Energy Committee Minutes 07.18.23

August 1, 2023 Karen Hambleton Energy Committee, Minutes 0

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

Review of June Minutes – Approved

  • Vital Communities Climate Change Leadership Academy Updates.
    • Community Power presentation on Standard Power with Emily Manns and Devon Atwell

Standard Power gave an introductory presentation and then opened the meeting to discussion for the next hour. They are a for-profit company serving Massachusetts (45 towns), Rhode Island (7 towns). In NH, the city of Keene and 19 other towns are signed on or on track to be served by Standard Power. With any community power plan, the town procures the electricity supply for residents and businesses with the two goals of lowering the cost of electrical supply and offering individuals more choice for purchasing energy generated through renewable resources (Green Energy). The delivery of electricity through lines and poles remains with the present utility company, and the individual still receives only one bill each month. Currently, the electricity supplied by Eversource is from 23.4% renewable sources. The plan from Standard Power begins at 33.4% renewable, with plans that go up to 100% renewable (which would cost up to 2.5 cents more per kilowatt hour). The rate for Standard Power is 11.47 cents per kilowatt hour. The current rate for Eversource is 20.22 cents per kilowatt hour and will drop back to 12.55 cents per kilowatt on August 1st.

Standard Power is motivated to keep rates lower than the industry standard rates because customers may opt out of their plan at any time and return to Eversource for supply. There is no cost to the town budget to offer this plan, and if and when community power is put in place, residents have the opportunity to decline to use it (opt out), and stay with their present supplier.

If the Energy Committee decides to recommend Standard Power to the town, they would work with our committee and the Select Board to write the action plan, hold public meetings and hearings, and help ready the plan for a town-wide vote in March ’24.

  • Community Power Coalition, presentation has been rescheduled to August 15, 2023

We will report on this next month.

  • Town Hall Renovation Project – See Bradford Bridge for updates.
  • Municipal Weatherization Status 
    • Fire Station – Sandra met with Chief Nowell at the Fire Station and then requested Shakes to Shingles meet with the Chief to ensure the Station is adequately prepared prior to start of work sometime in September.
    • Highway Garage Update – A representative from Distinctive Door, subcontracted to weatherstrip around overhead doors and manways, will meet with Steve on Monday 7/17 to put a plan together to make sure each door is properly sealed.
  • Solar Energy – No updates. 
  • Heat Pumps – No updates. 
  • Kearsarge Climate Action Mission Statement- Increase community awareness of the climate crisis and identify opportunities for regional collaboration to effect change.
    • Sandra attended a KCA Strategic Planning meeting on 6/15/23 where participants identified their top priorities for 2023. They are:
      • Increase/improve publicity about KCA. Suggestions included communication via newsletters, social media, website, print, etc.
      • Identify regional projects that reduce carbon emission and save money.
      • Foster collaboration and share information among local groups.
    • The next meeting is August 14, 2023 either in person at Lake Sunapee Protective Association or through Zoom. Checkout this and other information at Kearsarge Climate Action on Facebook.
  • Legislative Updates
  • BEC Public Outreach
  • BEC ran an article in the July Bradford Bridge about Plastic Free July
  • Proposed articles for publication in August Bradford Bridge: Energy Quiz.
  • Index to BEC articles published in The Bradford Bridge
  • Conclude: Next meeting is August 15, 5-6pm, BACC.