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Haines Borough Energy Sustainability Commission

January 21, 2010, 6:30 PM PM, Assembly Chambers, Public Safety Building

Note: Items may be added to this page. Please check back.

Meeting Agenda {1-21-2010 Agenda}

Minutes

Public Comment Period: Draft Haines Borough Wood Heat Feasibility Study. Please pick up this study and its appendices from the Biomass page on this website. It is the first item in the right hand "Information" column. There are also hard copies at the Public Library and at the Borough Administration Office. If you need help accessing this information, please email the Energy Coordinator for assistance or phone at 766-2718.. The public will be asked to sign up prior to speaking at the meeting.

Written Comments Received to date (1/13/10):

Commissioners' Reports

Commissioner Hedden: Letter of Resignation and Recommendation {Download}

Commissioner Hollee: Research on carbon sequestration in old growth forests (added 1/17/10) {Download}For those who prefer the PDF format: {Download PDF}

Commissioner Lidholm: Subcommittee Assignments

Target date for Energy Fair is April 24 in conjunction with 40th anniversary of Earth Day and in partnership with Haines Friends of Recycing (HFR). Possible emphasis this year: Wind Energy. A subcommittee of at least two Commissioners is needed to work collaboratively with a subcommittee from HFR to plan this event.

  • Policy Guide for Haines Borough Employees on Reducing Energy Use.

The Coordinator must draft a manual for Borough Employees modeled after the City of Homer Sustainability Guidebook {594 KB} and relating to the Haines Borough Energy Conservation Plan adopted unanimously by the Haines Borough Assembly March 2009. The Coordinator requests a subcommittee of at least two Commissioners willing to read and advise as the drafting process begins. Check out the HB Energy Conservation Plan here (first item in left hand column).

Commissioner Ryan: Wind Energy Activities {Download}

Coordinator's/Staff Reports

  • Energy Consumption in Municipal Facilities, November 2009: Coordinator's Report {Download Report}
  • LED streetlights Test Update , Coordinator. A PO for the 8 test lights has been cut but is yet unsigned. It awaits confirmation of the quote. Inquiry has been made regarding the State's position on LED lights on state owned an operated streets.See Coordinator's inquiry to DOT officials December 30, 2009. {Download} No response has been received to date (1/10/10).
  • Wind for Schools Update, Coordinator
    • There will be a Wind for Schools Nuts & Bolts Webinar January 22, 1-3 PM. Click on this link to register. The Coordinator has registered and plans to participate. Notification has been provided to the Haines Borough School District Superintendent and to Mark Fontenot, High School Science Teacher.
    • Katherine Keith, Alaska Center for Energy & Power, notification and invitation to participate in Webinar {Download}
  • Energy Audit for Public Safety Building update, Facilities Director
  • Miscelleaneous events, opportunities, and publications that may be of interest to the Commission:
    • Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) webinar, January 26, 10 AM, Alaska Time, one hour 15 minutes. Topic: on the interconnection and net metering policies and process behind rulemaking proceedings at state utilities commissions.  This webinar will also hit the highlights of IREC's recently released Connecting to the Grid Guide, 6th edition. The Webinar is free but you must register to attend. (Click on register.)
    • Southeast Conference Energy Committee. Teleconference Thursday, January 21, 2-4 PM. Go to this site to download the 2009 Southeast Conference Energy Legislative Report. Note the absence of plans to increase KWH generation capacity in Haines. Also, download Chris Brewton's (City of Sitka) excellent analysis of sources of energy and energy requirements for the City and Borough of Sitka.
    • Tapping Our Forests for Green Energy,{893 KB} a research report provided by Greg Palmieri, Haines State Forester.
    • Extreme Energy Efficiency - the Nuts and Bolts of Building a Better Building, Peter Amerongen, Habitat Studio and Workshop Ltd. {DownloadT}he Alaska Cooperative Extension Service, University of Alaska,Fairbanks, has organized a state-wide group of people interested in sustainability issues. Professor Seifert initiated this effort. He would like to find a way to bring Amerogen to Alaska. Peter Amerongen is the President of Habitat Studio & Workshop Ltd., a progressive Edmonton homebuilder.  Habitat Studio has built all three of Edmonton’s net zero energy houses to date and has six other near net zero energy houses built or under construction. In the drive to achieve ultra energy efficiency in the most cost effective manner, Habitat has developed a methodology and a number of details and techniques that have broad application.
    • Teleconference with the Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA) to discuss EISA (Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007) PURPA (Public UTILITIES regulatory Policies Act of 1978) standards related to the role of utilities with respect to demand-side and supply-side energy efficiency; and rate design modifications to promote energy efficiency investments (9:30 AM February 25); and consideration of smart grid investments and information (9:30 AM, March 25). (Posted by Coordinator 1/12/10). {R-09-5(2)}}

Old Business

Haines Borough Wood Heat Feasibility Report and Appendices (Please download report and appendices from Biomass page.) If you require a hard copy, please contact the Energy Coordinator via email or phone (766-2718) for assistance.