HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-05-04Climate Smart/Clean Energy Community Task Force
Agenda for the Meeting at 5pm Tuesday, May 4, 2021
Present-Alice, Marie, Joe, Nancy, Chuck, Loren, Ray
Call to Order/Introductions: 5:00 pm:
Approval of April Minutes: Approved Unanimously
Report on Clean Energy Community Actions in Progress: Review Possible Pathways
•
• Community Campaign for Clean Heating, Cooling and Energy Efficiency (Wi$E)—
Marie, Chuck, Joe:
◦ Heat Smart, Get Your Greenback presentation is tonight at 7pm
◦ We will debrief the presentation by Sub-Committee afterward at a time/date to be
agreed.
• Potential Providers of 100% Renewable Energy for Municipal Buildings—Alice
(from John)
◦ Potential Providers include: Delaware Solar, NY Power Authority, Continental
◦ Decision to be made in July and Switch-Over tentatively scheduled for August
◦ Marie—We should be sure that we are getting energy from strictly all-renewable
sources and none from fossil fuel-powered sources.
• Climate Smart Plan Recommendations from EDR—Joe, Alice
◦ Additional Suggested Strategies for reducing Green House Gas Emissions will be
offered by EDR at the May 12 Steering Committee Meeting
◦ At the previous meeting, Alice noted that many of the Suggested Strategies were
either short-term or actions already in progress or both. EDR will add some
additional Recommendations for the May 12 Steering Committee Meeting. Ray
suggested that EDR was being conservative because of their past experience with
Central New York communities.
◦ As Alice requested, EDR will add their estimates of the Impact, Achieveablity,
Cost, and Time Frame for each Strategy.
◦ Solar/Farm Land: Nancy cautioned that some local farmers rent land, and that if
solar is located on those lands, the farmers could be squeezed out because solar
developers will outbid them.
◦ It was agreed that the best farming lands and the best solar locations should be
identified.
◦ It was agreed that the Agricultural Advisory Committee should be consulted on
these issues and about reducing Ag methane emissions. Marie will get Alice on
the next Ag Committee Agenda to begin this discussion.
• Status of 3 Dryden Action Steps in TC Hazard Mitigation/Resiliency Plan—Nancy
◦ Three town strategies have been identified:
◦ Problem: Flood events where ditches are overwhelmed. Strategy: Install soft or
rock check dams where slope is 2.5-10% rock line and install hard check dams for
slopes 10-15%. Phase one focus on Mt. Pleasant rd, where some check dams
have been installed with out proper design, Baker Hill Rd
◦ Problem: A temporary home (camp) on lower creek rd in the 100 year flood zone.
Strategy; Flood proof and elevate the camp
◦ Problems: Development and Agricultural activities along stream corridors and
flood plains that can disrupt stream equilibrium and lead to flooding. Strategy:
Enact and enforce a riparian buffer law that prohibits, limits or discourages
development in these areas.
◦ Discussion: ◦These matters seem to be ones for the Conservation Board and the
DPW. The CS/CEC TF can monitor any actions they take that can be documented
for CSC points.
• Other Possible CEC Action Steps—Alice
◦ We haven’t resolved whether the TC Hazard Mitigation Plan was sufficient to
earn CEC points.
◦ USGS has done a survey of Virgil Creek
◦ The town is moving forward with stream bank repairs at Lower Fall Creek and
Mineah Rds.
• Check for any Updates on:
• Town -Owned Solar Farm—Loren reported that it’s a “No” to a solar farm on
Town’s athletic fields, but there might be other land for sale.
• Community Choice Aggregation—Loren: The TCCOG Committee is still
waiting to learn whether the Park Foundation will provide a grant for a paid
person to do further research and development.
• NYS Stretch Code—Alice, Joe: The Town Board will hold a public hearing May
20.
• Tompkins County Waste Reduction Committee (TCWRC): Still looking for a
Dryden representative.
Adjournment: 6:35 pm