HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Energy Committee - 01/20/2021
South Burlington Energy Committee
575 Dorset Street
South Burlington, VT 05403
(802) 846-4106
www.SouthBurlingtonVT.gov
facebook.com/SouthBurlington
Draft Meeting Minutes
January 20, 2021
Committee members present: Andrew Chalnick, Keith Epstein, Ethan Goldman, Marcy Murray, MJ Reale, Richard Shrake, Sam Swanson Committee members absent: Linda McGinnis, Tim Perrin Community members present: Fred Looft, Tiana Smith City staff present: Lou Bresee Meeting conducted online via Zoom.
Ethan called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. and mentioned that Karen Mckenny had resigned and Ken Pulido had requested a leave of absence from the committee. Rich agreed to scribe. Agenda Additions Marcy requested that we discuss how to handle the unspent and unspoken for money contained in various
accounts totaling approximately $9,000. Minutes Approval Keith moved and Andrew seconded approving the 1/6 meeting minutes. Approved unanimously.
New City Manager As Linda was absent from the meeting, Ethan will ask her to share any news from the hiring committee via email. Marcy stated she is also curious to know whether energy-related leadership is also a component
of the hiring criteria for the new Assistant City Manager. Solar-ready Requirements for Commercial Buildings
Andrew reported on the recent SBEC presentation to the Planning Commission. The PC seemed supportive and prepared to advise adopting solar-ready requirements for commercial buildings. There was also significant discussion concerning the possibility of requiring PV panels for new commercial buildings. The SBEC should anticipate being invited back to present the costs and savings of such a requirement. Ethan wondered if it would be worthwhile to have a representative from GMP at that meeting. Tiana suggested reaching out to Graham Turk; that would help determine the usefulness of a GMP presence. VGS Presentation Tiana Smith presented a slideshow detailing VGS’s stated goal of decarbonizing thermal energy with benchmarks of a 30% reduction in ghg by 2030 and net zero by 2050. VGS is aiming to transition from a
natural gas entity to an infrastructure entity, making pipes available for materials other than fossil fuels. VGS is eager to find areas where it can work with SBEC. Hartford, VT, Climate Action Plan
South Burlington Energy Committee
575 Dorset Street
South Burlington, VT 05403
(802) 846-4106
www.SouthBurlingtonVT.gov
facebook.com/SouthBurlington
Keith discussed his recent meeting with Paul Conner and Erik Krauss concerning Hartford’s experience developing a CAP. He was most impressed by the support of city staff and leadership and by the large community coalition they have built. Hartford’s consultant’s study cost $30,000. Andrew wondered how we can emulate their success and suggested we closely follow their progress. Ethan pondered if it would be most beneficial to approach state government to discuss where towns’ interests intersect. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:45
Next Meeting TBD