Energy Advisory Committee

MEAC meeting minutes Memorial Room 10/21/14 Attending: Tim Shea, Dan Jones, Kiel Corey, Dan Costin, Anne Watson, Becky Wigg, Scott Muller, Barry McPhee, Geoff Fitzgerald, Barbara Conrey Also attending: Hannah Reckhow, Bill Chidsey, Taylor Ralph, Andi Colnes, Paul Markowitz, Pete, Tom Meeting began at 7:00 Motion to approve September minutes and October agenda – motion seconded – passes unanimously Project updates Solar RFP: Anne and Becky gave an update on the solar RFP. After the review and interview process, the subcommittee is recommending the Council support groSolar’s proposal. Between the last two proposals, groSolar’s provided a bigger financial benefit to city, all work is in house and they offered community engagement activities as part of proposal. Both arrays on stump dump up to 1000kW. Barbara: Did they work out whether they got approval to build two arrays? Becky: No it’s too late to get official permission, but they received an informal yes. Dan: no firm commitment, but seemed likely. Becky: There are also backup sites if this doesn’t work. Anne: Some may object that groSolar is not totally local because they have a branch in Maryland. But, they also have a branch in Vermont… Dan C: What’s the status with the net-metering credits from Green Mountain Power? Becky: Our net-metering credit will be the difference between highest retail rate and 19 cents and is established on day one. That’s the rate for ten years, then 80% of net metering credit after that. Geoff: The next offer was much lower, if we gave up the RECs. This was definitely best financial option. Motion to support recommendation and bring it to City Council– seconded – motion passes unanimously Municipal consumption: Scott gave an update. After receiving some initial information, it’s important to sit down with City officials and schools to verify information. But after this, we need to all understand the data and put it up for review and comment and decide what the committee would like to do with it. Geoff: It’s information to work against, to show progress. It’s for monitoring and tracking. Andi: It has motivational value for businesses and other users. It’s a chance for City to take leadership. Tim: Use it to identifying low hanging fruit for conservation and efficiency projects. Scott: Perhaps it can be used to form recommendations to city? Disseminating info to public? How to leverage financing? Hopefully next month we’ll be able to verify power bills. Barbara: When City buildings are plugged into district heating plant, are they metered individually? Scott: Yes, there’s a way to measure in and out. Paul: Some towns budget money just for efficiency as a line item. If we’re thinking we want to do this, perhaps this is the time. Anne: We’re working on FY16 budget right now. A while back there was some money that was allocated for efficiency work, as part of a 5-10 year plan to do efficiency work on municipal buildings. However road infrastructure has taken precedent. What remains is $107 thousand per year over the next 8 years for weatherization projects. Climate Action Championship Competition: Andi reported to the committee about a Federal funding opportunity. After speaking with City, she’s decided to move forward, working with Jessie Baker on the application. It’s a very tight template of 7 pages. She is using past MEAC documents and is mostly set up to submit on Monday. If selected, we will be among 10-16 government entities eligible for technical assistance and preferential, but yet undefined, funding opportunities. In the interest of time, she proposed to have Tim review the application on behalf of MEAC. Bill Fraser will be point of contact. It is on council’s agenda for tomorrow night. Motion to submit application to CACC – motion seconded – motion approved unanimously Outreach/Community Engagement update Calendar of events: Paul gave an update on the engagement event series and presented the official poster. He could use help getting the word out and putting up posters. Dan C. will use Transition Town to advertise. Paul will send poster electronically with blurb for advertising purposes. Hannah will put list of events on City’s webpage and MEAC Facebook. Kiel will engage with a reporter to get a story about the series. Suncommon and Real Good Solar partnering: Taylor reported on programming that Suncommon offers. They have a financing program and a new community solar program. A great way for those who don’t have a place for solar to tap into market. Always looking for hosts. Include same financing deal as other projects and could be great for renters and municipal buildings. Suncommon is hosting a cocktail hour about heat pumps on November 12th at Onion River Sports. Pete and Tom from Real Good Solar Co. presented some programs and would like to help with net zero mission. They are focusing on outreach, canvassing, and are stressing that the Vermont State rebate for solar expenses expires at end of the year. RGS mostly does roof-top and backyard systems for businesses and homes. Open to suggestions. Barry: We have many separate projects under NZM umbrella, would you be interested in be an advisory on those projects? Pete and Tom: Of course. Surveys for events and community feedback: Tim created surveys will use after any engagement activity. Tabling at mid-term elections: Tim has table reserved at polling and will try to be there all day 7-7. Upcoming events: Button Up Day is 11/1. Keil, Tim and Joey will be there, but they’re looking for more volunteers. There will be two tables one in and one out. Simple steps for homeowners. 10% discount on weatherization materials. VECAN conference is 12/6 and MEAC has been nominated for awards - best committee and best project (NZM) Energy reporting policy proposal Anne gave an update. City only have powers issue by the State. It would require charter change. No one’s ever been given that right. Anne will find out more information on legal side. Maybe the City could try an energy star portfolio (or something similar), then make a proposal to CC to require point of sale reporting on energy consumption. Potentially then get volunteer business to try it too. Paul: Since this is long term effort, should we ask ‘do I want to start that fight with real estate community?’ How do we maximize improvements and come up with long term strategies. Point of sale reporting may be too narrow a view. Scott: This is happening in a lot of communities. Push political leadership. Anyone else want to work with Anne? Paul and Geoff are interested if a broader approach is taken. Strategic Plan Dan J. presented work and spoke about next steps. This will require more power to develop. Would like to propose to expand group to have this discussion. Barry: Many of these projects will require greater authority than we have now. Perhaps we can discuss this further not on MEAC time. Becky: This authority is not something that MEAC needs right now. . . or maybe it’s a separate conversation. Scott: A word of caution. You only get a first time once. Mike Miller has been very receptive, when there is an initiative, we’ve been able to move forward. Use tangible projects. Barbara: Maybe someone should be going to Planning Commission? Becky would be happy to look into it with Barbara’s help. Other news GUEP: Application is in the works. 11/10 is next due date. Alison is looking for section volunteers to help. Conference presentation: Tim is presenting at VEC conference representing MEAC. Dan J. presented information about a company that offers to do free audit of municipal lighting (within building). Meeting adjourned at 8:31