Institute for Sustainable Energy (ISE)
Advisory Board Meeting
February 4, 2003

Members Present: Arthur Diedrick, Chairman of Development, Office of the Governor; Donald Downes, Chairman – Dept. of Public Utility Control; Dr. Michael E. Pernal –Executive Vice President, ECSU; Joel M. Rinebold, Executive Director – ISE; Shirley Bergert, Public Benefits Taskforce Director – CT Legal Services; John Mengacci, Undersecretary – Strategic Management Division – OPM; Richard Barredo, Chief Operating Officer – CEF

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Arthur Diedrick at 2:50 p.m.

Arthur Diedrick requested Advisory Board members to consider the minutes of January 22, 2003; the minutes were approved by consensus.

Arthur Diedrick requested the Advisory Board to consider item III, Review Institute's Activities, in advance of New Business; the change of order was approved by consensus.

Arthur Diedrick requested Joel Rinebold to discuss the Institute's activities. Joel Rinebold distributed an annotated MOU with Institute activities identified under goals and objectives, and he described each Institute activity. Comments included a need to work with foundations for energy education. Shirley Bergert suggested contacting “Teaching Tolerance” magazine by the Southern Poverty Law Center as a model of successful information dissemination. Arthur Diedrick suggested assessing development of learning kits with lesson plans, and that foundations may be interested in funding such lesson plans and learning kits. Joel Rinebold agreed to investigate a recommended contact.

Arthur Diedrick discussed work activities and suggested staffing may not be sufficient. There was general agreement that the Institute should prioritize activities and build partnerships to reduce work levels.

Members briefly discussed the energy needs of southwest Connecticut. Joel Rinebold agreed to provide copies of mapped energy data for southwest Connecticut to members.

Members returned to New Business and discussed the Institute's mission. Members agreed that a definition of “sustainable” should be better understood. Discussion included use of both broad and narrow definitions. A general consensus was reached that “sustainable” could be considered broadly, but with intent for long-term advancement of renewable energy sources.

John Mengacci distributed a list of possible mission statements, goals, and objectives for members' review. After brief discussion, Joel Rinebold agreed to type the language and e-mail it to members for edit.

Members agreed to discuss the mission, prioritize Institute activities, and discuss the budget at the next meeting, to be held Friday, February 21, 2003 at 2:00 p.m., at 999 West Street, Rocky Hill, CT.

The meeting was adjourned at 4:35 p.m.

Respectfully submitted.

Joel M. Rinebold