The Cohasset Alternative Energy Committee signaled a major push for municipal sustainability on March 12, voting unanimously to advance a strengthened decarbonization warrant article while finalizing a half-million-dollar grant application for Town Hall. The meeting also marked a transition in town leadership as members welcomed new Town Planner Cassandra and bid farewell to staff liaison Julia, who was praised for her role in moving key initiatives forward during a period of significant fiscal pressure for the town.

A central focus of the evening was the refinement of a non-binding resolution for the upcoming Town Meeting. Member Debbie Cook presented language aimed at cementing the town’s commitment to reaching net-zero emissions. Cook noted that town leadership wanted the article beefed up to mirror the robust resolutions of neighboring communities. The committee debated the strength of the mandate, specifically a clause requiring that all equipment purchases be evaluated for green feasibility first and foremost.

Associate Member Doran Hole questioned the phrasing, asking, Does it require 'first and foremost' as the strength of the evaluation, or does it simply require those be taken into account? I'm thinking of where we might get pushback. Following a discussion on balancing environmental goals with economic reality, the committee agreed to soften the language to ensure broad support. Motion Made by T. Bodell to approve the language for the Municipal Decarbonization Commitment Warrant Article for submission to Town Counsel and presentation to town committees, subject to the removal of the phrase "first and foremost." Motion Passed 6-0.

The committee also reviewed the status of a $500,000 Green Communities DECARP grant intended to fund a new HVAC system for Town Hall. Julia explained that the two-year program is more extensive than typical annual grants. The project, which is being coordinated with the DPW and town engineers, aims to address a significant portion of the Town Hall’s energy needs. This comes as the committee continues to track the financial benefits of the town’s existing solar array at the landfill. Member Chris Oddleifson reported a banner month for production following recent inverter replacements. The benefit was $6,425 to the town for the month. We're really rolling here, Oddleifson said, noting that the array generated over 38,000 kilowatt-hours in February.

However, efforts to expand solar to the Joseph Osgood and Deer Hill schools face technical hurdles. The subcommittee is working on an RFP for solar carports, but they are currently locked out of critical National Grid usage data. Julia described a frustrating struggle with a two-factor authentication system linked to a mystery phone number that no current town employee seems to possess. Member Steven Wenner expressed frustration with the utility’s transparency, asking, Isn't it up to National Grid? Can't they give permission for a few more people to access these records? It should be public records anyway.

Fiscal prudence also led the committee to abandon its current vendor for the EV charging station rip and replace program. After MassEVIP rejected East Coast Renewable Energy’s cost estimates as too high, the town decided to part ways with the company. Cassandra, the new Town Planner, noted that she has been authorized to explore other vendors who can provide more competitive estimates to keep the grant funding alive. Michelle [Leary] has given me permission to explore working with different vendors to continue to apply to the MassEVIP program with a better cost estimate, Cassandra told the committee.

The conversation around electric vehicles extended to the secondary market. Member Thomas Daley observed a significant shift in regional availability, noting that Hyundai of Plymouth cannot get rid of them. They were almost at a point of 'buy one get one free' on smaller cars. Prices were down from $55,000 to $27,000. Chair Tanya Bodell suggested the town should prepare for a surge in used EVs as leases expire, framing it as a reasonable alternative for residents.

The committee will next appear at the Cohasset Health and Recreation Fair on March 22, where Debbie Cook plans to demonstrate induction cooking and electric yard equipment. I'm also going to bring a little induction stove and cook on it, Cook said. Tanya, if you bring the leaf blower, we can talk about electric yards. The committee is also planning a lecture series on home battery systems to help residents take advantage of National Grid incentives that can pay back nearly $1,000 annually to homeowners who share power during peak hours.