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Elon committee reviews energy audit pre‑assessment after 2024 usage rose about 10%
Summary
The Elon Sustainability Committee reviewed a pre‑assessment for a municipal energy audit Jan. 29, 2025, noting a roughly 10% increase in town energy use in 2024 and discussing adding weather normalization, meter locations, and outreach to encourage local businesses to pursue audits.
Elon Sustainability Committee members met Jan. 29, 2025, at Elon Town Hall to review the town's energy audit pre‑assessment and 2024 energy‑use data. Planner Isabell Cooper reported that the town's energy use increased about 10 percent in 2024 and said she has sent a Pre‑Assessment Survey to Waste Reduction Partners and is awaiting their response.
The committee discussed the audit's purpose and likely outcomes. Chair Dennis Nemm Pagano and Assistant Public Works Director David Murphy said the audit should highlight smaller, lower‑cost projects that can reduce operating costs. Murphy said the process will help outline those projects for municipal facilities, while Pagano emphasized the audit's potential to encourage similar work by local businesses.
Planning Director Lori Oakley said the town is limited in its regulatory authority but can serve as a role model for residents and other municipalities. Committee members asked whether weather data could be added to the usage analysis to improve comparisons across years; Cooper confirmed weather normalization can be included. Members also discussed clarifying meter locations for specific municipal facilities so the audit can more accurately assign consumption.
There was no public comment during the meeting. The committee approved minutes for Oct. 23, 2024, and Dec. 5, 2024 (both motions passed unanimously, 6-0) and adjourned at 11:34 a.m.
Next steps noted by staff: Cooper will follow up on the Waste Reduction Partners Pre‑Assessment Survey and return audit details to the committee; Oakley will present related project plans to the Town Council as appropriate.
