Wolfeboro Energy Committee Shares Goals for 2020
Wolfeboro raises limit on local generator production to 100 kWh/site.
[This article appeared in the Granite State News on January 2, 2020]
BY ELLISA PAQUETTE, Contributing Writer
WOLFEBORO -- The Wolfeboro Energy Committee shared its goals for 2020 at the Board of Selectmen's meeting on Dec. 18. Chairman Susan Fuller stated that the focus will be on continuing movement toward: reduction of municipal energy use; increasing the use of renewables; addressing future needs; reduction of transportation energy use and cost; and community education.
With the approval of the 2019-29 Master Plan complete and inclusion of an Energy Chapter for the first time, long term goals have been established, and residents will hear references to those goals as policies are developed, capital improvement projects are approved, and warrant articles are presented.
Reductions in municipal energy use, spurred by the Energy Committee (established by warrant article in March of 2007) have been accomplished since then by means of: lighting retro-fits of the Public Safety Building, Library, Ice Rink, Highway Department Garages, and the Water Treatment Plant; the Public Works Department's implementation of many efficiency projects; creation of a municipal energy tracking system; and Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (2010).
Those audits laid the groundwork for the subsequent progress in energy reduction and accomplishment of short term reduction goals.
The goal for 2029 in reduction of municipal energy use is 40 percent.
Use of renewable energy, such as that generated from sun and wind, is set at a goal of 50 percent by 2029 with the ultimate goal of 100 percent.
To that end, a net metering policy developed by Municipal Electric Department Director Barry Muccio, following research and consultation with a number of sources, the Energy Committee among them, was recently approved by the Board of Selectmen. It institutes a change from allowing up to 25 kWh from a local generator to site production of a 100 kWh capacity, thus encouraging energy from alternative energy sources in Wolfeboro.
Infrastructure projects will be analyzed with attention to their energy efficiency as they make their way from conception to review by the Planning Board's Capital Improvements Program committee. As for transportation, Fuller commented that she was pleased at Kathy Fairman Eaton’s commitment to offer a Molley the Trolley shuttle service between Kingswood Regional High School (McManus Road) and downtown Wolfeboro every half hour, beginning in the 2020 season. It has great potential to reduce traffic congestion downtown and reduce the number of vehicles going back and forth.
Community education efforts take many forms. In the past, there have been forums and workshops, including a Lakes Region Energy Expo in 2013. Look for event promotion in the Granite State News and Wolfeboro Community Television in the months ahead.