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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-02-24 Climate Advisory Committee MinutesH �rq o'� �i Town of Reading �i Meeting Minutes na'•�•'p ORRO��- Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Climate Advisory Committee Date: 2016 -02 -24 Building: Reading Town Hall Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: BI- monthly meeting Attendees: Members - Present: Time: 7:00 PM RECEIVED TOWN CLERK READING. MASS. 101b MAR 22 A Of 821 Location: Conference Room Joan Boegel, member; Ray Porter, member; Laurie Ann Sylvia, member; David Zeek, member; Jeff Everson, associate member Members - Not Present: Ron D'Addario, member and chair; Gina Snyder, associate member Others Present: Michael Scola Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Joan Topics of Discussion: Administrative Items • In Ron D'Addario's absence, Ray Porter acted as Chair for this meeting. • Jeff Everson has been appointed an Associate Member of the Climate Advisory Committee by the Board of Selectman. His term expires in June 2016; however, renewal is an easier process. • Review and Approval of recent meeting minutes. The minutes of the February 10, 2016, meeting were reviewed and approved as written. • Earth Day 2016 • Ray and Joan each reported that they had made phone calls to potential exhibitors, but have not received responses yet. • Laurie Ann reported that several exhibitors have confirmed their participation - Cooling Unlimited, ChargePoint, Ray Porter (case study of residential geothermal heating /air conditioning, solar thermal hot water, energy efficiency upgrades), RMLD. Climate Action Plan • The Committee re- affirmed Intent to update the Reading Climate Action Plan with focus on statement of goals and priorities aligned with what the Town of Reading needs most and is most likely to succeed. • There was some discussion of the history of the RMLD four -town local energy action plan (LEAP) for the benefit of new members. This plan, developed for RMLD with MAPC grant funding was presented to the RMLD Board and to the Town Manager and officials, but not formally adopted or approved. The RMLD Energy Efficiency Engineer was let go before the plan was finalized and there were changes in leadership at RMLD shortly afterwards. • Based on discussion with Jane Parenteau of RMLD at our February 10th meeting, there are several programs proposed in LEAP that are aligned with RMLD's Page 1 1 Town of Reading - Meeting Minutes current goals. These are potential areas for collaboration between the Committee and RMLD. 1. Community Shared Solar. The municipalities are not interested in hosting, so RMLD may look to commercial businesses to host the Community Shared Solar panels on roofs, e.g. big box stores. The Committee could help by going around to the local businesses with an invitation on RMLD letterhead and recruit interested participants. Mike Scola volunteered to contact Tom 011ila to offer this assistance. 2. Electric vehicles. Mike suggested that RMLD could put up ChargePoint stations at Reading Town Hall parking lot or other convenient, visible spots. Laurie Ann stated that Tirzah Shakespeare at RMLD was working on an EV grant. Mike will contact Ms. Shakespeare to determine the status. 3. Communication - energy dashboard, billing information, notification of peak load to facilitate voluntary curtailment of electricity use. Laurie Ann mentioned that RMLD has developed an app called "Reading Light" now available for Iphone and soon for Android smart phones. It can show the user the location of power outages. Laurie Ann also reported that RMLD will issue a Request for Proposal for a 2 -2.5 MW gas -fired turbine to be built in North Reading and used for peak shaving. • Meeting with State Representative Brad Jones David Zeek and Jeff Everson reported on their recent meeting with Representative Brad Jones at his office in the State House. He spent a full hour with them, primarily discussing his work on the conference committee regarding solar bills. Representative Jones stated that Massachusetts has been paying more than other states to subsidize solar energy and this will change because solar is small and Intermittent, so not likely to be an important part of the energy mix. The committee is more interested in hydro and wind power. He is opposed to the Kinder Morgan gas pipeline. He also stated that the solar bill will not Impact RMLD because of municipal light department exemption from regulations that govern investor -owned utilities. David and Jeff asked Representative Jones if he would be Interested in talking to people in our community regarding energy and environmental issues. He responded affirmatively. David proposed a meeting of about 90 minutes sometime in March. Ray suggested that an outcome of the meeting should be action items for individuals, such as demand response and community solar. • Gas Leaks Resolution. • The Board of Selectman voted on February 23 to pass a resolution supporting the Gas Leaks legislation. The Committee should obtain a copy of the resolution. • David Zeek reported that there are now 23 towns that have passed resolutions. The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Page 12 ,ouwoe