Ward 5 NPA — Burlington, VT
Date: 2026-05-21
Time: 18:30

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

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?




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 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.


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  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.


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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

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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

Neighborhood Planning Assembly Minutes
 Ward
 NPA: 5

 Date of Assembly : 5/21/26 Start Time: (Commence): 7:06
 Location: 645 Pine Street Finish Time: (Adjourn): 8:29pm
 Note taker: Laura O’Malley Forward official minutes to: Barbara Turnbull

Steering Committee Members in Attendance:​
FaRied Munarsyah, Laura O’Malley, Gary Myers
Discussion Topics
●​ Intro, Public Forum, and nomination/voting for
 steering committee members
 Actions Taken / Decisions Made
●​ Natalie Braun, Pike Porter - 350VT on McNeil
 ●​ Ward 5 Steering Committee Secondary Election
●​ Rob Goulding - DPW construction update
●​ Sarah George - Chittenden County State's
 Attorney

 Agenda Items and Actions:

 ●​ Commence: 7:06pm
 ○​ Steering committee introduces themselves
 ●​ Steering Committee Election
 ○​ Nate nominates himself for election
 ○​ Majority voted in favor
 ●​ Public forum
 ○​ Kevin Bloom speaks on eviction reform, running for sheriff, & collecting
 signatures for Amy Payne(?) campaigning for high bailiff
 ○​ Dave Foss: NPA should be a voice within the coming local elections
 ○​ Nate:
 ■​ leading cleanups at the urban reserve (north of community sailing center)
 ■​ Monday 10-3 next cleanup
 ■​ Dave asks what they’re doing with that section of property
 ●​ Sensitive coastal area for development, no defined vision
 ■​ He is affiliated w parks commission as well
 ○​ Bella talks about her BTV cleanup crew @ church streets Thursday mornings @
 7:30
 ●​ 350VT presenting on McNeil’s environmental impacts
 ○​ Natalie Braun, Pike Porter speaking on biomass power plants and challenges
 associated
 ○​ Talks about closing McNiel–powerpoint presentation, see recording
 ○​ Emissions data from EPA didn’t match research through 350VT
 ○​ Nate asks for alternatives, presenter offers cost-benefit analysis, a plan for
 retirement of the plant, and also adds that with a month-long shutdown Burlington
 lived off of grid power. Grid is 6x cleaner than McNeil. Proposes more solar with
 battery storage.
●​ Rob Goulding - DPW construction update
 ○​ More digging projects, 2 main projects: main street and champlain parkway
 ■​ On time and on budget.. Dates? Budget?
 ○​ See presentation in recording for more details
 ○​ Q: Dave asks about Decker Tower traffic, Rob Goulding emphasizes that his is an
 evaluation period as they’re evaluating traffic
 ○​ Improvement to sewage system made up for the most delays–but is now complete
 ○​ Sidewalk improvements–should last 40 years according to Rob, maintain
 3mi/year for 130 mi of sidewalk in the city. 4mi/year avg for street maintenance
 ○​ Public art parade upcoming
 ○​ Encourages the public to use various forms to submit feedback for maintenance
 requests
 ○​ Q’s
 ■​ From Dave, Decker Towers maintenance req about drainage issues
●​ Sarah George - Chittenden County State's Attorney
 ○​ Elected in 2018, up for reelection in August 11 Primary
 ○​ Criminal justice reform
 ■​ Some of her policies went into legislation
 ■​ Harm reduction, overdose deaths reduced after further efforts for reduction
 services
 ■​ Cash bail reform, also found that VTers of color were 14x more likely to
 be pulled over and no more likely to have contraband
 ○​ No cases were tried during 2 years post COVID, courts were closed until sept of
 2022–focused on getting cases involving violence to trial
 ■​ Have been backlogged by 15k+ at one point and down to ~1500
 ○​ Connects people w Howard Center in the courtroom directly
 ○​ Get curious w Sarah George videos–breaks down complicated laws
 ○​ Q’s
 ■​ Dave: complains of repeat offenders in Decker Towers
 ●​ Sarah: On and off meetings w police, better report w chief Burke
 ■​ Nate: what does continued progress look like?
 ●​ Sarah: currently funding a Howard center worker in the court
 house. Expanded access to treatment court. Gave up hiring a
 prosecutor position for a DV specialist previously working for
 Burlington police dept., helped rebuild relationships w victims
 ○​ Bella offers volunteer opportunities for campaign
●​ Adjourn: 8:29pm