Energy Committee Minutes 02.21.23

March 8, 2023 Karen Hambleton Energy Committee, Minutes 0

In attendance: Sandra Bravo, Kathleen Bigford, Jenny Howley, Laura Ryder, Susan Reeder Moss, Marlene Freyler

Review and approval of January Minutes: Unanimously approved  

  1. Vital Communities Climate Change Leadership Academy Updates.
    • Community Power – Definition: Community Power, sometimes referred to as “municipal aggregation” or “community choice aggregation”, maximizes the buying power of a community. The benefits are cost savings, advancement of local renewable energy and sustainability initiatives, consumer protection and a more engaged community. We continue to gather information and define the pros and cons of choosing the non-profit, community owned Clean Energy Coalition of NH (CECNH) vs for-profit suppliers Freedom Energy Logistics, LLC, and Standard Power Good Energy
    • Attend a Zoom presentation by CECNH on Feb. 23. Goal: Develop a presentation for the selectboard and residents to inform and gage interest.
    • Municipal Solar – Continued discussion on possible sites and funding. Kathleen is investigating various scenarios as information keeps shifting. Finding grant money to seed solar, either ground or rooftop will be critical.
  2. Town Hall Renovation Project – Update
    • Sandra has met with Michael Bruss, Clerk of the Works. Heat will be from a high efficiency propane heating plant which was specified five years ago.  Energy Saving Measures (ESMs) being evaluated that exceed the current building code include – R60 insulation in the attic, dense pack insulation in the walls, replace balances and seal air gaps on existing windows, install storm windows and increase insulation in the basement. Also looking at heat pumps for cooling and heating portions of the building.
  3. Kathleen is contacting USDA in Montpelier to see if we are qualified as a rural municipality to receive assistance on energy savings measures. This money will be available later this year.
  4. Municipal Weatherization Status  
    • Fire Station – The BEC submitted a Warrant Article Petition to the Town Clerk to weatherize the Fire Station.  Although the financial payback of 16.7 years for the $25,000 Fire Station weatherization project was not compelling, the recently awarded NHSaves incentive of $11,871, brings the Town’s costs down to $13,129 with a payback of 9.6 years. The Selectboard and Budget Committee did not support the project at the full price. BEC voted to move forward with the Petition.
    •  Highway Garage Update – rescheduled to May 2023.
    • Library – Weatherization of our Library in December 2021 resulted in a 25% annual reduction in heating oil use during the 2022 heating season.
  5. 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.
  6. Town Hall – Rooftop Solar Feasibility
    • February 27, 2023 update:  Michael Bruss reached out to ReVision Energy to determine the feasibility of rooftop solar. Revision’s assessment indicates that the Town Hall roof is not a good candidate for solar because there is little useable roof space due to setback requirements, shading and roofing materials.
    • Heat Pumps – The BEC continues to recommend that heat pumps be evaluated for meeting heating and cooling needs in Bradford’s municipal buildings and residences.
      • February 28, 2023 update: The Library plans to install heat pumps before the summer.
  7. Kearsarge Climate Action
    • Considering a Sunapee-Kearsarge 2023 WindowDressers project. WindowDressers is a volunteer organization working to lower heating costs, and reduce carbon dioxide pollution by producing low-cost insulating window inserts that function as custom, interior-mounted storm windows. In order to participate Bradford would need volunteers.
    • New London Waste Reduction Committee reported that it successfully recycled 1.1 tons of food waste and is looking to expand resident participation.
    • A good place to stay on top of NH legislative updates is through the https://www.newhampshirenetwork.org/NH-bills
  8. BEC Public Outreach
    • Two articles were published in the February Bradford Bridge “Keep Money in your Pocket with LED Lights” and Update on “NHSaves Home Performance with Energy Star – Moderate Income Program”
    • Proposed article regarding Warrant Article Petition to weatherize the Fire Station for the March Bridge.
    • Outreach to NH politicians.
      • Last week, the RISEE Act was reintroduced into the Senate by Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA). The Reinvesting in Shoreline Economies and Ecosystems Act would create a revenue-sharing model for offshore wind energy, in addition to other funding mechanisms for shoreline-based organizations
    • Laura will work on a series of articles about how residents can access tax credits and other funds available thru the Inflation Reduction Act and steps to investigate solar options for their homes.
    • Discuss taking part in the collection of clean plastic film through TREX. Collect 500 pounds and the town would receive an outdoor bench made by TREX. Possibly work through the schools to involve kids and find adult volunteers. https://nextrex.com/view/programs
  9. Energy Opportunities for Bradford Re: Inflation Reduction Act

The BEC will continue to report on energy saving opportunities. These funds will begin to be available in September.

  • Conclude: Next meeting will be March 21, 2023, 5:00pm
  • Meeting adjourned at 6:30pm