Chair Dave Blad emphasized the need for a municipal energy manager, a role that could benefit Lunenburg by evaluating energy efficiency opportunities and coordinating projects. He stressed that towns similar in size to Lunenburg often have dedicated energy managers or grant writers who are instrumental in securing substantial grant funding. This position would help in scoping projects ahead of grant opportunities. The idea was supported by discussions on the importance of proactive planning and collaboration with various town stakeholders, including schools and local government offices.

The meeting also explored the outcomes and opportunities discussed at the Mass Save Summit, where Blad highlighted Lunenburg’s achievements in energy efficiency. From fiscal year 2025, the town had successfully installed heat pumps in 109 municipal buildings, transitioning 23 buildings from oil or propane to electric systems, and converting 86 from gas to electric systems. Additionally, 165 municipal buildings are set to undergo weatherization to enhance energy efficiency further. These efforts reflect a push towards reducing the town’s carbon footprint, aligning with broader environmental goals.

The task force discussed the need for community engagement in educating residents about heat pumps and weatherization initiatives, especially for homes and small businesses. Blad noted that lighting projects currently receive nearly 50% of funding, but the focus is shifting towards more comprehensive energy-efficient systems. He expressed a desire for increased community involvement to expand these initiatives’ reach and impact.

A point of discussion was the K-12 school decarbonization initiative, which Blad identified as a major focus for the program. This initiative aims to reduce energy consumption in schools and promote sustainable practices, aligning with the broader goals of reducing carbon emissions and enhancing energy efficiency. The task force discussed the potential for enhanced incentives for technical assistance in energy efficiency projects, emphasizing the need for educational opportunities for building management systems and studies on benchmarking and prioritization plans.

Attention was also given to the evolving landscape of energy efficiency incentives, with discussions surrounding weatherization and heat pump incentives. The task force explored various tiers of weatherization projects, emphasizing the need for buildings to meet specific criteria to qualify for incentives. The introduction of a weatherization tool was highlighted as a valuable resource for assessing building efficiency and identifying necessary improvements. Heat pump incentives were also discussed, with rebates noted as high as $3,500 per ton.

The meeting addressed the challenges and opportunities associated with solar energy systems, particularly the compatibility of older solar panel systems with battery backup technology. Concerns were raised about the limitations imposed by older inverters, which were not designed for battery backup upgrades. This issue was compounded by safety regulations regarding battery placement and storage, prompting discussions on how to navigate these challenges effectively.

The task force also considered the town’s carbon footprint reduction goals, noting an approximate reduction of 18%, short of the 30% target. This sparked debate on how reduction percentages are calculated and what contributions might be overlooked, such as the impact of streetlights. The conversation segued into the “climate leader communities” initiative, which requires towns to adopt more energy efficiency measures and set ambitious decarbonization goals for 2030 and 2050.

Discussions on transportation highlighted the transition from traditional fuel-efficient vehicles to electric alternatives, with a focus on the town’s vehicle fleet. While hybrids have been adopted for police vehicles, there remains hesitation about fully electric options. The task force considered the potential benefits of electric trucks for the Department of Public Works, emphasizing the importance of evaluating vehicle usage and mileage.

Further debate emerged around solar installation regulations, with frustrations expressed over bylaws that restrict ground-mounted systems larger than 10kW. The task force discussed the need for local bylaws to reflect modern solar technology capabilities and support increased adoption of renewable energy systems.