Institute for Sustainable Energy
Board of Advisors
Meeting May 3, 2004

Members:
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

Guests:
Dr. Michael Pernal, ECSU Vice President
William Leahy, Associate Executive Director, ISE
Dana Kubachka, DPUC
Laurel Kohl, ISE, Acting Secretary

Meeting was called to order by Arthur Diedrick at 9:42 AM

Arthur Diedrick requested Advisory Board members consider the minutes of the March 29, 2004 meeting. A motion was made by Donald Downes to accept the minutes, seconded by John Mengacci. The motion carried.

Environmental Merit Award:
US EPA Region 1 in Boston recognized the Institute for Sustainable Energy with a New England Regional Environmental Merit Award in a ceremony held at Faneuil Hall on April 22, 2004. Nineteen organizations and ten individuals were honored along with five lifetime awards. Of these seven were recognized on the National level, including the Institute for Sustainable Energy. A press release has been issued.

ISE First Quarter Report:
The Institute’s first quarter progress report was presented by Bill Leahy. This report will also be presented at the ECMB meeting on May 11,2004. A suggestion was made by Donald Downes to send copy the report and the press release about the EPA awards with cover letter by Dr. Carter to the members of the Energy and Environment committees of the Connecticut Legislature.

Energy Programs and Support:
The DPUC is considering having a meeting with CCEF, Smart Power, the ECMB and possibly others to consider how to best present energy issues and resources in the state. Shirley Bergert suggested a branding strategy that identifies a unified message presented on a consumer website. The website would direct people to programs and agencies where they could get assistance or information on energy programs and issues. It was noted that the ISE has many web links on its web site however a generic or shared website with a common message is apparently needed. There are nearly twenty different energy related website by Connecticut based resources or energy information sources at this time. Don Downes noted that polls have show that 80% of the public believe information provided by the state on energy issues. John Mengacci suggested a ‘Watts Up’ type of information web site. Arthur Diedrick will speak with Bill O’Neil about re-branding. Bill Leahy suggested that the umbrella web site should cover all of energy and conservation programs, along with environmental issues to be complete.

Executive Order 32:
The Board reviewed Executive Order 32. This order, signed by the Governor, has accelerated two measures of the CT Climate Action Plan; a building-by-building assessment of the energy efficiency of State facilities with an objective toward improved their efficiency through performance contracting and a directive to utilize a portion of the savings to support the purchase of 20% renewable “green” power in all State buildings by 2010.

SB595: An Act Concerning Climate Change:
SB 595 passed the General Assembly this past week. The Act was based on the Ct Climate Change Action Plan recommended by the Governor’s Steering Committee, and approved by the Governor.

EPA/DOE Energy Star Activities:
Benchmarking work for Derby and Windham is complete and both communities have commenced with soliciting for Energy Service Companies to develop proposals to improve the efficiency of the schools in these towns. Stamford and Essex benchmarking is also complete and Hartford is 90% complete. Benchmarking on the initial six State of Connecticut Office buildings is also complete. A report is forthcoming.

The Institute is developing a training session on use of Energy Star Products for Municipal officials. The project may include a video or CPTV program.

Green Campus:
A initiative is underway by a task force of the New England Governor’s association to support the universities in the northeast region that have signed on to the Climate Change Action Plan of the NEG / ECP. A seminar on Climate Change will be held on June 18 th at the University of New Hampshire for the University Presidents and Facilities Managers of the 90 campuses that have signed on to the NEG commitment. ISE serves on the NEG / ECP Taskforce representing Connecticut’s colleges and universities.

Eastern Connecticut State University is applying for grants to install a 1 megawatt fuel cell installation on campus. ISE is supporting the grant application process. The fuel cell will provide for 40% of the campuses electric needs, a portion of the campuses thermal needs. Observation and examination of its operation will be integrated into the Sustainable Energy Studies curriculum. A PV installation also is being discussed for the new science building roof. In addition, the Institute is planning to collaborate with Windham Technical High School to train Solar Installers.

Million Solar Roofs Program:
Grant applications have been submitted to the Department of Energy to establishing two PV application centers in Connecticut, one at the University of Hartford and one in southwest CT. The grant process is being coordinated through CCEF. CT goal is targeted for 500 solar roofs by 2010. ISE is partnering with both proposed centers with ISE’s role defined as providing outreach seminars and materials. The grant application is being supported by CCEF and Charlie Moret.

ECSU Sustainability Chair:
An offer has been made to hire the Endowed Chair for the Sustainable Energy Studies program at Eastern Connecticut State University. The program is scheduled to begin in September 2004. The Professor and students in the program will work closely with the staff at the Institute.

 

Next meeting will be June 7, 2004 at 9:30 AM.

Meeting was adjourned by acclamation at 10:45 AM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Laurel Kohl

Acting Secretary