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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - Energy Committee - 08/06/2015 South Burlington Energy Committee 575 Dorset Street South Burlington, VT 05403 (802) 846-4106 www.sburl.com facebook.com/SouthBurlington Thursday, August 6, 2015 Approved Meeting Minutes Committee members present: Don Cummings, Karen Mckenny, Keith Epstein (Chair), Marcy Murray, Sam Swanson, Thor Vue Committee members absent: Fred Kosnitsky, Linda McGinnis, Patty Tashiro, Wayne Maceyka Community members present: Grant Taylor City staff present: None Initial Business The meeting began around 6:30 p.m., Marcy volunteered to scribe, and the committee approved the July minutes with one abstention. Public Invited to Speak There were no comments from the public. New Member Introduction The committee welcomed Thor Vue, one of our two new members, with appreciation! South Burlington Energy Prize Updates · Treasurer’s report: Marcy reported that we’ve spent $9,107.30 to date, have $20,817.23 on hand ($2,233.98 in the City of South Burlington General Fund and $18, 583.25 in the Energy Prize Reserve Fund), and have two spending-authorization allocations that need to be replenished. · Members shared key accomplishments, next steps, and requests for assistance as Keith scrolled through the pre-meeting written project update summary. Selected discussion points follow: Jenn Clifford, the excellent photographer who volunteered her time on previous ads, has stepped down. We need a volunteer professional photographer and people of varying ages willing to volunteer to be photographed for future ads. Please forward suggestions to Don at d.r.cummings@att.net. We are looking for the names and contact information of landlords who have weatherized their buildings and understand the tremendous cost, customer, and environmental benefits of energy efficiency measures. Please forward to Keith at keithepstein@gmail.com. UVM classes start August 31st, so now is an excellent time to pitch specific UVM student project ideas to relevant natural resource and business class professors. Two potential projects: creating a Municipal Green Team Handbook (Grant could help but we’d need someone to lead at key points in the process), and making a case for the city to adopt stretch energy codes. If interested, please contact Keith at keithepstein@gmail.com. Efficiency Vermont is donating 120 Nest Smart Thermostats (each valued at $250) to be given at CityFest to South Burlington (initially) residents meeting certain energy-related criteria. Based on helpful information from experts at a recent Planning Commission (PC) meeting, the PC is planning to recommend that the City Council adopt a citywide stretch energy code. Because we are trying to do something transformative on the national scene via the Energy Prize competition, we need significant support from community and state leaders South Burlington Energy Committee 575 Dorset Street South Burlington, VT 05403 (802) 846-4106 www.sburl.com facebook.com/SouthBurlington like Efficiency Vermont (it would be of strategic benefit to EVT if all three Vermont towns made it into the Energy Prize finals). Sam will help by connecting with EVT’s Liz Gamache and Paul Markowitz. Sam will request that a City Council member write an article about what we are doing, how the latter fits into the overall plan for the city, and what community members should do to help the city reach its energy-related goals. The goal is to have the commitment to energy efficiency and renewable energy become part of the city’s brand while raising awareness of the city’s strong connection to the energy prize effort, i.e., that the latter isn’t just a committee project. Based on the interest expressed by city department heads, Keith will follow up with them about what they can do at home to support the city’s energy usage goals. Efforts are underway to add an Xpress-pay button to the website for public tax-deductible donations. Resulting donations will be reported to our treasurer, and Patty will likely send thanks to each donor. Because having 501(3)(c) status would make it much easier for businesses to donate to us, Sam will revisit NEGEF’s 501(3)(c) offer and explore whether another municipality has participated in a similar arrangement while maintaining virtual control over how the donated funds are used. Motions MOTION: Don moved and Keith seconded that we authorize an additional $2,000 for ad design and media placement. Approved unanimously. MOTION: Don moved and Keith seconded that we authorize an additional $500 for social media ad placement. Approved unanimously. Adjournment The meeting adjourned before 9 p.m. South Burlington Energy Prize monthly update for August 6th 2015    Treasurer­related work, by Marcy Murray  Accomplishments: As needed  Help needed: None  Plans: As needed    Annual Report SBEC Summary, by Marcy Murray  Accomplishments: None  Help needed: None  Plans: Write first draft of SBEC project summary report for City of South Burlington  FY2015 Annual Report.    Community Outreach, by Karen Mckenny  Accomplishments:  Tweets:25 followers (including GUEP) 30 tweets  Library Workshop­­best attended with 14 people­­Building Energy (heat pumps/solar)  Farmer's Market July 12th  Burger Night at Bread and Butter Farm  House Party!! with Hadley  Newsletter out 187 subscribers  City Fest planning underway  Facebook at 540 likes­­total reach 2239  Help needed:  Help needed volunteering at City Fest  Topics for workshops for fall  Keep sending great ideas for me to post on FB! Thanks Linda!  Plans:  City Fest August 15th  Farmer's Market Aug 9 (Karen) and Aug 30 (Keith)  Workshops for Sept and Oct being finalized (VGS, VEIC)  Block Party (Todd Lockwood and Sun Common) August 23rd    City Fest, by Don Cummings  Accomplishments: Received commitments from EVT, VGS, GMP, Building Energy,  SunCommon & Solaflect to participate. Held 3rd planning meeting on 7/27. Have a number of  volunteers lined up, posters being prepared, scavenger hunt plan in place, winter brochure  updates underway and are gathering prizes for Plinko game.  Help needed: We may need a few more volunteers.  Plans: Put finishing touches on scavenger hunt, send posters & brochures to printer,  finalize volunteer/shift schedule. Have a good time and reach out to a thousand people (we  hope) at the event.    Page 1 of 6  Marketing, by Don Cummings and Keith Epstein  Accomplishments: Cat with the light switch advertisement developed and run. The Other  Paper ran it several times because we have not created another one yet. Working with a local  professional cartoonist/illustrator (Harry Bliss) to create one or more cartoons related to the  Energy Prize. Working with a neighbor illustrator (James Valastro) to create one or more  cartoons that we can use in a “caption the cartoon” contest.  Help needed: Need to engage a new professional photographer ­ does anyone have a  personal relationship with one? Can always use new ideas for the action phase of the ad  campaign.  Plans: Find a new photographer and resume production and running of "action" ads. Get  some cartoons finalized and start the “caption the cartoon” contest.    EVT & GMP Targeted Marketing, by Don Cummings  Accomplishments: Met with Director of EVT, Liz Gamache and COO of GMP, Brian  Otley to discuss pilot targeted marketing efforts focused on electric heat and hot water heating  and ways to promote the use of the Opower Portal. Received a good response ­ waiting to hear  response.  Help needed: None  Plans: Will follow up with Liz and Brian in a week.    VGS Projects, by Don Cummings  Accomplishments: VGS had a project status meeting (7/7) to track progress on their key  initiatives: follow up again on open audits. send out offer to homeowners who rent Natural Gas  conversion burners for cash incentives & a low interest finance plan to upgrade to high  efficiency boilers/furnaces. Developing a mailing list and an offer for $600 rebate on  weatherization to be sent to condo owners. investigating ways to encourage homeowners that  don't qualify for their free audit to do some energy efficiency projects. Energy Committee  working to identify and recruit large landlords to use VGS efficiency programs.  Help needed: Help to identify and recruit large landlords to use VGS efficiency programs  Plans: Attend next VGS status meeting to continue to encourage them    Electricity meters for library lending, by Marcy Murray  Accomplishments: None.  Help needed: None.  Plans: Create­­if deemed useful­­a workshop handout regarding the library's electricity  meters.    Commons Energy for municipal facilities, by Sam Swanson  Accomplishments: Commons Energy has visited all city facilities as part of their design  and analysis work for energy upgrades.  Help needed: None  Plans: Stay informed on the progress. A report is expected within a few months.    Page 2 of 6  City Staff participation, by Keith Epstein  Accomplishments: Keith and Patty presented to department heads at the August 5th city  staff meeting. We discussed the details of the Prize, what individuals can do at home, and  discussed how city staff can participate. Patty offered to visit departmental staff meetings.  Several ideas for spending the $5 million were suggested (increasing EVT/VGS incentives,  in­pipe turbine for generating electricity from wastewater head), and I passed out my business  card to everyone. Tom Hubbard shared some recent efficiency work (LED lights through Green  Lights, contract for HVAC maintenance) and future work (more LED lights), and I suggested we  write Other Paper articles about that work. Tom will be the point person for the article. We  discussed forming departmental green teams, but reception was not strong. Individuals seemed  interested an motivated to help where they can.  Help needed: Ideas for how to keep engaging without being annoying  Plans: Follow up with department heads about scheduling Patty to come to department  meetings. Drop off Energy Prize summer brochures at Clerk's desk (Thanks Karen!).    $5 million prize working group, by Keith Epstein  Accomplishments: Reviewed some survey tools with Tom Chittenden, and learned that  he cannot use his survey tool or online meeting tool for this project because they are paid for by  his employer, UVM. Chris Gordon said we can use GoTo Meeting through Efficiency Vermont,  and is looking into using their advanced online survey tool that we may use instead of  SurveyMonkey or Google Forms. Did not have another meeting as we planned.  Help needed: Encourage anyone who you think would be a good working group member  to contact me or Tom Chittenden to participate. Tom's email is Thomas.Chittenden@gmail.com.  Please share your ideas for how to spend the $5 million.  Plans: Hold our next meeting to discuss how we are going to evaluate the ideas  according to the criteria.    Neighborhood Energy Mapping, by Keith Epstein  Accomplishments: None  Help needed: None  Plans: Give feedback on the latest draft to EVT.    Utility Data Reporting, by Keith Epstein  Accomplishments: Reviewed a draft dashboard and provided significant feedback to  improve the usability. GUEP said they will release the dashboard, with community rankings, by  the end of August. Confirmed with EVT and VGS that they will be submitting 2015 second  quarter community energy data by the August 15th deadline.  Help needed: None  Plans: Publicize the dashboard and the Q1 2015 standings when they are available. Get  Sam Swanson up to speed on the data reporting.        Page 3 of 6  Fundraising for Marketing Outreach, by Patty Tashiro  Accomplishments: Lowes sold us LEDs below cost for house party. ($2 per bulb.)  Dealer.com has closed giving for 2015. Has requested brief on project for next year's giving.  With the second change of hands, giving might undergo changes. Approached SBBA and their  member companies. Got some small donations for CityFest 2015, such as lift tickets, etc, but  was not able to secure a big donation. Many companies are already giving to CityFest, require  us to have 501 c 3 or already gave to us in January and need a year to pass before giving  again.   Help needed: Contacts to approach...  Plans: Approach more companies and individuals.    SBBA promoting energy efficiency, by Patty Tashiro  Accomplishments: SBBA endorsed the Energy Prize on their website. Try to spread the  word within the membership.   Help needed: Need case studies for Energy Efficiency meeting for businesses in March.   Plans: Will prepare for next meeting, which is in September.     Solar Initiative, by Linda McGinnis and Steve Roy     1.    ​School Solar​ – Landfill Array (Encore Redevelopment, City, John Stewart – coordinators)  Accomplishments: City meeting with Solar City Aug 5 (1­3:30).  ​In attendance will be the  SC senior commercial project manager that we have been dealing with (David Lipowicz) and the  company's General Counsel, JT Boone.  This is a serious show of interest and intent on behalf  of a major player in the industry, so we are hopeful that the two sides can clear any remaining  issues and move quickly towards an executed Net Metering Agreement.  Based on marketplace  comparisons, it doesn’t appear that the City could get a better financial deal than what SC now  has on the table. In the event that the City remains unconvinced that SolarCity is the best  partner, Encore is prepared to bring another solar financier to the table.  The City has also  agreed to see a bid from groSolar through GMP.   Help Needed: Encore asked if SBEC members wanted to participate in the meeting to  potentially facilitate the discussion.      2.    ​Solar Team  Accomplishments: – Letter sent to solar consortium participants to assist with Lawn Sign  Competition funding (additional $400 to match $800 from Mont Vert).  Team will meet Aug 19 to  map out fall strategy.  Solar mapping project now includes CSA members.  New Suncommon  South Burlington organizer is Kelsey Jonat, who will be working the City Fest event  (​kelsey@suncommon.com​)   Help Needed:  Ideas for new initiatives to meet goals.  Follow up with Solar Consortium  members on funding lawn signs.  Purchase and distribution of lawn signs.  Verify if account is  ready to receive funds.  More participants in the Middle School Solar Mapping Project (Steve  Webster). (​http://tiny.cc/sbsolar)    Page 4 of 6  School Programs by Linda McGinnis   Accomplishments:   ​1.    ​School Solar​ – Landfill Array (see Solar section)   ​2.    ​School Efficiency​:  ​No progress with Commons Energy…still awaiting pricing on boilers  for MS and HS   ​3.    ​School Coordination​:  Meeting in late August to map out strategy for the fall.      Help needed:     ∙        ​School Solar Landfill​: SBEC participation in discussions with Solar City  ∙        ​School Efficiency​: different strategy for follow up with Commons Energy or different  strategy altogether  ∙        ​Elementary​: Need an ES Volunteer Coordinator​.  ​Need to meet with Chamberlin and  Central principals  ∙        ​Middle School​: Need MS Volunteer Coordinator, including ideas for MS projects/activities  for 2015­2016.  ∙        ​Solar mapping/testimonials – need as many people as possible to fill in the template for the  solar mapping project  http://tiny.cc/sbsolar   ∙        ​High School:  ​Ideas for Projects/Community Service Actions for 2015­2016.   ∙        ​UVM:  ​Ideas for student projects for 2015­2016 (EAN Community Energy Dashboard)       Plans:     1.    School Solar:  Final signature  2.    School Efficiency:  Agreement with Commons Energy (at a minimum on purchase of new  boilers!)  3.    School Coordination:  ∙        ​Meet as a group in August to identify 2015­2016 priorities  ∙        ​School Board presentation of 2014/15 accomplishments and 2015/16 plans  ∙        ​Use August convocation as a platform for highlighting SB Energy Prize?   ∙        ​VEEP Workshops for teachers  4.    Elementary  ∙        ​Identify uses for the “Save Energy” Posters in the fall (The Other Paper, senior housing,  pre­schools, fitness, pediatric offices, etc)  ∙        ​Meet with Principals of Chamberlin and Central to discuss participation  ∙        ​Meet with Orchard team to plan 2015 roll­out  ∙        ​Implement VEEP wind/sun workshops in classrooms  5.    Middle School  ∙        ​Summer – core Green Team to meet and establish monthly themes and goals for coming  school year, with particular project options for Peer Leadership and Student Council  ∙        ​Solar mapping/testimonials – complete production  6.    High School  ∙        ​Solar Lawn Signs – order printing, organize distribution  Page 5 of 6  ∙        ​Determine priorities for 2015­2016 school year  7.    UVM  ∙        ​Identify new projects for Fall semester (e.g. Community Energy Dashboard)      Stretch Energy Codes, by Keith Epstein  Accomplishments: Planning Commission hosted a panel discussion on July 14th about  stretch energy codes, which I attended. Planning Commission chair Jessica Louisos read our  letter regarding rooftop options and stretch energy codes to the commission, panel members,  and guests. The 4­member panel included people from Efficiency Vermont, Vermont  Department of Public Service, and Town of Hinesburg planning department. Commissioners  and guests had many good questions and it was a great discussion. Attended July 28th  Planning Commission meeting, where they voted to add requiring stretch energy code  compliance on all new buildings to the Land Development Regulations. The new Land  Development Regulations must be approved by City Council, so they may be changed before  adoption.  Help needed: None  Plans: Stay on top of this issue as it progresses towards becoming adopted.      Property­Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program, by Marcy Murray  Accomplishments: None  Help needed: None  Plans: Revisit PACE to see whether recent changes to the program may make it worth  trying to get PACE on the town ballot.  Page 6 of 6