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Energy manager highlights town hall decarbonization, net‑metering credits and school HVAC plans
Summary
Kathy Stanley, the town's shared energy manager, summarized the Town Hall decarbonization project, reported the town has excess 2014 net‑metering credits, described savings from the town's electric aggregation program, and outlined school HVAC studies and recent grant denials with plans to reapply.
Kathy Stanley, Westport’s shared energy manager, briefed the Select Board on recent energy projects and planning, including a completed Town Hall decarbonization, net‑metering credit management, and studies for school HVAC upgrades.
Stanley said the Town Hall project replaced a failing steam system and used grant funding plus the town’s accumulated solar net‑metering credits to reduce project costs. "We were able to secure funding from Green Communities," she said, and noted the town’s procurement of an energy services company under a 25A §11 approach to allow multiple municipal projects to proceed without rebidding. She reported the town holds two 2014 net‑metering agreements that will expire in 2034 and that the town currently has almost twice the credits it needs, which presents options—use credits on local projects or consider selling them at a discount to other municipalities.
Stanley also reported the town’s electric aggregation price of 14.346¢ per kilowatt hour compared with Eversource residential basic service at 17.323¢, and said the aggregation saves money for enrolled residents. She reviewed a study for Westport Elementary School that identified an air‑source heat‑pump VRF system as the most cost‑effective option and outlined efforts to pursue Green School Works or other grant rounds after an initial denial. Stanley said the town will convene staff, the green communities coordinator and engineers to refine future grant submissions; she also noted the library’s recent Green Communities grant application for rooftop units was denied and that staff will investigate next steps.
Board members and Stanley discussed regional supply constraints, demand response opportunities and long‑term options including advanced nuclear technologies. Stanley said she will return to the board with updates as grant opportunities and designs move forward.
Speakers: Kathy Stanley (Energy Manager), Chair, Select Board members.
Authorities: Green Communities grant programs and Green School Works referenced by speaker.
Actions: [{"kind":"other","motion":"Discussion and direction to staff to pursue updated grant applications and to host an open house on school boiler room in September to support future funding efforts.","outcome":"discussion","notes":"no formal vote recorded"}].
