Energy Commission Minutes

Minutes of 5/17/2024

May 20th, 2024

Carroll Energy Commission Minutes
Meeting of May 17, 2024
The Carroll Energy Commission mission is to advise, encourage, and facilitate energy conservation, energy efficiency, and clean energy solutions for public buildings and properties, businesses, and resident homes. The Committee shall provide leadership and direction for community education relating to energy and shall propose and explore funding for local energy projects.
These minutes of the Town of Carroll Energy Commission have been recorded by its Secretary. Though believed to be accurate and correct they are subject to additions, deletions, and corrections by the Energy Commission at its next meeting when the Commission votes its final approval of the minutes. They are being made available at this time to conform to the requirements of New Hampshire RSA 91-A:2.

Minutes recorded by Imre Szauter, Secretary

Commission members in attendance: Member and Select Board Representative John Greer, Vice Chair Imre Szauter, and Chair Bill Vecchio. Member Brian Mycko participated via Zoom. Member Vern Amirault absent and excused.

Members of the public in attendance: None

The meeting was called to order at 10:06 a.m. by Chair Vecchio.

Chair Vecchio invited all attendees to rise and join in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Chair Vecchio requested a roll call. Chair Vecchio – Present; Member Greer – Present; Member Mycko (via Zoom) – Present; Vice Chair Szauter – Present. With a physical quorum in the conference room and Member Mycko on Zoom, four Energy Commission members were in attendance.

Chair Vecchio stated he would entertain a motion on the May 8, 2024 meeting minutes. Member Mycko motioned to accept the minutes as written. Member Greer seconded the motion. With no additional discussion, roll call vote was taken: Chair Vecchio – AYE; Member Greer: AYE; Member Mycko: AYE; Vice Chair Szauter: AYE. Motion passed 4-0.

Under New Business, Chair Vecchio opened a discussion on EV charging stations, based on a May 9 email from Nicholas Altonaga (naltonaga@nccouncil.org) at NCC (North Country Council). The email read:

Reaching out to you about EV Charging Stations! The NH Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) is working to develop a list of priority/preferred locations for EV charging stations throughout the state. The goal is to use this information as the basis for potential applications to Federal EV Charging grant opportunities to help build out the statewide network of EV Chargers.

Questions for you and your community:
• Is your community interested in installing EV Charging stations?
• Are there any specific sites identified for EV Charging stations?
• Are there any organizations/businesses/other groups in your community interested in hosting EV charging stations?

This is a tentative list, and as such, we don’t need in-depth information. And an important note: Putting the project on the list in no way guarantees funding nor does it commit your community or any organization to installing EV Charges.

Chair Vecchio stated that he spoke with Nicholas Altonaga on May 16 to determine if he would accept a submission (if approved by the commission) from the Carroll Energy Commission following its May 17 10:00 a.m. meeting. Nicholas Altonaga replied that he would.

Chair Vecchio mentioned a draft reply to Nicholas Altonaga that he shared with members previously, briefly answering the three questions presented. Chair Vecchio asked members to share their thoughts on EV charging stations and whether the Energy Commission should submit a formal email response to Nicholas Altonaga.

Member Greer stated that he did not believe the town should provide EV charging services to the public. He stated the town should not be competing with private businesses and others in providing EV charging stations. He asked if the town were to provide one or more EV charging stations, who would be responsible for maintenance. He asked who would be responsible to report EV charging stations as out-of-service.

Member Greer highlighted a security concern regarding EV charging station cable thefts, due to the high price of copper used in the cables. He presented a copper price chart and highlighted the upward trend, further noting the countries that supply the world markets with copper. He highlighted reports of EV fires, which he believes poses a risk to the public from the toxicity of burning materials used in production of EV and their batteries, including lithium, nickel, cobalt, plastics, and other materials.

Member Greer noted the decline in EV sales and the value of manufacturers’ stock prices. He noted the mining operations that are required to supply the raw materials for use in EVs and the environmental damage those mines produce. He cited reports of the predicted quantity of raw materials required to build EVs to satisfy the federal government’s drive to ban the sale of light-duty vehicles powered by internal combustion engines by 2032.

Member Greer stated that the current electric grid configuration made up of electricity generation, transmission, and distribution does not have the capacity to support an all-electric transportation infrastructure. He stated that he believes EV demand should be consumer driven, not government mandated.

Member Mycko stated that he does not support government installation of EV chargers, holding they should be installed, owned, and operated by non-governmental entities. He pointed out the lack of charging station standards, requiring EV owners to carry adapters for use at charging stations with non-compatible connectors. He echoed Member Greer’s concern about spending taxpayers’ money to support refueling of private vehicles.

Vice Chair Szauter expressed his belief there would be future opportunities for EV charging stations, and suggested working with CENH (Clean Energy NH) to better understand the logistics of making EV chargers viable for residents and guests in the North Country.

Chair Vecchio stated he believes there is value in EV charging stations as a marketing tool for expanded tourism in the North Country. Carroll is designated as the “Crossroads of The White Mountains,” and the addition of EV charging stations may attract more tourists, who are important contributors to our local economy.

Member Mycko suggested that EV chargers would restrict parking in those spaces to EVs only, possibly reducing parking where it is needed most. He stated he would like to get more information before fully supporting EV chargers, particularly with regard to who would be responsible for maintenance.

Vice Chair Szauter offered that leasing town land to third-party providers might be viable, similar to what was discussed at the last meeting regarding solar PV arrays.

Member Mycko stated that he has no problem with private providers on leased town land, as this would not require taxpayer funds and in fact could generate revenue for the town.

Chair Vecchio asked if there was any further discussion; hearing none, he motioned to reply to Nicholas Altonaga at NCC that the community of Carroll is interested in EV charging stations. Member Mycko seconded the motion. With no additional discussion, a roll call vote was taken: Chair Vecchio – AYE; Member Greer – NAY; Member Mycko – AYE; Vice Chair Szauter – AYE. Motion passed 3-1.

Member Greer asked if the other two questions in the NCC email need answered. Regarding specific sites, it’s too early to definitively identify all good sites, but the gazebo parking area at US-3 and US-302 is one that stands out due to its high visibility from both roads. Chair Vecchio pointed out his draft response already identified the gazebo area.

Regarding the third question on other organizations, businesses, or groups that might be interested in hosting EV charging stations, members thought it would be best for those other entities to self-identify their interest, rather than the town naming them.

With no further discussion, Chair Vecchio read his proposed response to NCC. Other than modifying the text to identify the Villages of Twin Mountain and Bretton Woods as part of the Town of Carroll, members approved the wording.

Under Old Business, Chair Vecchio asked if there were any previously-discussed topics for consideration. Vice Chair Szauter stated he hasn’t received confirmation that Affinity LED Lighting received the 50% deposit check from the town and there has been no word on when the street light audit might begin.

Under Old Business, Chair Vecchio stated he heard back from Michael Gooden and Ed Martin regarding an Energy Commission proposal to place a solar-rechargeable flagpole light at Straw Cemetery. Both were in favor of doing so. Based on their approval, Member Mycko stated he would proceed with obtaining a suitable unit for testing and install it next week.

Under Other, Chair Vecchio invited items for discussion. None were offered.

With no additional agenda items for discussion, Chair Vecchio entertained a motion for adjournment. Chair Vecchio motioned to adjourn. Member Greer seconded the motion. With no additional discussion, roll call vote was taken: Chair Vecchio – AYE; Member Greer – AYE; Member Mycko – AYE; Vice Chair Szauter – AYE. Motion passed 4-0 and the meeting was adjourned at 10:58 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Imre Szauter, Vice Chair and Secretary