HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Energy Committee - 12/12/2019
Approved Meeting Minutes & Notes
December 12, 2019
Committee members present: Andrew Chalnick, Linda McGinnis, Keith Epstein, Marcy Murray,
Richard Shrake, Sam Swanson, Tim Perrin
Committee members absent: Don Cummings, Patty Tashiro, Karen Mckenny
City staff present: Lou Bresee
Tim Perrin called the meeting to order at 6:40 pm. Rich agreed to scribe.
Tim pointed out that this is his fourth month as chair. Next month we will need to cycle to a new chair
and nominate/elect a vice-chair.
Tim announced emergency evacuation procedure.
Tim inquired if there were any additions to the agenda. Sam and Linda both requested a discussion of net
metering issues. Linda requested we include a discussion of the SBEC quarterly meeting with Kevin
Dorn.
Sam moved and Linda seconded to accept the October meeting minutes with a minor change in wording.
Motion passed unanimously.
Vermont Climate Solutions Caucus Forum
Andrew noted that the forum was very well-attended, that the representatives discussed the issues at hand
effectively, and that the audience was engaged and thoughtful. Sam recounted that the representatives
requested community members write letters to the governor inquiring what his administration is doing to
assure Vermont’s compliance with the Paris climate agreement. Linda suggested the members of SBEC
compose such correspondence as individuals and to include strong support for TCI - the cost of Vermont
not participating could be substantial.
Climate Action Plan
Sam noted he is approaching the CAP with an eye toward creating a framework or skeleton plan to
present to city council in anticipation of further direction to complete the plan. He has been trying to
determine the best metrics for measuring transportation emissions. There was significant discussion that
concerned the counting of vehicle miles traveled vs. direct emissions and the potential of gathering data
from the DMV. Linda suggested we might contact RSG, who assisted in developing such measurement
for Burlington. Sam noted we should hear back from CCRPC in January regarding our request for
assistance in tracking emissions.
Energy Prize Solar Consortium School Fund
South Burlington Energy Committee
575 Dorset Street
South Burlington, VT 05403
(802) 846-4106
www.SouthBurlingtonVT.gov
facebook.com/SouthBurlington
Marcy noted that because SBSD was not awarded VW e-bus funds, no money has been extracted from the
account and is available for a small solar project. She requested another committee member to volunteer
to take on this task. Rich volunteered and asked Marcy to share background information and contacts.
Revolving Fund
There was discussion regarding how best to estimate or calculate savings from projects. Tim noted that he
could share some of Efficiency Vermont’s tools for achieving such calculations with Lou.
Quarterly Meeting with Kevin Dorn
Tim asked who would join him at this meeting - Linda, Sam, and Keith all volunteered. Linda noted that
the passing down of the details and structure for these meetings from outgoing to incoming chair is of
utmost importance. Tim will reach out on 12/13 to schedule this meeting for January.
Proposed Net Metering Changes
Sam shared details from a recent meeting that indicate GMP is considering shifting away from net
metering to instead focus on large scale solar projects. There was substantial discussion concerning
perceived potential pros (faster and more substantial reduction of ghg) and con (consolidated ownership
of power; loss of engagement with consumers). Sam will put together bullet points for further discussion
of this issue at the next meeting.
SBSD Net Metering
Linda reported that Chad Farrel will be meeting with David Young on December 18 to discuss potential
cost savings through additional solar projects since the district’s net metering cap has been raised. She is
waiting to hear back from Chad on whether they might be able to shift the existing net metering credits
for the school over to the city up to the 1.85 limit of the solar landfill project, so that the city could have
additional solar for its City Center project.
Climate Action Plan Redux
There was substantial discussion among the entire committee regarding: approaching the plan top-down
vs. bottom-up; the scope of the plan; the plan’s relationship to city leadership and committees; is the plan
for SB or SBEC; recognizing the goals as defined in the SBEC charter as those of the plan; ensuring that
actions defined are meaningful and effective.
The committee determined a separate meeting dedicated exclusively to working on the climate action plan
is required and settled on a date of 1/2/2020.
Keith moved to adjourn and Rich seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Next Meeting
Thursday, January2, in the South Burlington Police Station’s 2nd floor conference room at 19 Gregory
Drive (middle entrance).
South Burlington Energy Committee
575 Dorset Street
South Burlington, VT 05403
(802) 846-4106
www.SouthBurlingtonVT.gov
facebook.com/SouthBurlington