CEAC Minutes 562020CEAC Meeting Minutes for 5 -6 -2020 approved by 4 to 0 roll call vote on 6/10/2020
Roll call:
Committee: Julia Long, Julie DeSilva, Fred Hopps, Amy Smith, Sean Leach, Tom Keeley
Guests: Wayne Miller, Dean Berg
Master Plan Update (Wayne Miller)
It has been delayed briefly so that it can get the proper vetting and access due to the pandemic and the
original conditions and timeline changing. Highspeed internet access is essential.
Green Municipal Aggregation (GMA) Update (Sean /Wayne)
Moving superfast. Looks good for great pricing for 100% renewable. MAPC and Green Energy Consumers
Alliance (Daria) are spearheading. Mayor Cahill received any update from Sean and Wayne this week.
Next step is a nonbinding exploration resolution for CC, which will allow investigation and permission to
hire an aggregator. Dean asked if there are certain towns /timelines. Sean said they are looking to get to a
similar timeline and hiring the same aggregator (likely Good Energy). Fred discussed a process that
allows all the contracts to sync up. Looking to make the best deal for all the cities and towns. Sean
mentioned that the holdup will be with clearing the DPU, which might require advocacy by the
committee with state officials.
Solar Update (KEARSARGE /Beth Greenblatt)
• School committee meeting used layperson language and was an excellent presentation
according to Julia. See link below.
• Fred said Mike Collins thought it was a good meeting and that there seemed to be little to no
resistance from the school committee. Julia's take was that there was concern about
construction being disruptive during school. Dan from Kearsarge had good suggestions for
mitigation. Mike Collins mentioned that we might not be doing storage (using adder). Sean
mentioned that its an expensive thing to do. Behind /in -front of the meter was something
concerning. DOER said there is a benefit to the city to be in front of the meter. Sean says
regardless of what the city wants, the project owner gets to decide but the benefits to Beverly
are greening the grid and being able to purchase clean energy!
• Canopy is moving ahead; letter of intent is signed. Coalition that includes the mayor, Catherine
Barrett and members of this committee are moving this project forward!
Amesbury EV Presentation
Nathan Gray (ecobrick project) reached out to Sean to ask if he would give an EV presentation. It will be
this Friday (see link below). We will tune in and see if this is something we want to do in Beverly. We
discussed doing many shorter prepublished segments (perhaps 6 weeks using subjects /speakers that we
had already planned for Earth Day) and recording them with 15 minute Q &A and quick kid project at the
end. Sean suggested let's see how the pandemic situation plays out and see how Amesbury event goes.
Minutes
Julia motioned for and Fred seconded approval of February, March, and April minutes; all approved with
single change of changing references to CCA to GMA.
Miscellaneous
• Julia reviewed 100% Resolution to revise GMA language at the end.
• Fred would like the CEAC to draft a letter of support to send to state officials for the Futures Act.
• Fred discussed doing bike rally /barnraising /mutual aid events to help people in the community.
Tom mentioned helping those who are off the grid or needing energy assistance. Sean
mentioned Ecotrivia nights and the Garden School. Julie D mentioned community gardening
projects (like sharing sprouts and seeds and raised beds). Amy brought up the concept of
sidewalk CSAs, random acts of "carrots." Tom mentioned a garden in post office square and Amy
mentioned space behind the Cabot House. Add energy kiosks near the projects. Reaching out to
Estelle to find out if there is a parcel of land locally for a potential garden.
• Fred (with a former student) and Revision and MassSave did a presentation at New England
Biolabs.
Follow -up items from last meeting:
• Where is Pathway to 100% doc? 5/6/2020 Julia to resend to Mayor Cahill to put at the top of his
inbox
• Any BlueWave update? Yes, they are currently wait listing Beverly residents per Julie D.
Follow -up items:
• Julia to send contact information for minute posting to Julie D.
• Fred to share link to NE Biolabs presentation.
Links:
Tune in Friday to see Sean speak about EVs at the Amesbury Virtual Eco- Festival
Beverly School Committee Meeting during which Kearsarge Energy presented on the Beverly Solar
Program. Presentation starts at around 13:55: https : / /www.youtube.com/watch?
v= HZOB9eFDOm8 &feature= youtu.be
Next meeting: Wednesday, June 3 (rescheduled to June 10)