Institute for Sustainable Energy
Board Meeting March 25, 2003

Members present:
     Arthur Diedrick, Chairman of Development, Office of the Governor
     Donald Downes, Chairman, Dept. of Public Utility Control
     Shirley Bergert, Public Benefits Taskforce Director, CT Legal Services
     John Mengacci, Undersecretary, Strategic Management Division, OPM
     Richard Barredo, Chief Operating Officer, CEF

Guests:
     David Carter, President, Eastern Connecticut State University
     Dana Kubachka, Department of Public Utility Control
     Joel Rinebold, Executive Director, Institute for Sustainable Energy
     William Leahy, Associate Executive Director, Institute for Sustainable Energy
     Laurel Kohl , Education Specialist, Acting Secretary, Institute for Sustainable Energy

Meeting called to order by Arthur Diedrich at 2:06 PM .

Arthur Diedrick requested Advisory Board members consider the minutes of the February 21, 2003 meeting. Motion by Donald Downes to accept, seconded by Richard Barredo, motion carried.

Arthur Diedrick led a discussion about the mission statement. Suggestions for the Institute's mission statement had been solicited from the board members. Suggested statements had been compiled by ISE staff and distributed to the board for this discussion. After board discussion Shirley Bergert suggested the following:

To identify, develop and become an objective energy and educational resource regarding the means for achieving a sustainable energy future.

After further board discussion of the statement a motion was made by Shirley Bergert to accept, seconded by Richard Barredo, motion carried.

Arthur Diedrick led a discussion concerning the State budget crisis and the possible loss of funds from the Conservation and Load Management Fund. The board stressing the need for the Institute to seek outside funding as the state budget crisis may potentially greatly reduce the Institute's funding from the ECMB. Joel Rinebold is developing a profile about the Institute to be used when approaching foundations. William Leahy reported on a number of initiatives underway to seek funding for specific projects from Federal sources and private environmental foundations.

Dr. Carter stated that the loss of funding from the Conservation and Load Management Fund would have an impact on staffing of the Institute. As a result, open positions have been put on hold indefinitely and current staffing levels are being reevaluated.

Joel Rinebold summarized the Comprehensive Assessment and Report, Part I, Energy Resources and Infrastructure of Southwest Connecticut that was published January 2, 2003 . The executive summary was distributed to the board. He stated that the study provided answers to the three questions posed by the legislature in Public Act 02-95 and Executive Order No. 26:

• Is Southwest Connecticut reliable using the existing infrastructure? (No)
• Will Distributed Generation resolve the problem? (It would help, but not solve the problem)
• Should new electric lines be overhead or underground? (This is site-specific issue. Criteria were developed related to the environmental an economic considerations, with which regulatory agencies could determine the appropriate decision for specific applications)
  
  Joel Rinebold stated that the Long Island Sound Study is still underway, with publication of the final report to be completed by June 3, 2003 . He gave a brief synopsis of the information that the study will provide.

William Leahy discussed the Community Model for Energy Sustainability and a copy of a description of the initiative was distributed to the board. The Institute is currently conducting the study on the Town of Windham . Shirley Bergert suggested targeting the Southwest Connecticut Communities, for which the ECMB is concentrating funding. Don Downs also stated that the DOE and DPUC are more likely to financially support this project if it has a Southwest Connecticut focus.

William Leahy also discussed the University Model for Sustainability. The program addresses climate change issues, including CO2 inventory, recycling, water conservation, transportation and materials and energy procurement on campuses to redirect operating procedures to a more “green” focus. ECSU is one of 3 colleges in Connecticut in the pilot program being conducted by Clean Air – Cool Planet, a New Hampshire based non-profit environmental firm.

William Leahy discussed current programs at the Institute including:
•  Biodiesel for New England Workshop that the Institute is co-hosting on the ECSU campus on March 26, 2003 .
•  Two climate change conferences next week in New Haven , one for Municipal leaders and one for Universities. Leahy will be presenting at both.
•  ISE completed training with DOE and the EPA in EnergyStar Benchmarking for the Municipal Program and is now an EnergyStar Partner, with the     potential for future work in related studies.
•  Connecticut Energy day was held on March 21, 2003 with more than 400 students from 12 towns all over Connecticut participating, as well as other     who had not officially signed up. The board members received the Energy Day Program book that was made available by web to teachers. They     suggested that the Institute distribute the book to the legislative Energy and Education Committee members.
•  The Spring ISE Newsletter was distributed to the board, which suggested that it also be mailed to the DOE and appropriate Foundations.

Arthur Diedrich asked the board to set a date for the next meeting. Discussion indicated a preference of between May 1 and May 13. Dana Kubachka to arrange the date and notify the board.

A motion was made by Don Downs to adjourn, seconded by John Mengacci, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 3:45 pm .

Respectfully submitted,

Laurel Kohl