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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - Energy Committee - 04/29/2013 South Burlington Energy Committee 575 Dorset Street South Burlington, VT 05403 (802) 846-4123 www.sburl.com facebook.com/SouthBurlington Monday, April 29, 2013 7:00 pm South Burlington Municipal Offices, 2nd Floor 575 Dorset Street DRAFT SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA 7:00 Convene meeting - Recruit scribe, timekeeper - Review agenda 7:10 Invite public to speak 7:20 Strategic Planning - Discussion of Energy Committee Direction and Priorities 9:00 Adjourn Gray Infrastructure South Burlington Comprehensive Plan • Draft • 7 May 2010 • page 1 Formatted: Font: ITC BerkeleyOldstyle Std C. Energy Energy is a major factor in the cost of living and the cost of doing business in the city of South Burlington. Our energy use practices require substantial imports of energy, which expose us to significant economic & geopolitical risks. Further, the cost of imported energy could more appropriately be invested in the local and US economy. Our heavy reliance on fossil based fuels and the CO2 it creates are contributing to Global Climate Change. All of these reasons make it important to look for ways to conserve energy and to support local sources of renewable energy. At the municipal level there are many actions that can be taken:, effective land use planning and regulation, building codes, programs to promote conservation and efficiency and improved transportation systems can further efforts to create clean, reliable, economical and energy efficient systems. In addition, by working with larger government bodies additional progress can be made on transportation issues. OVERVIEW Key issues and needs related to energy identified in this plan include:  *add here Paul – I’m not sure what to add here…. Are the intro paragraphs more appropriate here? INVENTORY Energy Supply: Transportation in the city is primarily fueled by gasoline and diesel from hundreds of independent dealers and suppliers. Natural Gas provides the majority of heating energy and it is provided by Vermont Gas Systems (VGS). Heating oil is the next largest, although a much smaller,, source of heating energy and is supplied by many independent suppliers. Electricity throughout the city is supplied by Green Mountain Power (GMP). Both GMP & VGS indicate they have sufficient capacity to adequately serve growth in the city over the life of this plan although some areas of the city a being geographically targeted for electrical load reductions due to limited distribution capacity in those areas. Both companies offer energy conservation programs and incentives to both businesses and residences.. See Section * for further discussion of energy transmission and distribution infrastructure. There are no utility-scale energy generation facilities located in South Burlington. Although a XXXX kw photo-voltaic solar facility is in the review stages. Small-scale wind energy in South Burlington is limited by the high-density of development and unfavorable the less than favorable climatic conditions. Solar energy generation, however, provides greater opportunities for a renewable, alternative power source for city residents and businesses. Formatted: Font: (Default)ArialFormatted: Line spacing: single Formatted: Font: (Default)ArialFormatted: Line spacing: singleFormatted: Font: (Default)ArialFormatted: Font: (Default)ArialFormatted: Font: (Default)ArialFormatted: Font: (Default)Arial Formatted: Font: (Default)Arial Formatted: Font: (Default)Arial Formatted: Font: (Default)ArialFormatted: Font: (Default)ArialFormatted: Font: (Default)ArialFormatted: Font: (Default)Arial Formatted: Font: (Default)ArialFormatted: Font: (Default)ArialFormatted: Font: (Default)ArialFormatted: Font: (Default)ArialFormatted: Font: (Default)ArialFormatted: Font: (Default)ArialFormatted: Font: (Default)Arial Gray Infrastructure South Burlington Comprehensive Plan • Draft • 7 May 2010 • page 2 Formatted: Font: ITC BerkeleyOldstyle Std ANALYSIS AND CHALLENGES Energy Use. It is now widely recognized that human-caused emissions of greenhouse gases, largely a direct result of energy consumption, are having a measurable impact on the earth’s climate. Increases in global temperatures are believed to already be causing measurable changes in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and a northward expansion in the range of tropical diseases and pests. These and other results of climate change have the potential to pose local and worldwide economic and environmental threats. There are also significant economic effects on the US, state and local economies due to our heavy reliance on fossil fuels. The $300 billion per year are spent on oil imports, if invested in the US and local economies would have significant positive effects. As the climate & economic effects of our energy useclimate change are becoming more apparent, local initiatives are beginning to tackle these issues. South Burlington’s Energy Committee is spearheading the city’s response to energy and climate changeissues.. The city accepted the Municipal Energy Challenge in 2008 with the goal of reducing the energy used by city government 10 percent. In 2009, South Burlington joined ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability, Inc. and completed a greenhouse gas emissions inventory for the entire city.This This study identified the largest uses of energy and sources of CO2 in the city. The major categories of use are here ordered from highest to lowest: • Transportation • Commercial Electrical Usage and Heating • Residential Heating & Electrical Usage • Municipal South Burlington’s per person carbon footprint is significantly larger than that in comparable communities across the country due to the emissions generated by the transportation sector. South Burlington is the most heavily trafficked municipality in Vermont and is home to the state’s busiest intersection (Dorset Street and Main Street). Energy Use by City Government. The city’s primary energy use consists of electricity, natural gas and motor fuel. The city’s largest energy expenditure is for operation of the sewage treatment facilities. The city can work to reduce energy costs through the implementation of conservation measures and renewable energy generation on city buildings and sites. Energy Conservation and Efficiency. While South Burlington will continue to be a transportation hub due to its role as part of Vermont’s largest metropolitan area and the presence of major highway and interstate corridors, work should continue to provide alternatives to single occupancy commuter traffic. In addition, much can be done to reduce locally-generated traffic volumes and residents’ reliance on personal automobiles. Transportation two components: the amount of miles travelled and the efficiency of the vehicles. Both of these are difficult for a single city alone to change. However by working together with larger government bodies progress can be made. Formatted: Line spacing: single Formatted: Font: (Default)Arial Formatted: Font: (Default)Arial Formatted: Font: (Default)ArialFormatted: Font: (Default)ArialFormatted: Font: (Default)ArialFormatted: Font: (Default)Arial Formatted: Font: (Default)ArialFormatted: Line spacing: single Formatted: Font: (Default)Arial Formatted: Font: (Default)Arial Formatted: Font: (Default)Arial Formatted: Line spacing: single Formatted: Font: (Default)Arial Formatted: Font: (Default)Arial Gray Infrastructure South Burlington Comprehensive Plan • Draft • 7 May 2010 • page 3 Formatted: Font: ITC BerkeleyOldstyle Std Collectively, the heating and electrical use of residences and commercial buildings is very significant. The siting, design, and construction of buildings strongly influences the amount of energy needed for heating and cooling, as well as the amount of electricity needed for lighting. Simple site planning such as locating buildings to maximize southern exposures and providing windbreaks can reduce the amount energy required to light, heat and cool structures. The design and location of commercial development and housing subdivisions, orientation of buildings, construction methods, placement and type of windows, and type and location of landscaping provide opportunities for energy conservation measures such as passive solar space and domestic hot water heating, natural lighting, photo-voltaic electricity production, and less vehicular travel can have a significant impact on energy use. Vermont has a Residential Building Energy Code that sets a minimum standard of efficiency for new homes and residential additions over 500 square feet and Commercial Building Energy Standards (CBES) for all commercial buildings and residential buildings of four or more stories. The city should require all new construction to be more energy efficient through adoption of local building codes. South Burlington’s land use regulations could mandate or offer incentives for increased energy efficiency. Other actions the city can take to further enhance energy efficiency is to encourage innovative site planning techniques. Planned unit developments, for example, can provide for a more effective public transportation system through the clustering of buildings and uses and also allow for comprehensive designs that support the use of energy conserving measures and/or access to renewable energy sources. Creative landscaping design can enhance energy efficiency through the use of deciduous trees close to buildings and in parking lots to provide shade during the summer and allow access to sun light during the winter months. Evergreen trees can be placed so as to act as wind breaks. While efforts to improve new construction are very important, it is even more important to address the existing built environment. While we may add 2% new space through growth each year, 98% of the building stock the following year will be preexisting structures. Programs that specifically target efficiency improvements in existing commercial and residential structures must be vigorously tackledput in place. Energy savings can be realized by retrofitting existing buildings with insulation and air sealing, more efficient doors and windows, more efficient lights, more efficient mechanical systems and more efficient appliances. Efficiency Vermont has programs and resources to help customers reduce their monthly electric bills, including information about rebates and tax incentives available for energy-saving purchases (information available at www.efficiencyvermont.com). Income-eligible households in can participate in the Weatherization Assistance Program, as well as the Fuel Assistance Program, offered by the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity (information available at www.cvoeo.org). Vermont Gas Systems also sponsors efficiency programs to assist their customers with energy conservation (information available at www.vermontgas.com). South Burlington can also promote reduced transportation energy use through the development of alternative transportation modes and through appropriate land use planning. For example, the city is attempting to become a more pedestrian-oriented city. The development of foot and bicycle paths, green ways and other trails provide alternative ways of accessing the city’s commercial, residential and recreation areas. With the development of City Center, the city is taking steps to make transit use easier. The City Center, with its mix of commercial and residential uses, will also promote walking and therefore reduce reliance on personal automobiles. Formatted: Font: (Default)Arial Formatted: Font: (Default)ArialFormatted: Font: (Default)ArialFormatted: Font: (Default)ArialFormatted: Font: (Default)Arial Formatted: Line spacing: single Formatted: Font: (Default)ArialFormatted: Font: (Default)Arial Formatted: Font: (Default)ArialFormatted: Font: (Default)ArialFormatted: Font: (Default)ArialFormatted: Font: (Default)Arial Gray Infrastructure South Burlington Comprehensive Plan • Draft • 7 May 2010 • page 4 Formatted: Font: ITC BerkeleyOldstyle Std FUTURE NEEDS AND TRENDS *add here South Burlington is a very desirable place to live and to grow a business and w. We expect that growth will continue at its historical pace of 1 ½ - 2% annually. The and the city needs policies to accommodate this growth while maintaining and improving the quality of life for its residents and and improving the business climate for our existing and prospective business ownerswhile working hard to reduce energy related costs and impacts to the environment.. Many of the topics discussed above and the detailed strategies in the next section directly address the cost of living and of doing business. More efficient buildings translate to lower annual operating costs. Our efforts to improve transportation options can reduce people cost of transportation as well as offering healthy alternatives to automobiles. Local renewable energy can provide owners will provide clean energy at predictable costs for decades to come. Formatted: Level 4, SpaceBefore: 7.2 pt, After: 2.15pt, Line spacing: single, Keepwith next, Don't hyphenate,Font Alignment: CenterFormatted: Font: (Default)ArialFormatted: Line spacing: singleFormatted: Level 4, SpaceBefore: 7.2 pt, After: 2.15pt, Line spacing: single, Keepwith next, Don't hyphenate,Font Alignment: Center Formatted: Font: (Default)Arial Goal: Reduce South Burlington Energy Consumption by 20% by 2020 Energy is a major factor in the cost of living and the cost of doing business in the city of South Burlington. Our energy use practices require substantial imports of energy, which expose us to significant economic & geopolitical risks. Further the cost of imported energy could more appropriately be invested in the local and US economy. Further, our energy use and the CO2 it creates are contributing to Global Climate Change. All of these reasons make it important to look for ways to conserve energy and to support local sources of renewable energy. An analysis of S. Burlington’s energy consumption and CO2 emissions indicates that there are 6 major categories of energy use and sources of CO2 emissions. These are ordered from highest to lowest. • Transportation • Commercial Electrical Usage and Heating • Residential Heating & Electrical Usage • Municipal Improvements to each of these major categories as well the generation of renewable energy will be addressed in the city’s Long Range Plan. Transportation: The largest user of energy and the biggest source of CO2 emissions in the city is transportation. Personal transportation is a major contributor to overall transportation energy use. It has two components: the amount of miles travelled and the efficiency of the vehicles. Both of these are difficult for a single city alone to change. However by working together with larger government bodies progress can be made. (Note to reviewers – many of these efforts are basically lobbying other government bodies to take action). A large part of personal transportation is people driving to, from and through the city on the way to work. To reduce this, the city will work with state, county & local officials to: 1. Create more Park and Rides, outside the city, on major commuting arteries to S. Burlington & Burlington This will enable more carpooling. 2. Improve public transportation from existing and new Park and Rides to S. Burlington & Burlington. 3. Identify major commuting destinations from S. Burlington and develop Park and Rides, Public Transportation and Car Pooling programs to those destinations. 4. Promote and create incentives for Carpooling. 5. Work to synchronize city traffic lights to optimize traffic flow. 6. Work to develop infrastructure, work regulations and incentives within the state to allow more people to work from home. Goal: Reduce South Burlington Energy Consumption by 20% by 2020 Another aspect of personal transportation is South Burlington citizens driving within the city. To reduce this, the city will seek ways to: 1. Create more & denser housing near existing bus routes. 2. Work with regional public transportation agencies to create bus routes to other areas of the city where denser housing can be promoted. 3. Stimulate denser housing near work centers. 4. Provide more incentives and promotion for city businesses to participate in CCTAs busing programs. 5. Expand bike and walk paths to business centers from residential centers. 6. Allow more shopping for essentials to be located close to housing centers. Commercial and Business transportation is another major source of energy use and CO2 creation: 1. Develop infrastructure for and promote video conferencing to reduce people driving to Business Meetings. 2. Shipping of Goods & Materials ????? The last aspect of transportation is the efficiency of the vehicles themselves. To improve this, the city will: 1. Work with State and Federal Officials to improve the energy efficiency standards for personal and commercial vehicles. Commercial: The second and third largest users of energy and sources of CO2 respectively are Commercial Electrical and Heating. To reduce this, the city will: 1. Implement Energy Efficient Commercial, Industrial, Retail and Restaurant Building codes & inspections for new construction. 2. Create commercial energy districts for financing energy improvements. 3. Implement special promotions/incentives/requirements for energy improvements to existing malls and retail stores. 4. Implement special promotions/incentives/requirements for energy improvements to existing restaurants. 5. Implement special promotions/incentives for energy improvements to existing commercial/industrial buildings. Goal: Reduce South Burlington Energy Consumption by 20% by 2020 Residential: The fourth and fifth largest users of energy and sources of CO2 respectively are Residential Heating and Electrical. To reduce this, the city will: 1. Implement Energy Efficient Single and Multi-Family Residential Building codes & inspections for new construction. 2. Encourage the use of Geothermal heating for new construction. 3. Encourage Landscaping that is environmentally friendly (less grass, more trees). 4. Encourage siting of new construction to maximize energy efficiency. 5. Implement PACE residential energy districts (the new financing program) for energy improvements. 6. Implement special programs for condo associations to retrofit for energy improvement. 7. Implement special programs for single family homes to retrofit for energy improvement. Municipal/Schools: Although the overall energy use and contribution of CO2 emissions of the city and school operations are relatively small compared to the city as a whole, there are actions that can be taken: 1. Continue energy upgrades (weatherization and mechanical systems) of school and city buildings for all items that will payback within ten years. 2. Consider energy efficiency when making upgrades to city utilities such as water and sewage treatment so that the more efficient solution is chosen if they will pay back the higher costs within ten years 3. As traffic light systems need replacement or upgrading, install the most energy efficient systems where the additional costs will payback within ten years. 4. Upgrade facility parking lot lighting to the most energy efficient systems where the additional costs will payback within ten years. 5. Consider fuel efficiency when upgrading fleet vehicles for the city and school system. Renewable Energy Production: One way to offset energy use and CO2 emissions is to encourage renewable energy production within the city. The current cost effective options appear to be solar and biomass. The city will: 1. Encourage installations of Photo Voltaic Electric or Solar Hot Water heating for residential and commercial buildings. 2. Encourage the development of medium scale Photo Voltaic Electric generating facilities within the city. 3. Encourage the use of Biomass heating or Co-Generating facilities within the city. 4. Encourage XXXXXX centralized energy production for large commercial developments like the new city center area (I don’t remember the official term for this). 5. Seek grant opportunities to develop Photo Voltaic electric production on city and school grounds and building roof tops.