Study Committee on Biomass Energy Development

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Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

CDs

09-01, 02, 03

Meeting Record

9:30 AM

Convene

1.

Welcome

2.

Introductions

3.

Materials & Bio E Website

4.

Overview of Bill/Act 37

• Michael O'Grady, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
  

5.

Election of Co-Chairs

6.

Establishing the background:

a.

Establsihing the background: a. Review of BERC Executive Summary and NRS-16

• Robert DeGeus, Wood Utilization Specialist, Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation
  
• Chris Recchia, Executive Director, Biomass Energy Resource Center
  
• Adam Sherman, Program Manager, Biomass Energy Resource Center
  

b.

Establishing the background:. b. Review of Vermont's Statutes relating to Forestry

• Jonathan Wood, Secretary, Agency of Natural Resources
  

c.

Review of Department of Public Service Programs relating to Biomass

• Richard Smith, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Public Service
  

d.

Establsihing the Background: d. Review of 25 by 25 program

• David Lane, Deputy Secretary, Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets
  

e.

Establsihing the background: e. Burlington Electric Department

• Bill Kropelin, Chief Forester, Burlington Electric
  

7.

Discussion of Potential Funding for Bio E

• Jamey Fidel, Chief Forester, Burlington Electric
  
• TBA Others
  

8.

Review of Bio E Timeline

9.

Discussion of questions to be investigated by November 2009 and beyond

10.

Setting dates for next three meetings

11.

Other Business

12.

Adjourn

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Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

CDs

09-04, 05, 06

Meeting Record

8:30 AM

Call to Order and Approval of Agenda

Call to Order & Approval of Agenda

• Rep. Christopher Bray, Co-Chair, Biomass Energy Development Working Group
  

8:40 AM

Agenda

Approval of August 10, 2009 meeting minutes

• Jonathan Wood, Secretary, Agency of Natural Resources; Co-Chair Biomass Energy Dev. Working Group
  

8:50 AM

Agenda

Discussion of overall work plan for this group: What can we get done by November 09, and what do we want to tackle in the year following?

• Rep. Christopher Bray, Co-Chair, Biomass Energy Development Working Group
  

9:30 AM

Agenda

Fuel Supply and Forest Inventory; updating the BERC model; two proposals (short term; long term); Funding Sources: CEDF and VSJF Leahy Grants

10:00 AM

Agenda

VOTE: Shall the committee authorize the development of an enhanced BERC Wood Supply Model?

10:05 AM

Agenda

VOTE: Shall the committee authorize a subcommittee to raise funds for development of an enhanced BERC Wood Supply Model or any other work approved by the BioE group?

10:10 AM

Agenda

BREAK

10:20 AM

Agenda

Discussion of Other Tasks for November 09

10:40 AM

Agenda

Discussion of Maine Guidelines

• Jamey Fidel, Forest Program Director, Vermont Natural Resources Council
  

11:40 AM

Agenda

Other New Business

11:50 AM

Agenda

Discussion of Next Meeting, Tuesday, October 6, 8:30 am – 12 pm

12:00 PM

Adjourn

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Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Comments

Joint with Agriculture and Natural Resources & Energy Committees

CDs

10-4, 5

Meeting Record

9:00 AM

Act 37 Interim Report from Biomass Energy Development Working Group

Room 11; Joint hearing with H. and S. Nat. Res. and Energy/H. and S. Ag.
-Introductions
-Legislation/report briefing

• Rep. Christopher Bray, Representative, Co-Chair, Biomass Energy Development Working Group
  
• Michael O'Grady, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
  

9:30 AM

Subcommittee Briefings

• Peter Condaxis, Member, Enhancement and Development subcommittee
  
• Bill Kropelin, Member, Forest Health subcommittee
  
• Robert Turner, Member, Funding subcommittee
  

10:00 AM

Question and Answer period

10:15 AM

Biomass Project Case Study presentations

• Chris Brooks, CEO, Vermont Wood Pellet Company
  
• Steve Mason, Vice President, Nekti Consulting
  

11:15 AM

Discussion

Hearing wrap-up

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Monday, February 8, 2010

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

Comments

Ethan Allen Room

CDs

10-6, 7, 8

Meeting Record

1:15 AM

No Agenda or minutes available

Forest health subcommittee, Forest Health Discussion

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Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Meeting Details

Hearing Type

Standard

CDs

10-12, 13, 14

Meeting Record

1:00 PM

Convene

Review and approve 3/16/10 Minutes; Subcommittee updates

1:30 PM

Discussion

'The pros and cons of procurement standards and harvesting guidelines' Facilitator: Ed O'Leary

• Ed O'Leary, Director of Operations, Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation
  

3:00 PM

Discussion

Wrap up; Next steps?

3:30 PM

Discussion

Future Meeting Plans; Work Plan-Needed Outcomes

4:00 PM

Adjourn

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