ISLAND COMMUNITY BOARD
P.O. Box 371, Fishers Island, NY 06390
Email: ficommunityboard@gmail.com
ICB Monthly Meeting
Tuesday, October 10, 2023
5:00pm
Zoom Only
Participants: 95
Agenda October 10, 2023
Southold & Election – Beth Cashel @ 0:00:34
Election – Sarah Malinowski @ 0:01:25
IHP Update on Vaccines – Chris Ingram, MD @ 0:10:16
Union Chapel Renovation Fund – Louise Burnham Packard @ 0:13:59
The Opportunity for Renewable Energy on Fishers Island – Brad Burnham @ 0:15:51
(Please pardon that John is sideways on the recording.)
ICB October 2023 Monthly Meeting
Tuesday, October 10th, 2023
ICB Representatives: John McGillian (President), George de Menil (Vice President), Staley Sednaoui (Vice President), April White(Year-Round), Richard Miller (Seasonal), Linda Mrowka (Year-Round).
LINK TO RECORDING, MINUTES, AND SUMMARY: https://app.read.ai/analytics/meetings/01HCDP0Q0772X3FZP9R3T77XJK?utm_source=Share_Nav
Summary and Notes by AI (with some edits/corrections):
The Island Community Board held a meeting to discuss various topics, including the upcoming local elections, the importance of vaccinations, progress on the building project at Union Chapel, and the exploration of solar energy on the island. The board provided detailed information on the positions up for reelection and the candidates running for each class, emphasizing the significance of having friends in elected places and urging everyone to vote and bring friends to the polls. The board also discussed the possibility of reapproving certain positions and the budgeting process. The meeting provided a comprehensive overview of the upcoming local elections and encouraged active participation from the community.
The board discussed the importance of vaccinations for the flu, RSV, and COVID-19, which are not provided on the island but can be easily obtained off the island. The decision not to give these vaccinations on the island was due to the complexity of procurement and maintenance. The board also provided an update on the COVID situation on the island, which has quieted down but may see an increase in cases in the cooler months. The board raised concerns about insurance coverage for vaccinations, and attendees were encouraged to ask about insurance coverage when making an appointment.
The board announced the progress of the building project at Union Chapel and the parsonage, which aims to address deferred maintenance and provide a better home for the year-round pastor. The board sought help to raise the remaining funds and mentioned an eighty-thousand-dollar challenge grant. The board also discussed the exploration of solar energy on the island and invited questions from the attendees, highlighting the potential benefits and challenges of solar energy adoption.
Union Square Ventures discussed the unique challenges of delivering electricity to Fishers Island, including remote location, small size, and coastal weather. They suggested that generating more electricity locally through rooftop solar, microgrids, and utility-scale solar arrays could reduce costs and transmission losses. The group discussed the potential for Fishers Out to become a power generator and the benefits of separating power generation and distribution.
They also discussed the possibility of producing electricity on Picket Landfill and the challenges of rooftop solar, including the current regulations in the state. The group encouraged the utility company to be more open to rooftop solar and to work with them to achieve their goals.
Chapters & Topics:
Discussion on upcoming local elections
The Island Community Board discusses the importance of voting in the upcoming local elections and provides information on the positions up for reelection. They also mention the candidates running for each class and urge everyone to become knowledgeable about the candidates and vote.
Vaccinations and Covid Update
Chris Ingram discusses the availability of vaccinations for the flu, RSV, and COVID-19, which are not provided on the island but can be easily obtained off the island. He also provides an update on the Covid situation on the island, which has quieted down but may see an increase in cases in the cooler months. George de Menil shares his experience of getting vaccinated at a pharmacy in Gratton, and Dianne Crary raises a concern about insurance coverage.
Announcements from Louise Packard
Louise Packard, Chair of the Trustees of Union Chapel, updates the community on the building project progress and seeks help to raise the remaining funds.
Challenges and Solutions for Electricity on Fishers Island from Brad Burnham
Brad Burnham discusses the exploration of solar energy on the island and invites questions from the attendees. Union Square Ventures acknowledges the debt of gratitude owed to those who have maintained the island’s infrastructure over the years. They explain the challenges of delivering electricity to Fishers Island, including needing local expertise, maintaining a parts inventory, and dealing with coastal weather. Generating more electricity locally through rooftop solar, microgrids, and utility-scale solar arrays could reduce costs and transmission losses.
* Challenges of electricity distribution on Fisher’s Island
Local Power Generation and Communication Alternatives
Union Square Ventures explains that producing power locally on Fishers Island would reduce the energy cost from Groton and provide other grid services. They also discuss the benefits of reducing demand charges and extending the life of the current cable by easing pressure during peak demand. Additionally, they explore alternative communication options, such as doubling the capacity of the existing microwave link, to avoid the need for an additional cable to the mainland.
Discussion on the Viability of Local Renewable Energy Generation
Union Square Ventures discusses the challenges and opportunities of generating more power locally, including technical, personnel, and financial difficulties. They suggest that modern rate structures can separate power generation from distribution and that the utility company plans to move in that direction. They also discuss the timeline for a potential solar installation on the Picket landfill and the need for negotiations with the waste management district, and an off-takers agreement with the utility company. They emphasize the importance of collaboration and the potential for community participation in the project.
* Importance of collaboration between stakeholders (utility company, residents, government)
Discussion on Power Generation and Distribution
The group talks about the benefits of separating power generation and distribution, including potentially paying less for power and being less reliant on external sources. They also discuss the potential for producing electricity on Picket Landfill and the challenges of rooftop solar, including the current regulations in the state that require the utility to net meter anybody’s rooftop solar. The group encourages the utility company to be more open to rooftop solar and to work with them to understand where their peaks are and how to normalize prices based on locally generated power.
Discussion on Wi-Fi reception improvement and submarine cable replacement
George deMenil confirms the cost of a microwave link to improve Wi-Fi reception on Fishers and questions the difference between that and the cost of a second cable. Union Square Ventures confirms the cost and explains that running a line at above 80% capacity accelerates depreciation and limits its life. Chris asks about the storage capacity and reliability of the cable, and Union Square Ventures suggests testing it if needed.
Discussion on the Need for Load Data
Chris Finan, Union Square Ventures, and Jim Ingram discuss the need for load data to predict the size of the system and integrate it. Union Square Ventures suggests they don’t need household data but hourly data from Fisher Island Utility Company. Jim Ingram agrees with Union Square Ventures and indicates that they can move ahead without collecting that data. Helen Scoville raises her hand to speak.
Discussion on Solar Tariffs and Net Metering
Helen Scoville expresses concern about the electric company’s proposed tariffs that would make it challenging to have solar on the island. Union Square Ventures explains the history of the complaint to the Public Service Commission and the proposed tariff that would cap the total amount of rooftop solar available on the island. A better solution would be to have a cap on net metering and encourage public input during the open comment period. Richard Miller adds that the value stack alternative to net metering would significantly mitigate the consequences to the solar utility company.
* Accommodating solar energy
Discussion on the need for a new rate structure to accommodate solar energy
Tom Siebens discusses the need for a new rate structure to accommodate solar energy, which requires presenting a case to the Public Service Commission based on user data. The compromise proposed was to accommodate the community center project, but it is temporary and not the long-term objective. The electric company wants a distribution charge, and a new rate structure is needed to cover fixed costs and accommodate solar energy without losing money.
* Funding and financing options
Action Items:
* Residents will provide input on the utility company’s proposed tariff changes during the public comment period.
* Continue dialogue and collaboration with the utility company, and the electric company will reach out to community members with common interests.
* FCO will provide updates on their long-term plan and infrastructure committee meetings.
* Residents will participate in the Zoom call for Republican candidates on Sunday at noon.
* The utility company will consider the potential benefits of solar energy generation and explore alternative rate structures.
* Brad Burnham will continue exploring solar energy options and collaborate with the utility company.
* Tom Siebens will gather data to support a rate structure accommodating solar.
* Tom Siebens will apply for federal funds for upgrading the water system.
* Tom Siebens will explore federal loan programs for electric system financing.
Key Questions:
* How can the utility company and residents work together to support renewable energy efforts?
* How can the community support the realization of solar energy projects?
* Can value stacking be used to justify a rate structure that supports solar?
* Have applications been made for federal funds to upgrade the systems?
