We are now recording. >> Okay. Hello. This is the Amoris Energy and Climate Action Committee uh which was organized to guide the town in meeting its climate mitigation and resilience goals. Those goals and the plan for getting there are adopted from the climate action adaptation and
resilience plan or the CARP which was accepted by the town in 2021. The carp takes 2016 as its base year and calls for a 25% reduction in carbon emissions by this year, 50% by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050. Uh so this
committee has two primary functions. One, we advise the town council and recommend policies or propose policies and actions that will help us meet those goals. And we also do outreach to promote a just, equitable, and speedy climate response. So uh today we'll be
talking a lot about outreach. Uh, we have some interesting things coming up. Uh, okay. With that, I need a notetaker before we do anything else. Um, >> yeah, I'll do it. >> Great. Thank you, Andrew. Cool.
Um, all right. And then we go to public comment if there's any public here, which it looks like not. So, on to work. Okay. Um, we have ECAC member outreach
now. >> I think >> Stephanie, remind me what that >> you have to do minutes first. >> Oh. Oh, minutes, minutes, minutes. Oh, what? What happened to my Oh, I'm sorry. Review and vote for minutes. Um, that actually comes before the public comment. I just totally skipped it. Um,
okay, good. So, we'll do the minutes and then we'll check to see if there's any public comment again. Um, let me get the minutes up. That's the agenda. That's not the minutes. Uh, that's the agenda again. Come on. I'm sorry.
>> I have it if you want me to share it, Lori. >> Uh, I have it. I have it right here. >> Yep. >> Got it. Got it. Got it. Sorry about that. Let me go share. Oops. Nope. That's it. Egg minutes 311. Okay. Okay. And hopefully everybody has
looked at these beforehand. That's what we always hope. Um, let me make them a little bit bigger so that folks can see view. Fill the page. Make the page bigger.
There we go. Uh, now can you guys see that? Okay. So, that was the and we have the right dates here. This is the minutes for the March 11th meeting. And the first thing we did was review the previous meeting minutes.
If you see any issues, let me know. Lori, I just had one minor edit under item four. Um, it says Lori. It should say goldener. >> Oh, yep. >> I've already changed it on my version. I just >> Thanks. Okay. So with this change
I will see anything else. If there is nothing else, then if we can have a move to accept the minutes. A second. >> I move to accept the minutes as amended. Do I say that part?
>> As as amended. Thank you. Okay. I'll go ahead and second that. >> Thank you, Steve. And with that, >> and the vote in no particular order, roof, >> yes. >> Golder, >> yes. >> Lang, >> yes. >> Door,
>> yes. Tanaka, >> thank you. >> Okay. Okay. And we still have no attendees. So, uh, no public comment at least the beginning of the meeting. Um, ECAC member outreach is the next thing on the agenda. And I am blanking out. What were we going to talk about,
Stephanie? >> Um, I don't remember. Hold on. Let me Let's see. >> There's a couple of things >> to try to get more members. >> Part of it was to try to get more members. I'm wondering if that's the
whole part of it or is that That might have been it. >> I'm sorry. What? I'm looking. >> I didn't see anything in the minutes, did I? >> Which I'm sorry. Which um You're looking at the agenda. What item are you looking at? >> Am I looking at the right agenda?
>> I don't think so. Because >> number three is sustainability festival 26. >> Okay. I'm looking Oh, I'm looking at the wrong I'm sorry. My apologies. I'm looking at the wrong thing. Now I'm looking at the right thing. That makes more sense. Sustainability festival.
>> Going, why does it say ECAC member outreach? Were we going to talk about that today? All right, good. So, sustainability festival, that's important. I just sent out an email with what I have so far, but we are still short uh some some uh people to man booths. Uh
so, as I mentioned, I'll probably actually be there all day, but I don't want to have to commit to being there all day if I don't have to. So, we had uh me and Emily setting up in the morning and then uh Emily and Michael at 9:00, Michael and Steve at 11:00, Steve and Lori at noon, or I can come later.
Um, Tatsui, we were hoping we could get you to man a couple of hours at the sustainability festival. We have a booth there. Um, we just try to engage people, let them know what ECAC does, find out what their interests are, um, get their suggestions. Uh mostly it's an interesting day of interacting with
people and talking and finding out what their what their interests are. Um any chance you can man the booth with us for a couple hours? >> Uh it depends on the date because I'm going to several conferences next month, but like do you know what day it is?
>> April 25th. >> All right. Uh I have to leave from like afternoon but I can do if it's morning if it's early morning I can do it but else. >> Okay. And if I remember right Emily also needs to do morning right. >> Um Michael
>> Michael's not here but I have a feeling Michael might also need to do morning. Um maybe Steve, how are you set on that day? Sorry, just making sure my mic. Yeah, mic's on. I am double checking on that. As I mentioned before, my daughter is
doing college tours and admitted student days. I don't see anything scheduled Friday or Saturday. So, I could say tenatively. Yes, I could I could show up earlier than what you have me scheduled >> or later. >> Or later.
>> Later. Because when I'm better. >> Yeah. So, why don't we do this? What time can you be there? You think you could if you can be there at 9:00 to help us set up Tetssuya? Then maybe I don't maybe I can just drop stuff off and go and show up later. >> Um, >> yeah. >> I think if it's 9:00 it's fine, but I do
have to leave for Boston afterwards. But yeah, I think 9:00 a.m. should work. >> Okay. Uh, do you have to leave right at 10 or can you stay another hour at at >> uh I don't think so. I think I mean I'll need to finalize with the other because we're have we're go going as a team so I
need to confirm the final schedule but I know it's somewhere from noon. So, it just depends on travel time. >> Okay. So, it's not going to be um at 9:00 there's no opportunity to interact with the public yet. Then, this the event starts at 10:00.
>> So, 9:00 is really just set up. Um so, uh why don't you get back to me? I'll I'll put you down for the morning, but I'll leave myself in there because you you know if it's just a matter of setting up when there's no opportunity to interact. Um why don't you get back to me with with what time you're going
to have to leave and if you're available that morning at all. It sounds like Steve could get moved later, so the 11:00 slot could be open. I suspect this 10:00 slot you could join Emily and Michael. Um you know, if you can do 9 and 10, for example. Uh the morning tends to be a little slow because people
are mostly at the farmers market. as the farmers market winds down, the sustainability festival tends to wind up a little bit, sort of middayish. Um, so it's a little slow in the morning, but still fun. Still can be fun. Um, but things get started at 10:00 and then
wrap up at 3. Um, okay. Other than that, I don't know. Is there anything that you want to bring up, Stephanie, with regards to the festival? >> Uh, I don't think so. Um, we do usually have some student volunteers. Um, either
last year we had a sorority that was fantastic. >> Yeah. >> Before that, we had football players from the Amoris College team and they were fantastic. So, >> yeah. >> More recently, I mean, in the past, I've had groups sign up and then not show up.
So, this the last few years we've had just the opposite. They've been incredible. So, so there should be some help as well. >> Okay. And be sure you check the email I just sent because I think Steve, for example, you were going to bring an easel and paper. If for some reason you have to change something on that schedule or you can't make something or
you can't bring something or there's something else that you can bring, just send it to me so we're not having a we're not violating any open meeting laws and I'll just compile it all and send it out again for the next meeting. Um, so just, you know, let me know if if
anything changes, but I did send out what I have for a schedule. Um, and I know and Tatuya, if you can, you know, if you can fit in there, great. If you can't, you can't. But um it it is a really fun event and it's it's worth
it's you get to understand where people are coming from and what their interests are and it it's it often surprises me the things that people are concerned about that we may not be thinking about. Um and certainly I I bring my heat pump
coaching booth and I get a lot of interesting questions and interactions there. So I will do that again. That's always fun. Um, and if anyone has any ideas for little things to give out, if nothing else, I'm just going to buy a bag of
chocolates, right? But, uh, but I was thinking of making little lightning bolt, you know, little electric lightning bolt chocolates or something like that. But then Stephanie reminded me that if I give out homemade food, I have to package it up separately and it becomes more of a pain in the neck and a lot of plastic, which I'd rather not do.
So, uh, >> one thing, Lori, my internet's really bad, so hopefully this comes through, but I don't see I think you wanted me to bring in chairs, so I can bring in some folding chairs. >> Oh, that's right. That's right. I think I forgot to put that on the list.
>> Yeah, I don't see it on the list. >> Right. That's right. In fact, I didn't put me down for chairs because I knew you were going to do it. >> Great. >> So, all right. One less thing to throw in the car. Um,
what else? Anyone else have any concerns? Any ideas for? We talked last time a little bit about what to do at the festival. Um, the idea of Steve bringing an easel and pad of paper is so that folks can write down either what
they've, let's see, what did we talk about last time? writing down what they've done um toward decarbonizing their own homes. And then I have little stickers that I have to bring I have to put those down too. Lori bring stickers that they can add. You know, you you
write, for example, uh um you know, changed all my light bulbs to LED light bulbs and then people can put a sticker next to that if they've done that or put in a heat pump and people can put stickers next to that. uh or places where they can write suggestions for things that ECAC or that the town ought
to be doing. Is that how we decided? Is that what we thought about last time, Steve? Or was it something, Emily? >> Yeah, I think so. And and those are great. I think still great ideas that we talked about last time. >> I'd love people could share what they've done and other people can upvote it with
colorful stickers. >> Right. Right. Something to draw people in and get them interested. But honestly, giving out chocolate works better than anything. So, um, giving out trees. The tree committee always gives out trees, man. That's
always the that's always the the showstopper. Everybody wants a tree. We always have two trees. One that's like really interesting and one that everybody has already. And so, the really interesting one disappears quickly. >> Yeah. I mean, it would be great if we could hand out LED light bulbs or
something, but >> that's not a bad idea. >> Get some sort of It would be cool to get partners ship with, I don't know, Massave or something. >> I don't know. >> Done that in the past. And Massave, um, well, CCT is going to be there and
they're a Massave provider. And we used to have uh through Massave, we used to have a lighting booth because they had these LED lamps for like 10 bucks. They were pretty decent lamps. Um but Eversource isn't partnering with us
anymore. So kind of lost some of that. They don't sponsor the >> I tried. They said no. So they haven't actually for some time now. That's too bad.
>> Yes, it is. >> It's always something. >> All right. So, uh, okay, that's where we are with the sustainability festival. And we have a lot of fun things running up to the sustainability festival, too.
Uh, let's see. Where are we? Sustainability Festival. Oh, sorry. I'm on the wrong page again. There we go. All right. And now we're to education and outreach. Uh which again, we have some nice some fun things on the runup to the sustainability festival
that will that will work really well, I think, um in the way of outreach. So, Don's not here today. It's probably not a pace update anyway, is my guess. I don't have much to add for coordination with local groups right now. There is a lot going on at UMass with the um UMass
Carbon Zero Alliance. In fact, I will probably bring some flyers with me to stick at our ECAC booth for anyone who's interested in hearing more about what's going on at at UMass. Um, actually, is it too late to ask for a booth at the festival
>> for your group >> for the UMass Carbon Zero Alliance? >> Uh, of course, it's fine. Um, just you're telling me now, I'll write it down. Will you be the contact? >> Uh, let me I need to see if I can get I can't commit to doing both. So, let me
find out if somebody else is willing to man that booth at least for a few hours. If not, I'll just have little postcards with me to give to people who are interested. Um, >> okay. Cuz I can also put, you know, a space next, you know, two spaces next to each other that
>> when other people are at ECAC, you could do that. But you're going to do a lot, I think, for the heat pump. So, you probably yourself available for that. >> The heat pump booth usually keeps me busy. If >> you can find someone, just send them to me. I'm making a note of it. >> Okay. But um if you can find somebody
who's willing. >> Yeah. So I'm I'm doing a lot with the UMass Carbon Zero Alliance. Um and also I'm starting to reach out. I I've been meeting with folks from MI from students from MIT who have a very active group there trying to get the campus to put in
what they call a thermal energy network which is actually a really it's it's geothermal on steroids. It's every last bit of waste heat coming out of the campus gets recycled and used to heat uh used for heat and it it improves your your coefficient of performance by like
a factor of two. It's it's insane how well it works to do this and there are several campuses that have been implementing this. Um I think Stanford is the canonical example. um they reduced their power usage by 80% 80% by
simply reusing their waste heat um over what a simple geothermal network would have done. So it it's it's it's sort of amazing and um they have a student group there that's been pushing that and I will actually be on a panel
discussion at a conference there on May 2nd. So I've been coordinating with those guys. I'm going to be teaching the heat pump course uh again to Pioneer Valley. I think I sent you you've all had a copy of that announcement, right? If anybody's interested. Um so I've been doing a lot of reaching out, but I don't
know that I have anything that's specifically of interest to ECAC uh right now. There may be in the future. Um the UMass Carbon Zero Alliance is trying to get more in more input from the town and Stephanie, they
may even um reach out, we may reach out to you to see if you or someone else from the town is interested in being on the Google group so you can at least see the chatter that goes by and what's going on. Um so don't be too surprised if you get an email about that. If anyone else is
interested in joining the Google group, it's a simple thing to do. I can send a link or I can just put you on it. All right, so that's what's going on there. Um, and along those lines, I don't have
anything to add for heat pumps. Um, other than the heat pump coaching course that starts April 23rd, I think it's all happening that week of the sustainability festival. Everything happens all at once. Um I think we also have uh isn't that the day we have the
um April 22nd? Is that our meeting where we have uh the three colleges reporting? >> Yes, April 22nd. >> So okay, so with that we get to come to the education series for which there's a lot of excitement. So why don't we start
with um April 8th which is Steve with the PV squared. Why don't you tell us about that and how do we advertise it? >> Um, so we have a fellow named Daniel
Barry lined up from PD squared. He's an Ammerst resident and I've communicated with them. >> Spell the last name. >> Spell it. >> Yeah. >> Believe it's B R Y. >> Barry. Daniel Barry. Okay. and
I've just communicated with him briefly, but I intend to chat with them some more. The um the general theme will be residential solar um making sort of the pitch for why and how residential solar, rooftop
solar um can be of benefit. Um >> post incentives. >> Yeah. Well, yeah. Right. Post federal incentives. What are the other reasons and advantages um for for residents to go solar, put
solar on their rooftops? Um if other people have ideas for sort of additional questions that a resident might have about solar, uh I'd be be delighted to hear them and I'd pass them along to Daniel so he can plan to answer those kinds of questions that people might
have. If he knows any anything about balcony solar, I'd be I'd love to hear about that, too. I don't know if PBS squared has any interest or they probably don't. Um, >> yeah, I don't know what they know about it. I can ask. Um, they might see it as
competition to their business um since it doesn't Balcony Solar doesn't require an installer like them. >> Right. Right. >> But they could provide systems. They could sell the equipment, which >> they possibly could. Yeah, that's true. you know,
um, >> is folks on here on the call are have any of you thought about solar but run into obstacles or questions that that stopped you in your plans that
>> might be issues that other people face. >> Well, there's always the trees issue. It'd be interesting to hear what their thoughts are on that. I have I have my pretty strong thoughts on that, but but I'd be curious to hear how he feels about taking out trees to put in solar
and what the limits on that might be or ought to be. What What are the trade-offs there? >> Yeah, >> that's a better way to ask it. What are the trade-offs that he sees there? >> Um >> I suspect, yeah, they're going to say that there's a cost to dealing with
trees. If trees have to be removed, that's a cost that the homeowner is going to have to take into account, just as if the roof materials need updating or replacing before putting solar down. That would be a cost that they would have to consider.
>> Um, and a homeowner would have to make the decision whether it's worth it to them to cut down to remove trees. >> There's also a car cost that I would hope they have at least thought about. >> Yep.
I think they have the ability, but this is a good question we can ask. It's like, okay, could you tell me if I don't cut down the tree or the trees, right? >> What kind of solar production will I get? And how much more will I get if I do cut down a tree or two?
>> And what's the home? And and if my primary goal is to as for it is for some people is to reduce carbon uh input to the environment. Um >> which which is the win? >> You know, has he thought have they thought about that?
>> Um because Energy Sage puts out numbers that are just wrong and they even admit they're wrong if you ask them. It's just they don't they don't consider taking out trees into the carbon cost, right? Um >> interesting. >> So, it's yeah, it's uh it would be
interesting to know if PBS squared has thought about that at all. Um and also, do they know anything about about, you know, how does buying compare to leasing? A lot of my neighbors seem to be leasing and they like their leases
and I I don't really know much about leases other than they look like scams to me some of them. >> Most Yeah, most companies will really rarely have I heard a company say that leasing is better than owning because part of the problem with leasing too is
that um if you want to get out of the lease, there sometimes are costs to do so, >> right? you know, fees and costs to do it. And so it can be, you know, doesn't always make more sense. And in the end, you might
actually be paying more in the long run, >> right? Uh the flip side though is that leasing might provide a lower cost entry for people to >> put solar on their roof. Yeah. >> Even if it's not as great a deal as if they had a ton of money to buy it outright. You you can you can there's
usually financing options too which run the same as leasing and yeah it depends on you know who your solar company has in terms of a bank partner but yeah financing is always a solid decision. Yeah,
>> back in the era of zero interest rates, but >> I don't know whether PV Squared does leasing, at least to their company, but they I think they do can help help with the financing side of things. So, that's a great um question I'll have Daniel
prepare for. >> Any other questions folks can think of that you might want to ask a solar installer? >> Uh batteries, too. >> Oh, yeah. Batteries. battery backup um benefits of that and also the state incentives uh
regarding all of this. >> Oh, good question. >> So, I did hear that um Massachusetts DPU, Department of Public Utilities, is considering possible changes to the net metering rules.
>> Yes. and it's on one of their current dockets. And I have no idea if this is something they do all the time and nothing ever happens or if this is actually maybe like a serious potential change to net metering rules. Um, that could be a question.
>> Yeah. >> Yes. And >> last I heard it was just for commercial installations. That would they would eliminate or reduce net metering for commercial installations but not for residential. Um, but it would be good to get clarification from from the pros.
>> Yes. And Steve, I think the idea here is that if we don't have a big enough audience to ask these questions or if the questions don't get asked, um, you're going to be asking them. You'll be you'll be sort of our our uh interview.
>> I'll um I'll not only provide the questions in advance to Daniel, but I'll ask them on on at the meeting if there are not others to do so. >> Right. because I think these are questions people are going to want to hear answers to and I know I do. >> You mentioned how are we going to
advertise and I think that's a good thing to think about. How are we going to try to drum up some support so that we have at least a handful of people uh in the audience for our our guest? >> Who do we reach out to? >> I know I can like announce it to my work community at at Hampshire College where
I work. I can put an announcement on our internal bulletin board. Um Stephanie, can we put something up on the town web page? >> Yeah, I just had my hand raised. Um I think uh because we have three events
lined up. Um, I can I I can or some if somebody wants to put together a flyer for me, that would be fantastic. But put up a flyer with the three events and then um I can get that to our town's communications manager.
you would send that out through the so media, you know, socials and um I think when we have an actual series versus just one event, uh she can do a press release because there's sort of more of a story there and it's just one because
I've tried to do this before when we've had just one and it just like having to continually do one is just a bit of a drag and it doesn't really get us much. But a series is something a little more interesting. So, um, so we could do, uh, we could do that as well. So, what what
do we really need is a flyer that has all three events that we've got lined up so far on it. >> I I can volunteer to put together the flyer. I can probably do that tonight. Uh, but I want to make sure I have the names right. So, Steve, would you check on Daniel Barry's name and the
affiliation is PBS squared. And, uh, if you have a suggestion for a title, I'll take it. Otherwise, I'll just call it uh you know, something like um residential solar postfederal incentives, what you need to know or something like that. You know, should I put solar on my roof?
What you need to know or how do I put solar, you know, should I put solar on my roof and what's it going to cost me? Everything you need to know. >> I'll see if I can come up with a title. Maybe I'll I'll chat with Daniel and find out what >> Okay.
>> come up with a title together. >> Okay. This is two weeks away, right? >> Other ECAC members, >> I was just going to ask if other ECAC members have ways that they can help promote this and bring attendees to the April 8th meeting.
>> Who has social media accounts? >> I have um a neighborhood email list that I've emailed before, but with some announcements that I can send this to. >> Same here. >> Yeah. And I guess I have I can do social
media, too. What about going through our um I know my district has regular meetings. Uh Lynn Grismire and Pat D'Angelo or whatever whatever their names are. I'm getting their names wrong again. Sorry. Pat D'Angelo. >> D'Angelus.
>> D'Angelus. Um >> but she's no longer a counselor. >> She's not. Okay. So, it was it's Lynn and whoever is the new counselor in my district. I can't I'm getting I'm sorry. I have a terrible memory. uh they have regular I think it's district two meetings and uh I could ask them to send
it to their district two list if that works. >> Yeah, that's a great idea. I think letting your local town counselor know they can put it on their distribution list. Um they can help get the word out. It is just two weeks away. So that now is the right time to be doing that sort
of thing. >> Yeah. So, that's why we need to I will put this flyer together as soon as I have titles and names. Um, so we have a neighborhood list. Anyone else have an idea for a place to send it?
I'll c certainly send it to local energy advocates and um I've been keeping a list of announcements with the UMass Carbon Zero Alliance, too. So, Yeah. I guess I'd like to encourage
every ECAC member to bring at least one friend or acquaintance, invite them to the meeting. >> Yeah. >> Wait, I have question. >> Go ahead. >> Like, so like I think you said bring one person, but like what if they're just
like college students? Do you still want them to be here because they don't really have a house or anything like that or like in Massachusetts? Like >> if if they're interested, uh, you know, I think it makes sense if if somebody, you know, is not interested in putting solar on a house because they don't have a house yet, maybe it doesn't make sense
for them to spend their time at this. Um, it's unfortunate that this one is for homeowners and not for renters, right? I was sort of hoping at some point we can do something like this with balcony solar. Um, >> and there is legislation on that now coming up through uh the state house coming. It's it's already been passed by
the um house and it's headed senate is now going to be considering it. So that's really exciting. >> Well, maybe some of your friends parents might be interested. >> Yeah. >> Well, I think it's just like I don't think many people are from Ammerst. I mean, if you're fine with anyone, I
mean, >> anyone can go. >> Honestly, I'd be fine with anyone. And I just I sort of dread going to the effort and inviting these people and then there's nobody in the audience besides ECAC members. That that would be kind of disappointing.
>> Um I know people will likely watch it at on as a recording on YouTube on the town YouTube channel, but be great if we had four, five, six at least people in attendance for this. >> Yeah. Yeah. I mean, I could try asking, but I don't know if any students would
necessarily be interested, but I could take a try, I guess. >> Yeah. I mean, some of the students may be interested in what's what's the policy? What's what's the deal for residential rooftop solar is is perhaps part of their their own interest or academic studies. >> Yeah. >> All right.
>> I know there is a large group at UMass I can send Sunrise, right? I'm going to write that down actually because Sunrise is interested in these these sorts of things. Um, other comments, questions? If not, the next Oh, and by the way,
April 8th, uh, thank you all for responding. I may not be able to be there, Steve, and I apologize for that. That's the day of the Mass Energized Climate Leaders Conference, and I decided to go this year. Um, so depending on what their afternoon sessions look like, I may not be able to make it back by 5:30. Uh, I will try to
be there, but I can't guarantee it. So, >> all right. Well, then you have to get you have to get two additional people to show. >> I promise. And oh, and I suggested to Daniel that we start the presentation at 6 PM. >> Okay. >> Just just to give us time to open the
meeting and maybe review minutes. Um it seemed like 6 to 7 was a good time for the formal presentation and and Q&A. >> Okay, that's actually really important. 6 p.m. Okay with you two, uh Stephanie, 6 p.m. presentation. Okay, that gives me
another half hour to get home. All right, April 22nd is the next one and that is the three colleges reporting. So for that one we have uh give me the names again. It's Ezra Small >> some guy named Steve. >> Ezra Small guy named Steve and uh who's
the >> West Drips. West >> W Drips. D R I P S, >> right? >> West Drips. Um, and what do we want to use for a title for that?
Decarbonization at the local campuses. >> I I had um decarbonization at the institution at the Amoris institutions of higher education. And so that'll be the format there is they're each going to give a 10 or 15 minute overview and then there'll be 15
20 minutes of panel of a panel discussion. Okay. Um overview followed by a panel discussion. Come with your questions. Okay. And I'm pretty sure I can get a
bunch of people to show up for that one through the UMass Carbon Zero Alliance. And um uh ETI, I'm going to write that down. ETI. UMass Carbon Zero Alliance. Who else should we reach out to for that one? All
all these schools I would think um you know read this. This is where it says this is something that your colleagues might be more interested in, right? >> Yes, I think so. But I think also Wes has done a few on campus already. But I could ask I mean though it's more
internal but since if Wes is going to be on board I can just ask him to advertise it through his channel because he has a newspaper to send sustainability newspaper every week. But >> excellent. >> Yeah >> that would be great. And I do think that students are tend to be I mean this MIT
group more than anything else shows that there's actually a cross-campus decarbonization collaboration. now. Um, and there are people in it from MIT, from all the schools in Massachusetts and all over New England, I think. And it's growing. So, um, that would be one
to advertise it at too. Um, those guys, some of them are going to be coming to the UMass Decarbonization Forum on the on this Friday. So, um, Cross Campus Alliance, I'll put that down.
I'm just making notes for myself. so I remember who to reach out to. Okay. So, that'll be really that'll be really nice. And that's four weeks away. That's these are coming one right after another. Um and then immediately after that,
um we have uh Mindy Dome who will come here to answer questions about the uh legislation going on, climate legislation. So, she'll be she'll come prepared for climate legislation discussion. Um just real quick to jump
in that um >> panel with about the institutions that starts at um 6:30. >> I'm sorry. Say again. It starts at 6:30, not 6. That's is that okay, Steve?
>> That one starts at 6:30. >> Oh. Oh, that one starts at 6:30. The the three Okay. Okay. This one. I'm just making an because they all all three of these events are have different start time, >> different times, right? >> Oh, I'm just making a note.
>> Right. Okay, good. So, the third one is on a Tuesday because Mindy can't be there on Wednesdays. Um, I understand she's at the state house on Wednesday. Um, and I think she's actually at the state house Wednesday. uh or because I didn't point
out that it was a virtual meeting. Um so Tuesday she can make it. So Tuesday, May 12th. Now I have an ongoing Tuesday conflict at 7:00. It's not 7:30. Stephanie, I messed that up. Is at 7. So I will have to This is going to be just
for the discussion with Mindy Dome. I'm going to have to leave at 6:30. Um and then if there's an ECAC meeting after that, there'll have to be a quarum without me after that, which I think we might have. Um, but uh I can stay till 6:30, then I have to go.
Um, so that whole meeting might just be the meeting with Mindy. So, we have some time to prepare for this one a little bit. Um, but come with your questions. I want to I'm going to do a little bit of thinking about it, too. I'll also be
seeing I think Mindy and Joe both at the I think they're going to be Uh it's not this week. There's there's an ETI there's another ETI forum coming up, a decarbonization forum at which uh
both actually Mindy and Joe might be at this one. Um they I might have an opportunity to talk to both of them uh before this meeting. So and and you might too if if I can find the right uh
information here quickly enough. But um I'm going to try to get my ducks in order and have a bunch of questions and I encourage you guys to do the same. There's there's a lot of information out there about, you know, we're sort of in an in between moment. There's there's the bill that passed the House that had a lot of very good things in it and one
really bad thing in it in the way of a billion dollar cut to Massave. Um but that billion dollar cut, everybody feels that Massave needs changes. It doesn't need a billion dollars cut from it right now when we're trying so hard to get people to convert
to heat pumps, for example, and solar. It really doesn't need that cut. Um, but it does need some reworking about how it's funded and how the money goes out. And I think all of that is in discussion right now. There's going to be another
bill coming out of the Senate. And the way my understanding of the way things work in Massachusetts is the House writes and passes its own bill and then the Senate starts all over again and writes and passes its own bill and then they come together in the end. Um, so I
know that the that Joe and the Senate already are know that this massive cut is a bad thing and I think they're trying to figure out different ways to do that. But that's the thing that I'm most concerned about right now. There's a lot of other stuff in there. There's the climate bank is in there. balcony
solar is in there. Um there's um I think the one thing that isn't in there is the make polluters pay bill. Um the that's the super fund for right for for climate change. Um so there's there's a bunch of
questions. There's there's not only just that one bill. There are other bills circulating around too. And I'm going to spend some time in the next few weeks. It changes so fast it's hard to keep track of. I'm going to try to figure out where things are and what the right questions are and I'll try to bring some of them to ECAC. But I encourage you to
do the same thing. Um, you know, if there's an issue that's particularly important to you, see if you can figure out where it is in the legislation process and take a look at the House bill. It changed its number again. It was H4744,
then it was H5151, and now I think it's like 5751 or 5157 or something. I don't even remember. Is it 51? Uh, yeah. Uh, no, that's not it. Uh, no, that's not it. Um, dang. I I I
don't even remember the number of the current bill. uh after they voted on it and amended it so many times they changed the name of it again. Um, it was a it was an act uh for for I don't remember. Any rate,
we'll talk more about that next time, but I think that's an important thing uh for people to think about. What are the things that are most important to us and what do we want to ask? All right, I'm talking too much. Um, we need a so that
that is going to start on Tuesday, May 12th at 5:30. It'll start right at 5:30. Um, and I will check with Mindy on a title.
uh something like the state of climate legislation in Massachusetts or climate. I'm not sure. I'll think about a little bit. If you have a suggestion, let me know. All right.
And I think the format again will be I'll ask her to say something about, you know, where she thinks what what's what's been done. Let her brag a little bit about her accomplishments and, you know, where things are and what the issues that she still sees are and what other bills are up and coming um and how she sees the process and how we can
influence and then questions. A lot of time for questions. Does that sound good? I'm not able to make that meeting but I told Stephanie that so hopefully that means there are enough other people but
>> I think I think >> unfortunately okay >> that's okay if you already told uh Stephanie then we're then we're okay >> we have a quorum at least it looks like we have a quorum >> right if anybody can't make one of these meetings please let us know that's we need to
give our speakers some warning um if we have to cancel hopefully we won't have to Stephanie, if we do a webinar like that and it's not a regular ECAC meeting, can we just do the webinar even if we don't have >> No, you mean in terms of
you don't have to I mean you can have a meeting but you still have to post it and do all of that stuff. You have to post it because you have a quorum of members present, >> right? Well, what I'm saying is if we don't have a quorum but we have a webinar scheduled. >> Oh, I see what you're saying. Can we still have the webinar without the
quorum if that if someone has to drop out or someone gets sick or >> if it's not an if well we've already called it a regular ECAC meeting but it's if it's not if it's just a session with representative Dom then it's something apart from a meeting and it's
just an addition to or instead of you could just cancel one of the meetings that you know because I think that one is falling that date is falling >> in between I think two meetings. >> Yes. And we're going to cancel the Right. I think we already decided
>> cancel the sixth, >> right? We cancelled the sixth. >> So you could cancel the sixth and just have that session and just not have two meetings that month. You have, >> right? Um so that's that's the question. If if somebody So these things are being
advertised ECAC meeting plus webinar. If something happens and we don't have a quorum, can we still have the webinar? Well, again, I think you can't advertise it as a meeting if you're that's what we just have to be like you have to know
maybe ahead of time. Are you just calling this, you know, >> I I think I think you're miss still misunderstanding. Let's call 5:30 to 6:30 ECAC meeting and 6:30 to 7:30 webinar. Can we still do the webinar if we don't
have the meeting? What I'm saying is if you're posting this as part of the education series that's part of a regular meeting, it depends on, you know, if you if you that's what I'm saying. I hear you. I think if we call it a webinar, yes, and call the ECAC
meeting and post the meeting starting at 6:30. >> So, you could post the meeting starting at 6:30, >> but you wouldn't have the webinar as part of that agenda. What we've been doing is this is part of the agenda. So
if we separate them out completely, >> yeah, >> you could probably do it that way. >> Why don't we do that just to protect ourselves in case in case somebody does have to drop out so we can still have the webinar? I mean it it'd be a little bit tragic because there are things we need to talk about you know if if we if
we miss the meeting uh you know the five so presumably next time we meet we'll have a short meeting before and a short meeting after the webinar >> and people could ask questions. I think the thing that you have to sorry I had an issue with my eyes just dealing with
it. Um I think the thing is you can't have any kind of deliberation as part of that session with her. Like if you all are starting to ask questions and it sort of engages you, you can't really do that. So if it's just
questions and answers for rep that's fine, but you all can't start engaging in things that you >> Okay. >> with as a committee. >> So only like don't talk to each other if it's not a meeting. >> Correct. >> Which is fine. Yeah. because you at
least if you're going to likely have a quorum of members present and even if you don't you shouldn't be discussing things that you would normally discuss as part of your regular work. >> Makes sense. >> I'm always been a little surprised that we can't meet with I understand we can't
usually when you don't have a quorum you can't vote on things. Um but usually it doesn't stop you from meeting >> not not with not under >> meeting law. Yeah, >> that's very much not I mean you can't
even technically you can't even assign two members >> to meet and work on it unless of course you if you post it you can but it just it becomes like a subcommittee meeting. though. >> Okay. But if we post a meeting and we only have
if we post this is what I'm confused about. If we post an ACAC meeting and we only have four people show up, why can't we just it's a public meeting. We're not hiding anything. >> We can't vote. But >> because you don't have a quorum. If
you're posting as a meeting, an actual meeting, >> you need to have a quorum present. >> Okay? And not as a subcommittee meeting. we could just post all our meetings as subcommittee meetings. >> I wish it were all straightforward and easy. It's not. It's complicated and
it's also, you know, some doesn't really make sense. But I think the idea is to have transparency. And I I always say to people when they get frustrated, it's like, well, because that's your work, but if some other group that you were interested in was doing this and not posting, okay, >> and you know, you'd feel upset. So,
>> all right. So, let's just do this. Let's try very hard to have quorums at these meetings. And if for some reason you can't be at a meeting you said you would be at, please let us know early because that way maybe we can at the last minute pull the meeting but keep the webinar.
Does that make sense, Stephanie? >> I Yeah, I I would really just I'm going to ask people to if you're going to commit especially for the rep session, >> I think we should have a quorum. If people have already told me that you're going to be there, then please be there. >> Yeah.
>> Um because I I it starts getting tricky and I can't >> Okay. >> You know, I we have a a way that we need to sort of do this and I don't want to mess with it because it gets funky. So, >> all right. All right. That's fine. I just wanted to find out if there was a
easy way to fix that issue because I think people will show up for that. I um discussion with Mindy Dome. >> I think so, too. you know, you know, there's going to be people that are going to want to pro ask her questions. So, >> all right. Uh, moving on. Anything else
with education series that we didn't touch on? Should we look at the spreadsheet, see if there's anything else we should be working on? I think we should probably get through these and then regroup again. All right. In that case, uh onto
advisory and support. Um uh UMass climate plan. I don't have a lot to report. UMass has hired a consultant to work through a climate plan with them. That consultant gets started, uh about 3 weeks. Um
but it's the same consultant that wrote their last report, which they shelved and never showed to anybody. And I I have a copy of it only because I managed to dig it up. But it's uh it's about it's about putting in geothermal networks. It's the phase one and phase two plans for putting in geothermal
networks that was never shared with the public. Um so I wonder if this company, you know, what's to keep them from doing the same thing with this report. That was a 2023 report. So it wasn't that long ago. And now they have the same company back to do a slightly different
task. Um, last time they were actually doing a, you know, cost analysis of putting in of implementing the previous plan. Uh, this time they're doing a new plan. So, um, we'll see where it goes. That's all I
got. Steve, you want to talk about the draft solar bylaw? Is there anything more to talk about there? nothing more for me to contribute on that. I have not done anything since our last meeting and I have not been able to
attend the um CRC meetings and maybe Stephanie can report something. >> Got anything Stephanie? >> Sure. I'm in the thick of it. So, >> um, so, um,
we've gotten to a point where we, or well, I should say the CRC has gotten to a point where they're down to just some final edits. Uh, they have a meeting tomorrow. Uh, I think this this I think this conversation is probably going to
focus on Agraics. Um but otherwise I think they're pretty much wrapping up and then the next step will be to um have the document then sent to the town council and it will
also be sent to KP law for legal review. Um they're talking about at some at some point then the town council will refer it back to both CRC and then to the planning board to have their public hearings. And so there is discussion
about having a joint hearing or hearings. I don't know if that will be several or one. I'm not sure how they're going to do that. Um and then after that process then it goes back to the town council for vote and uh there are one or
two readings of the bylaw at that point and at the second reading is when they have the final vote and if they vote to approve the bylaw then it becomes a bylaw then it's in effect. So, this is
all and I should say that because of the state's timeline of us needing to be able to issue a consolidated permit for solar projects.
Um, that deadline that like absolute have to be able to offer that is October well October of 2026. So this whole process all has to happen by then if not before then. Like
hopefully this will wrap up in September. >> Things are going to move relatively fast now. I guess it'll be interesting to see. >> Yeah, I think at this point, you know, it's um you know, you what you saw and reviewed is is close to the the final
language. All right. Um, any other updates? Transportation, regional and state. I don't have anything for the regional and state. Yeah. Okay.
Um, so no other no other updates, right? I I didn't have a chance to look into Climate Bank, which I think I said I would look into um last time, but I think like I say, we're between uh legislation is all in flux right now, and I expect in the next two weeks to start getting calls to
advocate for this amendment or that amendment or this bill or that bill. It's all should happen, I think, starting at the beginning of April in the Senate. Um all right, that brings us to staff updates.
So, I know um one of the things for you all as a committee is that you're really looking for something sort of meaty to get involved in. And it turns out that the town is establishing or the town
council is establishing a bylaw review committee. And one of the charges I I asked for the charge, but I didn't receive it. But um the charge basically says that it's to look One of the key components is to look at all of the
town's bylaws through a climate lens, >> which means that you all will have a fabulous opportunity to weigh in on all of this. So, I don't know how they're going to the committee hasn't formed yet, but I think they um are in the
process of pulling that together. So once that gets pulled together, I can check in with the clerk to the council for some guidance on how you all can be engaged in that process. >> Excellent.
>> Or offer, you know, offer your I mean some of the some of the legislation is going to be odd. It's going to be like how do we you know legislate a climate lens and a noise bylaw or something like that. you know, some of them will be kind of odd, so
you'll have to sort of take that with a grain of salt. But in any case, some of them will be very relevant, and I think you'll want to um take a look. So, it might be that, you know, if you know what they're going to be working on, if there's sort of a an agenda of what how they're going to break it up, might be
able to start funneling that through to all of you so that you can provide feedback. Maybe one way to do that is to have someone from this committee be a leazison onto the bylaw review committee like we did for the um for >> I thought of that too. I just would hope that you know you all get really
directly engaged so that it's not just one person sort of representing the committee. I think it's a really good opportunity for some conversation and especially for some of them. So um but you know it might also be that maybe we can um have
someone from the committee you know talk to this group as well about what they're doing. >> That would actually be the right way to do it I think to I mean how many bylaws are they considering at any one time? How many bylaws are >> I don't know how they're going to break
this up or what they're going to do. And that's why I was saying I mean >> and we're talking about new bylaws or existing bylaws. >> No, this is existing bylaws. This is this happened in the past. So, >> okay. >> Um, >> they're going to go through all the bylaws. >> They're going to go through the existing
bylaws with a climate lens. >> And I don't know if that's the only lens or because I again I haven't seen the charge. So, I was just told that that was a component of this charge. So that is very relevant to for all of you and I was you know we were hoping that this is
something a way to really get you engaged in something that's very very relevant for the >> I would love to have them do you know be on the agenda at every meeting with this is what we're looking at this week this is what it does you know here's a copy of it but not just to give us a bunch of
legal ease to look at to actually point us at you know explain it what does this do and how does it do it and it'd be a lot more interesting to have a conversation like that than to um you know pass us a bylaw, expect us
to read it and give some feedback on it, right? Because I don't know how they're applied. I don't know you know Don is the only one in the group that's a lawyer I think right lawyers. Um, so I don't, you know, >> this will be, >> this will be a committee. So people will
be formally sworn in to committee membership on that committee. >> It's a Yeah, it's the bylaw review committee is what it's called. And the town council authorized the formation of this committee.
And is that where um well the town manager process who will be on the committee and then town council has to approve that >> again. I I did ask for the charge, but I didn't receive it. And I think it's probably in one of the town council meeting packets, but I can ask again to
get that. And um >> All right. >> And I can review it and have some sense of, you know, maybe how that's going to work and maybe I can talk to the town manager even about what he thinks, you know, how could we engage you all as a committee to engage.
>> Do you have any idea how many pages of town bylaw there are? Well, there's quite a few. There's quite a few. And this is done, like I said, this has been done before. Um, I remember when Jeff Kravitz was the economic development
director, they went through all of the town's existing bylaws and and they updated. So, you're not necessarily changing everything, but they >> updated things to reflect. I think it happened when we had the change of government and so they were um updating
all the bylaws to reflect that change in the government structure at that time. >> Yeah, Stephanie, I I just want to reiterate if they're serious about doing a climate lens and involving this committee whose charter is to advise on
town on you know uh on climate issues to the town, right? On sustainability to the town. Um, they should be I I would be more than happy. I would love to see this on the agenda every week while this committee
is active, right? Um, just, you know, as the as the bylaw review committee, somebody comes to us to report, this is what we're thinking about. These are the laws we're looking at this week, this month. Um, and these are where we think there might be some issues for you to
look at. this is this is how this applies. Um I think that would be the right if they if they want to get, you know, worthwhile input and they're serious about using the expertise on this committee and the thoughtfulness of this committee, um then I think that's
the right way to do it. >> Yeah. Well, I'll reach out to the town manager and and see what they think because >> I mean ultimately, >> you know, they have to sort of be the ones to sort of say how they want to see
the um >> you know what the how the two committees engage I think is going to be I I mean I'm kind of it seemed to me that it was maybe an opportunity to have an ECAC member on that. I agree. I think that would have been an easier way to do it,
but um >> but it wouldn't have kept us as involved and it wouldn't have I mean, you know, when when even with the solar bylaw, right? >> But I don't have the energy to read that whole thing to try to drag through all of the legal ease in it and get to the meat, right? It's it's hard. I can scan
to try to find it, but I'm likely to fool myself, right? This way, if somebody's coming to talk to us and they get the, you know, they have the advantage of having, you know, like I say, it's what they want. If they really want to do a review and they really want input from us, that's the way to get it. >> Yeah.
>> I don't think putting someone on the committee is as effective. That that's the way to get one person's input. >> Theoretically, the idea is that they would come back to you would have it on your agenda every meeting >> and that person who's leaison would bring that information to you for you all to have that discussion.
>> Yeah. >> So I mean that is theoretically the way it could work. >> Yeah. um because that person would have the benefit of having the knowledge of what the committee is working on but also the expertise that you all possess. So um that all being said I I don't have
the charge. I don't know how it's written and I don't know what the expectation is but I was told that would be a great way for you all to engage. So that is what I'm bringing and I will find out more. I will find the charge too. Um because that you know I'll send
it to all of you. If I can find the charge, I'll send it. >> Cool. All right. Other updates. >> Um I think that's kind of primarily it right now. Everything else is there's other things going on, but um oh, I I
should just say that we did have um the weatherization report, the draft uh reviewed by myself and the facilities manager today. And this was for the North Ammerst Fire Station um that we are going to use to apply for green
communities funding. So we had some edits that we want them to make and then we're going to uh pursue the green communities funding for that project and the MSON library. >> Right. >> Stephanie, last time you mentioned the
um the heat pump program and Ammeris was hoping to find a few new participants. Did did anything come forward on that? >> Um I have regular updates. Um not because they don't really include people until they've basically committed by
signing a contract. So it's not that there aren't people sort of in various stages of review. They're just not committed yet. So um there are some other people interested. We just don't necessarily have them signed on yet. Okay.
>> But they are going to be the sustainability festival, they'll be there. >> Oh, good. And then as far as signing on people, any any news on additional ECAC members? >> No. No. Um I in fact there was uh quite
a list of committees in town that are all looking for volunteers. Ours has four listed because we have two vacancies and then we have two people that are um stepping off. So in June. So ours is listed as four vacancies like now. So
>> yeah, >> it was just basically outreach to try to get people encourage people to sign on volunteer committees. >> I'll reach out on that as well. So again, I think if you know people >> again,
>> you know, encourage, you know, encourage people that you know that neighbors, you know, people that you think might have some connection or interest would be great. >> All right. Any uh anything else for staff updates?
ECAC member updates. Anyone? Who's going to No kings? >> Anyone going to Boston? Did Was that a yes, Andrew? >> Oh, not Boston. No, I'm just >> Yeah, >> I'm thinking of maybe doing the crazy thing and going to Boston because I feel
my presence there will make the crowd bigger. We did that for the first one and it was before I realized it was happening in Ammerst and I Yeah, it was not worth it for me. >> Okay. >> With a small child, it was raining that day. Yeah,
>> I should look at the weather. That's a good point. The uh third act, there's a lot of big climate groups. 350.org third act. Um I think MCAN a bunch bunch of groups are going to be there. Um, and I thought I might join with one of them, but if not, I'll be singing on the
Amoris common. So, I'll see you all there. Um, all right. With that item, agenda items for the next meeting. I think one thing we should start talking about is uh preparing for meeting with Mindy Dome.
Um, because we want to make sure we have our questions in order. um or have a list of questions we might want to ask um depending on who shows up. I mean, it's open to the public, so hopefully lots of people will show up with lots of
questions. Um I don't think we have too much to do in the way of preparing for the April 22nd event. Um,
is there anything else we should be sure to have on the agenda other than the usual? All right. In that case, uh, public comment. Do we have any public? Looks like we might. Do we? No, we do not. All right. Um, and given we have no public,
there will be no public comment. Do we have a move to adjurnn? >> I move to adjourn. >> Second. >> I'll second. >> And then by there's no opposition. See y'all in two weeks.
>> Bye everybody. Bye. Bye. >> Bye.