DRAFT MINUTES
Meeting Minutes 20140409
Town of Underhill
Energy Committee
09 April 2014
CALL TO ORDER
*************
Members Chris Miller, Bob Murphy, Jerry Adams, Peter Bennett, Chuck Weger and Peter Duval (6:40) attended the 09 April 2014 regular meeting of the Underhill Energy Committee, called to order at 6:35 pm in the Underhill Town Hall Kitchen, with Chris in the chair and Peter D. acting as secretary. Brian Hurley attended as a member
MINUTES APPROVAL
****************
The minutes of the 26 March 2014 meeting were approved as drafted.
LEAP
****
Bob reported that the LEAP conference attracted about 650 people, down for a peak of about 900. Conversations at his booth were mostly about LEDs, high propane bills, and heat pumps. Rep. Welch and Sen. Sanders were there.
Jerry also attended -- and went to the session on air source heat pumps. Red Rock Mechanical is offering a single-head Fujitsu 15kBtu package for $4k. The maximum separation between the indoor and outdoor units is 100 feet. With HVDC and finicky refrigerant tuning, it's not a DIY project.
Discussion of heat pump performance characteristics followed. COP can be as high as 9 with warmer temperatures;. A $1000 rebate is being considered by the legislature; it is unclear whether weatherization will be required. Pete B. reported that the Co-op will have a "major" heat pump initiative. Peter D. described his experience using heat pumps in Japan.
VHEC
****
Chris mentioned that the VHEC award was in a news item on VPR.
Bob read from the grant award letter and project proposal form, noting that the award had to used to reduce energy consumption and costs for the town.
Peter B. listed some questions:
* Who decides?
* Who submits the grant?
* Does it have to be one package proposal?
Discussion of the politics and finances of the projects and the Energy Committee ensued.
The post office, town hall lighting, school lighting project, street lighting, and town garage lighting project were discussed.
The post office "showcase" project would involve already identified weatherization measures and additional efforts: remove/repair roof penetrations, clean and reinsulate the attic, remove the basement from the conditioned envelope and replace the old furnace with heat pump, isolate public area heating zone, demonstrate a temporary exterior vestibule, install state-of-the-art (day)lighting.
The school lighting project would replace fluorescent fixtures in the Underhill Central School with improved lighting fixtures. The project already has an Efficiency Vermont incentive to do the lighting project, a cash-neutral financing option, and represents a subdistrict of the town. The VHEC grant rules suggest that it may not be combined with the Efficiency Vermont incentive.
The town hall lighting project would replace T12 linear fluorescents fixtures in the main room with new lighting fixtures.
The town garage lighting project would replace sodium vapor fixtures in the town garage with new lighting fixtures.
The street lighting project would replace existing street lights with new fixtures. There is an existing street lighting incentive program, but it is rumored to be fully subscribed for this year.
Chris asked that a detailed list of project options be presented at the next meeting.
TOWN PLAN
*********
Jerry reported that there is no deadline, but we need to bring something forward to the Planning Commission.
Peter D. mentioned some items that could be addressed in the next town plan, including a strong energy code, Traffic Committee recommendations, waste carting contract, and a dark sky initiative.
Chris asked that members review the draft and send out comments before the next meeting.
OTHER BUSINESS
**************
Bob reported on energy consumption at the town hall, which has been reduced about 40% since we began the program of efficiency projects.
Chuck will be leaving Underhill in June.
ADJOURNMENT
***********
On a motion from Pete B. with a second by Chuck, the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 8:25.
Respectfully Submitted,
Peter Duval, Secretary
