Town of Wethersfield
Clean Energy Committee
MINUTES
August 15, 2007
Eleanor Buck Wolf Nature Center, Wethersfield, CT

In attendance: Joe Hickey, Cindy Jacobs, Ginny Judson, and Judy Parker. Also in attendance: Ed Chiucarello, Mark Garrett, and Christopher Shepard. Absent: Michael DiCiccio.

Ginny called the meeting to order at 4:20 p.m.

1. Minutes: Motion to approve Minutes of July 11, 2007, meeting. Judy moved; Cindy seconded. Approved unanimously. Minutes of June 20, 2007, meeting tabled.
2. Public comments: Ed Chiucarello announced the creation of a Rocky Hill Clean Energy Task Force.
3. Energy Conservation Strategies: Christopher reported the Town enrolled its CL&P accounts in the "Summer Savings" program in which a drop in electricity usage during the summer will earn a corresponding credit in electricity generation charges.
4. Connecticut Clean Energy Options Program: Ginny reported sign-ups increased to 149.
5. Renewable Energy Earned: Christopher reported Bob Wall is contacting his consultant to schedule a visit for assessing solar array installation sites.
6. Renewable Energy Purchased: Mark Garrett introduced Community Energy, one of the clean energy suppliers available to the Town through its CL&P accounts. Community Energy is owned by Spain-based Iberdrola Renewable Energies USA. Its main business is developing wind generators, and it brokers low impact hydro generation.

   He recommends the Town plan to purchase 5% of its electricity from clean energy in 2008, 10% in 2009, and 13% in 2010 to fulfill its Clean Energy Communities pledge (the remaining 7% toward the 20% goal already happens per State law). It can be done as a one year contract for a percentage across all meters or wholly switch designated meters whose usage matches the desired percentage. A rough estimate of the additional cost of the clean energy is $4,400 for 5%, $8,800 for 10%, and $11,440 for 13%.

   He noted that other options include purchasing electricity from Sterling Planet, the other supplier available through CL&P, or requesting bids for the Town's whole electricity from suppliers that include a clean energy mix such as Constellation Energy. He observed that bidding probably is the cheapest but that purchasing from Community Energy through CL&P could begin immediately.

   In addition, he explained that through the Clean Energy Communities program, Community Energy will provide the Town a $10 one-time payment for each residential or business CL&P customer that signs up with them as a result of the Committee's efforts. This can begin at any time. The sign-ups need to be appropriately tracked, e.g. with a customized sign-up form, in order to be credited to the Town. If the Town choses Community Energy as its clean energy supplier, then the rebate increases to $20. He noted that Sterling Planet offers a rebate of $15 per year through 2010 but believes Community Energy's more aggressive marketing results in a higher number of sign-ups.

7. Community Innovations Grants Program: An application was received from the Wethersfield Ecumenical Energy Conservation Committee for Round I. Tabled.

   Motion to award a $100 grant to the Wethersfield Clean Energy Committee for a booth at the Wethersfield Corn Fest on Saturday, September 15, 2007. Cindy moved; Joe seconded. Approved unanimously.

Joe left at 5:56 p.m.

Cindy left at 6:00 p.m. The meeting adjourned with a lack of a quorum.

Next meeting: Wednesday, September 12, 2007, 4:00 p.m., Eleanor Buck Wolf Nature Center.

Respectfully submitted,
Christopher Shepard