Review and approval of November Minutes
- Community Power Update.
Kathleen has written an article for the town report. Residents have saved over $10,000 since we switched to CPC in July. The town municipality will also switch to CPC in January. We should promote residents choosing a higher percentage of clean energy in 2025. Currently all but a few households are paying the default rate: 0.086/kwh which provides 23.88% energy from renewable sources.
- Municipal Weatherization Status
- The BEC is evaluating the effectiveness of the weatherization projects and identifying other energy saving opportunities for the Fire Station, Highway Dept., and the BML. Sandra has obtained fuel oil and electricity consumption data for the past two years as well as information on the oil burning equipment for these three facilities. There has been a substantial reduction in Firehouse use of oil over the last few years. Highway dept has noticed increased comfort from weatherization and oil use is trending down.
- Future use of the BACC is still being determined so we will continue to hold off on requesting weatherization. Asbestos remediation could cost $40,000 or more. There may be community grants for this kind of work once the facilities committee has a final plan for the BACC’s use.
- The CFDA has announced a new round of federal grants and loans for housing and public facilities projects. Accepted from Jan 1-June 30. We are interested in getting help with grant writing.
- Insulation of the Library basement (recommended in the Energy Audit Report) should be considered by the Library Trustees in order to maximize energy savings. However, Library Staff have acknowledged that substantial efforts would be required prior to the insulation work in order to move all the book shelves, etc. away from the walls.
- Solar Energy – Mark Fournier is interested in pursuing and will be in touch about helping the committee. New Hampshire Network is starting a program to help communities research and plan.
- Electrification
- Further investigation into the status of oil burning heating systems in our Municipal Buildings revealed the following:
- Library Boiler – Replaced in 2017.
- Highway Building – Waste oil burner installed in 2008 and subsequently converted to No 2 fuel oil.
- Fire Station – Furnace installed in 1983.
- These three facilities, over the past 7 years, have burned over 5,100 gallons of fuel oil annually.
- Geothermal opportunities? Of the three Municipal buildings, the Highway Building may be the most favorable for conversion to geothermal heating as it consumes over 3,000 gallons of oil annually and has indirect radiant heating in the building floor.
- Heat pump installation opportunities?
- Energy audits reported on appliances that need replacing. We should revisit this for town buildings. BACC biggest user. They need freezers for frozen meals on wheels food storage and senior lunches.
- Further investigation into the status of oil burning heating systems in our Municipal Buildings revealed the following:
- New Hampshire Network Update – Implementation of residential micro grids was reported by NH Network respondents to be generally uneconomical due to high interconnection costs.
- Legislative Updates
- A good place to stay on top of NH legislative updates is through the https://www.newhampshirenetwork.org/NH-bills
- BEC Public Outreach in December – None.
Proposed articles for the February Bridge – Susan has written a reminder of which energy improvements offer federal tax credits on 2024 tax returns. “Fast Fashion” was identified as another topic for an article on waste Susan will work on. Sandra will write about NH Saves energy audits for residents and businesses.
- Other Items: CET to help communities with construction debris. Sandra will research how Naughton manages various waste streams after hearing that the separated items for recycling from New London Schools are dumped together at pick-up.
- Recycling Styrofoam – at this time the Energy Committee does not see how the collection and transportation of Styrofoam to Guilford, NH for densification can be implemented. We will pursue at a later date.
- Inflation Reduction Act Funds availability. The NH Department of Energy has posted info on their website and they are saying that the programs will be available in 2025 for low and moderate income residents.
- Review of Draft BEC Summary for Inclusion in the 2024 Annual Town Report Sandra handed out and we will read and offer any edits.
- Conclude Next meeting: January 21st 5-6pm.