Energy Task Force Charge

Overview

The Energy Task Force will be responsible for making recommendations and taking action on the full range of issues that relate to energy production (from conventional to renewable), procurement, demand, emission reduction and conservation.

Committee recommendations will take into account: the short and long term energy needs of faculty, staff, students, and campus visitors; funding sources and levels that are realistic and feasible within Dartmouth College budgetary policies and constraints; short and long term costs and benefits of investment into clean and renewable energy production/consumption; best practices; projected institutional growth; local, state and national targets and regulations; and the teaching, research, and public service missions of Dartmouth College.

Goals and Objectives

The goal of the Committee is to develop a set of recommendations that guides the College towards a comprehensive energy policy and leads to reduced energy demand, production and greenhouse gas emissions.

Recommendations will consider:

• Daily demand
• Current capacity of energy production on campus
• Projected institutional growth
• Prevailing need to incorporate clean and renewable energy sources into overall energy production
• National and international call to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
• Opportunities that provide educational training and outreach to promote energy conservation
• The local, state, regional and national initiatives that encourage the incorporation 
  of clean and renewable energy production and the targets for emission reduction

Deliverables and Timeline

Approach

A. Data gathering

1. Establish a baseline of information that outlines current energy production capacity, demand, and costs.
2. Review the local, state, regional and national initiatives that provide a set of targets for clean and renewable energy production and greenhouse gas emissions.
3. Establish a comprehensive list of best practices from comparable institutions.
4. Conduct a renewable energy assessment to establish short and long-term opportunities that include on and off-site options.

B. Analysis

Review the collected data and apply a framework by which to analyze the information and develop conclusions. Establish targets for emissions reduction, renewable energy use as well as a comprehensive communication plan that promotes energy conservation.

C. Outreach and engagement

• Public/invited community forum: The public forum would provide an opportunity for the Dartmouth community members to learn about and provide input into the process.
• Outreach to establish groups/organizations: Strategically reach out to already existing groups to solicit input and feedback.

Phase II

1. Recommendations and opportunities

Develop and present a comprehensive set of short and long-term recommendations that responds to the issues of supply and demand as well as projected institutional growth.

2. Outreach and engagement

Organize a follow-up public/invited community forum and return to the visited groups. The second visit will both inform and solicit input on the first draft of recommendations.

3. Implementation

Initiate the process of implementing the endorsed set of recommendations.

Leadership and Committee Members for FY’07

Membership and participation on the committee will be for one year. At the end of each academic year, a review process will take place to assess the progress and determine the needs and next steps.

Co-Chairs

Proposed Committee Members:

• Ken Packard, FOM Engineering, co-chair
• Matt Purcell, PDC, co-chair