February 16, 2022

Attendance: Mike Weir, Dina Pandya, Liz Maloney, Stephanie Madsen, Kayleah Griffen, Connor Ahearn, Sarah Youngs, Mallory Kastner, Pam Polloni, Lauren Dykman, Alex Bocconcelli

 

 

#1  Energy Plan power point to WHOI Leadership – Focus on Energy Master Plan (EMP). We met as a group several times and constructed a ppt to share with leadership. Our Goal is to offer carbon emission recommendations.

·         Date of presentation to Peter, Rick, Kathryn + Dave is Thursday, March 31 at 2:30pm via Zoom

Action:

·         Finalize ppt slides (SM)

 

#2  Energy Efficiency Projects:  We discussed the new air pump rebates in terms of WHOI (commercial) and employees (residential). Alex offered to showcase his heat pumps and solar panels at his home.  STF members would like to see the freezer challenge requirements before moving ahead. We also discussed financial heating assistance for eligible income candidates.

·         Air Source Heat Pump rebates – new rebates up to $15,000 in Massachusetts https://www.masssave.com/saving/residential-rebates/heat-pump

·         Cape Light Compact energy efficiency program and income eligible assistance https://www.capelightcompact.org/income-eligible-offerings/

·         Consider the Freezer Challenge for WHOI. Gage Lab interest.

o   https://www.freezerchallenge.org/the-challenge.html

Action:

·         Send Freezer Challenge email to all STF – more details were needed before endorsing participation. (SM)

·         Send eligible income MassSave flyer to STF (SM)

·         Review air source heat pumps with CLC, NatGrid, Self-Reliance,  + Mass Save (SM)

·         Schedule fieldtrip to Alex Bocconcelli’s house to see mini-splits + solar (SM + AB)

 

#3  Solar– Meteor House update, and CRL solar proposal for summer 2022 installation

Meteor House - cellular card installed and town inspection occurred on March 1, 2022.

Waiting for Eversource to install the netmeter (tbd)  CRL solar installation expected during the summer.

 

Action:

Sign CRL solar contract + set up PO# (SM)

 

#4  Fun Stuff Update: Mallory volunteered to help out with our STF Instagram account!

·         Food Flyer – review Mallory’s Food Flyer and disseminate (added to wiki and STF Webpage)

·         Bee update – honey spinning update (on hold, we didn’t have a Bee rep present at meeting)

·         Pollinator Garden infographic (Liz will work on posting this temp sign)

·         Garden Plot…it’s not too early to think about our garden! (we didn’t talk about this in depth – add to next month’s agenda) Mallory, Liz, Sarah Youngs, and Lauren would like to help out (as well as others from last year).

Action:

·         Set up Instagram account transition to Mallory – schedule Zoom meeting (SM) It’s Tuesday, March 8 at 11:00am

·         Add Liz + Mallory as Admins on Insta (Mai)

·         Post temporary pollinator map (laminated) on wooden post. Add QR code and link map to the STF website (LM)

·         Add Mallory’s food flyer to wiki.whoi.edu (DP?)

·         Add Mallory + Liz to Garden Plot email + text thread (SB).

 

 

#5 WSS  (WHOI Social Sustainability) – Events that increase social connections

Please volunteer for WSS Events:

·         Flax Food Co-op Lunch and Learn – Thursday, Feb 24 at 1:00 pm (was a great success!!)

·         Black History Month events on the DAC website: https://www.woodsholediversity.org/bhm2022/

·         Greg Koman Lunch n Learn- carbon fee and dividend- schedule for Spring (tbd)

 

Action:

·         Think of next events for Spring – Repair Café? (All), EV fair in summer or fall?

·         Brainstorm ideas for Lunch n Learns (All)

 

#6  Beach Clean-up Shore Lab - Monthly – We need Volunteers to join the leaders! STF is partnering with T3C + WHOI neighbors to clean up the beach on the first Thursday of each month at noon. Meet at Gate by Shore Lab. Leaders for Beach Cleanups include:

·         March 3 Thursday –

·         April 7, Thursday -

Action:

·         Send out a beach cleanup reminder (SM)

 

Trex Update from Liz M. – Helen’s son’s school project ends in April, Liz called Trex and they advise we use a grocery store as drop off. Liz is going to reach out to Stop and Shop.  We need to think about next steps.

Action:

·         Check to see which grocery stores accept the stretchy plastic (LM)

 

#7   New Business    -

Alkaline battery recycling – Jed + Karen w EH+S (we didn’t get a chance to talk about his but Jed offered the following information).

 

Some info:

have looked into battery recycling

whoi disposes of more than 6000 lbs of alkaline batteries

cost to dispose is $0.62/lb

cost to recycle is more than $4/lb, not including need to unwind packing (1/2 day min per shipment x 4 shipments)

very costly - little recycling of alkalines going on.

lithium is another question - price is up 400% on the year for lithium, so recycling will pay for itself