Meeting minutes for Town Energy Policy Committee

In attendance: Brian Phillips, Ted Alexiades, Russ Heissner, Pam Harty

Official start time: 7:50

Meeting minutes of 3/8 approved

We reviewed the Climate Action Plan from the city of Newton, and agreed the place to start is with a greenhouse gas emission inventory. This will be gleaned through an energy inventory, which we agreed should be done by outside contractor with experience in such inventorying.

After the inventory is complete, benchmarks should be set in place. Brian suggested we could also benchmark against other area towns.

Ted has access to all municipal fuel consumption including:

Electricity

Natural Gas

Motor vehicle (Diesel and gas)

Heating

Water

Sewer

(school properties are separately inventoried)

Discussion turned toward the potential of funding of rebate program and/or ‘green energy’ fund. No conclusion was made to whether such a program should be voluntary or involuntary, but Ted advised that posing something in the way of a new tax would be inadvisable in the next year, given the new school project tax implications.

Talk turned to a town-wide shuttle, who would own, who would operate. It has the potential to lower greenhouse gases by reducing the number of SOV (single occupancy vehicle) trips, or more likely, the parent-chauffeured children around town, (but does not reduce the town’s operating budget). Pam offered thought of public private partnership idea, perhaps co-sponsored by a company interested in supporting such a program (Whole Foods? Talbots? Blue Cross?)

Question was raised with regard to school bus ownership. Ted said he is considering outright purchase of the fleet. Buses are roughly $70k apiece, with a 6-8 yr lifespan. The current contract is $500k per year.

Discussion turned back to the greenhouse gas inventory.

Russ will ask the Light Board to fund the study.

Pam will search for contractors, one of which could be ICLEI (international council for local environmental initiatives) which offers a “Cities for Climate Protection” program

The city of Newton’s Climate Action Plan recommends the creation of the position of “Energy Officer”. Ted knows the Public Works superintendent and will contact.

Ted offered the perspective given to him with regard to lowest hanging fruit that will achieve a two-fold goal of reducing costs to the town and greenhouse gases:

1: look to reduce the high cost of replacement and maintenance of vehicles

2: Reduce the operations cost of buildings

3: Increase recycling

With regard to improving building efficiency and building codes, we ‘elected’ Rob as the point person to investigate codes and work with Dick Morgan.

Pam will work with the town recycling committee to make sure our recommendations are developed with an awareness of their recommendations.

With regard to energy efficiency, Russ will explore fuels and supply.

Brian will explore renewable energy. Opportunities exist within and outside Hingham for investment and ownership of renewable energy production.

Ted has demographic information as a result of the 2000 bond rating; including statistics like PC ownership, penetration of internet connections, etc.

Ted talked about municipal fleet. The department with the costliest operation is the police department. The challenge there is to strike a balance between a powerful engine (high fuel costs and high CO2) with smaller, more efficient vehicles. The bigger vehicles also have the utility of plastic interiors in the rear, appropriate convenience in some instances. The PD spends $90k per year on fuel. Average fuel economy is 10mpg.

Hingham has its own municipal pumping station with a 10k gallon tank. Ted asked about hydrogen, Russ says liquid (vs gaseous) are safer; also converting to hydrogen is very costly.

With regard to the crafting our climate action plan, we should devise short and long term strategies, with attention paid to how to get ‘buy-in’ from stakeholders in town. Brian suggested 1-2 page summary for short-term recommendations.

Next meeting is Tuesday 5/22 at 7pm.

Minutes respectfully submitted by Pam Harty