Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutEnergy Board - Minutes - 06/06/2013Energy Board Meeting Minutes June 6, 2013 1 Fort Collins Utilities Energy Board Minutes Thursday, June 6, 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, Peggy Plate, Nick Michell, John Graham, and Margaret Moore Board Absent Board Members Barrett Rothe and Britt Kronkosky Staff Present Steve Catanach, Lisa Rosintoski, John Phelan, Lucinda Smith, and Harriet Davis Guests Coreina Chan and James Newcomb (Rocky Mountain Institute), Sam Solt, Ross Cunniff, and John Bleem Meeting Convened Chairperson Behm called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m. Introduction of New Members Chairperson Behm introduced the two new members, John Graham and Nick Michell. Public Comment None Approval of May 2, 2013 Minutes Vice Chairperson O’Neill moved to approve the minutes of the May 2, 2013 meeting. Board Member Moore seconded the motion. Vote on the motion: Yeas: Baumgarn, Behm, Moore, O’Neill, and Plate. Nays: None. Vote on the motion: It passed unanimously. * Board Member Graham and Board Member Michell abstained from voting since this was their first meeting. Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) Scope Document (Attachments available upon request). Light and Power Operations Manager Steve Catanach introduced the item and introduced Coreina Chan and James Newcomb with Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI). Energy Board Meeting Minutes June 6, 2013 2 RMI has been working on a “white paper” to identify possibilities for more aggressive goals towards a lower carbon footprint. Mr. Newcomb presented background information on RMI:  Offices in Boulder and Snowmass (near Aspen)  More than 30 years focused on resource and energy issues  Staff of 80 analysts, engineers, building professionals, and economists  RMI is a leader in understanding of energy efficient practices  Completed the book, Reinventing Fire, two years ago  Has worked across several different energy sectors and partnered with corporations, utilities, building owners, etc. to look at other options such as solar and wind Mr. Newcomb shared details about the charrette held in November 2012:  Held in conjunction with the Electricity Innovation Lab (e-Lab)  More than 40 individuals attended the event, which included local stakeholders and experts in the field Mr. Newcomb shared the two main goals from the charrette participants:  Leadership (i.e. FortZED)  Connection between the vision for Fort Collins energy future and the economic development and stimulus that it can provide Ms. Chan presented a ‘thought piece’ on how Reinventing Fire would look for the City of Fort Collins. This document provides a general outline for accelerated greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals:  Executive Summary  Overview  Key Focus Areas (Buildings, Electricity, and Transportation)  Synthesis: Implications of the Future System Highlights from the discussion:  A board member likes the document and the synthesis section.  A board member feels there are broader measures of environmental impact to be reduced such as reducing energy imports and energy independence.  A board member expressed concern with the current political climate regarding energy.  A board member is concerned about the barriers. The board member feels these should be identified and addressed.  A board member is interested in hearing more details about successful programs around the country and the best tools available.  A board member feels individuals should be engaged at a community level.  A board member asked if this document will address behavioral changes with consumers.  The board members discussed how this document relates to the Energy Board’s review and revision of the Energy Policy.  A board member feels the benefits should be communicated to the public. Staff will work on a Public Outreach Plan. Energy Board Meeting Minutes June 6, 2013 3 Memo Concerning Continued Collaboration with the Climate Action Plan Planning and Review Efforts (Attachment available upon request). Environmental Services Director Lucinda Smith introduced the item. The memo was in response to a question from City Manager Darin Atteberry concerning the resource implications of updating community greenhouse gas reduction goals. Ms. Smith presented background information on the need to update the goals. In 2008, City Council adopted the following greenhouse gas reduction goals for the Fort Collins community:  Reduce community-wide emissions by 20 percent below 2005 levels by 2020  Reduce community-wide emissions by 80 percent below 2005 levels by 2050 Ms. Smith presented the resource implications:  Staff Involvement  Public Outreach  High Level Feasibility Analysis Highlights from the discussion:  A board member asked for the response from City Council on the Energy Board memo regarding greenhouse gas reduction goals. This memo was submitted in February 2013. Ms. Smith could not speak to the Council response on the memo; however, there were questions generated at the May Council Retreat for reevaluation of the greenhouse gas goals. A follow-up to the Council Retreat will be discussed at the June 25 Work Session.  A board member asked about public outreach concerning entities such as Platte River Power Authority (PRPA), Colorado State University (CSU), and other cities. Ms. Smith stated the public outreach plan has not been finalized yet; however, Utilities and Sustainability Services are currently working on a public informational series on climate, water, and human interaction with the environment.  The board members and staff discussed the financial impacts of public outreach and behavior changes associated with outreach and communicating the goals. Energy Policy Review-Definition of Goals (Attachment available upon request). Customer Connections Manager Lisa Rosintoski presented information on this item. Mr. Catanach, Ms. Smith, and Energy Services Manager John Phelan also participated in the discussion. Purpose Align Energy Policy scope with Energy Board scope for comprehensive review resulting in connected alignment. The Energy Policy scope includes electric (reliability, renewables), efficiency, and energy (natural gas, transportation fuels). Energy Board Scope  Climate Action Plan  City Plan/Transportation Master Plan  Sustainability Strategic Plan  Green Building Programs  Road to Zero Waste Energy Board Meeting Minutes June 6, 2013 4  Development Services Energy Policy Goals  Goal #1: Provide highly reliable electric service  Goal #2: Support the community’s carbon emissions goal of reducing the City’s carbon footprint 20% below 2005 levels by 2020 and 80% by 2050.  Goal #3: Enhance local economic health.  Goal #4: Work closely with PRPA members and staff to further City of Fort Collins’ Energy Policy goals. Ms. Rosintoski presented the Energy Policy Review Schedule for June through November. Key dates for City Council include the July 23 Work Session. Staff suggests the Energy Board Chairperson attend the Work Session and present a summary to the board at the next regular meeting. Highlights from the discussion:  A board member is interested in the hierarchy of plans and policies and what takes precedent from a Council perspective. Mr. Catanach stated the Energy Policy drives the Electric Utility and City Plan also drives particular projects.  A board member feels the Sustainability Strategic Plan should drive the City Plan.  The board and staff discussed the board’s role and the role of RMI in updating the Energy Policy.  Mr. Catanach reiterated that the greenhouse goals from the Climate Action Plan should be aligned with the Energy Policy goals.  The board discussed a subcommittee for review of the Energy Policy. Dates and meeting times will be determined and posted for the public.  The board and staff discussed a possible Work Session for further discussion of the Energy Policy. ** Board Member Graham departed the meeting at 7:50 p.m. Staff Reports Mr. Phelan gave an update on the PRPA Purchase Power Agreement. This was approved by City Council on two readings. Mr. Phelan met with the City’s Project Manager on the Comcast franchise agreement negotiations. A consultant has been hired to work on this project. Board Member Reports Board Members Moore, Plate, and Baumgarn attended the PRPA public meeting concerning Integrated Resource Planning (IRP). Chairperson Behm attended the Women’s Commission Annual Breakfast on May 22. The board members discussed ways to communicate and collaborate with other boards. They also discussed better ways to communicate to City Council.