Energy Committee Agenda 06.21.22

June 21, 2022 Karen Hambleton Energy Committee, Minutes 0

Meeting at BACC 5:00-6:30 pm

Review and approval of May Minutes

  1. Town Hall Renovation Project – Update

The BEC participated in a video call with representatives from NHSaves and DMI, the Eversource contractor that provides technical assistance for energy related matters under the NHSaves program.  

  • Bradford Energy Goals – transitioning to 100 percent reliance on renewable sources of electricity by 2030 and renewable sources of fuel for heating and transportation by 2050.
    • The BEC reached out to Fire, Highway, BACC, Library, Police and the Transfer Station to discuss potential energy improvements. A draft summary of the findings will be distributed and discussed at the meeting.
    • Update on Renewal of Municipal electricity contract. Bradford has a contract with NEXTera Energy to provide electricity to the Municipality for $0.11920 per kWh which expires on 12/20/22. The BEC will prepare a summary of some commercial electricity suppliers comparing price and power sources.  Electric providers are required by the New Hampshire’s Public Utilities Commission (NH PUC) to provide customers with an environmental disclosure label to provide information about the environmental and health impacts of electric generation.
    • Community Power opportunities. The NH PUC held its first hearing on rules for community power programs Monday. The rules would set the stage for municipalities to start purchasing electricity on behalf of residents, in programs made possible by a state law from 2019.
      • Government Non-profit Agency
        • Community Power Coalition of NH
      • Commercial Energy Brokers
        • Standard Power/Good Energy
        • Freedom Energy logistics/Colonial Power
  • Municipal Weatherization Status – Highway Garage Update
  • Solar Energy
    • Highway Solar Feasibility Review
      • An estimate for tree removal around the Highway Building was obtained. The building plans are needed to assess the structural suitability of the roof. The State Highway department has provided permission to the Town to remove the trees from the state ROW that abuts the Town Highway property.  Should the project move forward, State Highway will retain the trees removed from the ROW and requests to be kept informed of the project status. 
    • Update from Andy Spiegel, GSS, regarding solar panels on Town Hall roof.
  • Kearsarge Climate Action Items
    • Ten Towns, Ten Actions Toolkit to Reduce Plastic Waste
    • E-bike Loan Program New London Whipple Hall 7/20 – 8/9/22. Volunteers needed.
    • EV Show – scheduled 9/24 noon to 4pm at NL Historical Society. Volunteers needed.
  • Heat Pumps – Next steps following the Energy Star article in June issue of The Bradford Bridge
  • Improving Public Presence of BEC
    • Kearsarge Food Hub July 2, 2022 Community Event – plastic free activities.
    • July 13, 2022 – Showing of the movie “Microplastic Madness”, brought to you by the Brown Memorial Library and the Bradford Conservation Commission.
    • July 15, 2022 – Make your own beeswax wrapper at Brown Memorial Library between 2-4.
    • Bradford Town Day 9/24/2022
    • Town of Bradford Facebook page
    • Other?
  • Energy Opportunities for Bradford Re: ARPA Funds and Grants and Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill
  • Other Items
  • Conclude