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Board - Committee - commission - council: 2023 MAR -8 PM 3: 10
Climate Advisory Committee
Date: 2021-02-24 Time: 7:00 PM
Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Conference Room
Address: 16 Lowell Street
Purpose: Bi -monthly meeting
Attendees: Members - Present:
David Zeek, Chair; Ray Porter, Secretary; Celeste Kracke, Member; Peter
MacGown, Associate Member; Jeff Everson; Member; Denise McCarthy,
Member; Travis Estes, Associate Member;
Members - Not Present:
Others Present:
Genady Pilyaysky
Gina Snyder; Member Emeritus
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Ray Porter
Topics of Discussion:
Meeting was held via a Zoom Conference Call
Welcome to Members and Guests
Review minutes, vote on acceptance
Meeting minutes for 02/10/2021 has been accepted as amended
Co-sponsor of Sustainable Middlesex Carbon Countdown 2021 (3/13/2021)
• Need information from Sustainable Middlesex Carbon Countdown to promote the
event, Facebook, contact list
• Need to register to participate in the ZOOM call
• Dave to resend flyer
2021 Town/City Climate Action Survey
• Reviewed Reading's activities related to the Climate Action Survey
• Stretch Energy Code could be represented on the survey (Green Community)
• Compost initiatives (Black Earth) being lead by UU Green Sanctuaries
• Others can complete the Climate Action Survey
Green Community Participation
• Liaison to the High School about Climate Committee Issues - Travis Estes
• Internship programs for high school students
• Senator Lewis proposing a Bill to reduce single use plastics (State Level Action)
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Town of Reading - Meeting Minutes
RMLD Customer Survey Results
• Ranking of reliability, costs and emissions
• Still interest in RMLD be more aggressive in pursuing energy efficiency programs
• Need to strengthen the messaging related to the reliability of renewable energy
• Support messaging to the customers that counters misinformation
• Rebates no as well known to customers, and thus less utilized
• Heat pump campaign on March 2, and initiate other campaigns on a seasonal
basis
• Normalize resiliency as a shared value by RMLD customers
• 20% of customers looking for an EV in next 5 years
Use of Energy from Biomass by RMLD
• Select Board did not address the biomass resolution
• RMLD CAB meets tonight and will address biomass as an energy source
• Board of Commissioners reviewing renewable energy policy as it relates to new
biomass projects.
• RMLD looking to transfer ownership of the contractual commitment from the
Palmer Plant
March 2, Heat Pump 101 with RMLD
• Travis to host a training session, 200 signups
• Session starts at 7:00pm
• Rebates not being used to the extent that the units are being installed
• Focusing on getting positive feedback on the technology
Outreach Opportunities
• Purple Mountain documentary film
• Ron's Climate Outreach
Next meeting 3/10/2021 at 7:00 pm
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