Recycling & Renewable Energy Committee

Provincetown Town Hall

Caucus Hall

240 Commercial Street

Provincetown, MA  02657

 

Meeting called to order at 5:10 pm.

 

Members present:

Michael Leger

Amy Germain

Ghee Patrick

 

Staff present:

Jim Denietolis, DPW Liaison

David Gardner, Assistant Town Manager

 

Others:

Heather Wishik, Cape Light Compact

Tom Thurston, Finance Committee

Maggie Downey, Cape Light Compact

 

Maggie Downey

Presentation (see attached PPT presentation)

  • History of Cape Light Compact
    • Power purchasing
    • Energy efficiency program/Market price purchasing
    • Consumer advocacy
  • Electric Cooperative
    • Primary purpose to enable and maximize renewable energy creation and distribution
    • Members Public entities only
    • Limited taxing authority needed from towns
    • Private letter rulings applied for on state and federal basis
      • Taxability status on transactions and on purchases
      • Tax deductible
      • Tax exempt bonds
    • Green Communities Act Initiative Legislation at State level APPROVAL PENDING
      • Ownership of power at town level
      • Net metering – no generation costs from billing and less distribution, and other regulated charges
        • Utilities are made whole by district users
        • Regulated charges offset capped at 1% of NStar net load
      • PV Commonwealth Solar
        • 40% rebates for new projects in towns
          • Expedited processing available

 

      • Large Scale Wind
        • Long wait list for turbines (currently 2 years)
          • 6-10 turbine order will be a higher priority
        • Long-term energy contracts required
        • Renewable Energy Certificates
          • Creates a market for renewable energy
          • Stimulates renewable energy projects
      • Bonding through CLC, not through individual towns
      • Lower cost financing through Rural Electric Financing
      • Financial backing from MTC

 

OPTIONS

·        Join Electric Cooperative – 100% Cape Light Compact management and support

·        Town ownership of turbines – No CLC support; 100% financial benefit to town

·        Private developer partners with town – No CLC support; Financial benefit transfers to developer not to town

 

Motion made by Amy to present Cape Light Compact language to be added to the Town Warrant for upcoming Town Meeting. 

Seconded by Mike.

All vote to approve: 3-0-0.

 

Discussion on town owned streetlights.  Energy efficient light bulbs are used in the town

 

85 more Wind Turbine Surveys were received.  All were in favor with the exception of two undecided and one no thanks.  Overall response rate may be up over 500 responses so far. 

 

Discussion on Mass. Technology Collaborative MET application.

 

Next meeting 2/20/08 at 5:00 pm

 

Motion made by Mike to approve minutes of 1/2/08

Seconded by Ghee.

All vote in favor, 3-0-0

 

Amy moves to adjourn meeting.

Michael 2nd

All vote in favor 3-0-0

 

Meeting adjourned at 7:20 pm.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Amy Germain