HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Energy Committee - 09/02/2021South Burlington Energy Committee
Approved Meeting Minutes
September 2, 2021
Committee members present: Ethan Goldman (Chair), Kate Bailey, Steve Crowley, Keith Epstein, Marcy Murray, Tim Perrin, MJ Reale, Sam Swanson, Committee members absent: Andrew Chalnick, Ken Pulido, Linda McGinnis City staff present: Ilona Blanchard, Lou Breese CCRPC staff present: Melanie Needle
Community members present: none City Council’s charge: The charge of the South Burlington Energy Committee is to promote energy conservation, energy efficiency, and the use of renewable energy resources among the city's residents, businesses, and in municipal affairs. The committee assists the city in addressing the goals to promote energy efficiency, affordable energy, and lessen reliance (per
capita) on non-renewable energy resources. Ethan called the meeting to order via GoToMeeting shortly after 6:30 p.m., and MJ agreed to scribe. Lou and Ilona attended at City Hall Minutes Keith initiated and Steve seconded a motion to accept the June 24, 2021, minutes. Approved unanimously. Update on CCRPC project to develop CAP (from Melanie Needle)
The deadline for Energy Committee members to join the CAP task committee is September 13. The scope of the CAP has not changed since the last version EC reviewed. Paul and Melanie will be reviewing it this week. Melanie is not sure if the task force will be reviewing this scope document.
The first task force meeting is in October. It will be about logistics, expectations, getting to know each other. The CAP work will be about strategy, pathways to achieve goals. The group discussed public engagement elements. Melanie will check in on whether the task force or EC will be the primary liaison for public engagement. It was noted that EC has 2 members included on the task force while other SB committees have one. She pointed out that EC has a lot of experience with data and data collection. Ethan asked about the task force committee process and who are the other players. Melanie is the CAP author. She is reviewing other CAPs in the state and around the country. She is looking at energy planning standards including from Dept. of Public Service. There will be 3 drafts of the CAP – including the final draft. The public will provide feedback on each
draft. Melanie also discussed the Transportation Implementation Plan (TIP). They are choosing soon between
two consultants. Discussed how this TIP dovetails with CAP. TIP will be detailed about actions – who is responsible for each element?
CAP is broader in scope – high level. How it gets implemented will be the responsibility of another committee. Marcy pointed out that if the CAP is more aspirational then 1 year is too long for the final version. The CAP is due June 2022. MJ asked if there will be goals and specific numbers/metrics included and Melanie said yes. Likely using state energy goals. Will be looking at feasibility models. Steve asked if climate readiness would be included. Melanie said yes – mitigation and adaptation issues are covered.
Nominate two members for Climate Action Task Force Andrew and Ethan volunteered for the task force. The group had a discussion about who else is
interested. Keith, Marcy and Sam offered to work in support of Andrew and Ethan. Sam nominated Andrew and Ethan and Marcy seconded the nomination. The group unanimously voted to accept. Ethan will confirm with Andrew and let Paul/Melanie know. FY23 Capital Plan Lou provided an update on the Revolving Fund. They are still pinning down the final numbers. Ethan asked about the status of batteries. Ilona said that Efficiency VT suggests they wait and see what the building is using - how much the solar array is generating and analyze the actual data. Tim pointed out that there is a break-in period with HVAC, solar etc. and need to look at actual vs. model. Marcy asked for SBEC review of the calculations (Lou said he would forward the spreadsheet to the committee) and asked how Lou chooses which projects to pursue (he responded that it is often based on suggestions from
others). Group feels that the revolving fund does align with EC goals. Keith suggested that The Other Paper (TOP) might be interested in running a story about the revolving
fund and energy savings. Ethan suggested that we should create some bullet points/sound bites from the spreadsheet to provide TOP reporter. Tim, Lou and Keith will put together that info and provide it to Marcy who will contact TOP. Ilona suggested that in a few months there would be info about the new
building and the group thought TOP might run another story at that time. Lou recommends $10K for research/studies. EC does not currently have a plan for a study but is interested in the future. EC wants to more fully understand this Capital Plan process and what our role in reviewing it is. We should plan ahead about certain projects for next year. With CAP we may want to add some dollars to support that. FY23 Workplan for the City Council EC reviewed the Council memo – Priorities and Strategies, Annual Work Plan, Action Worksheet (Goals/Objectives/Strategies/Action Items/Completion Date/Resources/Partners) Strategies Process Planning memo from Jessie Baker on the new format.
Everyone will review this document before the next meeting. Ethan, Steve and MJ will meet to discuss it prior. FY22 annual report Ilona provided a one-page template. Keith suggested that this can be created by reviewing the last year’s agendas and meeting notes. MJ will work on a first draft of this.
Commercial electric lawncare equipment Keith will email a report on this. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:40pm. Next Meeting Monday, September 20, at 6:30 p.m. via GoToMeeting. Other agenda items- there was not time to cover the remaining agenda items so there will be a special meeting on September 20. These include:
• Update on state-wide climate council and discussions of hydro-power CO2 accounting
• Ideas for funds from Energy Prize Solar Consortium, etc.
• Internships - update on Tina’s project
• Discuss recommended process to calculate cost-savings and emissions benefits from Honda Clarity lease (Tim P.)
• Dude Solutions energy management module demo planning
• Updates on ongoing Actions/Projects