RRPC Energy Subcommittee

Meeting Notes for January 20, 2009

Present:

Sara Gilbert (Staff)

Mark Blucher (Staff)

Susan Schreibman (Staff)

Guests:

Tom Macaulay (Rutland Redevelopment Authority)

Kathleen Krevetski (Rutland City Energy Committee)

Wayne Krevetski (Rutland City Energy Committee)

Ken Welch (Citizen-Wallingford)

Lisa Purcell (Citizen- Chittenden)

Van Purcell (Citizen- Chittenden)

Joe Prczpek (Tinmouth Energy Committee)

Anna Nadler (Rutland High School Environmentally Conscious and Active)

Annette Smith began the meeting by reading about how icicles on a building is an effective way to see where heat is being lost, which poses the opportunities for needed improvement.

Introductions and the meeting notes from January 20, 2009 were approved.

Smith continued to discuss the question that was raised previously on how much electricity is used in towns.  Information in the packets is provided by zip code.  Some towns include more than one zip code and some zip codes include more than one town, such as Rutland City and Town.  Efficiency Vermont has provided a breakdown by user-type, however, fossil fuel usage is not available.  The target goal is to reduce demand by 2,234 kw by 2011.  There was a question whether E911 data was used.  Annette Smith explained that the goal was set by Efficiency Vermont based on constraints in the system.

Mark Goodwin asked about transmission and distribution and explained that lines followed farms, not roads and was unclear of how to deal with the constituency in towns, and who were they going to contact in towns.  Sara Gilbert responded that Efficiency Vermont has a strategy.  Ethan Swift said that we need to know usage on a per capita basis.

The meeting continued on to reports by the energy committees.  Kathleen Krevetski from Rutland City spoke about smart grid technology and they had a Button Up workshop.

Annette Smith spoke about the energy sections in town plans and Ethan Swift suggested putting them on the RRPC website and linking them to the energy blog.  There is an energy blog set up which contains information, upcoming events and grants.  Mark Goodwin asked if Selectboards had been contacted about setting up energy committees and it was decided that a memo would go out after town meeting as Selectboards may change.  Mark Blucher suggested that Regional Commissioners could talk about it at town meeting.

Annette Smith asked how the towns came to have energy committees and what they are doing and what the RRPC can do to help.  Joe Prczpek from Tinmouth said it was unclear how theirs got started about 1 ½ year ago.  They have completed a few projects, including a light bulb change-out in conjunction with a showing of the Inconvenient Truth.  People did not take the bulbs.  This was funded by a community fund.  They also held a Button Up workshop.  There is information in the town newsletter and video discussion groups focused on energy.  A watt meter can be loaned out through the library.  There are weatherization projects in town buildings and town meeting display on conservation and wind energy.  Ridgetop conservation is being discussed in town.

Tom Macaulay of the Rutland Redevelopment Authority spoke about projects in energy generation, including alternative fuels and technologies.  The focus should be county-wide.  He is interested in resurrecting the wind project.  Another area for projects is the seasonal production of energy from locally produced products.

Anna Nadler of Rutland High School said that their sustainability club, called “Environmentally Conscious and Active”, just started.  Their initiatives include recycling in the cafeteria, collecting wrappers and the funds collected will be donated to Sustainable Rutland.  They are also putting up signs around the school to recycle and turn off lights.

Ken Welch of Wallingford was the energy coordinator for the town and they mapped the utilities and did not address usage.

Kathleen Krevetski explained that Rutland City’s Energy Committee started in 2007 with a group of like-minded individuals who had no way to communicate with one another.  They have tried to get the City to get Efficiency Vermont to look at the municipal buildings and have collaborated with RAFFL and Creative Economy’s Sustainability committee.  Another area of interest was job creation.  She sees the need for a unifying agency for credibility.  They are not getting grants here.  There is a good network with other energy committees state-wide.

Joe Prczpek said that a regional gathering to share ideas and educate people would be good.

Lisa Purcell of Chittenden said that she and her husband have worked as field engineers for utility companies.  She now works for a non-profit and has a grant on food energy.  She continued to say that transportation could be a regional focus for the RRPC Energy Committee.  Van Purcell is an engineer for CVPS and trying to keep up with what is happening.

Annette Smith continued the discussion on to what the RRPC Energy Committee can do- Addison County’s Committee has regional forums and these are available on their website to view. Joe Prczpek seconded the idea of focusing on transportation as that is the largest use of energy.  Most towns around are bedroom communities and carpooling could help save energy.  With the stimulus funds, perhaps we could help with grants.  There was discussion on how to reach people who do not come to meetings, as often it is “preaching to the choir.” Kathleen Krevetski added that over 50 people showed up at the Button Up workshop as people wanted to know how and who would help with the weatherization.  Efficiency Vermont wanted volunteers to do the work however she sees a possibility to collaborate with Stafford Tech on job training seminars and eventual job creation could result.

Annette Smith said she sees the need for job training and spoke to Governor Douglas about this and his plans and he has no plan.  Ethan Swift said that the McKernon Group is having a seminar on home energy in Brandon.  Kathleen Krevetski added that grants want to see measurable outcomes.  Grants require grassroots community support.  Tom Macaulay has one pending with the Vermont Community Foundation, to reduce the cost of running the sewage treatment plant with methane.  Mark Blucher provided the contacts at Workforce Investment Board- Nancy Burzon- and Jepson at Stafford as the need for job training was discussed.  Ken Welch said that retirees are always looking for things to do.  Anna Nadler from Rutland High School said that recycling can be used to decrease use.  Teaching parents is important.  Mark Blucher suggested collaborating with a Green Mountain College student.  Lisa Purcell mentioned that CVPS has a small information card about sustainability.

In response to Annette Smith’s question about the role that RRPC Energy Committee can have to help towns, Kathleen Krevetski asked to get towns to ask for municipal audits of their building; Wayne Krevetski said that outreach is needed; Ethan Swift said understanding issues and educational workshops  would be useful.  Lisa Purcell suggested regional grant writing for group efforts may be suitable and Mark blucher said that with limited staff, that was not possible right now.  Kathleen Krevetski said that we should focus on kids and use RHS as a demonstration project.

Annette Smith suggested that the next steps will be to write letters to encourage towns to create energy committees and have Efficiency Vermont come out to do energy audits.  Mark Blucher suggested that it include a bullet list of the benefits of having an energy committee and Regional Commissioners can take this to town meeting.

Ken Welch added that Vermont is falling behind Oregon as they have included energy in the tax structure, addressing McMansions.

For the Committee,

Susan Schreibman