Energy Advisory Committee

MEAC Minutes 6/19/2018 Attendees: Dan Jones, Barry McPhee, Ken Jones, Geoffrey Fitzgerald, Dan Costin, Amy Gamble, Kate Stephenson, Karl Johnson, Brent Ehrlich, Ann Watson (Mayor), Jared Duval, Barbara Conrey 7:04 PM Meeting called to order Introductions -- No need for introductions. Agenda review -- No additions. Dan Jones moved to approve agenda, Geoff seconded. All Approved. May 15 Minutes -- Geoff moved to approve minutes, Karl seconded. All Approved. May 18 Retreat Minutes - Amy moved to approve minutes, Geoffl seconded. All Approved. Public Comment -- No public comment. Review Net Zero definition draft - Discussion of new proposed definition: Montpelier will become the first capital city to eliminate fossil fuels and use 100% renewable energy. By 2030, 100% of municipal energy used for thermal, electrical, and transportation will be renewable or offset. By 2050, fossil fuel use will be eliminated city wide and 100% of energy needs will be met renewably. Review and vote on priorities from planning retreat - Kate presented handout of potential projects and gave members a second opportunity to sign on to projects. Ken, Ann, and Barry provided input. Projects without support were eliminated. Some similar projects were combined, such as two outreach projects. Projects were organized into logical groupings. Point persons were identified. Kate will write up new list and present next meeting. Each point person will come to the next meeting with a brief plan. Updates from Working Groups-- Planning: Barb did not have a report. Residential: Amy discussed a method of insulating windows. This is called Window Dressing. This is a wood frame with shrink film in two layers and foam edge. Components are ordered and built in community. Plan is to go to Maine this fall. Attend a community build. They would provide help with our first community build. Cost is about $10 per window.  Transportation: Dan C worked on electric vehicle switching. Some efforts to get group buy of electric vehicles for municipalities. Need to get a good price or it won’t be economical compared to gas vehicle. Municipal: Retro-commissioning. 6/27 WWTP and Fire Station walk thru, 7/11 District Heat walk-thru. Geoff talked about results of previous energy audits. He is having ongoing conversations with city personnel. ESG update: Trial of new septage control method is proceeding. Water quality is ok. Need to add some chemicals for odor control. Cost of chemicals is being evaluated. City council is going with the phase 1 improvements at this time. Phase 2 will be implemented after gas production is determined. Other Business-- Jared talked about biodiesel. Jim Malloy at Black Bear is selling B100 for fuel oil. Jared wants to set up workshop to get this going. Need help from other states where oil furnaces have been updated. Barb doing solar meeting next Friday at her house with SunCommon for anyone who is interested. Meeting adjourned 8:41 -- Dan J moved. Geoff seconded. All approve.