KEYS ENERGY INITIATIVE (KEI)

AUGUST 10, 2009 7:00 PM

MEETING NOTES

 

PRESENT: George Mullier, Bobbi Beavers, Ed Hennigsen, Maury Hepner, Betsy O'Donahue, Meredith Sudborough, Stephen Thomas, John Rudolph, Paul Schumacher, Jenny Isler, Nancy Farron, Stephen Kosacz, Eric Hopkins, Jeff St.Pierre

 

DISCUSSION RE DRAFT PROPOSAL TO EFFICIENCY ME FOR ARRA FUNDING

 

JR: goal of proposal to respond to Efficiency Maine (Eff Me) funding objectives; strike prudent balance between application of new technology (solar) and need for traditional technology (weatherization). Included points from KEI meeting July 20.

PS: reviewed elements of Eff Me's AARA DOE application

                    -$1M cap for joint / regional project

                    -separate funding stream direct from DOE later

                    -'immediate energy savings'; 'job creation' given priority

                    -no application process for Eff Me yet; due mid-Aug. Application will probably be similar to DOE language & requirements

                    -York Co didn't get direct allocation funds but has appealed. Cumb Co successfully appealed & got $500K. PS believes York will win appeal, but York Co does not have plans at this time for appropriation; PS is in contact with Co. Manager who has expressed interest in revolving loan as in KEI proposal.

JR: York Co interest in rev loan will strengthen KEI proposal; Rob Brown emphasized partnerships are key element for Eff Me fund application

BB: we should attach $ and volume measures to KEI proposal goals following those listed on DOE ARRA application

ST: Kennebunk wrote rev loan project already in collaboration with Kennebunk Light & Power. ST shared copy; will email copy to JR

SK: cite Bi-State Green Project data sources & specifics

JStP: indicate financial resource partner – bank?

PS: MRPC does rev loan for brown fields at low interest now; could possibly expand program (less administrative hassle)

PS: York Co Community Action as partner? Doing low income weatherization via PROP.

MS & NF: SEAREI & PAREI as partners? Have $100K grant to expand & incorporate education. Will contact Paul Burke.

JS: we should consider evaluation procedure in KEI proposal. Measure & monitor results to show achievement of goals. Accountability part of DOE requirements.

MH: Industry standards exist; enable claim without having actual audit numbers on KEI proposal. Rather than needing baseline for entire town, can use DOE averages. Can state how much energy / emissions / $$ saved with 'X' invested. Know approx. weatherization costs; average home size, etc. Can use industry standards & demographic info to identify uses of funds and volume of savings projected from a certain investment. Will supply data.

MH: verify per project needs baseline & savings from audit required in KEI proposal

EH: for purpose of grant application, should we narrow the focus? Be very specific and only address rev loan, not education or training pieces?

NF & SK: Rob Brown at last mtg suggested education and technology make it more appealing to Eff Me - build in partnerships, job creation, market improvement - expanded purpose. YCCC on board to offer continuing ed? Do standards / curriculum exist? Stephen will contact Paulette at YCCC.

GM: challenge is finding weatherization experts to do the job; need to train

EH: Eff Me training does not adequately prepare students to enter the profession. Also must see home as system – can't seal envelope without considering water for example; average older home $10K for complete weatherization. Me Housing Authority used RGGI funds for low-income weatherization, they have data.

EH: could YCCC student serve apprenticeship for this project – learn from people who are doing the work on houses in KEI program?

JR: Proposal includes solar technology –opportunity to link students to projects

GM, BB, MS: solar presents good potential for joint purchasing discounts

GM: how can we identify participants in each town as a 'buying group'? Who should be included? How many per town?

SK: what are criteria to qualify for rev loan or do we need fuzzy language

PS: low-income taken care of by Me Housing; no need there

NF: every individual home will have different needs, cannot pre-determine

PS: what is incentive for homeowners to participate? Free audit? Low interest?

ST: Kennebunk program includes offset of bank loan (buy down cost of loan)

JR: to re-write KEI proposal, need research along lines of DOE application – assuming Eff Me will be similar – send research direct to him by Aug. 17; Aug. 24 latest

                    -Stephen K will contact Paulette at YCCC re curriculum, standards, on the job                     training

                    -Steve T will contact Kennebunk Savings Bank re funding possibilities

                    -Meredith will contact SEAREI / PAREI re average cost of solar installation; potential                partnership

                    -Maury will write up average weatherization costs and savings (fuel, electric,                     emissions) for this                                               region

                    -Paul will research job creation numbers; contact John Brautigan at Eff Me re                     application                                                                    requirements & deadlines (ask if town already applying for ARRA state funds can be                                                                        included or does that disqualify them); contact York Co Manager re add'l funds availability                                           after appeal

                    -Bobbi will contact York Co Community Action re what they are doing for weatherization & potential                                               partnership

SK: what are the barriers for homeowners to do this anyway? Why not happening?

EH, JStP, MH: marketing, awareness, education, outreach. Knowledge gap.

MS: also consumer doesn't know where to go to ask questions or find info

JR: should we include follow up in KEI proposal – like an 'energy consultant' service to advise, help with tax credits, measure & monitor results, publish info? Staffing for proposal implementation?

NF & BB; others: Energy / weatherization forum? Invite guy who did Bath forum here or invite Green Alliance businesses – are they trying to sell something versus Bath forum which used results of actual weatherized homes in the area.

Forum could be kick off and wrap up – PS indicated Eff Me/PUC likes that sort of thing

NF: Please ensure your town officials are aware of & in agreement with proposal; will support it

 

Next meeting Tues Aug 25; location TBA