Addison County Regional Planning Commission 14 Seminary Street Middlebury, VT Phone: Fax:

Transcription

1 Addison County Regional Planning Commission 14 Seminary Street Middlebury, VT Phone: Fax: ACRPC Energy Committee Meeting Minutes Friday, August 1, 2008 Present: Bob McNary, Vice-Chair, Charlie Huizenga, Ed Payne, Ralph Teitsheid, Bruce Webster, Kent Wright Staff: Elizabeth Golden-Pidgeon The Committee toured Ron and Jane Vincent s solar and wind energy system at their farm on Murray Road in Orwell. The meeting was called to order at 1:01 p.m. I. Approval of Minutes: Meeting Minutes- Bob opened the July 11, 2008 minutes for adoption. Bruce moved to adopt the minutes. Kent seconded. All voted in favor of adopting the minutes as written. II. Old Business: Committee Education Activities: Monthly Presentations - Bob reported that the Solar Hot Water and Space Heating Program, held on July 24, was a good program, but he and Bruce agreed that the program was too much of a sales pitch. Elizabeth agreed and noted that she instructed Kathy to edit out of the video as much of the sales pitch as possible before making copies. Ralph commented that Dori did not answer his question well. Bruce said there is a need to educate installation experts and there should be state incentives so more people would be licensed or certified. People in the business should be knowledgeable, he said. Ed commented that not everyone can do it themselves. Ed also suggested that Elizabeth contact Nathaniel Electronics to present our March program on photovoltaics. Ron Vincent gave Elizabeth an article about the Nathaniel Electronics Company. Bruce moved we contact Nathaniel Electronics for the March program. Ed seconded. The Committee unanimously approved the motion. Elizabeth reported that she has set up a speaker for our next program. Fred Lugano, an expert in building systems, will speak on Weatherization on Thursday, August 28, from 7-9 p.m. Elizabeth handed out the press release on Fred s program. Elizabeth recommended that the Committee add a program on Generating Electricity with Photovoltaics for March 26, as suggested by Bruce Webster. Bruce moved to add the program and all voted in favor of the motion. Elizabeth asked that the Committee think about speakers for future programs and Addison Bridport Bristol Cornwall Ferrisburgh Goshen Leicester Lincoln Middlebury Monkton New Haven Orwell Panton Ripton Waltham

2 bring their suggestions to the next meeting. We have a full program through March, so it is not urgent to come up with suggestions at this meeting. Ralph suggested that we create a database of what we learned on our tours. Bob and Bruce said that they both took notes on today s tour. Bob told Ralph that we do keep the tour notes in Elizabeth files, and that she will eventually type up the notes and add them to our website, as time permits. Ralph suggested name tags for all Commissioners. Bruce responded that it was discussed at the last Executive Board meeting and that it will be done. Biomass Pellet Research Project - Elizabeth reported that the Steering Committee will be meeting to select the consultants today at 4 pm. She will report on their choice at the next Committee meeting. Bruce would like information on the results of the study, as he noted that Rutland is planning a biomass production facility in the near future. Ed commented that we need one in our county, to minimize transportation costs. ACRPC Office Upgrade Ralph suggested the RPC buy a $65 on-demand hot water heater. Bob suggested instant water boxes be located under the sinks. Due to Adam s vacation, further discussion on this item has been tabled until the next meeting. Renewable Technology Scholarship - No action has been taken to develop a scholarship. Bob noted that someone needs to take this over and suggested Bob Bauer join the Sub-Committee. Ralph volunteered for the Sub-Committee. Charlie nominated Brian Bauer, Ralph Teitsheid, and Bob McNary to serve on the sub-committee. Kent seconded. All voted in favor of the new sub-committee appointees. Ed asked if we got any response from Stafford Career Center to our letter suggesting a program to train renewable energy technicians. Bob noted that we did not get any response from Stafford, and the response from Hannaford Career Center was that such training would be included in the current program. Bruce suggested we attend school board meetings to suggest training and he will find out when the next meeting is. Energy Financing Meeting Elizabeth reported that Adam ed Chris D elia to ask for a meeting of the Addison County bankers to meet to discuss financing renewable energy technologies for homes in the county. Due to Adam being on vacation, this item was tabled until Adam has a report or hears from Chris. 25/25 Report Elizabeth reported that Harvey Smith told her that he is serving on the financing subcommittee, but he had no further report to make to the Committee. The Committee asked that Harvey make a written report on the actions of the 25/25 Committee and requested that Elizabeth talk to Harvey about it. Chairmanship Kent Wright asked if Harvey Smith was still chair of the Energy Committee. Elizabeth responded that he is currently chair, but that Adam intends to talk with Harvey about whether he continues to be interested in being chair. As an alternative, Bob McNary has volunteered to chair the Committee. Bruce moved and Ralph seconded the motion that they would like Bob take over as Chair of the Committee. The motion carried unanimously. They noted that Harvey has 2

3 missed a lot of meetings and Bob has diligently been the defacto chair for several months. Elizabeth will convey the Committee s wishes to Adam, who has already said that he would talk to Harvey. USDA Rural Energy Program Harvey was not present to report and has not sent a written report. The Committee requested a written report from Harvey for the next meeting. Efficiency VT Adam sent an on Bruce s behalf, asking Tim Perrin to call Bruce to schedule an Energy Audit of the Town of Goshen s municipal buildings. Bruce commented that Efficiency VT is a consultant, contracted with the Public Service Board, and funded by Central Vermont and Green Mountain Power. This year, they will have a $30 million budget and Bob wondered what they are going to do with the money. Bruce moved that Elizabeth get specific information on funding, the down payment amount needed, and the income limits for the in-place program. Ed seconded. All approved. Website update Bruce and Ralph requested that hyper-links be added to the ACRPC Energy Committee website. Bob reiterated that Adam had made it clear at the previous meeting that Kevin Behm made the decision not to add hyper-links because the website construction would not permit it without a major overhall, and that there was not enough time to do so, with all of the competing responsibilities Elizabeth has in her new position as Land Use Planner and staffing the Energy Committee, etc. Ralph volunteered to work on the website au gratis. Ripton Community Wind Project Elizabeth reported that the project is in the conceptual stage. Warren King of Ripton requested information from Elizabeth on energy auditor training, and Elizabeth has investigated the options. Efficiency Vermont offers a two week training program, at a cost of $1,500, with a $1,000 rebate offered to those who complete the program, pass the written and field exams, and conduct at least six energy audits within six month after the program. Efficiency VT needs at least 15 people to sign up for the training for it to occur. Elizabeth also developed the idea of a two-day pre-audit training for volunteers to go into homes in their town to do a preliminary assessment of potential energy savings. She is working on creating such a program with a hopeful date of September 5 & 6, to prepare homeowners to save fuel during the upcoming winter. III. New Business: Introduction of New Committee members Bob noted that Brian Bauer, Tim Davis and Ralph Teitscheid have joined the Committee, and the Committee looks forward to working with them in the future. Publicity and videotaping of our Energy Programs - Elizabeth reported that Kathy Wheatley has been videotaping our energy presentations, and that they are later shown on Middlebury TV. MTV also plans to upload the videos onto their website, but this had not yet occurred. Adam has an agreement with Kathy to provide videotaping, editing as needed, and six videotapes of each program. 3

4 Purchase of seating for RPC conference room Due to the overwhelming response to our energy programs, we are in need of additional seating for our conference room. Bob brought over folding chairs from the American Legion for our most recent program, but commented that they are uncomfortable for someone with a bad back. He recommended molded, stackable chairs be purchased. Elizabeth reported that Adam has budgeted $500 for chairs, and Ralph commented that probably wouldn t buy more than 10 chairs. Elizabeth will investigate the least costly way to purchase chairs for our programs. Middlebury Energy Resource Center Elizabeth reported that she was invited by Laura Asermily, the Middlebury Town Energy Coordinator, to a preliminary meeting to consider the development of an Energy Resource Center in Middlebury. Laura and ACoRN are hoping to develop a permanent space to house a center for information on renewable energy options. A tour was given of the bank near Neil & Otto s Pizza, but the owner was noncommittal about renting it for such a center. Laura thought that the center may be combined with a Town of Middlebury visitor s center. Most of the people present at that meeting did not see the feasibility of such a center, based on its potential cost and other concerns. Local Solutions Directory Laura Asermily also asked Elizabeth if the Energy Committee would be interested in taking over updating and printing of the Local Solutions Energy Directory of Addison County. The Directory was originated by MAGWAC and data entry was done by Middlebury College students. Laura noted that it needs to be updated this fall and about 500 copies would need to be printed by mid-september. Elizabeth reminded the Committee that it is within our directive to be a central source of information on energy for Addison County. The Committee voiced their concern that we do not have the budget to print that amount of copies. Elizabeth suggested that the copies be printed locally (not in the RPC office) and delivered directly to the organizations who wanted them, along with the printing bill. The Committee was very interested in taking over the Directory, but requested that Elizabeth get more information from Laura and MAGWAC before making a commitment. CVPS upgrade to circular feed (loop system) Adam sent the Committee an re: CVPS s intention to upgrade its lines in the Middlebury area. Adam indicated that we will host a meeting of town officials in October to discuss the project. Energy Committee Display - Elizabeth is supporting the Town Energy Coordinators by offering them use of our display and an original copy of our program handouts to use at their Town Fairs. Diane Lanpher will be setting up a display at the Vergennes Day on the Green on Saturday, August 23. Energy Committee Brochure Elizabeth distributed a draft revised brochure and asked the Committee members to review it and bring suggestions for any changes to the next meeting. 4

5 IntelliCon Economizer Potential Program Ellyn Kurrelmeyer recommended that the Committee offer an Energy Program on the IntelliCon-HW+ Hot Water Heating System Fuel Economizer and other technologies offered by the company, as she has purchased a $600 unit for her new rental property in Middlebury and would recommend it highly to anyone who is looking to reduce their fuel usage without replacing their boiler. Kent and Ed asked Elizabeth to look into the technology and actual cost savings of the unit. Bob commented that he thought the savings in fuel would be offset by the increased usage in electricity. Ed mentioned that he is looking at a new hot water heating system with temperature monitoring for hydronics to save 25% on fuel usage. Guidelines for Energy Displays At the Committee s request, Elizabeth prepared and distributed a draft Guidelines for Energy Displays which includes the responsibilities of Town Energy Coordinators and their Committees and the materials to be offered to them for use to display at their Town Fairs. She asked the Committee to review the draft Guidelines and comment on them at the next meeting. Guidelines for Programs At the Committee s request, Elizabeth distributed a draft Guidelines for Programs which includes what the Presenters and the Committee will be expected to do at our Energy Presentations and asked that the Committee review the draft Guidelines and comment on them at the next meeting. IV. Other business: none. (Several other business items were included in the regular agenda.) The meeting was adjourned at 2:34 p.m. After the meeting was adjourned, Bruce suggested Elizabeth write a thank you note to Ronny and Jane Vincent. Then Bob gave a demonstration of the new technology which increases fuel efficiency in his truck. Respectfully submitted, Elizabeth Golden-Pidgeon 5