Upload
dongoc
View
214
Download
2
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
PUBLIC FORUM Monday, March 4, 2013
Introductions – Consultant Team
VHB, Inc.
Ralph Willmer, FAICP
Robert Nagi, PE
Kari Hewitt
Agenda
Welcome
Group survey
Energy introduction by Brian Choquette
Presentation on energy issues and feedback from the audience
Transportation introduction by Michelle Ciccolo
Presentation on transportation issues and feedback from the audience
Group survey
Next steps
SURVEY QUESTIONS
What is your favorite thing to do in your spare time?
1 2 3 4 5 6
11%
7%
25%
0%
50%
7%
1. Watch TV
2. Play on electronic devices
3. Go to a movie
4. Get outdoors
5. Nothing
6. Come to interesting public
meetings like this one
How long have you lived in Hudson?
1 2 3 4 5 6
4%
7%
11%
50%
21%
7%
1. Less than 1 year
2. 2 – 5 years
3. 6 – 10 years
4. 10 – 20 years
5. Over 20 years
6. Don’t live here
Did you know that Hudson Light and Power offers free/discounted energy audits?
1 2 3
34%
21%
45%
1. Yes
2. Yes, but didn’t know details
3. No
Did you know that HPLD offers renewable energy incentives?
1 2 3
50%
29%
21%
1. Yes
2. Yes, but do not know details
3. No
Did you know that HPLD offers energy conservation incentives and appliance rebates?
1 2 3
59%
22%19%
1. Yes
2. Yes, but do not know details
3. No
Overview of HLPD Energy Conservation Incentive Programs
Brian Choquette Assistant General Manger
HLPD Residential Energy Conservation Programs
Free Energy Audits:
Review building envelope for air seal leaks in windows and doors
Assess room by room energy consumption
Review heating and cooling systems
Indoor and outdoor lighting review
Infrared camera analysis
Appliance calculations and review rebate programs
HLPD Residential Energy Conservation Programs
Appliance Rebates:
10% of the appliance price up to the limits below:
Clothes washer $50
Dish washer $50
Room air conditioner $50
Refrigerator $50
Dehumidifier $50
Central air conditioner $100
Electric air source or geothermal heat pump $100
HLPD Residential Energy Conservation Programs
Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb Sales
Reduced rate of $1.00 per bulb
Limit 5 per customer
15W equivalent to a 60W incandescent
20W equivalent to a 75W incandescent
25W equivalent to a 100W incandescent
HLPD Commercial Energy Conservation Programs Energy Audit
50% of the audit cost up to the following limits:
Municipal accounts: $7,500 per town
Small C&I (less than 100 KW): $1,500
Medium C&I (100-500 KW): $2,000
Large C&I (more than 500 KW): $4,000
Audit includes:
Site visit
Utility bill evaluation
Data loggers (if needed)
Site analysis for lighting, HVAC, compressed air, etc.
Report presentation and recommendations
HLPD Commercial Energy Conservation Programs Commercial & Industrial Rebates (based on audit
recommendations)
50% of the total improvement costs up to the following limits:
Municipal accounts: $15,000 per town
Small C&I (less than 100 KW): $4,000
Medium C&I (100-500 KW): $9,000
Large C&I (more than 500 KW): $15,000
Improvements include:
Efficient lighting
Variable frequency drives replacing old motor starters
HLPD Photovoltaic (Solar) Incentive Program
$1.00 per Watt of installed solar up to a maximum of:
$5,000 per residential customer per installation per year
$10,000 per commercial customer per installation per year
Excess Generation
Excess generation will be purchased by HLPD for the Power Adjustment Charge for the given month
Must meet applicable requirements
Panels to face south
Inverter with anti-islanding features
Safety disconnect switch
HLPD Energy Conservation Incentive Programs
Additional information can be found on the HLPD website:
www.hudsonlight.com
QUESTIONS ?
Energy Overview and Discussion
ENERGY OVERVIEW
What are we talking about when we talk about energy?
Energy used to operate:
Buildings
Outdoor lighting
Vehicles
Generation and distribution of energy
Fuel Sources
Renewables/Alternative Fuels
Energy security and reliability
Economy
Why does it matter for the Master Plan?
Land Use
Development patterns impact energy use and energy infrastructure
Zoning and building codes (renewables, energy efficiency)
Transportation
Fuel consumption
Alternative fuels and infrastructure
Public Health
Meeting energy needs without compromising public health
Economy
Revenue generation; costs to end-users; jobs
Hudson Light & Power
Asset to the Town
Revenue generation
Low electric rates for residents/businesses
Reliability
Clean sources
70% of HLPD’s supply is from GHG-free sources
Efficiency and Renewables programs/incentives
What can the Town do?
Influence within its own operations:
Buildings
Lighting
Fleet
Set Efficiency/Reduction Targets
Policies and Financial Mechanisms
Work with HLPD to continue to provide reliable service at low rates to the customers.
Education and Outreach
Best Practices – Muni Operations
Audit municipal buildings
Implement energy conservation recommendations (HVAC systems, lighting)
LED streetlights/traffic signals
Renewable energy installations on site (solar PV, solar thermal)
Adopt green or energy efficiency policy for new construction/major retrofits
Energy efficiency purchasing policy
Municipal fleet
Reduce fleet size, when possible
Reduce idling
Replacement policy – fuel efficient/alternative fueled vehicles
Best Practices – Community Scale Programs/Policies
Outreach and education around energy literacy and existing incentive/rebate programs
Commercial, Residential, and Industrial
Through HLPD, NSTAR, and State programs (ex: MassSave)
Expedited permitting/financial incentives for energy efficient development
Energy Efficient/Green Building Code
DISCUSSION
What are the long-term goals related to energy for Hudson?
What about short term goals?
SURVEY QUESTIONS
Have you ever received an energy audit at your home or business?
1 2 3
41%
4%
56%1. Yes
2. No
3. I wanted to, but didn’t know how/was too expensive
Have you ever received a rebate for the purchase of an energy-efficient appliance?
1 2 3 4
37%
15%15%
33%
1. Have purchased and received a rebate from product company
2. Have purchased and received rebate from utility
3. Have purchased without rebate
4. Have never purchased an energy-efficient appliance
Have you ever installed energy conservation or renewable energy technology at your home or business?
1 2 3
15%
48%
37%
1. Yes, renewable energy
2. Yes, energy conservation/efficiency measures
3. No
What do you think is the single most important thing the Town can do with regard to energy?
1 2 3 4 5
29%
7%
0%
29%
36%1. Efficiency in municipal
buildings.
2. Renewables on municipal property.
3. Green building/energy efficient building codes.
4. Education and outreach to businesses/residents.
5. Improve efficiency of vehicle fleet.
Transportation Overview and Discussion
Hudson’s Current Roadway Network
Source: MassGIS, 2005
How does Transportation “Fit” into a Master Plan?
It defines how investments should be made by outlining the community’s goals and objectives.
It identifies who is part of the process and defines their overall roles.
It helps set the stage for what is practical and effective.
Be “Smarter” about where and what the community invests in
Know what you have to work with.
Identify targeted improvements to the Town’s transportation corridors.
Be sensitive to the context in which the investment is being made.
Plan for the future, but respect the present.
Build upon what works, address what doesn’t.
Create Effective Partnerships
Neighboring Towns and Cities and MassDOT are key to providing regional solutions.
Form coalitions to support improvements for the regional networks.
Develop consensus for improvements to regional issues.
Enhance/create transit connections.
Build upon the success of ped/bike corridors with those advocacy groups.
Focus on engaging the whole community (businesses and residents)
Identify where employment centers and population centers will see growth.
Organize and teach businesses to help themselves.
Develop integrated TDM programs.
Ask businesses for help and input on key transportation improvements to the system that will help them to thrive.
Develop a realistic funding plan
Identify how the community spends money ~ develop a holistic investment strategy in transportation.
Plan for complete streets, not just patchwork upgrades.
Plan for the future and develop a long-range “action plan” that the community can refer back to for guidance.
Relevant Town of Hudson Transportation Information
Washington Street/Route 85 Corridor Project (underway)
Washington Street Bridge Project (preliminary studies underway)
Assabet River Rail Trail Implementation Plan (2001)
MAGIC Subregional Area Study, 2000
Community Development Plan, 2004
Transportation Chapter (4) focuses on existing conditions and services, alternative transportation options, congested sites and suggested improvement projects, and outlines an action plan.
Urban River Vision Initiative, 2002
Valuable planning tool that explores ways to revitalize downtown and the Assabet River
495/MetroWest Development Compact (2012)
SURVEY QUESTIONS
What is your primary mode of transportation?
1 2 3 4 5
100%
0% 0%0%0%
1. Car
2. Bus
3. Bike
4. Feet
5. Other
What is your secondary mode of transportation?
1 2 3 4 5
5%0% 0%
95%
0%
1. Car
2. Bus
3. Bike
4. Feet
5. Other
What are your reasons for walking places when you do so? Choose all that apply.
1 2 3 4 5 6
19%
48%
5%
14%
9%
5%
1. To run an errand
2. For recreation/exercise
3. To go to school or work
4. To lower your carbon footprint
5. All of the above
6. Other
Should the Town regularly allocate money to maintain and improve bicycle and pedestrian facilities?
1 2 3
76%
10%14%
1. Yes
2. No
3. Not sure
Do you use the MBTA, WRTA, or MWRTA services on a regular basis?
1 2 3 4 5
0%
4%
52%
39%
4%
1. Daily
2. Once a week
3. Once a month
4. A few times a year
5. Never
Should the Town do more to provide transit services?
1 2 3
27%
18%
55%1. Yes and it should be paid for out of the Town’s operating budget
2. Yes, but the Town should find some other source of revenue
3. No
Acknowledging the fiscal realities of today's society, do you feel that the town is doing enough to address the transportation challenges you face on a daily basis?
1 2 3 4 5
14%
5%
23%
27%
32%
1. Strongly agree
2. Somewhat agree
3. Neutral
4. Somewhat disagree
5. Strongly disagree
Should more focus be spent on alternative forms of transportation infrastructure (such as sidewalks, bicycle accommodations, transit services)?
1 2 3 4 5
57%
17%
4%
17%
4%
1. Strongly agree
2. Somewhat agree
3. Neutral
4. Somewhat disagree
5. Strongly disagree
Is the condition of the Town’s roadways bad enough to borrow money to fix them?
1 2 3
36%
32%32%
1. Yes, it is important to maintain the Town’s roadways
2. No, it is unwise to bond for road repair
3. Not sure
DISCUSSION
What do you believe should be the priorities for the community when it comes to transportation investment?
After the Washington Street Bridge project, where should the Town consider focusing their resources?
Can you think of any short-term projects that would be relatively simple to accomplish, but might result in tangible results?