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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Energy Committee - 11/05/2015 South Burlington Energy Committee 575 Dorset Street South Burlington, VT 05403 (802) 846-4106 www.sburl.com facebook.com/SouthBurlington Thursday, November 5, 2015 Approved Meeting Minutes Public Works 2nd floor conference room 104 Landfill Road, South Burlington (off Patchen Road) Committee members present: Don Cummings, Karen Mckenny, Keith Epstein (Chair), Linda McGinnis, Marcy Murray, Sam Swanson, Thor Vue, Committee members absent: Fred Kosnitsky, Patty Tashiro, Wayne Maceyka, Community members present: None City staff present: None Initial Business The meeting began at around 6:30 p.m., Marcy volunteered to scribe, and the committee approved the October minutes. Public input None. South Burlington Energy Prize updates – Committee members · Treasurer’s report: Marcy reported that we’ve spent $12,758.86 to date and have $22,165.67 on hand ($1,983.92 in the City of South Burlington General Fund and $20,181.75 in the Energy Prize Reserve Fund). An additional $3,450.75 in spending has been authorized but not yet spent. · Members shared key accomplishments, next steps, and requests for assistance as Keith scrolled through the pre-meeting written project update summary. · Selected items: (1) Given the potential for millions of dollars in savings for taxpayers, the committee was encouraged by Ilona’s report that the city’s landfill-solar negotiations with Altus Power America are progressing. (2) Keith demonstrated the motivational Button-up Bingo game that he and Karen created. (3) Linda showed the engaging energy-cost-saving-related slides that she and Patty created for the middle school presentation. · LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS TO HOST NEIGHBORHOOD ENERGY PARTIES Please contact Karen at kmckenny@hotmail.com if you know someone who would like to host. These gatherings are a great way to connect with others and motivate change that benefits all. Energy efficiency party: Host receives a free energy assessment from Fruitfull Energy’s Patty Tashiro; and a programmable thermostat, low-flow showerhead, and LED bulbs if needed. Host also receives $30 to buy refreshments. Each attendee receives an LED bulb & guidance on how to save money and energy. Solar party: SunCommon sets up, cleans up and provides food, drinks and expert information about rooftop solar energy options. South Burlington Energy Committee 575 Dorset Street South Burlington, VT 05403 (802) 846-4106 www.sburl.com facebook.com/SouthBurlington Energy Action Network’s Community Energy Dashboard Linda McGinnis, South Burlington Energy Committee member and Energy Action Network’s Network Program Director, demonstrated the in-process version of EAN’s online Community Energy Dashboard. The dashboard’s purpose is to help Vermont communities translate to a local level the state’s goal of meeting 90% of its energy needs through renewable energy by 2050. By incorporating six tools—a timeline, statistics for every local energy type, actions, analysis, stories and mapping—the completed dashboard will enable individuals, businesses, farms, institutions, municipalities, and other organizations to see: (1) their current electricity, transportation, and heat–related energy usage; (2) how that usage needs to change in order to help Vermont meet its 2050 goal; and (3) what they need to do to successfully achieve such change. South Burlington will be one of six participants to pilot the dashboard. Before next summer, all 255 Vermont towns will likely have access. Non-electric usage data will be crowd-sourced with an annual “true up” being performed by EAN and the Vermont Energy Investment Corporation. Town energy committees will have a key role in inputting data. The committee was impressed with the tremendous amount of work and collaboration that has gone into creating this quality tool. Comprehensive Plan Regarding the comments that the committee recently submitted to the Planning Commission, Keith gave a quick overview of those that the commission has accepted. He will do a detailed review of how each of our recommendations fared. Cartoon Caption Contest After reviewing the captions that community members had submitted for the cartoon showing three chickens installing an LED bulb, committee members made the following selections and discussed next steps: WINNER: “Birds of a feather, save energy together!” HONORABLE MENTION : “Instant energy savings, easy to install, chickens not included.” "LEDs: For Those That Give a Cluck." “Happy are the chickens three using LED lightbulbs because they could ‘see’ Saving energy is the key to open the door to efficiency” Winner Richard Wolbach will receive a signed-by-the-artist copy of the cartoon with his caption. Other Business Keith reminded members that the Vermont Energy & Climate Action Network (VECAN) annual conference is scheduled for Saturday, December 5th, at the Lake Morey Resort in Fairlee, Vermont. Motions MOTION: Sam moved and Linda seconded a motion to approve the October minutes. Approved unanimously. South Burlington Energy Committee 575 Dorset Street South Burlington, VT 05403 (802) 846-4106 www.sburl.com facebook.com/SouthBurlington MOTION: Sam moved and Karen seconded a motion to spend approximately $50 to replace the large South Burlington Energy Prize banner that Lowe’s lost. Patty will request that Lowe’s reimburse us for that expense. Approved unanimously. MOTION: Don moved and Keith seconded a motion to authorize an additional $2,200 in spending for advertising development and media placement. Approved unanimously. MOTION: Keith moved and Sam seconded a motion to approve Marcy’s first draft of the committee’s annual report with the addition of three words. Approved unanimously. MOTION: Linda moved and Sam seconded a motion to pay, if requested, the $35 fee for any member who would like to attend the December 5th VECAN conference. Approved unanimously. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m. Next Scheduled Meeting: Thursday, December 3rd, at 6:30 p.m. (location to be determined) South Burlington Energy Prize monthly update for November 5th 2015    Outreach/Events, by Karen Mckenny  Accomplishments:  Facebook 649 likes­series of weatherizing tips  Newsletter 267 subscribers  House Party with Beverly (Stonehedge condo) 12 guests  Workshop with VEIC and Nest giveaways 31 people  Presentation for Young at Heart Group  Caption Contest  Button Up Bingo ­ entries and newsletter sign­ups are coming in!  Farmer's Market in U Mall  Help needed:  Need to pick a winner for caption contest  Farmer's Market open dates (Nov 8th, Dec 13th)  New Banner ­ Lowe’s lost our banner. $35.40 plus $15.00 shipping  Hot topics for workshops?  Plans:  Workshop for Nov 16th set with Vermont Energy Co­op­­promotion started  Booked library workshop for Jan/Feb/Mar­­­taking Dec off  Following up on leads for topics for 2016­­­Solaflect, GM Zero draft storm windows.  Farmer's Market 11/1, 11/15, 12/6 (Karen), 11/22, 11/29, 12/20 (Keith)  Family Fun Night Bingo Nov 13th Friday with Don    Marketing, by Don Cummings, Keith Epstein, Karen McKenny  Accomplishments: “Vampire power ad” developed and placed, “Caption the cartoon” &  Button­Up Bingo bingo contests underway. Completed posters and movie slides for display at  Palace 9.  Help needed: Can always use new ideas for the action phase of the ad campaign. Still  need a professional photographer.  Plans: Develop the next few advertisements. Working on a “Thermostat” ad for  November. Will meet to flesh out more “action” ads.                        Page 1 of 5  EVT & GMP Targeted Marketing, by Don Cummings  Accomplishments: We have convinced EVT to begin work on a pilot targeted marketing  effort focused on electric heat and hot water heating. Met with Paul Markowitz and he is taking  the lead at EVT. First step in the overall plan is to have Director of EVT build a management  partnership with GMP & VGS. Next steps are the partners perform data analysis to identify  candidates & work with all three Georgetown communities to develop outreach & follow­up  methods. Meeting with Vermont GUEP communities scheduled for November 12.  Help needed: None  Plans: First step is to have Director of EVT build a management partnership with GMP &  VGS. Next steps are the partners perform data analysis to identify candidates & work with all  three Georgetown communities to develop outreach & follow­up methods    Neighborhood Energy Mapping, by Keith Epstein  Accomplishments: EVT working on accuracy of mapping and will include average usage  by neighborhood in the next version as requested in addition to the normalized usage. No exact  timeline on the next version, but likely within the next month  Help needed: None.  Plans: Keep following up with EVT to make sure there is progress.    Utility Data Reporting, by Keith Epstein  Accomplishments: No data to report this month. GUEP has said the dashboard will be  released very soon!  Help needed: Discuss our plans for how to publicize and discuss our rankings when they  are released  Plans: Review the dashboard and publicize it.    Fundraising for Marketing Outreach, by Patty Tashiro and Marcy Murray  Accomplishments: Thanks to Marcy, we finished a draft of the grant for Ben & Jerry's  Foundation. Ilona has offered comments, which were helpful. She is going to incorporate and  submit before end of October. Received donation from Doughnut Dilemma for Button­up Bingo.  Reached out to all sponsors who will be giving prizes and asked for their support in promoting  the game.   Help needed: Any contacts of people / companies that might be interested in donating,  would be great.   Plans: Need to increase stock of prizes, as it will be quite depleted after Button up Bingo.    Hardware store outreach, by Patty Tashiro  Accomplishments: Lowes had our banner up at the front entrance, over the LED light  bulbs for a few weeks, while they were offering certain LED bulbs for $2 and 2.48.  Help needed: Open to any thoughts on what we should do next.   Plans: We had been thinking of doing a DIY weatherization event, but haven't been able  to get traction on it, as it seems they don't do many classes like this. I will see what other  opportunities there might be.   Page 2 of 5  Treasurer­related work, by Marcy Murray  Accomplishments: Updated SBEP Funds Spreadsheet & took related action.  Created first draft of 3rd Quarter Spending spreadsheet for donors.  Help needed: Not at this time.  Plans: Action as needed.    Property­Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program, by Marcy Murray  Accomplishments: Gathered necessary program and ballot­related information, and  initiated scheduling of a meeting with VEIC reps, city staff and Thor Vue (November 9th at 3  p.m.).  Help needed: None at this time.  Plans: Distribute pre­meeting information to city staff and confirm that VEIC is prepared  to help staff understand the financial, operational, and legal requirements of the PACE program.  Take necessary post­meeting steps.    FY2015 SBEC Annual Report page, by Marcy Murray  Accomplishments: Reviewed online record of minutes and notes for the 7/1/14 ­­ 6/30/15  time period, and created and distributed the first draft to SBEC for comments.  Help needed: Welcome corrections or suggestions at Thursday's meeting.  Plans: Revise as necessary.    Watts Up? Electricity Meters, by Marcy Murray  Accomplishments: Requested borrowing numbers from Jennifer Murray for September  and October.  Help needed: None.  Plans: As needed.                                    Page 3 of 5  Solar, by Linda McGinnis  Accomplishments:  * Solar Landfill: SB City is negotiating with a new financial partner who is offering similar pricing  to Sun City's offer. However, this partner apparently owns and runs their own facilities,  according to Encore, and they experience contracting (although have not run yet) several landfill  projects.  * Suncommon did a SB canvass, which resulted in 32 leads (!)  * Suncommon hosted a table at Healthy Living  * Quarterly update on Residential Solar: awaiting final numbers  * Home Solar Parties: one in October  Help Needed:  * Update from City on Solar Landfill  * Write an official letter from the committee?  * Host a solar party ­ find a friend who would be willing to host (all committee members)  * Fill out Middle School Solar Mapping information on your home; get a friend to fill it in too (all  committee members)  * Quarterly update on total and cumulative residential solar (Steve)  * Tell Suncommon about upcoming events that they could help out with (Karen)  * Reach out to religious institutions to see who has already gone solar, and who might be  interested (Sam Swanson with IFPL?)  * Interview Steve Roy on story of his net zero home (Fred?)  Plans:  * Suncommon will be tabling at UMall for sign ups (with a bouncy castle) on weekends in  November and December  * Suncommon will continue to table at Healthy Living during the holidays  * Solar Party ­ Nov 19th at Linda's  * Solar Lawn Sign purchase (Wayne)  * Create a "Meet Your Neighbors" handout to show SB residents who their neighbors are who  have gone solar (HS Project?)                              Page 4 of 5  Schools, by Linda McGinnis  Accomplishments:  * Solar Landfill ­ city considering new financial partner  * Efficiency ­ Commons Energy Team outlined detailed measures in a 'scope matrix', contacted  Vermont Gas re: energy savings calcs for gas measures, awaiting response; VGS awaiting  pricing on H.S. boiler burner & burner controls for HS and MS.  * Elementary ­ Thor volunteered to help coordinate actions at Chamberlin and Central. He  contacted principals (Holly Rouelle and Brent Coons) and shared Orchard materials  * Middle School ­ Tuttle accepted as a new Green School Energy Challenge school. Energy  Reduction team invited Patty to give a home efficiency actions presentation as follow up to  Linda's SBEP Intro presentation. This was videotaped and shown to all four sections of Why  Not? team. Solar mapping project is continuing its interviews. VEEP conducted several classes  on renewables and efficiency. SBEP schools presentation now on website.  * High School ­ Green Team considering re­applying to Green School Energy Challenge; Linda  sent list of potential activities to coordinator, including button up bingo (Matt Dransfield); one HS  volunteer for SBEP Farmers Market Table as a community service action (Mae Mae Morrical);  more actions to come from Liaison; awaiting news from Wayne Maceyka on solar lawn signs  Help needed:  ­ Update from city on Solar Landfill (potentially millions of tax dollars will be lost over coming  years if this is not signed in the next month or two)  ­ Ideas on additional contacts for Chamberlin and Central schools (teachers, parents, etc)?  ­ Three bullet write ups for Community Service possibilities for High Schoolers  ­ Identify others who can complete solar mapping interviews with middle schoolers  Plans:  * Solar Landfill ­ City will decide?  * Efficiency ­ Tim Perrin will reach out to Bart to review matrix of actions for phase 1 and phase  2 of Commons Energy Proposal. Linda will reach out to John Stewart for update  * Elementary ­ update from Carol McQuillen on Orchard (Thor to complete a survey and meet  with Sustainability team); Thor will follow up with principals of Chamberlin and Central on next  steps  * Middle School ­ Energy Reduction team will develop and conduct a survey to count up  refrigerators, extra lighting, etc in all classrooms. Survey will be done with all staff and faculty.  Solar mapping will send first draft  * High School ­ awaiting plans from Catie Michael and Matt Dransfield; SBEC to provide at least  2 community service possibilities to Nancy Lavarnway; Wayne Maceyka to complete solar lawn  sign order    Landfill Solar Array, by Ilona Blanchard  Accomplishments: Completed first draft review of group net­metering contract and  license. Held 2nd meeting with developer to review contract terms. Are working with the School  administration.  Help needed: None at this time.  Plans: Contract Review. Schedule Council/School Board approval for December.  Page 5 of 5  1 Hi. I'd like to add you to my LinkedIn network. 2 Put more eggs in your basket, switch to energy efficient bulbs. 3 It takes three chickens, but only one of you. 4 The lay up to energy efficiency. 5 Did he say guaranteed to Lower Egg Demand or Lower Electricity Demand? 6 Upgrade energy efficiency light bulbs, before the chickens (come to roost). 7 Instant energy savings, easy to install, chickens not included. 8 Savings from switching to LED bulbs changes eggs from white to gold. 9 Energy wise is hen wise. 10 Three way switch for 3x the savings. 11 The sky ain't falling but the temperature is rising. Be energy efficient. 12 Look, we'll help you reduce your electric bill, you help us reduce our Easter quota. 13 If the Colonel could only see us now, with our energy savings recipe. 14 Installing nest eggs. 15 The rooster may crow, but the hen gets the job done with less energy. 16 Why did the chickens switch to energy efficient bulbs" They didn't want to appear as dumb clucks. 17 Stop hatching rooster eggs. Switch to energy efficient bulbs. 18 No need to let the fox guard the electric hen house. 19 Birds of a feather, save energy together -- with new LED lamps!Emailed to info@energyprize.org 20 1. Henny Penny saves her pennies 2.Whats in your Hen House ? Emailed to info@energyprize.org 21 It’s good to be chicken. An energy-saving ‘egg’ in every socket in town! Emailed to info@energyprize.org 22 Tired of crossing the road, the chickens had a brighter idea. 23 The coop becomes a co-op. 24 Why did the chicken cross the road? To goa and save some energy with LED light bulbs 25 Why did the chicken cross the road? To get to the better bulb 26 How many chickens does it take to change a light bulb? Emailed to Keith 27 Happy are the chickens threeusing LED lightbulbs because they could "see" Saving energy is the key to open the door to efficiency 28 "...All 'Light' Ladies, these are One '(Hen)dred' percent energy saving bulbs." "...Nothing Cookoo about these birds. They are saving energy." "Hey, These bulbs just 'cluck' right in." 29 How many chickens does it take to change a lightbulb? 3 after the cross the road in their PRIUS. 30 31 .Cock-a-doodle-doo you can save too!! 32 Working together we can have the most energy efficient coop on the block! 33 "LEDs: For Those That Give a Cluck." 34 Electric chickens 35 Don't be such a "chicken." Try new LED lamps, today! 36 I don't give a CLUCK about those old bulbs! 37 It'a about clucking time...let's do this!! Old McDonald had a farm..ei ei oh. And on that farm they used LED bulbs! Ei ei oh! With an LED bulb here and an LED bulb there..here a bulb, there a bulb, everywhere an LED bulb. Ei ei oh!!