HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - Energy Committee - 04/07/2016
South Burlington Energy Committee
575 Dorset Street
South Burlington, VT 05403
(802) 846-4106
www.sburl.com
facebook.com/SouthBurlington
Thursday, April 7, 2016
6:30 pm
Police Station upstairs conference room, 19 Gregory Drive
AGENDA
6:30 PM Convene Meeting
· Recruit scribe, timekeeper
· Review and approve meeting agenda
· Approve previous meeting minutes (February 4, 2016)
6:35 PM Invite Public to Speak
6:40 PM Presentation from UVM NR206 students on municipal energy benchmarking
with Portfolio Manager – Grant Taylor with 4 students (Daniel, Rachel, Nick,
and James)
7:00 PM Discussion about Planning Commission’s related committees questionnaire
7:20 PM South Burlington Energy Prize updates – Committee members
· Treasurer’s report
· Discuss, advise, help, and approve requests for projects
8:55 PM Other Business
9:00 PM Adjourn
A. What are the largest three projects the committee has worked on in the last year or plans to
work on shortly? Please describe the goals, outcomes, and any lessons learned throughout the
process.
B. Are you familiar with the role of the Planning Commission? Have you read or participated in the
drafting of the 2016 Comprehensive Plan? If so, can you highlight some of the goals, objectives,
or strategies that interest you most?
C. Have you thought about, discussed, or planned for any changes in policy or regulation that you
believe would help your mission or goals?
D. If asked by the Planning Commission to assist and/or advise on some projects identified as
priorities, would you be willing to do so?
South Burlington Energy Prize monthly update for April 7th 2016
Outreach/Events, by Karen McKenny
Accomplishments:
Feb Workshop: Vermontivate with Kathryn Blume
March Workshop: Solaflect3 people
Facebook 755
Newsletter 325 subscribersApril edition out
Writing a short story on our April workshop for the Other Paper
Help needed:
Leads for house parties
Thoughts about this offer from Super Green Solutions:
I don’t really know how well my fellow residents of South Burlington are participating in the
Energy Prize but we do have a program at SuperGreen Solutions where we would come to a
person’s residence to audit their current lighting, educate them and provide a energy saving
recommendations. There is no requirement or pressure to purchase bulbs from SuperGreen
Solutions. We normally charge $49.95 for the service but if it would help with the “cause”, I am
willing to offer a 20% discount to the residents of South Burlington. We have customers who
get a little frustrated with buying LED bulbs. We try to take the guess work out of it. Let me
know if this might be of interest.
April workshopplease post on FPF
Farmer's Market for this summer? Interest?
New time or thoughts about the workshops? Poor attendance
Thoughts about Roseann Greco's offer of solar credits
Dear Energy Committee folks,
I’m replying to an email newsletter you sent in the hope that it will reach all of you. I’m also
going to put on the address line, the email addresses of the those I remember. I have a “Bright”
idea and an offer, which I’m calling “Sharing Power."
We are generating way more power from our roof solar panels than we use (over $400 a year
more). I would like to donate all of that to a needy family/person in South Burlington. I’ve spoken
with Green Mountain Power, and am fairly certain I can do that. And there is the possibility that
we can donate this same amount of power every year for the foreseeable future. Perhaps there
are other folks in our same situation, who would also be willing to donate unused power from
solar panels.
But rather than just find someone to give it to, I thought that the Energy Committee as part of
the Georgetown University effort could have some sort of “competition” for it. It would help
publicize (and win) the GUEP; and it could promote energy efficiency if the “winner” is
someone/family who have accomplished some energy efficiency measures (TBD). Who
wouldn’t want free electricity for a year?!
What do you think? Rosanne Greco
Page 1 of 10
Thoughts about SolarCity interest:
Hi Karen,
I was talking to Jennifer Murray at the SB library today and she thought that I should reach out
to you regarding the South Burlington Energy Prize. I want to help! A little about me: I am SB
resident, I am married to Chelsea Carmichael(Russell) who is a Rebel Alum and South
Burlington lifer. I am currently working with Nancy Lavarnway and many others to get the word
out about myself and my company. My passion for renewable energy runs much deeper than
just a job. My goal is this: within the next 5 years I want to help enough Vermonters to go solar
to offset the equivalent of every kWh of energy in a small town with solar energy.
Please let me know if me or my company, SolarCity, can do anything to help. I think a good
place to start would be a one on one meeting or info session with anyone you might think of.
The main thing that separates SolarCity from other local solar providers is that we specialize in
helping low and medium income families to go solar by providing the panels themselves at no
cost. I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience!
Thanks,
Chris Russell
Field Energy Consultant | SolarCity
Sun Common interested in another workshop ? June
Plans:
April workshop: 18th. GMP, VGS, VEIC combo meeting
May : Super Green Solutions on lighting
May 7th Green Up Day
Communicating with parks and recs for tabling at
Kites in the Park May 13 interest? I am unable due to graduation
Day of Play June 5
City Fest August 6th
NR206 Portfolio Manager, by Grant Taylor
Accomplishments: NR206 Group is now acquainted with South Burlington's Portfolio
Manager account after attending a training from Efficiency Vermont and a EPA webinar. They
have received some of the electrical data that they needed to update the account, and logged it
into the program.
Help needed:Does the committee want cost and/or water data to be recorded in Portfolio
Manager? Keith says YES if it is not too difficult.
Plans: Get the rest of the data (missing electric data from Patchen Road, and VT Gas
altogether) logged into Portfolio Manager. Begin to compile the most efficient methods for
updating the account month to month.
Page 2 of 10
Solar, by Linda McGinnis
Accomplishments:
1. Solar Landfill:
∙ CPG application package submitted (3/24)
∙ Used 248J (faster processing because on landfill with city approval)
∙ Best guess for receipt of CPG is 3 to 4 months (sometime in July)
o Construction could then start this fall
∙ Lease and net metering agreements agreed to in large part between City and Altus,
hoping to sign these contracts this week (David Young, Kevin Dorn, Ilona, Jim, Altus)
2. Solar Installs and CSAs
Contribution value to school project
o 58 x 30 = $1740
o 10 x 200 = $2000
o (Encore ~ $2000)
o Total = $5740
SBEP Totals by Quarter:
∙ Q1 (back to Dec 1): 36 total (4 Roof, 32 CSA)
o 4 roof mount (Suncommon),
o 24 CSAs (Suncommon)
o 2 CSAs (Steve Webster)
o 6 CSAs (Mont Vert RECs retained)
∙ Q2: 8 total (2 roof, 6 CSA)
o 1 roof mount (Suncommon),
o 1 roof mount (Building Energy),
o 6 CSA (Suncommon)
∙ Q3: 6 total (1 roof, 5 CSA)
o 1 roof mount (Suncommon),
o 5 new CSA (Suncommon)
∙ Q4: 9 total (2 roof, 7 CSA)
o 2 roof mounts (Suncommon),
o 7 CSA (Suncommon)
o 2 heat pumps (Suncommon)
∙ 2015 Grand TOTAL: 59
○50 CSAs
○9 roof mounts
∙ 2016 Q1: 9 total (1 roof, 8 CSA)
South Burlington Totals (Dashboard)
∙ Total Rooftop = 95
∙ Total CSA = 58
Page 3 of 10
Help needed:
Goal:to reach those who may have already been exposed to the idea of solar,but need a
reminder/motivation
Efficiency/Solar Block Parties
∙ Suncommon happy to bring in Bouncy Castles, Ben and Jerry’s, food, beer, etc
∙ Need homes
∙ Need outreach on FPF
Party at local brewery with a free beer for everyone who comes
∙ Suncommon would pay for first beer
∙ Need outreach on FPF
Biking or Walking tour of solar homes in SB
∙ Need map of homes (available on Dashboard)
∙ Suncommon would organize
∙ SBEC needs to do outreach on FPF
Schools, by Linda McGinnis
1. Solar Landfill:
∙ School Board approved in late January (after initial push back)
∙ CPG filed for the project (3/24)
∙ Anticipated start of construction = Fall
2. Elementary:
Accomplishments
∙ Central School (03/21/16) –
o Feb Thor presented to the faculty
o Mar The school formed an Energy Committee that meets once a month. They brainstormed
ideas, and Linda sent them a “Getting Started” document using materials from Orchard, Tuttle, and
VEEP.
o Apr – Thor met with Energy Committee.
§ Volunteers are excited to share ideas with students and faculty
§ Starting an after school “Energy Club”.
§ Making energy announcements on the intercom and weekly boards
§ Working with janitorial staff to turn off lighting
§ Want to implement motion sensors in less used areas to save energy
o Key Contacts Kelly Mahl kmahl@sbschools.net, Kelsey Miller kmiller@sbschools.net, Barbara
Yerrick byerrick@sbschools.net)
Page 4 of 10
o VEEP partners: Laura Maclachlan and Mariah Keagy
∙ Chamberlin (03/28/16): Thor presented SBEC to the faculty at Chamberlin. He covered both
the goals of the GUEP, and as well as the longterm goals of sustainability in the future. He asked for
12 teacher champions who would be willing to work with us and gave examples of the Orchard
sustainability team, which meets bimonthly.
o VEEP has also offered to provide free classes and guidance (Laura Maclachlan and Mariah
Keagy).
o Key contacts: Holly Rouelle hrouelle@sbschools.net, Rhiannon Kim rkim@sbschools.net
Next steps/Help
∙ Central: Find out from EVT if we can provide baseline for current energy usage at Central so
they can benchmark progress.
∙ Chamberlin: Holly Rouelle will find 12 teachers and Thor will contact Chamberlain in a couple of
weeks to follow up.
3. Middle School Tuttle Green Team:
∙ 03/28/16 Tuttle hosted an All School Assembly (540 students, 50 adults) for the Green School
Energy Challenge. This was the first building wide gathering in many years, and rallied support for the
students from their peers!
o They invited Andrew Newell, a member of the U.S. Nordic Ski team, to deliver a Hot Planet, Cool
Athletes presentation (from Protect Our Winters organization, and arranged through VEEP). The focus
of the presentation is the impact of climate change on professional winter athletes, and inviting
students to think more about our energy sources, use, waste and conservation.
o The school community was introduced to Tuttle’s participation in the Green Schools Energy
Challenge. The Tuttle Green Team explained their current efforts and what the rest of the building can
do to be better stewards of our space and environment:
o Noelani and Ava, 8th graders, spoke about their SB city solar mapping project as a way for others to
get information about solar from their neighbors. The kids addressed the entire Tuttle Community
(500 plus people) to share their work. The project map is a work in progress. The link to the web site
is: https://sites.google.com/a/sbschools.net/fhtmsgreenteam/
o Asst Principal Paul Yoon spoke on behalf of the Green Team Waste Management Group, who have
mapped the number of trash cans and recycle bins in the building with a focus on reducing the
number through future activities.
∙ Tuttle Energy Audit: Tuttle also got Norm Etkind to come do a building energy audit. He was
joined by a student, two teachers and the District facilities manager, Bart Micelli
Next Steps
∙ Update on MiniFridge Project
∙ Update on Shack Challenge
∙ Sharing of Student PSAs on energy
∙ Green Team Website
Help
Page 5 of 10
4. High School
Accomplishments
∙ AP Environmental Science/Science Classes focus on climate change and energy
o watched COP21 and looked at US 40 year energy plan relative to current US energy policy,
focusing on how to transition our economy and energy structure away from nonrenewables
o investigated alternative energy through project based learning
o APES class had 350.org guest speaker and workshop on divestment
∙ Calculus class did the VEEP solar challenge curriculum
∙ Green Team won SBEP bingo prizes for energy efforts
∙ Green Team sent seven students to UVM’s Youth Climate Summit, and returned to school with
an action plan (focused primarily on composting)
∙ Matt Dransfield attended a workshop on changes in Green Schools Energy Challenge (VEEP)
Plans
∙ AP Environmental Science Solar Challenge lessons and individual projects, many revolving
around energy conservation and usage (May)
∙ Green Team students to Youth Climate Summit Rally (April 28)
∙ Participate in Vermont Envirothon
∙ Participate in Vermontivate
∙ Implement Action Plan from Youth Climate Summit
Help
∙ Want projects for students
5. UVM:
Accomplishments
∙ Two interns have been engaged to develop energy stories on the 6 pilot towns for the
Community Energy Dashboard between now and May
∙ Two additional interns will be working through the summer
∙ NR 206 (Grant and Keith): class has taken on Energy Star Portfolio Manager project for the city
Help
∙ Continue to identify potential interviewees from the residential, municipal, and business
communities who could tell the energy transformation story in South Burlington or elsewhere
(efficiency and switching to renewables).
Page 6 of 10
Marketing, by Marketing Team
Accomplishments: Developed a Valentine themed ad for early February. Reran the ad to
encourage people to weatherize their home for the second March ad. Developed an Electric
Water heater replacement that ran in late March. Ad to promote the installation efficient shower
heads complete for an April ad.
Help needed:Can always use new ideas for the action phase of the ad campaign.Still
need a professional photographer.
Plans: Future ads will focus on Electric Water heater replacements when EVT launches their
program and additional ad to encourage weatherization (icicles or melting snow on roof tops)
and ads to encourage unplugging spare refrigerators. Outreach team will be meeting to
brainstorm ways to jazz up our outreach approach to increase our impact.
EVT & GMP Targeted Marketing, by Don Cummings
Accomplishments: EVT is working on the mailing – expected sometime in April. They are
currently thinking of a mailing to everyone in S. B. and to select high users elsewhere (I am not
sure what they have decided on as a method to select recipients). I have seen the latest draft.
Quite plain and largely focuses on reliability and cost – no behavioral psychology that I can see.
They have also decided not to include anything about the Energy Prize in their letter but rather
put in an additional insert the some bullets about the prize. Unfortunately, so far, they have not
been willing consider any of our suggestions about how we think this should be done beyond the
fact that they should be going after water heaters more aggressively
Help needed: None
Plans: EVT tells me that I will see the mailing before they send it but I am not sure we will be
able to make suggestions.
GMP has said they will do their own mailing after the EVT letter goes out promoting their heat
pump water heater offerings.
Will flesh out our promotion plan that we will do for this campaign (ads, articles, workshops &
social media) as we get closer to launching the program.
Page 7 of 10
VGS Projects, by Don Cummings
Accomplishments: VGS has investigated their participation in the water heater program but
does not see an easy way to accomplish this. They are appreciative of us mentioning them as a
possibility in our promotion of the program.
In a recent meeting I reiterated our thought that there are probably ways to beef up the up their
“sales” process to get more audits and to convert a higher percentage of audits to
weatherizations. They are looking at ways to simplify the audit report to quickly and easily get
the high points across to the homeowner. I suggested a tickler file where a salesperson (not the
auditor) regularly follows up on recent audits.
Help needed: Help to identify and recruit large landlords to use VGS efficiency programs
Plans: They are thinking about the following enhancements to their other processes:
∙ Follow up on outage calls suggesting that it might be time for an equipment
replacement and outlining the incentive programs
∙ Another mailing to recent audits encouraging them to take action
∙ They are looking for a candidate home where they can do a ”makeover” to
get publicity about their weatherization program (and get some good press).
Neighborhood Energy Mapping, by Keith Epstein
Accomplishments: Kristan from EVT shared the neighborhood energy mapping tool with
Front Porch Forum team, and he wants to present to us at our May meeting to discuss how we
can collaboratively use the maps.
Help needed: Think about how we might use the neighborhood energy maps to promote
action.
Plans: Work with Kristan to prepare for presentation to SBEC.
Utility Data Reporting, by Keith Epstein
Accomplishments: Q4 2015 data was submitted by EVT and VGS on time. GUEP
updated dashboard to show all of 2015. South Burlington is ranked 33 out of 50. Some of the
numbers are a little confusing so I'm going to work to understand and summarize my findings for
everyone.
Help needed: Take a look at the dashboard at guep.iconics.com. They are looking for
feedback, so if you have any you can send it to GUEP or give to me to forward to them.
Plans: Understand the dashboard numbers and write up a summary for you all to see.
Page 8 of 10
Outreach to Real Estate Agents, by Patty Tashiro
Accomplishments: Sold 204 bags to Coldwell / Hickok. 87 bags for South Burlington, 117
for areas outside of SB. (Coldwell is paying for 100% of the bags inside and outside of SB, as I
was able to source the items for $9.71, lower than the $9.75, over which the committee had
authorized to cover expenses.)
I did an assessment of the home of my contact, and she was very positive about service. She
wants a presentation given to the agents about energy efficiency and homes.
Help needed: Any thoughts or insights into the real estate market and energy efficiency
would be helpful. I have reached out to a contact at EVT and am going to meet with Sam about
his experience in this area.
Plans: Give presentation to Coldwell. Let other real estate agents know that we have
sold over 250 bags and see if they want to participate. Followup with Geri Reilly, who said she
was going to take the idea to the Real Estate Board.
Hardware Store Engagement, by Patty Tashiro
Accomplishments: Went to three main hardware stores to deliver ads we were running
and ask them to post them and support customers. (low flow and thermostat). Gave 'support
energy prize' labels.
Help needed: None at this time
Plans: Need to reach out about the water heater promotion.
Fundraising, by Patty Tashiro
Accomplishments: Sent thank you letters to donors who supported us by donating prizes
and VSECU. The thank you letter included a list of our accomplishments and the 'proud
supporter' label.
Help needed: If anyone knew of a company to approach for a donation of prizes...
Plans: Followup on some of the letters.
Specific Donations, by Patty Tashiro
Accomplishments: Compiled a 'Smart & Comfy' SBEP Basket for Skate Night.
Chocolates from Lake Champlain, smart light bulb and charger from Hickok & Boardman,
shower head and light bulbs from Lowes, and an assessment and night light from Fruitfull
Energy. Total value over $250.
Leonardo's sent three more pizza coupons for our drawings.
Help needed: None at this time
Plans: Send out thank you notes.
Page 9 of 10
SBBA promoting energy efficiency, by Patty Tashiro
Accomplishments: SBBA held an Energyfocused meeting we had suggested on March
22nd. GMP, EVT and VGS all presented. Don attended and tabled and can give details on the
event.
Help needed: None at this time.
Plans: None at this time.
Treasurerrelated work, by Marcy Murray
Accomplishments: Changed spreadsheet structure and updated contents to
accommodate staff input. Addressed payment request issue.
Help needed: None
Plans: Track and verify spending and revenue as needed. Update spreadsheet.
Energy Financing, by Marcy Murray
Accomplishments: Began exploring NeighborWorks Energy Loan program.
Help needed: None
Plans: Complete informationgathering phase.
Watts Up? Electricity Meters, by Marcy Murray
Accomplishments: Requested latest month's borrowing number.
Help needed: I'd like to know whether Keith has been able to check for mail on a weekly
basis for any meterrelated questions or feedback sent to the SBEP email address listed on the
library instruction sheet. Answer from Keith: I check that email address every day and have not
received any meterrelated questions or feedback yet.
Plans: Monitor meter usage.
Page 10 of 10