Energy Advisory Committee

Montpelier Energy Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes February 5, 2013 Those present: Barry McPhee, Dan Costin, Justin McCabe, Anne Watson, Becky Wigg, Dan Jones, Johanna Miller, Jim Stiles, Carrie McLaughlin, Andrea Colnes (EAN), Malcolm Graham (Montpelier Construction), Tim Shea (National Life) Called to order at 7:00 pm. Andrea discussed the Montpelier Net Zero (provisional title) initiative. She previously presented to the committee back in November. So far, the Energy Action Network (EAN) has completed the initial work, identifying the core concepts of the initiative. Andrea circulated a copy of the report that EAN has assembled. It’s a preliminary report, from which EAN will craft public documents about the initiative. She also circulated a copy of a draft info sheet put together for the Energy Fair. EAN has a broad membership with 70 people representing 40-50 organizations, from VPIRG and VNRC to Green Mountain Power, IBM, and other corporate/financial interests. The organization has worked in areas of energy innovation, exploring the possibility of creating a net zero community, and working with Montpelier seemed like an ideal opportunity. The net zero concept originated with the purpose of creating a micro grid. Andrea noted that there is some discrepancy between the carbon neutral idea vs. having sustainable, renewable energy sources. The draft paper from the VEIC focuses on a net zero energy district, aiming for all the energy used in Montpelier to come from renewable sources. Net zero in itself isn’t that compelling or palatable. Another tag line is needed to capture the proactive spirit and seem appealing. Boundaries were defined in terms of electric use, transportation, and thermal energy, using the political area of Montpelier and incorporating homes and business that have smart meters. Thermal add on from the district energy plant and transportation were the hardest sources to envision. Transportation incorporates all vehicles that are housed in the political boundary of Montpelier. The analysis looked at Green Mountain Power’s territory and lays out a series of next steps. EAN is very interested in piloting a lot of strategies in Montpelier. There’s real potential to collaborate with the GMP Innovation Center, which is excited about the initiative. They are developing a web portal for houses/buildings with smart meters. Jim expressed concern that energy for construction wasn’t factored into energy usage. Andrea explained that factors such as that, as well as waste and food production were not included to make it manageable. Barry inquired if hydro power counted as a renewable energy resource and if the source of energy resources is being profiled. Andrea said that hydro power does count and the profile of energy sources have been assembled and included in the report. The idea of creating an energy dashboard on various scales, down to homeowners, integrating it with GMP, VEIC, won’t be available in too long. Becky mentioned the work of the Pecan Street in Austin, Texas, a five year project to create an energy management system. Barry asked if the energy from wood pellet stoves and similar systems will have to be kept track of, to which Andrea said yes, it’s essential to know what energy sources are being used for thermal energy. Joey said that it’d be good to take a look at the Energy Atlas. Dan C. said he contacted Paul Markowitz, and asked about generating a list of those who have had energy efficiency work done in Montpelier before the VHEC. Joey wants to make sure that Net Zero Montpelier doesn’t compete with the VHEC. ENERGY FAIR Becky said that so far 7 sponsors have contributed more than $2000 in support. There are currently 24 confirmed vendors, with the potential for a few more in the next week. They include weatherization contractors, solar and wood pellet companies, and other environmental organizations, as well as banks, credit union and Marko the Magician. Tim Shea will give a tour of National Life’s sustainability efforts. There will be mini training opportunities with contractors. The Energy Smart trailer might be available. Andrea said another potential organization could be the Biomass Energy Research Center. Jim said that some organizations have offered to do a talk and some have offered to donate a raffle. Discussion about the best use of contractors/vendors time, and that it’s probably not in their best interest to give side talks. People won’t have the patience to attend a lecture. Plus, there’s the question of who we would give priority to. The vision is to have vendors give “speed dating” sessions to folks at their booths. Jim will be tabling for the transportation subcommittee, and Care Share VT is having a separate booth. Anne said she might be able to get a student/Circus Smirkus participant for entertainment. The Vermont Energy Education Program (VEEP) will also have cool things like a bicycle generator and insulation demos. Carrie said there’s the potential to use balsa wood to do a design workshop. Tim Shea said that with the Eco Fair, National Life tried to do workshops but they were not terribly successful, to it’d probably be best to do interactions at the table. It will give vendors a fair mix, and they don’t have to worry about who does what workshop. Becky suggested that when the committee does the layout of the floor, contractors would be together, solar folks, wood pellet folks, banks/financial orgs, etc. Dan J. and Becky filmed a 5 minute PSA with ORCA. Dan J. will be working on write ups for The Bridge and Times Argus. There will need to be extensive outreach to community lists, groups, etc to get folks to come to the fair and participate in the VHEC. We need to get 346 pledge cards. Dan C. suggested that we should have a make-believe mailbox at the fair, and folks can place their pledge cards into it, or some kind of similar system. The VISTAs will create an Energy Fair facebook event, and maybe even a facebook ad. Discussion about the lawn signs—stems from the idea of peer pressure, that folks would be more likely to do weatherization work if their neighbors have done it. Efficiency VT ones aren’t very visible from the road, however. Dan C. said contact information for folks who have done weatherization work will be forthcoming from Efficiency VT. Jim created a thermometer on Google Earth that can be used to measure progress. Barry discussed the guiding document he put together for carrying out the VHEC. Suggested that MEAC should have a greater overall coordinated network, and culled first few basic steps from the guide. He suggested that we should commit to one or two programs or activities as starting points (i.e. turnkey programs). Discussion about the best way to move forward with the VHEC, whether there should be a subcommittee or MEAC should focus on it as a whole. Thought is that we could devote MEAC meetings predominantly to VHEC, but a steering committee would be useful. Option to use Google Docs or the Kete co-working site. Barry emphasized that we need to centralize activities, and move forward in a structured/organized fashion, clearing setting our goals. Joey hoped we could coral some volunteers out to the February 20th training and get the committee going on this effort, rounding it out in meetings separate from main MEAC meetings. Jim said he can do contractor outreach, contact GoVT, and look into the smart jitney program. Joey discussed the Thermal Energy Task Force, which came up with 80+ recommendations. The sticking point is funding. Rep. Margaret Cheney of the Energy Committee will be introducing a bill in the legislature to fund programs. There is a joint legislative committee hearing on energy at the state house February 5th/6th. It has been shown that for every public dollar invested in energy programs, six dollars is recouped in the long term. The committee discussed the potential to create a 501(c)(3) organization, and it reached the conclusion was reached that it’d be too much work to pull off. Meeting adjourned at 9:05. Next Meeting will be on February 19th, 2013