Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Energy Committee - 09/12/2018South Burlington Energy Commiee575 Dorset StreetSouth Burlington, VT 05403(802) 846-4106www.SouthBurlingtonVT.govfacebook.com/SouthBurlington Approved Meeng Minutes September 12, 2018 Committee members present: Andrew Chalnick, Karen Mckenny, Keith Epstein (Acting Chair), Linda McGinnis, Marcy Murray, Patty Tashiro, Sam Swanson, Tim Perrin Committee members absent: Don Cummings, Fred Kosnitsky Community members present: None City staff present: Ilona Blanchard Previously appointed members welcomed Andrew and Tim to the committee with great appreciation. Keith agreed to share the link to the committee’s orientation document on our Google Drive. Marcy volunteered to scribe, and the committee unanimously approved the latest version of the July 5th minutes. Members adjusted the agenda to include discussions related to the national October 5th Energy Efficiency Day and the upcoming meeting with Helen Riehle and Paul Conner. Participation in Efficiency Vermont’s Button Up Vermont Program Karen explained the participation levels with members deciding on the “Champ” option as an energy-efficiency-related way to help residents “save money and stay comfortable.” Karen, Sam, Andrew, Patty & Linda will gather resources and plan tabling events for the three polling locations on the November 6th Election Day. Keith will revise the previous Button Up Bingo ad to help attract voters to our tables. Resources will include free weatherization products and a weatherization gift card to local retailers. In addition, Patty will explore offering free smart thermostats and leftover energy kits through Vermont Gas (VGS). “Tablers” will offer sign-up lists for voters who would like a free VGS audit. Perhaps VGS reps will also attend. Ilona continues to work with VGS to access the information necessary for the city to pay its share of past energy kits. National Energy Efficiency Day On October 5, 2018, a network of groups and partners across the country will join together to promote the benefits of energy efficiency on the third annual nationwide Energy Efficiency Day. Marcy will ask Fred if he can write an article for The Other Paper to appear well before October 5th on this topic and—if GMP and we are able to set it up in time—on a hands-on electric vehicle event sponsored by Nissan. Landfill Solar Reserve Fund Linda described the history of the SBEC-initiated landfill solar project, the resultant tax revenue and energy savings flowing into the subsequently created solar reserve fund, and the committee’s preference that—contrary to the wording of the June 2017 City Council resolution—the fund be used only for energy efficiency (EE) projects and, as a last resort, for renewable energy (RE) projects that replace fossil fuel usage. Members discussed creating a policy and process for determining how the landfill solar reserve funds should be spent. Marcy reported that from December 2017 through May 2018 the fund had received $35,593 all of which had been spent by June 8th. We have requested receiving updated reports of the fund’s revenue and usage. Ilona sees the solar reserve funds as being only for capital items and not as being built into the budget (given the variation in the solar adder and in electric rates). She said that thus far, the funds have been used for electrifying Veterans Memorial Park and to cover the cost of some unidentified efficiency projects implemented by Justin Rabidoux. She confirmed that the City Council has considered using the funds for a solar array in city center. Given that city CFO Tom Hubbard signs off (as does City Council) on any expenditures from this fund, Ilona will ask when he’d like to be included in this process- related discussion. She doesn’t think the Council would need to change the solar reserve fund resolution in order to limit fund usage to EE and RE projects as long as all those involved understood the desired parameters, plan and prioritized project list. If the Council were to revise the resolution, Ilona sees no negative in removing the “infrastructure” text. Regarding the reserve fund usage, Ilona said it would be helpful if we would produce a priority list of the top five projects we’d like the fund to cover over the next three years—the list could be revisited at quarterly meetings and updated as necessary. Sam explained that because staff hadn’t asked Commons Energy to produce the expected energy-audit-based project priority list, and because staff didn’t provide the data that Don had requested for analysis, it would be hard for us to produce such a list at this time. As a potential solution, Ilona said that in 2015, Dore & Whittier Management Partners provided comprehensive energy audit information for all municipal buildings and lighting. Tim will review the latter, search for any other audit reports that may exist, and identify any informational holes. On a related note, if the committee wants additional energy efficiency projects included in the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), we need to forward the project list to Ilona by September 20th. Keith suggested that a portion of the savings from funded projects be added to the reserve fund. Tim will gather details about Montpelier’s revolving “seed money” loan fund as one model to consider. While discussing the committee’s related recommendation that one staff person be designated as the accountable city energy manager, Ilona shared that all buildings (i.e., one police, two fire, one recreation, City Hall, and multiple Public Works) are currently managed by different people who direct their own audits. Hands-on Electric Vehicle Event Linda is in the process of working with GMP to set up a hands-on electric vehicle (EV) event sponsored by Nissan. She will explore October 6th as a potential date at the UMall parking area—perhaps in coordination with the Community Library, LocalMotion, and the CCRPC. We would help with outreach (perhaps including mention in Fred’s potential article mentioned above), and GMP would handle the rest. According to GMP’s Brian Otley, the recently revised LEAF-related incentives are: $5500 off the MSRP of a 2018 LEAF, 0% financing through Nissan, a free Level 2 home charger from GMP, and a $7500 federal tax rebate. Linda shared that the 2019 LEAF is expected to have a 150-mile range, and she clarified that only GMP customers who buy a new 2018 LEAF would qualify for the free charger. Linda will explore creating an ad for The Other Paper and will see whether Nissan will pay for it. Karen would handle Facebook, newsletter, Front Porch Forum, etc., outreach. Discussion of Other Activities – Potential or Underway · Linda gave an update on this week’s announcement by the state related to the first Volkswagen Mitigation Settlement grant opportunity. The grant pertains to EV charging stations, and applications for this phase are due by November 30th. CCRPC may be a co-financing partner via VEIC’s Drive Electric Vermont. Linda also updated members on efforts to help the school district explore the significant incentives being offered for Tesla and non- Tesla chargers through a GMP-Tesla partnership for workplaces (Tesla’s representative hasn’t yet determined how to incorporate a ChargePoint-type app so the school wouldn’t have to pay users’ electric charging costs). · Sam shared the letter he had drafted to City Council Chair Helen Riehle about topics we’d like to discuss with her at our next meeting. He’ll work with Keith to revise it based on committee additions, e.g., determine how best to add savings from funded projects to the reserve fund, create a revolving loan fund from generated savings, schedule a quarterly SBEC meeting with the city energy manager or City Council so the city’s project plans are informed by and can benefit from committee expertise, and seek input on the airport noise mitigation challenge. · Tim gave an update regarding the FAA and the Jones Payne Group’s apparent resistance to incorporating energy efficiency into the airport noise mitigation efforts. He will encourage VGS to contact the school district (regarding Chamberlain School) and the airport’s Nic Longo (regarding housing). If VGS adds funds, greater energy efficiency and sound mitigation levels will be possible. Members suggested that VGS create a separate program that runs concurrently or immediately after the FAA’s effort in a way that would be as seamless as possible for customers. · Ilona explained the design status of the Library, Senior Center, Clerk’s Office, Auditorium, and City Hall complex on which voters will vote on November 6th. The intention is for the 50,000 square foot project to be net zero and LEED-certified. Ilona described the “green” components being explored and will ask Steve Roy for a comprehensive list of green options. Members asked Ilona, the project leader, to use the committee as a resource during the planning process. The city recently purchased a Honda Clarity plug-in hybrid for its fleet. Committee Officer Elections Sam moved and Karen seconded a motion to elect Linda as Chair and Keith as Vice Chair for the four months ending at the end of the January 2019 meeting. Approved unanimously. Next Meeting Because of scheduling conflicts, Keith will conduct a Doodle poll of members, Helen Riehle and Paul Conner to determine the date of our October meeting. The location will likely be in the South Burlington Police Station’s 2nd floor conference room at 19 Gregory Drive (middle entrance). Adjournment After starting at 7 p.m., the meeting adjourned at approximately 9:10 p.m.