MINUTES

Energy Conservation and Green Building  Committee
Mayor’s Energy Task Force
January 27, 2004
3:00 - 5:30 p.m.
MGE, 133 South Blair Street

Meeting No. 6

(Amended 2/5/04)

Resume

1. The agenda was reviewed by Sherrie Gruder for items to be discussed today.

A request and motion was approved to delay the approval of meeting No. 5 minutes of December 16, 2003 until the next committee meeting scheduled for February 3, 2004.

2. Focus on Energy, Government & Schools Program, Lisa Pederson.

Lisa Pederson from Focus on Energy presented information on their technical assistance and funding programs. Project types were identified and sample projects were described that received incentives and grants for energy efficient improvements. The program is designed to assist gas and electric customers in the identification and implementation of cost effective energy efficient improvements. Services provided by Focus on Energy range from assistance in the initial identification of projects through bidding and project installation. Services also include tracking energy savings after the projects are implemented. Services and resources include schools, universities, and government facilities.

Feasibility study grants are offered to partially offset the cost of performing engineering studies to determine the feasibility of an energy efficiency project. The grants will cover 50% of the cost of the study, up to a grant maximum of $7,500. Implementation grants provide $0.1/KWh or $0.30/therm.

Lisa Pederson presented a list of City of Madison design and construction projects that are in the design or planning process. Focus would assist primarily in the design development (DD) phase. Some projects may have potential for Focus on Energy incentives through grants.

Discussion by committee members centered on the importance of applying integrated energy design earlier than the DD phase- in schematics- to capture maximum energy efficiencies and economies. It was discussed that the Task Force final recommendations should include requirements or pilots for City building design projects to include a process for requiring integrated energy design and overall green building design approaches. That the City RFP’s be modified to target green design and that ample lead-time be factored in.

3. Doug Pearson, Director of Building Services, Madison Metropolitan School District, presented an update on the school districts energy conservation program.

Their mission statement: building condition = student achievement. Their current program has been focused on some of the districts older facilities or about 25% out of a total of 46 buildings. Performance contracting in 40 schools in equipment and building retrofits has provided energy savings of more than $542,000 annually. These building updates include new roof top HVAC units, adjustable frequency controllers, a district wide building automation system, VAV conversions, and lighting retrofits. Flush valve control replacement on toilet fixtures with timers or motion sensors has saved over 5.3 million gallons of water per year. Overall, they exceeded the guarantee with Honeywell by $140,000.

Focus on Energy grants to the school district have included the following:

• Steam trap replacements saving 280,000 therms per year.
• Expand building automation systems – upcoming.
• Provide geo-thermal study for future school at Sprecher Road – 15-acre site.
• Vend-Miser vending machine motion sensor controls to shut off machine lights.

District maintenance referendum programs have included lighting retrofits with electronic T-8 ballasts and motion sensors, re-roofing on 25 year replacement schedule with R-18 or R-20 insulation ($6.50/sf), replacement upgrades of hot water heaters-chillers-boilers, and various exterior window replacements. The window replacement projects have saved 8,000 to 50,000 therms per building per year.

They have not but are willing to consider green roofs. This will be noted by the ECGB committee as they develop recommendations.

Data show that while MMSD has grown substantially between 1997 and 2002, having added 190,000 SF + 3,000 PCs and 1 stadium, their energy consumption overall has slightly decreased both for natural gas and electricity.

The schools district is an Energy Star Partner and participates in benchmarking studies. The Allied Drive facility, so far, is the only Energy Star rated Building. Track energy consumption at www.energywatchdog.com.

LEED: The district has completed a preliminary LEED evaluation study for East high school (green building workgroup will evaluate) and they are working on an RFP for energy conservation labeling of existing facilities. They would be interested in assistance with applying the LEED green building rating system to schools.

Environmental programs include recycling of cardboard, office paper, metals, and aluminum. Clean Air Coalition includes transportation RFP and bio-diesel, and decrease bus idling times. Standard purchasing specifications are modified for low/no VOC formaldehydes, mold prevention, improved indoor air quality, and green products.

In the future the schools district is looking at creating an Energy Conservation and Management Committee. The committee will focus on Energy Star certification of existing buildings, energy consumption reduction, website information, education programs through the State programs, and developing new policies. Another future goal is to achieve a National Award Energy Star.

4. Energy Conservation Workgroup update by Craig Schepp.

This workgroup met on January 6, 2004. Craig presented and reviewed the “Vision” flow chart that the workgroup developed. The chart identifies the objective, initiative, and implementation process for energy conservation. This diagram is attached at the end of these meeting minutes for reference.

There are 2 main objectives:

Objective 1 – to encourage the wise use of energy.

Objective 2 – to change policies to reflect energy efficiency and green values.

Keep needs of target group clear. The following steps are:

• Clarify objectives.
• Select target groups and markets such as “EnAct” teams and business teams (faith based, stewardship, DMI).
• Develop “Toolkit” of resources.
• Develop plan to approach and enlarge target groups.
• Develop 6 month/ 1 year/ 5-10 year goals.

“EnAct” is a local organization that creates “Environmental Action Teams” in neighborhoods, community groups, and workplaces to encourage sustainable design. There are 8 sponsors in this program including 4 city agencies, MGE and Dane county. Sonya is willing to make brief presentation to group about this program at a future meeting.

5. Green Building Workgroup update by Sherrie Gruder.

This workgroup met on January 6, 2004. They identified Focus of Madison GB program:

• Promote green polices, encourage developers and building owners.
• Demonstrate market leadership by government.
• Transform existing building stock.
• Address private buildings.
• As most building stock is private – market transformation there would yield greatest impacts.

The workgroup discussed the following issues:

• Green building program research – developing matrix of programs nationally. · Private buildings.
• Developer issues.
• Private and public sector education.
• Developer risks.
• Madison Inclusionary Zoning.

6. RMI – Rocky Mountain Institute – Service Opportunities and Consulting Scope. Alexis Karolides, RMI and Joanie Henderson. RMI joined us on conference calling.

RMI has assisted governments to develop new energy conservation and green building programs. For the State of Massachusetts, RMI has worked on special energy project initiatives, green building initiatives, compare programs to other States, and prepare recommendations. RMI research involves energy programs around the country. They have developed programs for the City of San Francisco to update older buildings. They develop motivational material, make energy conservation recommendations, and identify funding sources. RMI can integrate existing and new energy programs.

Discussion of scope of their input to the ECGB committee ensued. We would like them to play a supportive role, providing input, benchmarks and identifying opportunities. The EC&GB Committee needs to have high profile ideas that are new, innovative, and visionary, that will make Madison a trend maker in research and implementation of new high tech energy conservation. Research new future technologies. RMI’s expertise can be valuable in this regard.

7. Other business, website links, meeting schedule, guest speakers.

Website links need to be updated, send to Sherrie Gruder.

Make suggestions for guest speakers, send to Sherrie Gruder.

8. Adjourn.

Vision (PDF)