to be sourced from "green" power sources, and that large scale off-site renewable energy might be a way to address this problem. Ongoing Business LED Streetlighting -- Bob Lazaro put together a complaint letter to Dominion Energy regarding their not being cooperative in changing street lights to LEDs. NVRC obtained signatures from NOVA area officials on the letter. Dominion will meet with local jurisdiction staff on Monday, 13th November from 11-1, to address the complaint. Greenhouse Gas Emissions - Information has been submitted and circulated to jurisdictions by MWCOG and will be reviewed at BEEAC on 9th November 10-12. PACE -- Scott Dicke will present to EDC and EDA over the next week. Arlington has first reading of PACE ordinance next week. Green Schools Forum - Excellent turnout. We will continue to pursue geothermal heat pumps and PV panels. Solar PPA RFP - Still looking to Arlington for a rideable solar PPA, if rideability is a legal option. Rubin Group and Community Solar - Modifications to net metering crediting program will not be proposed by Dominion because they lack sufficient data to provide rationale for any change. For 2018 the federal 30% energy investment credit and 1-1 cost credit for residences will remain. City Hall Renovation - Electrify America accepted our recommendation of City Hall as a possible project location, but indicated that the chance of it being selected depends solely on their internal processes. Cottage Housing - Second site plan submitted and going through review. Action Items  NVRC 13 November - Tim Stevens  Contact Arlington about which LED bulbs used for them - Kate  Appropriate bulb selection presentation - Thomas Cash  Contact TESLA about installing Supercharger. - Thomas Cash  Request Patty Shields to do presentation on how to influence building ordinances - Tim Stevens Next meeting: Thursday, December 7th, 2017.