HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Energy Committee - 10/06/2016 South Burlington Energy Commi ee
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Adopted Mee ng Minutes
October 6, 2016
Committee members present: Don Cummings, James Mount, Jeremy King, Karen Mckenny, Keith Epstein
(Chair), Linda McGinnis, Marcy Murray, Patty Tashiro, Sam Swanson
Committee members absent: Fred Kosnitsky
Community members present: None
City staff present: None
Initial business
Members agreed on agenda items to be discussed, asked Marcy to scribe, and reviewed September minutes.
MOTION: James moved and Keith seconded a motion to approve the September 1st minutes. Approved
unanimously with revisions.
Local Input to Chittenden County Regional Energy Plan for Constraints on the Siting of Renewable
Energy Generation Facilities
Members expressed the desire to tell the CCRPC that the committee supports both group net metering and solar
development by individuals as stated in the latest draft of the Comprehensive Plan—with three exceptions—and
that the remaining city land should be available for solar development. Given the importance to the Public
Service Board (PSB) of explicitly designating “preferred” areas for net-metering projects, Sam will forward the
related “preferred” net-metering-rule text to Don. Assuming that all non-Level-1 locations would be
“preferred,” there should be relatively few impermissible net-metering locations in South Burlington.
Our committee members who are serving on the CCRPC’s regional siting committee agreed that they would
push for a regional approach similar to the aforementioned proposed South Burlington siting recommendations.
Fortunately, given that the state’s focus will be on the regional plan and the constraints of Level-1 locations, the
PSB will likely not weigh secondary constraints imposed by regional planning commissions as heavily as Level-
1 constraints.
Linda mentioned that the Community Energy Dashboard would show the Level 1—non-negotiable for
renewable energy siting—locations by November.
Given that our Planning Commission (PC) will be involved with the regional siting decision, it is important that
the Energy Committee be represented in siting-related PC discussions.
MOTION: Keith moved and Linda seconded a motion authorizing Don and Keith to draft and send a
letter to the Planning Commission with the committee’s recommendation regarding siting of renewable
energy generation. Approved unanimously.
End of Trip Bike/Pedestrian Facilities Proposal for Land Development Regulations
The PC seemed unanimously positive about the recommendations Keith shared in his 9/27/16 presentation.
Committee members agreed that the city will know it has created adequate biking-related regulations for all new
commercial properties “if you as a person who bikes would feel welcome, like you belong, and like you’re
behaving correctly” as you use, park, etc., your bike in the city. Conversely, if you feel like you’re trespassing,
that would mean that the city had fallen short in designing facilities and accommodating clean, healthful bicycle
usage as a way to travel, work or shop throughout the city.
MOTION: Don moved and Karen seconded a motion authorizing Keith to write and send a letter to the
Planning Commission (PC) stating that the Energy Committee supports the to-be-attached
recommendation that Keith presented to the PC on 9/27/16. Approved unanimously.
Button-up Day of Action’s Election Day Event Planning
The committee will use the Efficiency Vermont reimbursement grant (SAVE ALL RECEIPTS FOR
SUBMISSION!) to table from 7 to 9 a.m. outside all three polling locations, i.e., Orchard School, F.H.T. Middle
School, and Chamberlin School. There will be pre-event advertising to increase the likelihood that voters will
look for us (our planners will consider using a compelling newspaper insert printed on environmentally friendly
paper). Linda will try to recruit high school students to help. Jeremy will see if Vermont Gas can donate some
useful giveaways to supplement committee giveaways. Those tabling will need to collect the name, address,
email address and button-up-related plans of each person receiving something—advertising may include a form
on which that information could be written and taken to the polls. Rob Fish will use the gathered information to
set up Community Energy Dashboard accounts for each recipient. Jeremy, Karen, Keith and Linda will work
out the event details.
MOTION: Don moved and Keith seconded a motion authorizing spending of up to $600 of the
Efficiency Vermont Button-Up reimbursement grant to promote the 11/8/16 Election Day tabling event.
Approved unanimously.
MOTION: Sam moved and Linda seconded a motion authorizing the balance of the Efficiency Vermont
grant funds to be used to purchase items to give to the public. Approved unanimously.
South Burlington Energy Prize Updates
Members shared key accomplishments, next steps, and requests for assistance as Keith scrolled through the pre-
meeting written project update summary.
Members expressed significant concern about the city of Burlington’s recent effort to derail the landfill solar
project in favor of a vaguely defined potential airport-related road on South Burlington land.
MOTION: Keith moved and James seconded a motion authorizing Linda to draft—and Keith to send—a
letter to the City Council with a landfill solar update, appreciation for past city staff support, a reminder
of the project’s significant economic and environmental benefits, and a request for strong city staff
advocacy for a landfill solar installation date well before the January 1, 2017, expiration of significant
tax incentives. Approved unanimously.
Other Business
· Linda mentioned that the CCRPC will welcome any creative ideas we have to help reach Vermont’s 90
by 50 goal. She plans to bring related parameters and examples to a future Energy Committee meeting.
Jeremy mentioned, and Linda agreed, that renewable natural gas could significantly help the state meet
its goal—other members were interested in having Jeremy present the rationale at a future meeting.
· In order to improve collaboration opportunities, Keith has begun meeting with the chairpeople of
municipal committees that are involved in energy-related issues.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 9:04 p.m.
Next Scheduled Meeting: Thursday, November 3rd, at 6:30 p.m. in the upstairs meeting room at the South
Burlington Police Station (19 Gregory Drive • middle entrance)
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