HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 26Environmental Initiatives Committee
Minutes
DATE: Monday, May 26, 2008
TIME: 7:30pm
LOCATION: Parks & Recreation Building
26379 Fremont Road
Los Altos Hills
1.Roll Call: The following were present: Ian Earnest, Peter Evans, John Harpootlian,
Mark Jensen, Steve Schmidt, Raj Reddy & Jay Shideler.
2.Committee acceptance of the minutes: The April 14, 2008 Minutes were approved
as-presented.
3.Concept for establishing Goals and setting Priority: These minutes, henceforth,
shall follow this format of denoting priority as (Value-Time) until further notice.
“Value” and “Time” are expressed as one of three letters: “H” – high, “M”- medium
or “L” – low.
Energy:
1.Energy Renewable & Consumption Reduction Initiatives – (H-H) Steve:
•Steve has set up a Wiki for entering generic energy-conservation related
documents. The EIC committee is encouraged to contribute any related items
but not documents specifically addressing matters of the EIC. (H-H) All
•EIC shopping list for PG&E – Steve put together a “shopping” list of items
needed for residential auditing. Run by Papia and get a commitment (H-H)
Steve
•Program by Altera will accomplish audits for 100-200 homes in Palo Alto.
PG&E will assist with this program. PG&E would like to use LAH as a beta
site for similar programs. Follow up needed (H-H) Steve.
•Climate Smart & other programs – Jay expressed a concern about LAH
joining too many organizations that tout conservation and carbon-footprint
reduction. Town staff’s time is limited and the EIC doesn’t want to become
diluted in its efforts. Select those programs that actively benefit the Town in
addressing residential concerns and shun those programs that simply collect
data (H-H) All
•Real-Time PG&E meters – Peter handed out a written proposal for requiring
smart metering as a requirement (for new homes and remodels) The EIC
favors this requirement but implementation procedure is unknown since
PG&E does not yet have an established smart meter program that will give
instantaneous readouts of home power consumption. It was disclosed that a
“bolt on” Blue meter with a wall-mounted readout (about $150) will work –
(H-H) Papia, Peter, Steve
• ECLEI – Progress has been made in adapting the s/w to accommodate
residential conservation concerns. (H-H) - Steve
• Town Hall energy monitoring: FSI’s, Allan Pong has issued a very
preliminary report on the audit/analysis of the Town Hall. Allan has specified
some items that need to be addressed to render the building more efficient.
The EIC expressed disappointment at this juncture about the lack of concrete
contents of the report. One recommendation involves outside air ducting to the
computer room which will be rather expensive Also, for a small fee, the
building can officially be designated as an energy star building (bragging
rights). Pursue to finish the project. (H-H) Mark, Walt
• Pool energy conservation article for LAH Newsletter – Article has been
written by Steve and Ian, which has been submitted for the next Town
newsletter.
• QENSO – Community Green Map: Tim Chou had to cancel his” presentation
to the EIC due to “other matters” that came up at the last minute –
presentation rescheduled for next meeting. (M-H) Jay
2. Solar Energy Generation:
• Solar website monitoring: FSI reports made recommendations for correcting
power/energy designations: (M-L) Mark
Green Construction and Demolition (H-H) - Raj:
1. Green Construction: A draft by Debbie was sent out for review. Debbie wants to
go back to the Council with a more detailed plan. Intension is to make green
construction mandatory for all new homes and for remodels. Proposal is based on
obtaining points for designs incorporating “green” features (minimum of 50
points required). Put together a proposal for submission to the Council by
Aug./Sept timeframe (H-H) – Raj
2. Send out Green Construction website addresses to EIC members. (H-H) - Raj
Recycling:
1. Green Waste Recovery’s proposal: Final draft currently being drafted (H-H) -
Jay
2. Residential trash/garbage to the landfill Recycling reclamation by LAG Co. data
was botched for March – yard trimmings data was left out - rectify. (M-M) - (Jay)
3. Green Waste’s chemical analysis of solid waste may be available for staff of LAH
– no new information. (M-M) - Jay
Water Consumption:
1. Landscape Water & Conservation Guidelines – no new information (H-M) John
2. Mandatory Irrigation Ordinance: No new information. – (H-H) - John
2. Little League Field – no new updates (H-M) - John, Jay, Breene.
Miscellaneous:
1. EIC Website–Town – no new information (H-H) Lew
2. Town Picnic on June 1 – all EIC members are encouraged to participate (H-H):
• Kinko to do an EIC banner for the EIC booth – Jay
• Set up a solar water-pump display or equivalent – Ian
• Tables, chairs, umbrella – Jay
• Brochures/displays for water conservation, recycling, green construction, etc:
All
Next Meeting: Monday, June 16, 2008 at 7:30PM (Parks and Recreation Building).
JAS 5-26-08