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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Energy Committee - 04/03/2024PAGE 1 SOUTH BURLINGTON ENERGY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES APRIL 03, 2024 The South Burlington Energy Committee held a regular meeting on Wednesday, 3 April 2024, at 6:30 p.m., in the Auditorium, 180 Market Street, and by Zoom remote participation. Members present: F. Kosnitsky, M. Hauser, E. Goldman, R. Meader, S. Cowley, C. McLaughlin, M.J. Reale. Also present: N. Atherton, City Planner; L. Bresee, Energy Systems Manager; A. Chalnick, City Councilor; M. Scanlan, City Councilor; C. Wydman, Intern, Run on Climate. 1. Convene meeting, select scribe, review agenda (6:30 p.m.) 2. Comments and questions from the public not related to the agenda (6:35 p.m.) Mike Scanlan, new member of the City Council, started by saying thank for your work. He is the GMT rep for SB. GMT would like to meet with the energy committee to fill us in on their plans to electrify their bus fleet. 3. Review and approve March 6, 2024 meeting minutes (6:40 p.m.) Rob moved, Carrie second, approved unanimously 4. EV Parking Standards & Planning Commission Feedback (6:45 p.m.) Carrie and Rob attended a planning commission meeting to present suggestions regarding upgrading the EV charging zoning regs. There was a robust discussion. PC is hoping for feedback regarding the cost of adding charging capacity at construction vs. retrofit. This is a significant equity issue for renters. Andrew introduced Caroline Wydman, policy intern from Run on Climate, who has done some research into this question. She shared slides regarding relative costs of installing chargers, at new construction vs. retrofit. Questions remain about the comparison of installing EV capable vs, EV ready. Discussion explored detailed nuances of specific installed outcomes, where situations may vary. Lou is working with an electrician on contract who may be able to offer experienced insight on the relative costs. Othrs would include GMP, Drive Electric, the O'Brien group with their experience developing many all electric homes of different types. PC needed further feedback within the next couple of weeks. Nick is prepared to offer the PC specific language, but only a recommended number of EV ready vs. EV Capable stations. To get at the nuance addressed tonight would take longer. Carrie pointed out ENERGY COMMITTEE MEETING APRIL 7, 2024 | PAGE 2 that the PC has asked for further information about relative costs. Andrew points out that this would not come up before city council for several months; the PC to adopt around June. Nick pointed out that the new state code will be adopted in July; it would be ideal to minimize the gap in adoption timing between the SB code and the state code. He noted that it is also possible to address preferences, “where possible,” in general language and not detailed requirements. The plan is to get additional information to Nick prior to the next PC meeting, May 9. 5. Status of municipal infrastructure & equipment upgrades - Lou Bresee (7:05 p.m.) See slides. Energy Fund balance: we currently have almost $300,000 in the fund. We should think about possible uses. Data collection Possibly Bartlett Bay WWTP adding new solar (not net metering). Recent expenses: all fire department miscellaneous equipment is now electric/battery operated. In some cases, the energy fund has paid for the differential, extra cost associated with the electric options. Lou reviewed a list of the full scope of work Lou does for the city. Government operations implementation (under the CAP). Bartlett Bay upgrade Tour possibilities, Airport Parkway WWTP (especially with regard to geothermal applications). City Hall. Grants: EEBCG (Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Program) $75,760 no match award Replace 3 RTUs (roof top units) at Public Works this month MERP (Municipal Energy Resilience Program) Fire Station #2 and Wheeler House evaluated this week. This was a very thorough evaluation. It will be 4-6 weeks before we get a report back. Proposals to be submitted for recommended changes 6.FY’24 Work Plan: Advise and support City regulatory and policy changes to implement the CAP (7:30 p.m.). Lou reported on his efforts under this aspect of the CAP. Request from Council was to balance this out to about $600,000 per year. ENERGY COMMITTEE MEETING APRIL 7, 2024 | PAGE 3 Lou is 70-90% confident in our ability to achieve the targets for 2050 that are identified in the CAP. Lou reviewed the long term plan to replace the city's gas powered vehicles with EV. Reviewed chart showing a full list of proposed facility upgrades. (see slides) This also includes 10 charging stations at the Audette Public Works building. Mainly for employee use. Discussion ensued about the possibilities for adding a fast charger for public use, and which city-owned properties might be suitable for that. 7. Climate Cafes & Potential South Burlington Chapter (8:00 p.m.) Ethan shared that a climate cafe process was described in the NY Times, and suggested that we have a team look into that as a possibility for us. Carrie added that it would be good to facilitate community discussion that revolve around hope, where it can so quickly devolve into angst. 8. Updates on Ongoing Activities & Announcements (8:15 p.m.) Andrew shared a suggestion about establishing a practice or policy where building owners would be required to implement all improvements that have a reasonable payback, such as within an eight year span. Second idea: how to encourage or require existing fossil powered homes to transition to electric. 9. Book discussions Marley reports there is a target to get a panel, or film showing, in May or family friendly event in the fall. More details to come at the May energy committee meeting. 10.Adjourn Respectfully submitted by Nick Atherton, City Planner, on 23 April 2024.