Ward 5 NPA

Ward 5/6 Neighborhood Planning Assembly (NPA): Agenda Thursday, May 21st 2026 6:30PM-8:30PM ​ Join in person: 645 Pine Street (DPW Building) ​ Join virtually: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89574495720 ​ Facilitator: FaRied Munarsyah​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Note Taker: Laura O’Malley 6:30 ​ ​ Community Dinner​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ | 30 min 7:00 ​ ​ Welcome & Public Forum, Steering Committee Update​ ​ | 30 min ●​ More members needed–will hold another election 7:30​ ​ 350VT Presenting on McNeil​​ ​ ​ ​ ​ | 15 min 7:45​ ​ DPW Construction Update​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ | 15 min 8:00​ ​ Sarah George - Chittenden County State's Attorney​ ​ | 15 min 8:15/8:30​ ​ Adjourn ●​ Next Ward 5 meeting will be June 18 Page 1 of 40  Burlington’s McNeil Plant: A CASE FOR CLOSURE A presentation to Burlington’s NPAs By 350 Vermont’s Chittenden Node & Stop VT Biomass SPRING 2026 Page 2 of 40 Page 3 of 40 McNeil Plant Basics • Commenced operation June 1984 • Located in Burlington’s Intervale • Burns wood to generate electricity • 50 MW (largest electricity generator in Vermont) • Jointly owned by Burlington Electric Department (BED) (operator and 50% owner),Green Mountain Power (31%) and Vermont Public Power Supply Authority (19%) • Provides 32-45% of BEDs total power supply (FY 2015-2023). Page 4 of 40 The Case Against McNeil Plant • Largest stationary source of greenhouse gas emissions in VT • Harmful to health - particulate matter and other pollutants which leads to or exacerbates health conditions • Negative impact on forest ecosystems and the benefits they provide. • It costs a lot- the power it produces is expensive. • It’s old and inefficient Page 5 of 40  McNeil’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions “Burning wood to generate electricity emits more carbon dioxide per kilowatt-hour generated than fossil fuels - even coal, the most carbon intensive fuel.” -John Sterman, William Moomaw, Juliette N. Rooney-Varga & Lori Siegel, Does wood bioenergy help or harm the climate?, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, Vol 78, No. 3 (2022) 130. McNeil emitted 316,405 tons of CO2 in 2025 (EPA). It also emits lesser amounts of the greenhouse gases methane and nitrous oxide. Fossil-fuel powered equipment and vehicles used to pull wood feedstock from the forests and transport it to the plant emits additional greenhouse gases. Page 6 of 40 The Carbon Neutrality Myth BED claims that McNeil is carbon neutral because BED engages in sustainable forestry and the carbon dioxide emissions from its stack are re-sequestered by trees as they regrow. This is a myth. When trees are burned the carbon dioxide is released immediately creating a carbon debt which takes decades to centuries to eliminate through tree regrowth. Also, regrowth is uncertain. Harvested areas may be converted to other land uses or trees may succumb to insects, disease or drought. John Sterman, et al.; EU Bioenergy, Bioenergy Accelerates Climate Change, https://www.eubioenergy.com/the-5-issues/it-accelerates-climate-change/ Page 7 of 40  BED Theory : “Closed Loop” Carbon Cycle NASA carbon cycle model Page 8 of 40 Reality: Wood burning power plants emit more CO2 per unit energy and also degrade the forest carbon sink. The result is higher atmospheric CO2 concentrations. Page 9 of 40  Ecological Harm • Burlington Electric claims: “McNeil’s wood supply is primarily 88.4% in- woods chips/residues such as the tops and limbs left over from higher- value wood products, with an additional 9.7% from sawmill residue and 1.6% from waste-wood yard wood.” (Bold added) - McNeil, Climate and Forestry, BED website. • The reality: McNeil’s burns “Whole Tree Chips,” which include chips generated by cutting down and chipping whole trees. -PUC Dkt. No. 4450, Certificate of Public Good for McNeil, 9/14/81 § 87; 6/22/83 Order Amending Certificate of Public Good. • The plant burns 400,000 tons of woodchips per year -April 29, 2022 VEIC Summary Memorandum. Page 10 of 40  This impairs forest ecosystems and erodes important benefits forests provide, including flood protection, & has a destructive impact on forest ecology and wildlife. Page 11 of 40 Carbon Rock Stars: Large, Older Trees & Forests How many oak trees does it take to store 8 tons of carbon? Page 12 of 40  Human Health McNeil emits particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, volatile organic compounds, including benzene and formaldehyde, and other pollutants which are known to be harmful to human health. McNeil releases these pollutants in proximity to racially diverse, low and middle-income neighborhoods of Burlington’s Old North End and Winooski, whose residents face greater environmental risks than residents of other areas. Page 13 of 40  $ $$ Expense • BED Financial statements show that McNeil has generated losses for 8 of the last 10 fiscal years (2016-2025) totaling more than $34 million over the 10- year period. (This figure includes depreciation, but does not include interest.) • As 50% owner, BED bears 50% of these losses. • The average real-time price for wholesale power in New England in 2024 was $39.50 per megawatt-hour. www.iso-ne.com/about/key-stats. • Wholesale prices were forecast to increase to $55/MWH in 2025. U.S. Energy Information Administration. • The net cost of generating power from McNeil was $96.42/MWH in fiscal year 2025 and $98.70/MWH in fiscal year 2024. McNeil Joint Owners Operating Committee Materials. Page 14 of 40  Age & Efficiency of the Plant • The plant is 26% efficient. (April 29, 2022 VEIC Summary Memorandum) • It runs only about 50-60% of the time, and is frequently off-line for planned maintenance, repairs due to operational problems, or because of market prices. • BED has invested in capital improvements to extend operation of the 42-year-old plant beyond its anticipated useful life. • In 2023, BED obtained City Council approval to move forward with District Energy Project which would depend on McNeil. • Additional capital expenditures are planned or under consideration. • BED has planned all of these major expenditures without evaluating whether the plant should continue to operate or whether alternative sources of power would be more effective. Page 15 of 40 Flawed Policies Flawed Policies BED has directed the course of Burlington’s overall climate policy, leading to flawed policies. • These call for reducing fossil fuel use rather than reducing GHG emissions from all sources (such as the McNeil Plant). • The Net Zero Energy Roadmap defines “net zero,” as eliminating fossil fuel use in the heating and ground transportation sectors, yet calls for pursuit of the District Energy Project, which would perpetuate McNeil’s massive GHG emissions to produce electricity. • The Carbon Pollution Impact Fee is applied to heating systems powered by fossil fuels but not to “renewable” systems and fuels with significant greenhouse gas emissions. Page 16 of 40  This undercuts the potential benefits of electrification of buildings and vehicles. To meaningfully reduce GHG emissions through electrification, we must electrify and obtain power from low carbon sources, such as hydropower, solar and wind. Page 17 of 40 Our Vision: Page 18 of 40 Advocate! Burlington City Government Should: • Place responsibility for development of the city climate policy in a city department or official independent of BED. • Develop a plan to close the McNeil Plant, preferably by June 2028. The plan should include measures for a just transition to other employment for affected employees, a plan to keep electric rates stable, and ensure adequate energy for future needs. Page 19 of 40 Actions We Can Take • Connect with our city councilors (email, phone calls, in person conversations). • Write to Mayor Mulvaney-Stanak. • Attend a city council meeting and speak during public comment. • NPAs to consider a resolution to send to City Council on this issue. • Attend Electric Commission meetings and speak during public comment. • Get involved with VT 350.org or Stop VT Biomass. Page 20 of 40 Questions Comments Discussion Page 21 of 40 DPW: 2026 CONSTRUCTION Our Mission is to steward Burlington's infrastructure and environment by delivering efficient, effective, and equitable public services. Chapin Spencer, Director Cspencer@burlingtonvt.gov/802 - 863 - 9094 Robert Goulding, Public Information Manager RGoulding@burlingtonvt.gov/802 - 881 - 2278 Page 22 of 40 WRAPPING UP TWO MAJOR PROJECTS Main Street & the Champlain Parkway are both anticipated to wrap up in early summer. Both projects are on - time, and on - budget. These projects are unlocking the potential for additional housing & commerce while providing enhanced infrastructure for residents Page 23 of 40 CHAMPLAIN PARKWAY • 25MPH road • Connects South End with Downtown • Stormwater improvements • Pedestrian enhancements: signals, shorter crossings, new sidewalks Page 24 of 40 WHAT’S LEFT TO DO (tentative schedules below) Pine Street Champlain Parkway • Roadway sign installation • Overhead signs • Signal activation (week of • Roadway signs May 4) • Final Pavement • Pavement (Main Street) and • Line striping sidewalk repairs (misc. along • Signal timing adjustments Pine) (upcoming weeks) • General clean up Page 25 of 40 MAIN STREET • A welcoming gateway into Vermont’s Queen City • Wider sidewalks for pedestrians & commerce • More trees & gardens • Enhanced lighting • Abandonment of ravine sewer Page 26 of 40 WHAT’S LEFT TO DO • Sidewalks • Signals • Tree plantings • Paving • Public Art Page 27 of 40 A decade of work in Ward 5 *Paving in orange *Sidewalk in red Page 28 of 40 Town Meeting Day 2025 *Paving in orange *Sidealk in red Page 29 of 40 SIDEWALKS The season has started! $1.65M contract + additional work with in - house crew 3.1 miles planned overall - hitting our annual target Contract largely funded by 2025 Town Meeting Day Bond Page 30 of 40 SIDEWALKS: developing a workplan • Developed using the City’s 2021 citywide sidewalk inventory • Prioritizes based on utilization, location, and sidewalk condition . • Location considers the sidewalk’s proximity to schools, neighborhood activity centers, employment centers, etc . • Resident requests, field inspections, and coordination with other City projects. Page 31 of 40  SIDEWALKS** **Short run segments not included above Page 32 of 40 PAVING Asphalt plants are open! $1.7M contract + remaining work from CY 25 Total ~3.5 miles planned for the year Largely funded by 2025 TMD Bond Larger workplan being developed for 2027 - 2030 Page 33 of 40 PAVING: developing a workplan BACKGROUND • Street network consists of over 96 miles of streets. • Classified as Primary/Arterial, Secondary/Collector and Tertiary/Residential. • Each street type has different anticipated lifespan generally based on average daily traffic volumes. • In order to keep pace with the anticipated lifespan of the Burlington Street network, minimum target is 4 miles/year. PRIORITIZATION • Funding, street condition, street type/traffic volume, nearby projects and resident requests HEADWINDS While this year we had our most competitive bid environment in awhile, inflation & fuel prices may eat into available construction funding Page 34 of 40  PAVING* Remaining 2025 contract streets College Union - Willard Pearl Battery - Winooski *Includes patches on lower North Ave, Lake St, Archibald St, Intervale Rd Page 35 of 40 WATER WORKS! Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades • Stage 0 remains on target for completion this summer/fall. This is a major first step to begin comprehensive upgrades funded by 2025 TMD bond • Screening & grit equipment being installed at all 3 plants Water main improvement project • Includes: Pine St (from S Crest to Home Ave), Summit St (Maple to Main), and all of Bennington Court (coordinated with paving) Manhattan Ave Stormwater Outfall: late summer/early fall Page 36 of 40 Page 37 of 40 WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR WATER: https://vt.adopt-a-drain.org/ https://seagrant.w3.uvm.edu/blue/ Page 38 of 40  STAY INFORMED STAY IN TOUCH Maintenance Construction Customer Requests Impacts Service • Front Porch Forum See Click Fix: 802 - 863 - 9094 • Signage burlingtonvt.gov/dpw • VT - Alert: dpw - pinecustomerservice burlingtonvt.gov/ @burlingtonvt.gov construction Page 39 of 40 THANK YOU Page 40 of 40