Energy Advisory Committee

Montpelier Energy Advisory Committee - Minutes May 15, 2018 Attendees: Dan Jones, Barry McPhee, Jared Duval, Ken Jones, Geoffrey Fitzgerald, Dan Costin, Amy Gamble, Kate Stephenson, Karl Johnson, Brent Ehrlich 7:05 PM Meeting called to order. Introductions -- No need for introductions. Agenda review -- No additions. Jared moved to approve agenda, Geoff seconded. All Approved. April Minutes -- Geoff moved to approve minutes, Dan J seconded. All Approved. Public Comment -- No public comment. Bylaws Vote -- Bylaws revisions were proposed as distributed with the agenda. Amy moved to adopt the revised bylaws. Karl seconded. All approved. MEAC Planning Retreat -- Jared Saturday, May 19, 2-5 PM, at North Branch Nature Center ● Understand why we all joined the committee. ● Goals - Just Municipal or all of Montpelier Net Zero by 2030? ● What is definition of Net Zero Goal? ● Identify high impact projects Comments: Barry - Maybe we should talk about grant opportunities. This will be a public meeting with minutes. Mainly a discussion of ideas. Probably not voting on anything. Minutes will be brief. No professional facilitator will be required. Updates from Working Groups-- Planning: Barb not here. Dan J and Dan C met with Barb to discuss transportation. Kate says that master plan update is not moving too fast. Transportation: Dan J and Dan C met with Barb. Worked on transportation master plan. Added more focus on microtransit. Municipal: DPW presented update to City Council on ESG Organics to Energy project. Three options under consideration: ● Baseline just replace aging infrastructure. ○ Not any increased revenue ● Aging infrastructure plus organics infrastructure for increased deliveries  ○ Better financial numbers but no electricity production ● Full replacement of aging infrastructure and CHP (combined heat and power) ○ Would fully utilize all the excess methane produced Trial Run - Testing new clarifier treatment process and testing effluent this month to make sure there are no issues. Odor is a potential concern. November bond vote planned for ESG project. Audits - ● Geoff, Karl and Barb working through audit recommendations with each building operator to clarify projects for RFP. ● Wastewater treatment plant - Wants to improve control of aeration tank. Total cost about $80k, Savings $12K per year. Consider it a potential project for the revolving loan fund. Residential ● Weatherize Montpelier - Wrapping up by May 31 (Sign Contract) ● 13 signed contracts so far. ● Meeting with EVT, VECAN and Vital Communities to discuss technology and how to replicate state wide. Other Business-- Green Gas: New program to allow people to buy carbon offsets for gas. 80% of funds collected go to purchase offsets, 20% goes to fund projects in local communities (like Montpelier). Scans like a bonus card. Not a credit card. We might be the first municipal partner. Window Dressers: Window Inserts made with Volunteers in community workshops. This is another project opportunity related to low income weatherization. Wood frame with plastic. Paul is meeting with the guy from Maine who is promoting this idea. Jared handed out copies of the EAN annual report. Meeting adjourned 8:35 -- Ken J moved. Geoff seconded. All approve.