City of Salem
Renewable Energy Task Force
Meeting Minutes
Thursday, June 25, 2007
7:00 pm
In Attendance: Cindy Keegan (Chair), Rob DeRosier (V. Chair), Betsy Horne, Jeff Barz-Snell, John Hayes
Members not in attendance: Nick Lewis, Adam Segal, Kristen Smith, Rick Nye
Public: Chris Clarke (MTC), Tom Michaelman (Boreal), Brian Pitta (UMASS intern)
Wind Turbine Presentation
After a brief introduction of all those present, Chris Clarke from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC) presented a power point presentation to the group for the Community Wind Collaborative program he oversees at the MTC. While Chris oversees the Community Wind Collaborative, there are also five other options for municipalities provided through the MTC’s Renewable Energy Trust. They are, Mass Clean Energy Choice, Green Schools Initiative, Community Energy Opportunities, Small Renewables Initiative and the Large Onsite Renewables Initiative (LORI).
Chris explained that wind power interest has sparked within the past couple of years and that given Massachusetts’ location on the coast, wind resources are plentiful. He also stated that since wind turbine supply is down, the cost of the turbines are up.
Challenges facing wind turbine projects in Massachusetts are the lack of land and high land values, noise and visual impacts, environmental concerns, lack of turbine supply and the minimal economic impact small turbine projects have.
Chris also explained and discussed some different turbine examples and the comparative heights of them.
The differences between the Community Wind Collaborative (CWC) and the Large Onsite Renewable Initiative (LORI) was then discussed. The CWC is strictly designed for municipal land projects with turbines of 500 kw or larger and since it is strictly for municipal projects, communities will not have competition from private projects in terms of financial/grant assistance. The LORI program is designed for municipal buildings and private projects. It also is designed for smaller wind turbine projects (10 kw or greater) and requires matching funds from the recipient.
Chris discussed the action steps for the CWC. The Municipal Wind Site Survey is the first step and Salem has already done that. Upon the analysis of the Site Survey, the community will then need to decide whether or not to proceed forward and undertake a feasibility study for the site. The third step would then be the financing phase of the project. During the financing stage, there are grants available for up to $150,000 to procure services to address project issues. Also, municipalities may purchase Renewable Energy Certificates which in itself creates a 10 year revenue stream for the community. The municipality must have a budget timeline in place (usually financed through a 20 year bond) and of course have all the legislative approvals in place to move forward. Also, it was
mentioned that wind turbines will need to be insured on an annual basis.
The feasibility stage of the process could take up to 15 months, however, it was noted by the group that we may be able to shrink that timeline given the wind data the City already has.
Rob had asked how some communities have been faltering in the process of wind turbine projects. One thing that slows up towns or drives them away from the project is the financial aspect. In the case of Falmouth, the Town was not clear as to whether or not they wanted to own the turbine or finance it through a private developer.
In the private developer model, the wind turbine(s) is fully funded by a third party who owns it for 20 years. The third party does negotiate a lease with the Town (usually around $25,000). The community does reap the full benefits of the energy savings but instead receives discounted energy.
In the municipal ownership model, the Town completely owns the turbine and reaps full benefits of energy savings. However, the Town does take on project risks and full project costs.
Falmouth did fund their wind turbine, located at their wastewater treatment plant, through the Municipal model. The City of Lynn is currently working on funding a wind turbine project through the private model.
Tom Michaelman mentioned that there is legislation for net metering for up to 2000kw, in which towns can assign the energy output from a turbine to any account. This would work out well for communities where wind speeds are high yet there is no building in that area to tie the turbine into. Communities would therefore be able to take advantage of more areas in their community while still seeing the energy savings and financial benefits of the project. The RETF will work to help sponsor this legislation as it moves through both the State and Senate floors.
Wind Turbine Ordinance and Future Invites
Rob said he will take the lead on drafting an ordinance by using ordinances from other communities. Once complete, the group would like to invite staff from the planning department to review this with them and discuss their thoughts. The ordinance should incorporate the needs of both private and municipal projects, as well as cover small and large scale projects.
Also, the group would like to invite representatives from Lynn to discuss the process they are going through in getting their wind turbine project approved and pushed forward.
International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI)
The group reviewed John’s letter which is a recommendation letter to the Mayor to join the ICLEI program. There were some additions/changes to the letter which John will work on and bring to the attention of the group at the next meeting. Cindy also had talked to Martha Broad who confirmed with Cindy that the group could use the City’s Green Up matching grant account to fund the $600 annual fee for the ICLEI program. To access the funds, a letter needs to be sent to the MTC.
Press
The group reviewed Betsy’s article and had some recommendations/changes which Jeff will finalize and the group will send the letter into the Salem News and Salem Gazette.
Action Items
· Rob will work on a draft wind ordinance
· Cindy will reach out to representatives from the Lynn Water Treatment Facility
· John will finalize the ICLEI letter
· Jeff will finalize Betsy’s article and Cindy and submit it to the Salem News and Gazette
· The RETF will start preparing for a presentation to give to the City Council in September
· Rob will work on filling out the forms for the extra 2 sites for the Municipal Wind Site Survey (Saltonstall and Bentley Schools). He will provide the forms to Tom and Cindy will find out who Tom should give the forms to.
· Tom will email the City Council the press release he wrote regarding the Municipal Wind Site Survey
Meeting Adjourned 9:00 pm
Meeting Minutes recorded by Tom Watkins
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