Energy Committee Agenda 02.21.23

February 17, 2023 Karen Hambleton Energy Committee, Minutes 0

Meeting at BACC 5:00-6:30 pm

Review and approval of January Minutes  

  1. Vital Communities Climate Change Leadership Academy Updates.
    • Community Power
    • Municipal Solar
  2. Town Hall Renovation Project – Update
  3. 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 Select Board and Budget Committee did not support the project at the full price. BEC vote needed 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Town Hall – the BEC with assistance is planning to approach LCHIP and Revision Energy to gain some insights on whether a rooftop solar project should be reconsidered.
  6. Heat Pumps – No updates
  7. Kearsarge Climate Action
    • Considering a Sunapee-Kearsarge 2023 WindowDressers project
    • New London Waste Reduction Committee reported that it successfully recycled 1.1 tons of food waste and is looking to expand 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
    • Outreach to NH politicians.
      1. 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
  9. Energy Opportunities for Bradford Re: Inflation Reduction Act formerly known as Build Back Better

The BEC will continue to report on energy saving opportunities.

  1. Other Items
  2. Conclude