In attendance: Sandra Bravo, Kathleen Bigford, Jenny Locke Howley, Susan Moss
- April Minutes approved
- Vital Communities Climate Change Leadership Academy Updates.
- Jenny and Kathleen have met with leaders of the successful initiatives in Warner and Keene to switch to community power suppliers. Warner chose Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire, (CPCNH), because projections showed that over time it would have the best prices. Keene is very happy with Standard Power, a for profit supplier. Keene started moving toward community power in 2020 when CPCNH was just beginning to get up and running and Standard offered the lowest rate that could be locked in for a chosen time period.
- Jenny and Kathleen also made the point that as individuals, we can sign up with Direct Energy to supply our electricity at much less than the cost charged by Eversource. Monthly customer billing still goes through Eversource, and Eversource continues to charge for delivery to maintain the electric infrastructure. Charges for the actual electricity used (supply) will be charged at the rate locked in with Direct Energy. We should promote this. Info is on both Eversource and PUC websites.
- To begin the process of pursuing Community Power for the town of Bradford, Kathleen and Jenny have given the Select Board their “Community Power 101” sheet as an introduction in advance of a formal presentation from the BEC on the benefits of community power to town residents. This will answer many questions on rates, contracts, getting PUC approval, how residents can opt out, etc. Henry Herndon, a consultant from CPCNH is available to make presentations about the Coalition to the Select Board. With Select Board approval, we will make our formal recommendation to contract with a supplier (a non-binding contract) and begin the long process of planning, public meetings, and final town vote as a warrant article at town meeting 2024.
- We need to meet with consultants from the possible suppliers: CPCNH, a non-profit, and Standard Power, a for profit company.
- Weatherization
- Fire Station – The Select Board submitted signed contracts to Shakes to Shingles and NHSaves for the weatherization project. The work is scheduled in the fall.
- Highway Garage Update – Work is scheduled for May 17 and 18, 2023. The revised scope includes the use of AeroBarrier for the same price.
- Library – Weatherization of our Library in December 2021 resulted in a 25% annual reduction in heating oil use during the 2022 heating season.
- Solar Energy – No current initiatives
- Heat Pumps – The BEC identified the process that municipalities and businesses should follow in order to obtain an instant discount from NHSaves for the purchase of qualifying equipment. The selected contractor must obtain the equipment from a NHSaves Participating Distributor who will discount the incentive off the purchase price. Incentives are based on the size category of the air source heat pump and are $250 per ton (of the air handler).
- Kearsarge Climate Action
- Invitation to KCA Strategic Planning meeting, 6/15/23
KCA is having a tough time getting participation from local energy Committees. Sandra will try to attend.
- A good place to stay on top of NH legislative updates is through the https://www.newhampshirenetwork.org/NH-bills
- BEC Public Outreach
- Laura wrote an article for the May Bradford Bridge to encourage people to begin planning home energy upgrades. This included information about consumer tax credits available now and rebates available in the fall for energy efficiency projects and purchases under the Inflation Reduction Act. Rollout info was presented by the White House today, May 16, specifically targeting rural areas. There will be many webinars on this topic and Laura has signed up for a few. Utility companies will be receiving the funds to upgrade the infrastructure, the biggest since the 1930’s. There will be funds for loans, loan forgiveness, credits. Bradford has a town rep at Eversource and we need to find out who this is and follow the process.
- Proposed articles for publication in June Bradford Bridge: Sandra has written an article on ways to build a sustainable future. Jenny has submitted an article on Community Power for June.
- Outreach to NH politicians. The BEC will continue to report on energy saving funding and opportunities for residents and our municipality.
- Other Items
- Several good speakers coming to our area: Laura Knoy at Colby Sawyer on June 20, Sam Evans Brown on Clean Energy at LSPA on July 27. These events are free but you must register https://www.lakesunapee.org/events.
- Next meeting: Wednesday, June 14. 5:00-6:00pm at BACC