Energy Advisory Committee

Montpelier Energy Advisory Committee June 16, 2015 Memorial Room Attending: Dan Jones, Barry McPhee, Barbara Conrey, Anne Watson, Tim Shea, Ken Jones, Johanna Miller, Kiel Corey, Geoff Fitzgerald, Kate Stephenson, Theo Fedder, Paul Markowitz, Scott Muller, Cara Robecheck, Hannah Reckhow Meeting began at 7:04 Motion to approve May minutes with Scott’s amendments. Geoff seconded. Motion passes unanimously. GMP Geoff gave an update on some issues with GMP and the City solar array at the WWTF and how the City is being paid with for the solar power produced thereby. He spoke with Bill Fraser to find out if there is a deal the committee didn’t know about. Bill didn’t know about it but was appreciative to find out. He is looking into it and will talk to GMP. Stakeholders Paul led the second stakeholders section of the strategic planning process for MEAC. The idea is to gather info from stakeholders and synthesize that to give us context, how can we partner, learn from them. Becky will organize the information. Send her info and she’ll follow up. Who Topic How to engage Person responsible Montpelier Alive Co-branding, tagging Private meeting with Tim, Theo onto their marketing Ashley VEIC/EVT GUEP, dashboard Private meeting with Barbara, Cara, Alison project, gathering Jason residential thermal data VCFA, CCV, NECI Energy use on their Separate meetings Barry (VCFA), Cara campuses, designing (CCV), Barbara public outreach (NECI) Montpelier Public Building energy use, Private meeting Ken, Cara Schools curriculum, no idling zone, explore synergies Taylor Street design Net Zero building meeting Barbara, Theo team VT Mutual Insurance, District Heat Phase 2, Focus group Theo, Dan Union Mutual, energy use in VSECU, GMP, State buildings buildings Gas stations and fuel Their future Individual meetings Anne, Geoff dealers Solar companies Community solar, how Individual meetings Kate, Paul are they looking to engage the city Rental property How can we get you Private meeting Barry, Kate, Geoff owners (commercial to weatherize? and residential) Non profits, housing Models Private meetings Barbara groups, housing authority Home Performance How can we support Kate, Barry contractors you, magnitude of savings The committee decided to reconvene at July meeting and schedule next stakeholders update from there. Paul will send out talking points again. Project updates Solar Anne gave an update: Bill Frasier is negotiating a contract. It was pending one more review by attorney. It is either signed or pretty close. Municipal consumption Scott: No big updates, but will have to start working on 2015 when that data comes out. That’s going to be the first year district heat will be on wood. In last 2 years, there’s been a 10 percent reduction. This is significant progress. Anne: There’s a vision to have this information be reported to council on quarterly basis with bills, and Montpelier Bridge wants to do energy issue in July Scott: We should figure out the best way for city to own this information? Chair can present it at June 24 meeting and talk about implications. School Solar RFP Ken: A contract is being negotiated. Don’t know if RECs are attached, and don’t know GMP’s requirements. Schools can use saved money for additional energy work, creating a continual pool of money and an educational opportunity. Johanna asked who was interested in looking into community solar for residents. Ken, Kate, Paul, Anne, and Theo volunteered. Zoning Barbara presented her response to the proposed zoning draft, supporting minimum energy standards. She requested feedback from committee on what to components to support. Several members of the committee expressed concern with required energy standards that are not yet defined. Ken was concerned that any standards would deter development of new housing, necessary for tackling the transportation component of Montpelier’s energy use. Johanna was concerned that restricting building demolition would deter some necessary demolitions to more energy efficient structures. Members were supportive of Site Plan standards, the State’s “stretch code”, Planned Unit Development, and encouraging electric vehicle charging stations. Motion for MEAC to support the following sections of the zoning draft: the Site Plan standards, Net Zero Development as Planned Unit Development, requiring the State’s stretch Building Energy Standards, and electric vehicle charging stations. Dan seconded. Motion passes unanimously. Project management Barry gave an updating on using the project management tool on Google Drive, particularly the project workbook. He would like to go proactive and identify the lead to each project and project management subcommittee will keep up to date with project lead and collect core data. Leads are: Scott for municipal energy use; Anne for solar; Ken for school solar; Barbara for GEUP Other Business Johanna: the State is updating their long range comprehensive energy plan, and will have public input meetings in July. Also, Wednesday June 24 in Montpelier there are stakeholder meetings on energy efficiency, grid and utility issues, and transportation. Tim: Any interest in participating in July 3 parade? Committee expressed no interest. Tim: Transportation committee is looking for two nominees and an alternate. Dan Jones, Dan Costin were nominated, with Ken Jones as an alternate. Dan asked for feedback on the draft letter he wrote in response to the letter from the White House. The committee agreed it looked good. Meeting ended at 8:50