HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Energy Committee - 11/10/2021South Burlington Energy Committee
Meeting Minutes
November 10,2021
Committee members present: Ethan Goldman (Chair),Kate Bailey,Andrew Chalnick (scribe),
Steve Crowley,Keith Epstein,Marcy Murray,MJ Reale,Tim Perrin
Committee members absent:Linda McGinnis,Sam Swanson,Ken Pulido
City staff present:Ilona Blanchard
Community members present:Carrie McLaughlin (from SunCommon)and Michael Mittag
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.
Convene:Ethan called the meeting to order via Zoom shortly after 6:30 p.m.and Andrew
agreed to scribe. Ilona attended at City Hall.
There were no comments from the public not related to the agenda.
Minutes.Keith moved to approve the draft minutes from Oct 13th.MJ seconded the motion.
The motion was approved with 7 voting in favor and one abstaining.
CAP.Ethan relayed that the first meeting of the South Burlington Climate Action Plan Task Force
will be Nov.29th at 7PM at City Hall.
Solar Bike Shelter Proposal.Ethan described the current state of the solar bike shelter
proposal.Carrie McLaughlin,the director of engineering at Sun Common,communicated that
the smallest canopy that Sub Common installs has 18 panels (total of 7.8kw),a footprint of
20x20 feet and would generate about 10 MWh per year.It would include a timber frame and a
roof of solar panels.At the moment it does not offer full protection in the rain.She quoted
$40,000 for the shelter.It would be turn key and includes 150 feet of trenching.Link here
https://suncommon.com/solar-canopy/.Carrie communicated that an off-grid system would
not be hard to install.There are batteries designed to withstand the elements.The Committee
decided to try to gather more information from the school,students and teachers to further
refine the proposal.Michael Mittag closed the discussion by noting that –in his real-world
experience -having a bike shelter does encourage students to ride bikes to school.
FY23 Workplan for City Council.The Policy Priorities and Strategies Process Planning memo
from Jessie Baker is here:
https://sbvt-records.info/WebLink/PdfViewer.aspx?file=https%3A%2F%2Fsbvt-records.info%2F
WebLink%2FElectronicFile.aspx%3Fdocid%3D251726%26dbid%3D0%26repo%3DSBurl%26pdfVi
ew%3Dtrue#page=69
Discussion around the workplan ensued.There was support for involvement in the climate
action plan,for outreach to home-owners for efficiency opportunities and car owners to switch
to EVs and for weatherization of low-income housing.Keith thought that a newsletter would be
a good outreach vehicle.
It was agreed that one project would be for the SBEC to support,monitor and work closely with
the Climate Action Plan Task Force.
Another relates to energy efficiency and sound mitigation around the airport.Tim described
the ongoing plans in this regard for ten pilot homes around the airport.Tim is closely involved
in this project given his role at VGS.Tim agreed to keep the Committee apprised of the project
and seek feedback from the Committee.Tim shared the Burlington International Airport
Residential Sound Insulation Pilot Program schedule with the Committee:
MJ agreed to collate a framework for what community outreach would look like –what actions
would we take as a committee in this regard?Steve and Kate volunteered to work with MJ.
Discussion ensued about regulating the energy efficiency of rental homes.Ilona noted that SB
does not regulate rental today and that instituting a program around rental regulation for
energy efficiency would be a major undertaking.Kate expressed interest in helping
lower-income folks address energy efficiency housing issues and shared the following article
that explains that Vermont’s policies leave behind Vermonters who rent their homes,have low
income or are Black,Indigenous or people of color:
https://vtdigger.org/2021/11/07/uvm-study-vermont-policies-dont-solve-energy-vulnerability/?
fbclid=IwAR0ZI9EdeH0uPUJlpLZGyaRCPW4RShgVeogiWtZdGE8AGYYjJ4vPLCq02-4
Tim mentioned that there is a VGS program to assist low-income homeowners that would cover
75%of weatherization project costs up to $5000.Information at this link:
https://www.vermontgas.com/residential-energy-services/residential-rebates-financing/enhanc
ed-income-qualified-weatherization-rebates-for-2022/
Keith mentioned that the Committee could assist by helping to raise awareness of this program.
Tim shared the following web link that shows Vermont’s Total Energy Burden by Town:
https://www.efficiencyvermont.com/news-blog/whitepapers/vermont-energy-burden
The Committee agreed that understanding the needs of residents with lower income in SB
should be one of the items that the Committee focuses on this year.
Solar PV in the LDRs.
The Committee agreed that Andrew would compose a letter in respect of Solar PV to consider
for the SBEC to send to the City Council in connection with the draft Land Development
Regulations.Ethan will reach out to some council members to ascertain reactions and things
we may want to address in connection with the proposal.
Adjourn:Meeting was adjourned at 8:45pm.
Next Meeting:Wednesday,December 8 at 6:30 PM.