HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-06-01Climate Smart/Clean Energy Community Task Force
Minutes of the June 1, 2021 Meeting via Zoom
Attendance: Loren Sparling, Nancy Munkenbeck, Ray Burger, Joe Wilson, Alice Green, Marie McRae
Call to Order at 5:04 pm
May Minutes were approved. There were no additions to the Agenda
Review of CEC Grant Pathways after Stretch Code Adoption – Alice Alice shared a chart showing Town of Dryden Clean Energy Communities Actions that have been completed, planned, and slated for the future. There are several different ways the Town can achieve grants under the program.
New CSC Funding Cycle; Should the Task Force recommend applying? - Alice Jim Skaley suggested applying for funding to complete the Varna sidewalk project for both sides of Route 366 under the Walkable Communities action. Alice reported that CSC funding is designed for planning rather than capital improvements. Also, CSC funds require a 50% Town match, and the Town Board is not interested in taking on any additional match obligations.. After some discussion, it was decided to postpone any grant applications until a future cycle.
Reports on Actions Underway
• Energy Wi$e Dryden Campaign –Marie, Chuck, Joe
The committee has confirmed a visit by the Cornell Cooperative Extension Power House at the modified Dairy Day celebration at the Dryden Agway’s Farmers Market Saturday June 12. The visit will provide an opportunity to share information about the Town’s Clean Heating and Cooling Campaign. Joe, Marie, Alice and Chuck will join CCE staff in greeting visitors and encouraging residents to sign up for free energy audits .Town Board members are also invited to be on hand to talk with residents.
• Potential Providers of 100% Renewable Energy for Municipal buildings – John John was not present to share the work he has been doing to research 100 % renewable options for the Town’s electric use not covered by the solar and geothermal sources. Alice said John has earlier reported that the action is proving to be much more complex than originally anticipated,
• Climate Smart Plan Recommendations from EDR – John, Joe As Steering Committee for the update of the Town’s 2005 Comprehensive Plan, the Planning Board has been reviewing Climate Smart Action Plan recommendations. When the Draft Comprehensive Plan is approved by that Committee, it will be shared with Advisory Boards, including this Task Force, for comments.
• Status of 3 Dryden Action Steps in TC Hazard Mitigation/Resiliency Plan-Nancy
• There was no news about Town action on the Dryden actions listed in the county plan.
Other Possible CEC Action Steps – Terry, Rachel,
It was announced that Terry has accepted a position as Tompkins County Sustainability Coordinator, effective this month. In light of his absence, the Task Force postponed discussion of other Clean Energy steps the Town might consider, including a Climate Vulnerability Study, Advanced Benchmarking, and/or adoption of a Green Energy Code.
Earlier, Terry indicated that there are two actions previously started that need revisions: Adopting Smart growth principles and Conserving Natural Areas. The committee will revisit these options in the future.
Further Updates:
• Possibility of Town owned Solar Farm – John
Report postponed
• Community Choice Aggregation – Loren
Loren is Dryden representative on the county-wide committee looking at this option. He said the group is seeking a Park Foundation grant to hire a coordinator to guide the process of creating this system for residents
• Tompkins County Waste Reduction Committee (TCWRC). This group is looking for a Dryden representative. Marie followed up by seeking additional info about the committee, but there is no current volunteer stepping forward. Perhaps someone from the Conservation Board might be interested? Next meeting scheduled for 5-7 pm Tuesday July 6, venue TBA
Adjournment at 6:45 pm
Notes from the chat: For grant-specific questions contact Myra Fedyniak at the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Office of Climate Change (OCC), 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-1030, 518-402- 8448 or cscgrants@dec.ny.gov. Implementation actions https://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/administration_pdf/2021cscrfa(1).pdf