Institute for Sustainable Energy
Board of Advisors
Board Meeting July 12, 2004

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
Emily Smith, Managing Director, Government and Corporate Relations, CT Innovations

Guests:
Dr. David Carter, President, ECSU
William Leahy, Associate Executive Director, ISE
Dana Kubachka, DPUC
William J. O’Neal, O’Neal Strategy Group
Laurel Kohl, ISE, Acting Secretary

The meeting was called to order by Arthur Diedrick at 9:45 AM.

Arthur Diedrick requested that the Advisory Board members consider the minutes of the June 7, 2004 meeting. A motion was made by Donald Downes to accept the minutes. It was seconded by John Mengacci. The motion carried.

Second Quarter Report
A status report on the Institute’s activities year-to-date will be presented at the ECMB’s July 13, 2004 meeting. William Leahy presented highlights of the Institute’s program activities and achievement of 2004 goals that are listed in the second quarter report. Highlights included:

• 1 Mw Fuel Cell at ECSU: The Department of Defense has pledged $1 million toward the $3.8 million needed to complete the ECSU Fuel Cell installation. It was reported that the ISE and ECSU hopes to complete the funding with a grant from Homeland Security, ECMB or the State of Connecticut. John Mengacci suggested that a discussion be initiated with Skip Thomas at OPM seeking support.
• Green Campus Initiative: ECSU has moved forward with their Green campus initiative with the signing of the Talloires Declaration. Signing the Declaration includes agreeing to develop a short- and long-range plan to reduce energy consumption, reduce emissions and to increase recycling.
• Municipal Outreach: The Institute is working with a number of communities in Connecticut to benchmark their public schools and develop action plans to reduce energy consumption and emissions.

CT Energy Web Site
Bill O’Neal of the O’Neal Strategy Group presented information about the development of an information portal website that would feature the twenty-eight Connecticut energy-related programs, each of which now has a website. His group has placed a hold on the website address “ctenergyinfo.com”. Mr. O’Neal suggested a customized search engine and some content, including an events calendar, news events and Blogs for topical energy discussions. Mr. O’Neal stated that there is a question of the “equity” in the use of the “Watts New” name/brand. Shirley Bergert suggested that the groups involved rethink the name to include something that is an umbrella covering more than just electricity. John Mengacci felt that “CT Energy Info” would work well with the “Watts New” topics under that umbrella. Donald Downes stated that ISE should guide the web development and maintenance of the redesigned site. State requirements note that it cannot favor any one type of power/source/philosophy over another and that the process to develop the new site must be very collaborative as the participants have been very independent in their operation thus far. Dr. Carter made the suggestion that The O’Neal Group look at the subject again, considering the points made by the board, and present again at the next board meeting, which will occur after the 7/6/04 DPUC meeting on Branding. He suggested that Mr. O’Neal attend the Branding meeting and make a presentation. Arthur Diedrick asked that The O’Neal Group be prepared to speak about a cost estimate of the site development at the next board meeting.

ISE Fall Conference
William Leahy has been in discussion with the CT Energy Advisory Board to develop an Electric Issues Forum for later this year. Topics may include Preferential Standards, the CT Energy Plan, the CT Climate Action Plan, and the CT Energy information website. His discussion with CEAB will continue at the August 3 rd CEAB meeting.

Municipal Government Workshop
The ISE and OPM are planning a workshop with the southwestern CT municipalities featuring conservation, Rebuild America and the EPA & DOE programs. The program will be built around case studies of the work being done in Fairfield, Stamford and Norwalk. This event will be held in collaboration with CBIA and SACIA and will be presented in a half-day format in the southwest Connecticut area.

Green Campus Workshop >
Of the 40 Connecticut Colleges and Universities, 14 have signed on to the New England Governors’ Plan. ISE and the CT DEP are planning a workshop for Connecticut campuses to encourage greater participation by Connecticut schools and the development of local green campus action plans. There was a northeast regional workshop on the topic of Green Campus initiatives held at the University of New Hampshire in June that was sponsored by the NEG / ECP. The event was well attended.

ISE Grants
OPM presented ISE with a $10,000 grant to complete Benchmarking on 10 to 20 more state facilities. The focus would be on facilities in Fairfield County, including vocational high schools, hospitals and courthouses.

ISE Staff
Bette Giordano, previously employed by the NU Conservation team, has been hired by ISE as a part time University Assistant. Bette will be concentrating on grant writing, budgeting and reporting.

UN Children’s Conference
Laurel Kohl stated that over 400 students are expected to arrive in New London for the 2004 Tunza Children’s Conference on the Environment on July 19, 2004. The ceremonies are open to ticket holders. She will send the board members information about the featured events and how to obtain admission.

Next Meeting
A discussion was raised about the ISE Board only meeting quarterly. Members stated a preference to continue monthly meetings unless it was indicated that in any month a meeting was not needed. The preferred date is the first Monday of the month, with a move to the second Monday if the first is a holiday. The board agreed to hold to the monthly schedule. The next scheduled meeting will be moved to August 9, after both the CEAB and the DPUC Branding meetings.

The meeting was adjourned by acclamation at 11:08 AM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Laurel Kohl

Acting Secretary