Advisory Taskforce on Energy & Environment

Mayor’s Energy & Environment Task Force (MEETF) Minutes of the Meeting on April 29, 2015 The MEETF meeting was called to order at 7:10 by Chairperson John Kydes. Also present were Kerry O’Neill, Steve Klocke, Diane Lauricella, Daphne Dixonand Bob Eydt. Kydes did not set agenda for the meeting. Kydes noted that out of the 15 members of the Task Force not more than half the members attended the monthly meetings. There was a general agreement with Kydes that the Task Force needed to recruit new members. The Task Force also agreed to recruit a representative from Norwalk’s Board of Education. Kydes asked the Task Force members for the names and resumes’ of residents interested in serving on the Task Force. The Task Force then focused on the “Project Matrix” (developed by Steve Klocke). After some discussion, the task force agreed that each member select a “project” to champion. Task Force members then decided to each focus on the following projects: Maximize Efficiency of City-Owned Buildings Proponents: John Kerry Steve Non-technical considerations: Mild interest from City Hall Bad history w/ performance contractors Does City have resources to pursue without needing performance contractors? Next steps: Analyze benchmarking data Choose buildings with greatest need / greatest potential for improvements Investigate potential contractors or consultants Draft RFP for Level II audits Talk to other municipalities to learn from their experiences Deliverable: Report Benchmarking results Lessons learned from other municipalities Suggested next steps Champion: Eric Kerry Steve Natural Gas Expansion Proponents:  Bob Kerry Non-technical considerations: Strong support from city / state Strong interest from utility providers Possible incompatibility with Task Force mission (some members opposed) Need to carefully consider our message Energy vs. environment “Clean” gas vs. “dirty” oil Pursue renewable energy concurrently? Next steps: Engage Eversource Identify baseloads – public and private Investigate funding options (bond?) Discuss with DPW Discuss with Liz Stalker (economic development) Talk to other municipalities to learn from their experiences Deliverable: (What would be the next step toward the final goal?) Champion: Bob Kerry Industrial Site Remediation Review Proponent: Diane Next Steps: Integrate sites into a development plan with State and Federal grants Improve Energy Efficiency in Non-Governmental Buildings Champion: Daphne Goal: Make Norwalk more attractive for developers Next Steps: Consider ordinances to improve the energy efficiency of commercial buildings Meeting adjourned at 8:50