5:00 pm Bradford Town Hall
Review and approval of February Minutes. Introduction of a new member of the Energy Committee.
- Community Power Update
- Municipal Weatherization Status. Margaret Dillion, of S.E.E.D.S, who was contracted by NHSaves to conduct the energy audits of Braford’s municipal buildings, has agreed to assist the BEC to quantify the energy savings from implementation of energy saving measures at the Highway and Fire Department buildings.
- Solar Energy – update on SolSmart. The non-profits Clean Energy NH and SolSmart are partnering to help municipalities establish smart solar zoning and permitting at the local level. This program is free to municipalities. Sandra will contact the Bradford Planning Board to present this opportunity to work with experts and peers to decide whether Bradford should create a solar ordinance and start working on a draft.
- Electrification
a. Geothermal opportunities. Sandra is requesting estimates from consultants on the cost of conducting a feasibility study to determine if geothermal is a good fit for heating/cooling at the Highway Building.
b. Air Source Heat Pump installation opportunities?
c. Other? - New Hampshire Network Update
- Legislative Updates
a. A good place to stay on top of NH legislative updates is through https://www.newhampshirenetwork.org/NH-bills
b. Another good place is the NH Network Bill Action website. Online testimony can be given using this website at the NH General Court. Sandra has been forwarding the links to these websites to an informal email distribution group of climate advocates.
c. From CENH – In late 2024, the NH Department of Energy (NHDOE), launched a process to update the State Ten-Year Energy Strategy. This Strategy is updated every three years and is used to inform deliberations of the NH Public Utilities Commission, program development and administration by NHDOE, and as reference for the NH legislature. Your comments will assist NHDOE staff in compiling a comprehensive document that highlights the fact that the clean energy transition is the most cost-effective, affordable, clean, and reliable means to power a competitive New Hampshire economy. Please submit all written comments, ideas, and recommendations via email to SESComments@energy.nh.gov by March 31, 2025. All comments will be posted publicly on the DOE website. Sierra Club, NH Network, and League of Conservation Voters are hosting a meeting:
When: Monday, March 24th at 6:30pm
Where: Unitarian Universalist Church of Concord, 274 Pleasant Street in Concord - BEC Public Outreach in March
a. A letter to the Editor of the Bradford Bridge from the BEC advised residents to reach out to federal legislators to deliver federal funds that were promised through the Inflation Reduction Act to reduce energy costs and improve economic competitiveness. On a local level tell Governor Ayotte to set meaningful greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals and comply with them. - Proposed articles for April Bridge
a. Micro-plastics impacts and reduction options
b. Button-up Workshop in Warner April 24, 2025 - Other Items
a. NHSaves opportunities for Bradford businesses? Sandra has started paying visits to some of the businesses in Bradford to explain the energy audit process and opportunities for reducing energy usage and resulting costs.
b. Inflation Reduction Funds availability. NHSaves and EV rebates are functional? - Conclude