HomeMy WebLinkAboutElectric Board - Minutes - 10/20/1999Minutes approved by the Board at the November 17, �,999, meeting'
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FORT COLLINS ELECITRIC BOARD MINUTES
Regular Meeting October 20, 1999, at`,5 .m.°';'
Council Liaison: Scott Mason Staff Liaison: Heather Hoxen — 221-6700
Chairperson: Jim Welch Phone: 498-8947 (W/H)
Vice Chair: Richard Smart Phone: 221-4474 (H)
A regular meeting of the Fort Collins Electric Board was held at S p.m. on Wednesday, October
20,1999, in the Utilities Training Room at 700 Wood Street, Fort Collins, Colorado.
BOARD PRESENT:
Barbara Rutstein, Bill Brayden, Jim Welch, Joseph Di Rocco
BOARD ABSENT:
Ginger Purvis, Jeff Eighmy, Richard Smart
STAFF PRESENT:
Bob Kost, Dennis Sumner, Eric Dahlgren, Heather Hoxeng, Mike Smith, Shannon Turner, Wendy
Williams
OBSERVER:
Lu Fisk, League of Women Voters
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Barbara Rutstein motioned to approve the minutes as ammended by Jim Welch's request to combine the
1999 and 2000 Work Plans. The motion was second by Joe Di Rocco and passed unanimously.
MOTION TO APPROVE 2000 WORK PLAN:
Mr. Di Rocco asked if the 2000 Work Plan would be delegated to individual Board Members. Mr.
Welch responded that the plan is an all -encompassing list of topic areas, and not necessarily an action
plan.
Barbara Rutstein motioned to adopt the 2000 Work Plan. Bill Brayden seconded the motion, and it
passed unanimously.
CITIES FOR CLIMATE PROTECTION:
Lucinda Smith informed the Board there have not been any significant changes to the Cities for Climate
Protection Plan (CCP) since the Board last discussed it. The measures in the report were divided into 3
categories, the cost and benefit analysis was quantified and specific measures were prioritized.
The three categories within the CCP are existing, new and pending measures. "Existing measures"
includes all programs and policies that have been approved, "new measures" outlines new programs
and their associated costs. "Pending measures" are those under consideration, but not yet approved.
The cost and benefit analysis provides more detail for new and pending measures. This document is
available on the City's website.
I
The CCP measures have been prioritized for Council. The Executive Summary includes the 12
pending measures, as ranked by the Citizen Committee and Staff.
The revised report was shared with the City Manager and affected departments for approval before
sending it to Council. Approval meant the plan was acceptable to send to Council, not that individual
departments endorsed it. The resolution states the activities of the CCP are within budget and work plan
consideration, and directs the City Manager to form an internal Energy Management Team to oversee
greenhouse gas reduction. The team would be required to deliver a biannual report on greenhouse gas
reduction.
The City Manger was concerned that including a greenhouse gas reduction target in the Council
resolution might cause the plan to be rejected. Consequently, the language will be changed to:
"Whereas, if the measures contained in the Plan are fully implemented by the year 2010, it is estimated
Fort Collins will be able to reduce local greenhouse gas emissions thirty percent below predicated 2010
levels."
In closing, Ms. Smith said the Cities for Climate Protection plan will be going to Council on November
11 and she wanted to give the Board time to add further recommendations to Council on the plan or the
resolution.
Mr. Welch referenced the global climate portion of the resolution. He suggested adding tree planting
because of their ability to sequester carbon. Ms. Smith referencing ENV-1.23, which could include
tree planting in the resolution.
Mr. Di Rocco requested more information on whether the NOx (combined forms of nitrogen and
oxygen) and particulates were mitigated by tree planting. Ms. Smith explained the CCP mainly
addresses carbon dioxide (COZ) and methane, the two most prevalent greenhouse gases. She didn't
think trees absorbed NO= or particulates.
Mr. Welch inquired about the cost benefit analysis of different strategies. Ms. Smith referred the
Board to the Incremental Cost Estimates for Proposed Measures table. She stated that it was not
feasible to do a detailed cost benefit analysis for all the measures, however, they did complete one for
replacing traffic signals with LEDs. The analysis came back showing savings of approximately
$600,000 by the year 2010. Mr. Welch felt that although the information listed in the table was
helpful, a cost benefit analysis for each measure would be more useful. He encouraged Staff to look
for ways to offer customers various choices to reduce or offset their CO' emissions similar to the Fort
Collins Wind Program.
Mr. DiRocco suggested the City consider mitigating a percentage of the carbon dioxide (CO) emissions
from Rawhide by planting trees on site. Mr. Smith informed the Board of the Utilities' application of
sludge, which promotes growth of the prairie grassland at Meadow Springs Ranch. Mr. Welch
mentioned recent research indicating grasslands are effective in carbon sequestration. Ms. Smith
agreed and said the grasslands at Meadow Springs Ranch should be included as a measure the City is
already implementing in reduction of greenhouse gases. She also stated the results of the sludge
application at Meadow Springs Ranch should be included in the biannual reports, with the benefit per
ton of reduced greenhouse gas.
Mr. Welch asked if the CCP report includes the potential impact of a gas combustion turbine Platte
River Power Authority is purchasing. Mr. Sumner responded that the turbine will be a peaking
generation unit and therefore, the benefits of reduced CO' emissions will be negligible. It was
suggested that Ms. Smith contact John Fooks of Platte River for specific efficiency data.
Mr. Welch asked about item #9 in the table — `Push for Mandatory Renewable in Electric
Deregulation'. He expressed concern that this goal of "4% of all in 2010" would be difficult to achieve
unless the state adopted the 4% renewable portfolio standard.
Mr. Welch then asked how the comparable energy conservation strategy could be implemented. Dennis
Sunnier stated that the Electric Advisory Panel voted 11 to 17 opposed to deregulation. Although the
vote fell short of the 2/3 requirement for a formal recommendation, there will probably be no action
taken in the year 2000. Mr. Sumner offered the opinion that there are too many unknowns for a plan of
action at this point.
Ms. Rutstein asked how the target of four percent was determined. Ms. Smith said the Natural
Resources Staff and Citizen Committee came up with the number. She explained that she feels 4
percent is attainable. A renewable portfolio standard varies from state to state, ranges from four to 20
percent and may include a variety of energy measures such as hydro, etc.
Mr. Welch asked about the position of the Colorado Association of Municipal Utilities (CAMU) on
solar energy tax credits versus renewable energy portfolio standards. Mr. Sumner explained the
current draft from CAMU supports tax credits and Renewable Energy Production Incentive (REPI) for
renewable energy. They are silent on portfolio standards. Mr. Welch asked if CAMU would be
inclined to propose a portfolio standard. Mr. Sumner speculated that due to the varying perspectives of
different CAMU members on this issue and the sensitivity to local control, that CAMU would likely not
take a position at this time. Mr. Welch noted that a minimum portfolio standard would best protect the
City's investment in wind power and suggested staff push for this standard in any deregulation
legislation.
INFORMATION SHARING:
Mr. Di Rocco asked about the outcome of the Board's recommendation that the City purchase a wind
turbine. Mr. Smith noted the study session approved the turbine and it will likely be built next spring.
Mr. Brayden gave a brief review of an American Public Power Association (APPA) workshop he had
recently attended. He explained the conference had three areas of focus: energy services, customer
services and communications. Energy services focused on key account programs. Demand Side
Management (DSM) programs continue to be a very valuable tool. The customer service area
emphasized empowering employees so they can provide excellent customer service. The
communications area addressed promoting the Utilities. Mr. Brayden also stated that he spent quite
some time talking to others about advisory boards. What he heard was that boards are not always
helpful because individual members often have their own agendas and send their staff on a "wild goose
chase." Also, boards are often comprised of special interest. He concluded that several boards have
been sent to retreats focused on learning basic utilities operations
Ms. Williams followed up on what Mr. Brayden said concerning promoting the Utilities. She explained
that we are in the process of finalizing a survey instrument for some market research R.W. Beck will
be conducting. A 16 minute phone survey will be conducted with 400 commercial and 400 residential
Fort Collins customers (not including key accounts) to give us a better feel of how they view us and
how we stand competitively.
Adjourned at 7:15 p.m.
Shannon L. Turner & Heather Hoxeng
Board Liaisons