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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEnergy Board - Minutes - 07/11/2013Energy Board Meeting Minutes July 11, 2013 1 Fort Collins Utilities Energy Board Minutes Thursday, July 11, 2013 Energy Board Chairperson City Council Liaison Greg Behm, 226-6161 Ross Cunniff, 420-7398 Energy Board Vice Chairperson Staff Liaison Peter O’Neill, 288-4562 Steve Catanach, 416-2622 Roll Call Board Present Chairperson Greg Behm, Vice Chairperson Peter O’Neill, Board Members Stacey Baumgarn, Nick Michell, Margaret Moore, Barrett Rothe, and Britt Kronkosky Board Absent Board Members Peggy Plate and John Graham Staff Present Steve Catanach, Lisa Rosintoski, Lucinda Smith, Bruce Hendee, and Harriet Davis Guests Ross Cunniff, Kevin Jones, Michael Pruznick, and John Bleem Meeting Convened Chairperson Behm called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m. Public Comment Michael Pruznick shared his thoughts on the concept of Urban Self Sufficiency. He would like the Energy Board to consider this as it relates to alternative energy sources (solar, wind, etc.). Mr. Pruznick also shared his thoughts on electric rates. He does not feel tiered rates are causing any residential reduction. He would like the board to consider this when they look at rates in the upcoming months. Approval of June 6, 2013 Minutes Board Member Moore moved to approve the minutes of the June 6, 2013 meeting with corrections as outlined below. Vice Chairperson O’Neill seconded the motion. Vote on the motion: Yeas: Baumgarn, Behm, Michell, Moore, and O’Neill. Nays: None. Vote on the motion: It passed unanimously. The June minutes will be revised with the following changes:  Removed the following sentence from the discussion on the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) Scope Document: “Staff should consider the key with certain political successes.”  Revised the following sentence in the section on Energy Policy Review-Definition of Goals: “Staff suggests the Energy Board Chairperson present a summary of the board’s feedback at the Work Session.” The sentence will be corrected to read as follows: “Staff suggests the Energy Board Chairperson attend the Work Session and present a summary to the board at the next regular meeting.” Energy Board Meeting Minutes July 11, 2013 2 * Board Member Kronkosky and Board Member Rothe abstained from voting due to their absence at the June 6 meeting. Comments and Council Expectations Energy Board Council Liaison Ross Cunniff attended the meeting to provide his thoughts on City Council expectations. Council would like all City boards to provide timely advice and recommendations on relevant topics, review upcoming agenda topics, and look for proactive items that Council should be aware of. Highlights from the discussion:  A board member asked how the board can convince Council of their recommendations on the Energy Policy. Mr. Cunniff suggested the board can ask him directly for advice on strategies related to their thoughts on the policy. The board is also encouraged to meet with other Councilmembers regarding the Energy Policy.  A board member asked if Mr. Cunniff should review a draft of the Energy Policy before it is given to the full Council. Mr. Cunniff stated yes, he could review a draft if that is what the board requests.  The board members and staff discussed the steps related to providing feedback on the Energy Policy and the timeline with the Council process.  Mr. Cunniff reminded the board of the Public Comment time at the Council meetings. The board members can attend and share feedback as an Energy Board member or as a private citizen. Board members are required to state if they are representing themselves or the board.  A board member asked if meeting with individual Councilmembers would have more impact than providing public comment at the Council meetings. Mr. Cunniff stated this depends on the individual Councilmembers.  A board member asked about gathering and compiling information related to the Climate Action Plan and how the process works. Mr. Cunniff stated the City Manager will designate a lead on policy changes such as for the Climate Action Plan. Climate Action Planning – 2012 Progress and Plans for Goal Review and Plan Update (Attachment available upon request). Environmental Sustainability Director Lucinda Smith and Chief Sustainability Officer Bruce Hendee presented information on this item. This is similar to what will be presented at the City Council Work Session on July 23. Mr. Hendee presented information on the role of sustainability and the concept of Triple Bottom Line (TBL). A TBL analysis attempts to balance the needs of the environment with economic and societal health. Individuals will not be concerned with higher level issues unless their basic physiological needs are met. This tool will be used in evaluating the Climate Action Plan. Ms. Smith presented the following graphs:  Fort Collins Carbon Reduction Goals  Fort Collins Community 2012 Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Source  Fort Collins Progress (8.7 percent reduction below baseline)  2012 Estimated Carbon Reductions  Fort Collins Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions, Sales and Use Tax, and Population. Ms. Smith noted that emissions are down despite increased population. Energy Board Meeting Minutes July 11, 2013 3 Ms. Smith presented the following positive indicators:  Per capita GHG emissions dropped 22 percent from 2005  Renewable energy comprised 5.2 percent of total electricity purchases  Energy efficiency programs avoided 1.5 percent of electricity use  ClimateWise partners avoided 163,000 metric tons CO2e  Community “Non-Industrial” waste diversion was 42 percent  Transfort ridership grew 53 percent from 2005 Ms. Smith presented a graph showing Fort Collins greenhouse gas metrics for residential, commercial and industrial, ground transportation, and waste disposal. The board members and staff discussed the results as shown on the graph. Ms. Smith presented information on TBL Economic and Social Benefits:  Energy Policy programs saved $20 million annual benefit (2012)  ClimateWise partners saved $14 million in 2012 and more than $73 million since the program began in 2000  FortZED (testing and demonstrating new technologies, supporting innovative businesses, and securing outside grant funding)  Waste Diversion Opportunities  Pollutant (Nitrogen Oxides, Sulfur Oxides, Carbon Monoxide, and Particulates)  Ms. Smith noted that current ozone levels are high. Ms. Smith presented the anticipated next steps:  Council 2013-2015 Work Plan finalized  July 23 Work Session – 2012 Climate Action Plan progress and direction on next steps  Energy Policy Update/GHG goal review (2013)  Public involvement  December 10 Work Session – GHG Goal Review  Climate Action Plan Update/Sustainability Strategic Plan (2014) Staff seeks feedback and suggestions on the following:  Local expertise to engage in GHG goal review and/or Climate Action Plan update  Energy Board role in GHG goal review and Climate Action Plan update  Public engagement Highlights from the discussion:  A board member is interested in other entities’ measures as related to the Climate Action Plan, such as Colorado State University, State of Colorado, etc. Mr. Hendee stated there has been outreach with the Climate Action Plan as well as with the Sustainability Strategic Plan. Ms. Smith stated it is important to identify the strategies so everyone can receive benefits.  A board member suggested staff should include interim goals between 2020 and 2050. The board member does not like to see a 30 year gap in the targets.  A board member suggested the board should have more input on the goal review process related to the Climate Action Plan.  A board member asked about the Climate Action Plan as it relates to global warming and climate change. Does the plan also address pollution? Ms. Smith stated the Climate Energy Board Meeting Minutes July 11, 2013 4 Action Plan should focus on greenhouse gas reduction. The environmental chapter of the Sustainability Strategic Plan should focus on other areas. Discussion Related to Energy Policy (Attachment available upon request). Chairperson Behm introduced the item and requested the board review the overall structure of the document. Vice Chairperson O’Neill presented a draft as composed by the Energy Policy Subcommittee. He presented an overview of the document structure and stated the Fort Collins City Plan was used as a model for the Energy Policy draft. The draft policy includes the following components:  Vision  Systems Approach: Connected Topics  Principles and Policies o Greenhouse Gas Reduction o Built Environment o Energy Generation and Distribution o Transportation o Land Use Principle o Local Economic Health  Action Plan The board members discussed revisions to the draft. Highlights from the discussion:  A board member would like to add a section on a pollution reduction principle in addition to the greenhouse gas reduction principle.  A board member stated there are various environmental impacts related to energy production and consumption. The board members discussed if these should be included along with the greenhouse gas reduction principle.  The board members discussed what should be included in the policy since there are other City boards (Transportation Board, Air Quality Advisory Board) that discuss some of the principles included in the policy.  A board member would like to see a timeframe included within the policy and metrics to measure progress along the way.  A board member likes the language used in the “Vision” section of the policy pertaining to exceeding the renewable energy standard goals rather than just meeting the goals.  A board member would like to see more concrete language regarding exceeding the goals (a more specific number rather than 10 percent).  A board member asked how “Zero Carbon Energy” relates to the wording used in the policy. The concept of Zero Carbon Energy was discussed at the FortZED charrette. Mr. Catanach stated this is a more encompassing goal. A board member feels the wording should not be listed in such a way that it would make the goals seem unattainable.  A board member feels that energy should be thought of as a service. The board member feels the wording should be revised in the “Vision” section to convey that Utilities is providing a service to its customers.  The board members and staff discussed revising the renewable energy standard goals and incorporating concepts from the RMI white paper as presented at the June meeting.