MEC on GCA

This from Fred Bunger of the Medfield Energy Committee –

Green Communities Process Status Report 2/12/14:

1. Kelly Brown DOER Green Communities Area Coordinator confirmed Medfield would be eligible a $148,000 grant if it meets the 5 criteria for Green Communities Act (GCA) in 2014.
2.  To met GCA criteria #1 and #5, the Medfield Energy Committee is sponsoring two articles on the Warrant for the April 28, 2014 Annual Town Meeting.
   1. Overlay district for solar PV installation
   2.  Adoption of the BBRS Stretch Energy Code.

Selectman Peterson will request the Medfield Select Board to be Co-Sponsors of these two warrant articles.

1. A By- Law for Large-Scale Ground-Mounted Solar Photovoltaic installations drafted by Town Planner Sara Raposa and Town Counsel Mark Cerel.  The By-Law is under review by the Planning Board.  Kelly Brown has had the DOER expert review and comment on the Medfield By-Law.  It meets the requirements for GCA Criterion 1.  After Planning Board Review, the By-Law will be sent to DOER for review of the updates.   The Planning Board has scheduled the required Public Hearing on the Solar By-Law for Monday March 17.
2. In preparation for the Town Meeting, the Medfield Energy Committee GCA activity will concentrate on education and information to secure passage of the two GCA articles.  I will prepare for meetings with local community groups.  I will also prepare a set of talking points and FAQs for all members of the Medfield Energy Committee to use.
3. The 2009 Massachusetts BBRS Stretch Energy Code will become the base Building Code for the State in July 2014.  A new Stretch Energy Code will be presented by the BBRS in 2014.  When Medfield adopts the 2009 code in April, it will also be expected to comply with the 2014 code when it is presented.

The concern that the Town in the future would be subject to an energy code currently in development must be countered by a strong campaign to explain the purpose and benefits of the energy code: to reduce the life-cycle costs of owning and operating a residence.   The added investment to comply with a more energy efficient code would be balanced by the savings in energy costs over the life of the residence.  Kelly Brown has offered the resources of the DOER to conduct public information sessions to explain the Stretch Energy Code and the benefits to homeowners.  I have asked Kelly to provide example costs and savings for a typical 3000 square foot home in our area.

Adoption of a building code to encourage energy efficiency is important to Medfield. Over 70% of community energy consumption is for residences. By encouraging up-front investment in making homes more energy efficient, homeowners pay less in energy costs over the lifetime of the home.

1. Medfield permitting process meets the GCA criteria for expedited permitting.  A letter from Town Counsel Mark Cerel to DOER will complete this criteria.
2. The other 2 GCA criteria (Energy Efficient Vehicle Purchase policy and Plan for 20% reduction in municipal energy use) will be worked on after Town Meeting.  These two criteria require approval by the Select Board and School Committee.