CHAPTER 8: ENERGY
Section 8.1: Background
In 2008, the Underhill Selectboard created an Energy Committee with a charge to
research the energy issues for the Town and to make recommendations for changes and
best practices to the Planning Commission and the Selectboard. The guiding principle of
the Energy Committee's recommendations is for the Town as an entity and for Town
residents to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. See Natural Resources §§ 1.10 & 1.18.
This will be accomplished through setting town policies that require energy efficiency in
Town infrastructure and encouraging residents to do the same in their own homes and by
utilizing renewable energy resources.
In the early 2000's the Town voted to become a part of the "10 % Challenge", a
voluntary program to raise public awareness about global climate change and to
encourage households and businesses to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by at least
10 percent. The Energy Committee has already held informational sessions about how
residents can lower their energy use, (thus lowering greenhouse gas emissions) and what
resources are available to community members to help them become more energy
efficient.
In addition to this work, the Town should encourage measurable energy efficiencies and renewable energy production through regulations and fees structures.
Section 8.2 Energy Consumption Reduction
Policy: The Town shall work to reduce energy consumption of Town
equipment and Town properties and also encourage Town residents
to do the same.
Goal: The Town shall have an energy efficient infrastructure
Completed:
The Town has implemented the recommendations of the energy audit for the Town Hall in fiscal year 2009-2010. The Town is completing the recommendations of the energy audit for the Post Office in fiscal year 2014.
The Town has conducted an energy audit for the Town Garage and scheduled energy efficiency improvements in the capital plan for FY 2014.
On-going Strategies:
The Town shall continue to maintain and improve the energy efficiency of Town buildings through capital planning. See Infrastructure § 4.3.
As a part of having an energy efficient infrastructure, Town vehicles shall adhere to all emission standards as established by the state and federal government.
The Town should use local natural resources whenever effective to reduce Town energy expenditures.
Energy performance values should be established for any new Town of Underhill infrastructure construction.
Goal: To encourage public and private entities to reduce energy use.
Objective: The town should require a High Performance Home certification as a requirement for a certificate of occupancy for new buildings.
Completed: The Underhill Energy Committee organized Underhill's participation in the Vermont Home Energy Challenge (VHEC). Sponsored by Efficiency Vermont and the Vermont Energy and Climate Action Network (VECAN) the VHEC is a program designed to increase the number of comprehensive home energy efficiency improvement projects in the state. Under the Challenge, town energy committees and other local partners compete with other towns to see which town can get the most homes weatherized within a one-year period.
On-Going Strategies:
The Energy Committee shall continue to educate residents in ways to reduce their energy consumption especially in the area of reducing thermal energy expenditures.
The energy committee will continue to monitor the implementation of PACE ( Property Assessed Clean Energy), a financing vehicle whereby the Town would loan money to residents for home energy improvements. If feasible, from a town management standpoint, the Energy committee would ask the Select Board to submit this to town voters for approval.
The Planning Committee shall consult with the Energy Committee and review Town regulations and fee structures to consider ways to encourage energy efficient construction. One possible solution is to offer building fee rebates based on the proven energy efficiency of new construction and existing structure improvements. A recommendation shall be made by the Planning Commission to the Selectboard about fee rebates or other strategies to achieve energy savings in conjunction with regulatory amendments.
The Energy Committee, in consultation with the Conservation Commission, shall make recommendations to the Planning Commission and Selectboard to consider targeted emission standards for Town infrastructure, as well as suggested methods for achieving targeted standards.
The Town shall support the further development of public transportation systems and alternative transportation systems such as multi-modal paths in accord with the planning goals set forth in the Transportation chapter of this Plan. See Transportation, Chapter 5.
Section 8.3: Development of Renewable Energy Resources
Goal: Encourage the development of renewable energy sources in
Underhill.
Strategies:
The Planning Commission shall review Town regulations to determine if they are flexible enough to accommodate development of renewable energy sources in identified use areas.
If necessary, the Planning Commission shall propose amendments to the regulations and hold public forums on the proposed changes.
When drafting amendments to accommodate development of renewable energy sources, the Planning Commission shall consult both the Conservation Commission and the Energy Committee.
