Energy Advisory Committee

Voted on/Prioritized MEAC Goals and Potential Actions (Modified slightly from 9-15-15 strategic planning session) Long-term Goals  Georgetown University Energy Prize: Focus on the Georgetown University Energy Prize and Climate Action Champion project over the next two years with an emphasis on electrical efficiency in the residential and municipal sectors.  Organizational structure and staffing: Establish a sustainable organizational structure and secure staffing for MEAC activities.  City energy projects: Work closely with the City of Montpelier on municipal energy projects that improve energy efficiency and/or generate power.  Public engagement: Foster public engagement to ensure MEAC’s alignment with community priorities and to educate the community to take action.  Transportation: Work with residents of Montpelier and surrounding communities to reduce single occupancy vehicle travel. Potential Actions Goal: Georgetown University Energy Prize VOTES SUBCOMMITTEE ACTIONS to VOTE ON NOTES? 6 votes Paul, Barbara - Undertake targeted marketing and outreach Public education + around electric resistance heat and electric hot marketing? water - Organize/host a home energy parties o - Focus on heat pumps, weatherization o - Build upon existing home tour “Mont. Home Tour” 9 votes Anne*, Ken, Joey,- Promote solar electric to businesses and Barbara, Becky, residents Paul o - Facilitate community solar through education o - Organizing a community solar project o - Take photographic record of solar installations 1 vote - Utilize Neighborhood Energy Maps as a means to encourage action; focus on energy use in high use neighborhoods 3 votes - Take whole house approach to energy, solutions – promoting, educating, facilitating, working w/ contractors Goal: Organizational structure and staffing: VOTES SUBCOMMITTEE ACTIONS to VOTE ON NOTES - Tim, Barbara* - Establish organizational structure - Check mark o - Elect officers – Pres., Vice-Pres., Secretary, committee chairs o - Utilize (and create) subcommittees – line up with goals o - Invite residents to participate on committees o - Formalize decision making – more around sub- committee decisions o - Update bylaws – if necessary - 5 votes - Relationship to City of Montpelier - Question mark?  o - Clarify connection between MEAC recommendations + City Council, City Staff o - Prepare a formal periodic report to City (quarterly); present to City Council (might or might not include recommendations) - Secure funding to fund a staff person to support MEAC efforts o - Talk with DOE Climate Action Champions about connecting with funders o - Explore external funding opportunities, grants through EPA, other Goal: City Energy Projects: - VOTES - SUBCOMMITTEE - ACTIONS to VOTE ON - NOTES? - 8 votes - Dan C., Barbara, G. - Identify + implement one project – potentially- Combine 1st and 2nd Fitz WWTF actions together to form subcommittee - 7 votes - Dan C., Barbara, G. - Pursue innovative funding approaches to - See notes above Fitz finance/fund city energy projects o - Get in touch w/ Commons Energy o - Green Infrastructure Bonds o - Fee-bate program – add $.02/gallon to help pay for efficiency o - Smart Parking Meters o - Set up an energy fund from savings realized through energy projects (solar, efficiency) o - Lobby legislature to pass carbon tax - Organize “energy treasure hunt” (Kaizon) in municipal buildings - 7 votes - Work with City to improve energy accountability o - Set priorities – set up meeting with Public Works o - Establish milestones – review existing milestones + revise: Eg. Increase vehicle efficiency by 50% in 10 years o - Integrate/increase accountability toward energy goals o - Work with city to do quarterly reporting of energy use – all energy use! o - Increase MEAC influence in the expenditure of funds for efficiency - 1 vote - Expand customer base of district heat - Taylor Street project – help to influence Net Zero design Goal: Public Engagement - VOTES - SUBCOMMITTEE - ACTIONS to VOTE ON - NOTES? - 7 votes - Kate*, Cara, Laura, - Develop communication/marketing plan on- And implement! Joey, Keil, Barbara D what we want to communicate, how, who Combine with 3rd and 4th action to form  subcommittee - 5 votes - Dan J, Tim - Develop public display of progress toward net zero (e.g. thermometer idea) o - Work w/ local colleges to design - (includes 7 - Kate*, Cara, Laura, - Utilize/be active participants in EAN - Combine with 1st and votes from 1 Joey, Keil, Barbara D dashboard 4th action to form st action) subcommittee o - Collect anecdotes/stories from public - (includes 7 - Kate*, Cara, Laura, - Educate the public - Combine with 1st and votes from 1 Joey, Keil, Barbara D 3rd action to form st action) subcommittee o - Include energy tips in City Manager – blurb in Bridge; monthly Energy column? o - Hold regular/consistent public events o - Improve/upgrade website o - Make better utilization of social media tools - Utilize list/compile all the lists - DELETE, DONE Goal: Transportation – Reduce Single Occupancy Vehicles - VOTES - SUBCOMMITTEES - ACTIONS to VOTE ON - NOTES? - 8 votes - Dan C.*, Cara, Laura,- Reduce car traffic into Montpelier Dan J o - Promote local rail idea o - Provide offsite parking for commuters - Increase parking options in Montpelier o - Promote parking-sharing o - Open up parking spaces - Promote Car Share; make it successful - Be an active participant in Montpelier Transportation Committee - Maximize utilization of VTrans programs, e.g. GoVermont! - Work with State to get state employees to pay for parking - Finish the Darn bike path!