HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - Energy Committee - 12/03/2015
South Burlington Energy Committee
575 Dorset Street
South Burlington, VT 05403
(802) 846-4106
www.sburl.com
facebook.com/SouthBurlington
Thursday, December 3, 2015
6:30 pm
Public Works conference room, 104 Landfill Rd
AGENDA
6:30 PM Convene Meeting
· Recruit scribe, timekeeper
· Review and approve meeting agenda
· Approve previous meeting minutes (November 5, 2015)
6:35 PM Invite Public to Speak
6:40 PM Discussion about comprehensive plan
6:50 PM Discussion about Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) led by Marcy Murray
7:10 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
South Burlington Energy Prize monthly update for December 3rd 2015
Outreach/Events, by Keith Epstein
Accomplishments:
Facebook 661 likes. Was increasing, now stable.
Almost all the nest thermostats were given away 148 total
Published caption contest winner, planning next one for January
UMall Farmer's market has been slow
Family bingo night November 13th
Keith purchased new banner, will submit receipt
Help needed:
Hosts for home energy parties
Workshop topics
Plans:
No December workshop
Indoor Farmer's market
Marketing, by Marketing Team
Accomplishments: “Install a Thermostat” & “Black Friday Sale” ads developed and
placed. Additional ads to promote programming your thermostat developed for use early next
year. Development of a “Holiday Gift List” ad underway.
Mapped out a calendar of messages for the next 6 months or so that we will using in the ads we
develop for each of those months.
Help needed:Can always use new ideas for the action phase of the ad campaign.Still
need a professional photographer.
Plans: Will meet to flesh out more “action” ads.
EVT & GMP Targeted Marketing, by Don Cummings
Accomplishments: Don and Keith joined a meeting with Waterbury/Duxbury and
Montpelier that was arranged by Paul Markowitz (EVT) to map out a plan for community action
during the Elec Heat Water heater & Electric heat campaign. Each community will develop a
campaign that will include the EVT outreach letter that is tailorable by community and might also
include ads, & stories in the local papers, posters, etc. After the meeting we sent them a
summary of the Behavioral Psychology ideas that we have been using that they may find helpful
for this outreach.
Help needed: None
Plans: Still waiting for the Director of EVT build a management partnership with GMP &
VGS. Next steps would be to have the partners perform data analysis to identify candidates &
work with all three Georgetown communities to finalize outreach & followup methods.
Page 1 of 5
VGS Projects, by Don Cummings
Accomplishments: VGS has developed another mailing to encourage all S.B. residents
to look at the VGS energy saving tips (derived from ours) and to consider getting an energy
audit. Was sent out in early November.
Help needed: Help to identify and recruit large landlords to use VGS efficiency programs
Plans: Continue to encourage them to bolster their marketing processes to improve their
outreach and track results.
Neighborhood Energy Mapping, by Keith Epstein
Accomplishments: EVT sent an updated map with data through September 2015
Help needed: Review map at meeting and discuss how to use.
Plans: Discuss use of map with EVT, and possibly publish it
Utility Data Reporting, by Keith Epstein
Accomplishments: Data was submitted by EVT and VGS on time
VGS found and fixed an error in some old data and implemented a fix to prevent the error in the
future
No GUEP dashboard yet, even though they said it would be released soon
Help needed: Review the GUEP dashboard when it is ready
Plans: Review the GUEP dashboard when it is ready
Hardware store outreach, by Patty Tashiro
Accomplishments: None...
Help needed: As I believe you all know, Lowes lost one of our banners we gave to them
to hang in their store for a few weeks. The manager has come back and apologized and offered
to pay for it.
I would like to know what committee members think about accepting his offer or whether the
Energy Prize should absorb this cost. I feel as though we have another year of the energy prize
and having their support and donations will help us far more than the $50 we could get out of
them for the banner. (For instance, the Energy Basket they donated for an orchard event was
over $80, not to mention light bulbs, the benefit of hanging our sign in their entry way for a few
weeks, etc...)
Plans: No plans at this time.
Fruitfull Energy Update, by Patty Tashiro
Accomplishments: Now offering IR camera scans to help homeowners 'see' heat loss
and hot spots.
Updated website and facebook page to incorporate new offering.
Gave energy assessment to people who hosted an energy house party. They were very happy
with the information they learned through the process.
Help needed:Any referrals would be welcome!
Plans: More customer outreach!
Page 2 of 5
Outreach to Estate Agents, by Patty Tashiro
Accomplishments: After an introduction from Karen, I met with a prominent local estate
agent to discuss putting together energythemed 'welcome' bags, for estate agents to give out to
homeowners after closing on a house in South Burlington. I priced out the bags at $10.98, which
would include the gift bag, the tissue, the SBEP logo sticker to go on the bag, the highefficiency
shower head, and LED night light.
The estate agents would put together the bags and add an LED light bulb purchased at Lowes
for $2 each. (For Black Friday, they were $1 each...) The estate agent had wanted to purchase
50, but when they learned they would be paying for the bag, tissue and label, ($2.78) decided to
hold off.
Help needed: I would like to know what the committee thinks about using our funds, or
fundraising, for the $2.78 to reach new homeowners. Also, I need to know how the committee
would feel about an estate agent that advertises often using our logo in one of their ads to
mention the prize and ask what people are doing to support the prize.
Plans: Decide how to proceed and either approach other estate agents or let the idea
go.
Fundraising for Marketing Outreach, by Patty Tashiro
Accomplishments: Ilona submitted the grant to the Ben & Jerry's Foundation. We are
waiting to hear back. So far, the status is 'undecided'.
Got some small donations for the Button Up Bingo.
Help needed: Any ideas for companies to approach for more donations. I could use
assistance with fundraising, as my time is quite limited.
Plans: Need to build up the stock of donations for prizes.
Treasurerrelated work, by Marcy Murray
Accomplishments: Helped resolve vendor and staffrelated billing and reimbursement
issues. Updated budget spreadsheet.
Help needed: Not at this time.
Plans: Create draft of 4th quarter spending report for donors.
Other tasks as needed.
PropertyAssessed Clean Energy (PACE) program, by Marcy Murray
Accomplishments: Met with city staff and VEIC representatives to discuss PACE and
potential issues with moving forward. Followed up with tax staff to assess defaultrelated
tracking burden. Communicated costrelated concerns with VEIC. Reviewed program
documents, potential ballot language, and documents participants would need to sign. Explored
related census & market data.
Help needed: Where within the census data website can I find the number of South
Burlington homeowners by income bracket?
Plans: Discuss PACE and seek official SBEC approval of recommendation at December
meeting. Present recommendationin collaboration with VEICat December 7th City Council
meeting. Also provide revised ballot language for legal review.
Page 3 of 5
FY2015 Annual Report SBEC Summary, by Marcy Murray
Accomplishments: Finalized SBEC annual report and forwarded it to city staff.
Help needed: None
Plans: None
Watts Up? Electricity Meters, by Marcy Murray
Accomplishments: Requested November borrowing data before December meeting.
Answer: NONE
Help needed: Curious whether the SBEP email account has received any feedback from
borrowers regarding the electricity meters. Answer from Keith: No.
Promotion of meters as appropriate.
Plans: Monitor usage.
Energy efficiency for residents with low income , by Marcy Murray
Accomplishments: Forwarded grant opportunities and other information from November
webinar to SBEC.
Help needed: None at this time.
Plans: Follow up with Sam for his input.
Consider grant opportunities.
Schools, by Linda McGinnis
Accomplishments:
* ES Orchard Sustainability Team designed a terrific Sustainability survey asking about energy
conservation behaviors and composting (Carol McQuillen) for faculty to fill out in early
December
* MS – Green Team students and Peer Leadership students are: i) conducting an energy
survey; ii) using the Watts Up meters to measure wattage from small refrigerator usage (Deb
Paul and Amelia Lutz). Solar mapping project is continuing its interviews (Steve Webster)
* HS three SBEC volunteer descriptions shared with Green Team
Help Needed:
* ES Thor to contact other schools, and provide updates on all three schools activities
* HS Wayne to follow up on Solar Lawn Signs purchase and outreach; need volunteer to work
with graphic arts on comic competition?
Plans:
* Solar Landfill project presented to city council?
* Efficiency meet with Tim Perrin, John Stewart, Bart Micelli
* ES Orchard will complete the sustainability survey, Thor will visit Central and Chamberlin to
introduce energy prize
* MS Green Team and Peer Leadership will finalize the energy survey and the small
refrigerator project
* HS Wayne will follow up on Solar Lawn Signs purchase and outreach
Page 4 of 5
Landfill Solar Array, by Ilona Blanchard
Accomplishments: Contracts completed from the City /Altus Power America perspective,
Net Metering Agreement under review by the School District.
Help needed: None at this time.
Plans: The School District (SBSD) will be asked to approve a resolution allowing the
Superintendent to execute a netmetering agreement with the City & Altus Power America.
The City Council will be asked to approve a resolution allowing the City Manager to execute the
contracts with Altus Power America including a Net Metering Agreement with the SBSD.
Public Notice regarding the lease of the landfill will be posted once the Council has approved
the resolution. If no petition is filed within 30 days of the notice to request a public consideration
and vote on the lease of the land, the City Manager, pending School approval & signature, will
be able execute the contracts.
Solar, by Linda McGinnis
Accomplishments:
* Solar Landfill project to be presented to city council ?
* Solar/Efficiency Party at Linda's 15 participants, 15 others asking for information
Help needed:
* Leads on neighbors who might be willing to host a solar/efficiency party
Plans:
End of year totals on installs
Page 5 of 5
1PACE :Getting Your Town on Board
2Agenda• PACE Overview – What is PACE, how does it work?• Benefits of PACE• Vermont’s PACE Program• Implementation of PACE in Vermont • Bringing PACE to your Town • Adopting a Program • Promoting PACE• Questions
3What is PACE?• PACE stands for Property Assessed Clean Energy• PACE is a financing mechanism through which homeowners can make energy improvements to their homes.• In Vermont over 50 towns have voted to create a special assessment district that allows this financing to occur. • Vermont’s first PACE loan was approved in September 2013
4• Homeowners are reluctant to risk upfront cost• Energy financing programs frequently serve those who least need them (people who can afford it anyway)• Short-term consumer financing (less than 7 years) is not effective unless there are substantial subsidies• PACE offers up to 20 year terms• Interest rates of 0% to 1.99% are currently available to many Vermont households (for efficiency work only)Why do we need PACE?4
5• No costs to property owners who do not participate• Overcome a key financial hurdle • No down payment required• Payments spread out over the useful life of the installed improvements• Transferability if the property is sold• Electricity/fuel bills are lower than they would be without the improvementsBenefits for Vermont property owners5
6• Injects dollars directly into the Vermont economy, to make lasting energy and building infrastructure improvements• Supports a steady and growing demand for good-quality sustainable jobs that cannot be outsourced• Decreased energy costs will increase discretionary income of Vermonters, allowing money to be saved or spent on other essentialsBenefits to Vermont’s economy6
7• Voluntary mechanism allowing property owners to opt into a special assessment district created by their municipality • Funds may be used for eligible energy efficiency and/or renewable energy improvements • Repayment period up to 20 years • Special assessment transfers to the new owner when the property is sold, or can be paid in full at time of transferHow does PACE work?7
8•PACE lien is subordinate to any existing property-secured liens currently in place •Residential only at this time• Mandatory reserve account– 2% from participating property owners• Statewide loan loss reserve – 5% from RGGI funds, up to $1 million• Efficiency Vermont available to act as PACE administrator for towns – at no cost to the town• Vermont Department of Financial Regulation determines underwriting criteria• Effective Jan. 1, 2012Vermont’s PACE legislation8
9Towns are responsible for collection of delinquent assessments24 V.S.A. §3255 Special assessments … shall constitute a lien on the property against which the assessment is made in the same manner and to the same extent as taxes assessed on the grand list of a municipality, and all procedures and remedies for the collection of taxes shall apply to special assessments. (source: ww.leg.state.vt.us/statutes/fullsection.cfm?Title=24&Chapter=087&Section=03255)
10Who is eligible for PACE financing?• The participant must:• own the property• certify that there are no overdue payments on mortgages or liens secured by the property• have a Debt to Income Ratio <= 41%• Expected energy savings will be included in the income calculation•Homeowners must fully participate in all available rebate and incentive programs for the measures that they are installing
11What properties are eligible for PACE • The property must be:• a residential dwelling - primary residence, vacation home, 1-4 unit owner occupied structure, manufactured home or condominium located in a PACE district• current on all taxes and assessments• free of tax, federal, state or municipal liens• not subject to reverse mortgage, or to any mortgage for which there is a default, foreclosure, delinquency or unsatisfied judgment
12What can be financed through PACE?• Minimum PACE assessment is $3,500• Maximum PACE assessment is the lesser of:• $30,000 or • 15% of the assessed value of the property• Total of PACE assessment and all mortgages and liens on the property shall not exceed 90% combined LTV•Efficiency Vermont/BED issues a list of eligible efficiency and renewable measures annually•Repairs and new construction costs do not qualify for financing under the PACE Program, with the exception of health and safety measures necessary to complete proposed energy improvements. Health and safety repairs may not exceed 50% of the total energy improvement project cost
13Eligible Energy Efficiency Measures•Blower door assisted air sealing•Insulate building envelope•Seal and insulate heating and cooling distribution systems•Install new efficient heating and/or cooling system•Install new efficient hot water heating system•Replace windows, doors or skylights•Whole home ventilation and health and safety measuresEligible Renewable Measures•Solar electric (PV)system•Solar hot water system•Small wind system•Micro-hydro system•Health and safety measures•Other renewable energy measures meeting the legislative definition (e.g., biofuels) are eligible for PACE, but will be reviewed on a custom basis. PACE eligible measures13
14Hold a voteDesignate a contactAdopt a programDecide how to administer program (in house or through Efficiency Vermont)Collection of delinquent assessment payments as described in 24 V.S.A. Section 3255What is my town’s role in PACE?14
15Implementation Steps for Towns1. Designate a PACE Contact2. Adopt a program – Review Vermont PACE Guidelines. Select Board or City Council adopts program3. Decide how PACE will be implemented (in-house or contract with Efficiency Vermont as PACE administrator)4. Design program materials5. Provide information materials to interested PACE participants6. Accept applications7. Manage PACE project financing through execution 8. Bill PACE participants through the life of their assessmentEfficiency Vermont is available to provide support through steps 1-4 and if chosen as the town’s PACE Administrator, will perform steps 5-8
16Designate a PACE contact•Decide who in the town will be the contact for PACE•Town employee (Town Manager, Town Clerk)•Responsible for •leading the town through the implementation steps•providing information to Select Board/City Council•sending agreements and other communications to Efficiency Vermont•Receives official PACE emails on behalf of your town•Sign up on Efficiency Vermont’s website•http://efficiencyvermont.com/about_us/energy_initiatives/pace/email_sign_up.aspx
17Adopt a Program• Review Vermont PACE Program Guidelines• Review guidelines with town staff and Select Board• Sign the guidelines document• Pass resolution to formally adopt your PACE program
18Determine how PACE will be implemented in your town• Determine if you wish to contract with Efficiency Vermont as your town’s PACE administrator• Select Board or City Council executes Program Administration Agreement • Return to Efficiency Vermont• There is no cost to the town to hire Efficiency Vermont as PACE Administrator
19What is Efficiency Vermont’s role in PACE?EEU Role (mandated by statute):• Maintain and publish a list of measures that can be financed through PACE. • Review and approve the costs and energy savings of the proposed energy improvements and perform a cash flow analysis. • Maintain 2% Loan Loss Reserve Account funded by participating property owners• Provide information concerning implementation and contact each municipality that votes to establish a district to offer this information
20What is the PACE Administrator’s role?Services are provided at no cost to town. All costs are borne by participating property owners• Facilitate financing through credit facility• Provide online and direct customer service to answer questions and perform prequalification analyses• Provide materials and process applications for PACE assessments• Provide qualification letter to approved customers with documents needed for project participation, timeline for execution and general customer assistance
21PACE Administrator’s Role (continued)?• Records reservation with credit facility upon receipt of executed participation agreement• Records lien with town• Reviews customer invoices and approves payment to contractor or homeowner• Manages customer billing throughout life of assessment• Reports annually to town and customer of status of assessment
22Tara Bartlik Mark KelleyPACE Coordinator Program Manager802-540-7925 802-338-5111Tbartlik@veic.orgmkelley@veic.orgMore information 22PACE@efficiencyvermont.comVermont PACE information:www.efficiencyvermont.com/PACEhttps://www.efficiencyvermont.com/for-our-partners/PACE-For-Town-Administrators