Energy Committee Minutes 01.17.23

January 31, 2023 Karen Hambleton Energy Committee, Minutes 0

Present: Sandra Bravo, Laura Ryder, Jenny Howley, Kathleen Bigford, Marleen Freyler

Review and approval of November Minutes: Unanimously approved.

  1. Vital Communities Climate Change Leadership Academy Updates.
    • Community Power – Looking forward to a Q & A, Clean Energy Info session, and Thursday, February 23, 5:30-7:00, Community Power Coalition Joining information. Jenny will invite the Selectboard.
    • Municipal Solar – Pursuant to the possibility of placing a solar array at the Transfer Station and the disposition of gravel excavation at the transfer station, Kathleen met with the Selectboard in December to determine whether or not a cost/benefit analysis for gravel excavation by the Town had been done and was told it had not. Subsequently, Kathleen reached out to Steve Hall about this and found that the process needed to wait until the spring to run tests. Therefore,
    • Kathleen decided to investigate town-owned land at the “Naughton” site. That investigation is on-going.
  2. Town Hall Renovation Project – Update – Work has started. Energy committee involvement was to line up NH Saves rebate possibilities. Sandra will follow up with Karen with this.
  3. Municipal Weatherization Status  
    • Highway Garage Update – rescheduled to May 2023.
    • Library, Fire Station and BACC. The 2023 draft CIP currently has weatherization projects scheduled for 2024-2026. The BEC has presented the recommendation to proceed with the weatherization of the Fire Station in 2023 to the Selectboard and Budget Committee. Updated estimates from two contractors have been received.
      • Sandra contacted NHSaves about the Fire Station and received initial feedback that weatherization could be eligible for 50% savings. NHSaves is in the process of determining eligibility of the project.
      • Discussion of a contingency warrant article: If 50% savings is granted, could the work go ahead. Sandra will reach out to Karen about this.
  4. Solar Energy
    • Update on rooftop solar.
      • Highway – roof not suitable to support solar panels
      • BACC – long term use needs to be determined
      • Fire Station – estimate requested
      • Library – abutter’s large pines may need to be removed.
      • Town Hall – roof is able to support solar arrays. The Stewardship Agreement the Town has with the Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP) requires that solar panels be “inconspicuous on the site and from the public right-of-way and do not damage or obscure character-defining historic feature”. The Select Board does not want to pursue rooftop solar.
  5. Heat Pumps – No updates
  6. Kearsarge Climate Action Items – The KCA has defined its mission as:
    1. Educate local citizens about the climate crisis
    2. Provide area-wide opportunities for community action
    3. Collaborate with local groups.

KCA and Hannaford’s are in discussions with the non-profit Center for Ecotechnology (CET) who provide towns and businesses with advice on how to combat climate change for assistance in setting up a Food Waste Handling system in the Kearsarge Region. The initial focus will be working with large producers of food waste such as restaurants, schools and grocery stores. Interested parties should contact Joy Kubit at joykubit@gmail.com.

  • BEC Public Outreach
    • Articles in the December Bradford Bridge “Keep Bradford Safe this Winter?” from the BEC and Bradford Fire Department and “Need Help for High Energy Costs – Part 2?”
    • Proposed articles for February Bridge and on LEDs and “Update on NHSaves Assistance for Weatherizing Homes and Replacement of Inefficient Appliances and Heaters”
    • Outreach to NH politicians? Sandra attended the Citizens Climate Lobby meeting with a representative of Annie Kuster’s staff to show support for 3 pieces of legislation:
      • S.2130 – RISEE Act of 2022 (Reinvesting in Shoreline Economies and Ecosystems Act of 2021) – the bill increases the percentage of revenue generated from offshore energy projects that is shared with coastal states and will be extended to the percentage of revenue generated from offshore wind leases for coastal states.
      • H.R. 2820 – Growing Climate Solutions Act of 2021 – the bill authorizes the Department of Agriculture to establish voluntary Greenhouse Gas Technical Assistance Provider and Third-Party Verifier Certification program to help reduce entry barriers into voluntary environmental credit markets for farmers, ranchers, and private forest landowners.
      • Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act of 2021 – This bill imposes a fee on the carbon content of fuels, including crude oil, natural gas, coal, or any other product derived from those fuels that will be used so as to emit greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
  • Energy Opportunities for Bradford Re: Inflation Reduction Act formerly known as Build Back Better.

The BEC will continue to report on energy saving opportunities. Suggestion to contact local Reps. to see if there is a way they can help sort out funding possibilities. Kathleen will reach out to Dan Innis, member of NH legislature, Energy Committee.

  • Review of Draft BEC Submission to 2022 Annual Report – Sandra will submit it to Karen. Kathleen will forward “candy” poster picture.
  • Discussion of energy related News Link items from NH Municipal Association —
  • Other Items
  • Conclude: Next meeting Tuesday, February 21, 5:00 pm.
  • Meeting adjourned at 6:05 pm.