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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEnergy Board - Minutes - 11/07/2013Energy Board Meeting Minutes November 7, 2013 1 Fort Collins Utilities Energy Board Minutes Thursday, November 7, 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, Peggy Plate, Margaret Moore, Britt Kronkosky, and John Graham Staff Present Steve Catanach, Lisa Rosintoski, John Phelan, Susie Gordon, Lucinda Smith, and Harriet Davis Guests Kevin Jones and John Bleem Meeting Convened Chairperson Behm called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Public Comment None Resignation of Board Member Board Member Rothe has resigned from the board effective with tonight’s meeting. A replacement will be appointed by the City Clerk’s office. Approval of October 3, 2013 Minutes Board Member Kronkosky moved to approve the minutes of the October 3, 2013 meeting with one minor correction (removed the word “the” from “the ozone” on page 6). Board Member Michell seconded the motion. Vote on the motion: Yeas: Baumgarn, Behm, Graham, Kronkosky, Michell, O’Neill, and Plate. Nays: None. Vote on the motion: It passed unanimously. * Board Member Moore was not present during the roll call. Staff Reports Light and Power Operations Manager Steve Catanach gave an update on the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) “Stepping Up” paper presented at the October Energy Board meeting. Staff met with Platte River Power Authority (PRPA) to discuss this report. PRPA is interested in looking further into RMI’s model and understanding constraints around the transmission system. RMI welcomes the opportunity to refine the model and make it better. An addendum to the report will be issued. A Work Session with RMI staff may also be scheduled. Energy Board Meeting Minutes November 7, 2013 2 Summary of Recommendations Listed in Waste Reduction and Recycling Master Plan (“Road to Zero Waste”) (Attachment available upon request). Senior Environmental Planner Susie Gordon presented information on this item. Background  City Council asked for ideas on future directions to take now that the 1999 goal to divert 50 percent of waste from landfilling has been reached.  Public meetings were held from June through October. Information from these meetings will be presented at a Council Work Session on November 26, 2013.  Zero Waste: Reduce/Reuse then Recycle, Compost, Redesign Ms. Gordon presented a chart showing Fort Collins Commodity Analysis. Approximately 140,000 tons of materials are thrown into the landfill each year. These include commodities such as textiles, metals, glass, and paper. The chart also showed the annual revenues lost from these commodities. Goals and Objectives  Zero Waste Goal by 2035  75 percent waste diversion by 2020  90 percent waste diversion by 2025  Reduce per capita waste disposal  From 5.12 lbs per person per day to 2.2 lbs by 2025 Values and Principles  Choice and Diversity (diverse solutions, support open, free market)  Universal opportunities for recycling  New rules and incentives  City’s role: adopt clear goals, help educate, facilitate and enforce rules Recommendations  Universal recycling  Prohibit materials from landfilling  Construction, deconstruction, and demolition  Composting organic materials  Promote reduce and reuse  Waste to Clean Energy  Partner with Colorado State University (CSU) to research innovative technologies (Current pilot using CSU cafeteria food-pulp in Drake Water Reclamation Facility)  Adopt hierarchy of highest and best use for conversion technologies suitable for Fort Collins  Culture Change (enhance educational programs)  Reinvest Resources in Local Economy  Product Stewardship (fees on products, packaging)  Funding  Regional Cooperation (partnerships to establish infrastructure for waste diversion) Energy Board Meeting Minutes November 7, 2013 3 Highlights from the discussion:  A board member inquired about burning waste versus recycling waste and the public perception regarding this. Ms. Gordon stated there is concern about incinerators, especially in this region.  A board member inquired about the anaerobic bio-digestion process. Ms. Gordon stated after the methane is captured, there is organic material that still needs to go through the composting process. The material from the wastewater treatment plants in Fort Collins goes to Meadow Springs Ranch for land application. This is a carefully monitored process. The board member also inquired about the pyrolysis process, which converts organic waste into carbon or “char.” Some individuals believe there may be an application process for this.  A board member inquired about educational outreach opportunities regarding recycling. Ms. Gordon feels there should be better communication regarding this topic. There have also been challenges regarding educational outreach in the schools. Environmental Services Director Lucinda Smith expressed her appreciation to the board members that attended the Community Conversation (“Open House”) events. Five of these events have been conducted over the last six months. Each one was devoted to a specific topic and included a cross- section of individuals including local waste haulers and representatives from the Larimer County landfill, CSU, and the City of Loveland. Finalize 2014 Work Plan (Attachment available upon request). A draft work plan was provided for the agenda packet. The board members and staff discussed revisions to the draft. Highlights from the discussion:  A board member would like to include a section on the transportation policy and green building codes. The board member feels this is pertinent to the Energy Board’s discussions.  The board members and staff discussed including wording regarding the RMI report.  A board member would like to include wording regarding the City Plan. The board member would also like to include wording for interaction with other boards and commissions, entities, and experts. The board members and staff discussed how to incorporate this into the work plan. Based on the discussion, the draft Work Plan was revised with the following changes:  Removed “striving for alignment with the Energy Policy goals” from Item #2 under Work Plan Objectives.  Removed “on alignment with the Energy Policy goals” from Item #3 under Work Plan Objectives.  Added Item #9 to Work Plan Objectives, “Collaborate with internal and external advisors to incorporate subject matter expertise on energy related topics.” Vote on the motion: Yeas: Baumgarn, Behm, Graham, Kronkosky, Michell, Moore, O’Neill, and Plate. Nays: None. Vote on the motion: It passed unanimously. Board Member Michell moved that the Energy Board adopt the Work Plan as revised at the meeting. Board Member Plate seconded the motion. Energy Board Meeting Minutes November 7, 2013 4 Report on Work of e-Lab Mr. Catanach shared an update with the board on the work of e-Lab. Utilities staff, along with RMI staff, the FortZED Steering Committee, and the Colorado Clean Energy Cluster are currently reviewing several Utilities programs such as energy audits, appliance rebates, and on-bill financing in an effort to increase participation in these programs. Participation in these programs has been at 3-4 percent. The discussion has focused around the complexities for the homeowner. The team is reviewing how to simplify the process. Mr. Catanach also mentioned the Community Energy Challenge. This “grass-roots” campaign increased participation but encountered some funding issues. The team is looking at developing “packages” that offer different tier options. The team would like to conduct a focus group with customers. There will also be a job and economic analysis. Staff feels community engagement and messaging is critical. The team will also look at sustainable funding for the program. Highlights from the discussion:  A board member likes the concept of bundling various parts of the program; however, he is concerned about customer outreach. He would like staff to be more assertive in promoting the programs.  A board member inquired about communication regarding the programs. The board member feels there may be challenges in meeting the goals. He feels the building and transportation piece of the program should be heavily promoted.  The board members and staff discussed how to educate homeowners on the programs.  A board member shared her experience with going through the program. The board member feels these programs will be beneficial to those individuals considering them in the future.  Staff is also working with PRPA since other cities are revamping their programs. Update on Energy Policy Revisions (Attachment available upon request). Energy Services Manager John Phelan presented information on this item. Staff feels the Energy Policy should be discussed along with community greenhouse gas goals. Energy Policy Stakeholders  City staff  No longer just Utilities  Sustainability (strong linkage)  Planning, Development, and Transportation (PDT) (weak linkage now)  Boards and Commissions  No longer just Energy Board  “New” interest from Air Quality, Natural Resources, Transportation, and Economic Advisory Platte River Implications Mr. Phelan presented a graph showing Platte River Implications. This graph is based on RMI “Stepping Up” data:  RMI projects a 40 percent increase in electricity usage by 2030 based on a business-as-usual scenario.  RMI predictions for 2030 Renewable Energy include 75 percent Utility scale renewable (100 percent PRPA) and 25 percent local renewable (partially PRPA) Energy Board Meeting Minutes November 7, 2013 5 Consultant Projects Along with the RMI “Stepping Up” paper, the Brendle Group has been working on a greenhouse gas goal evaluation for Sustainability Services. There are three scenarios for greenhouse gas goal evaluation (based on electricity):  Keep current long-term goal (80 percent below 2005 baseline by 2050)  Increase magnitude (100 percent below 2005 baseline by 2050)  Accelerate timeframe (80 percent below 2005 baseline by 2030) Schedule  Staff will visit several boards and commissions in November and December.  A meeting of board chairs from the Energy Board, Air Quality Board, Economic Advisory Commission, and Transportation Board has been scheduled for November 25, 2013. This will be posted as a public meeting.  A Council Work Session has been scheduled for January 14, 2014.  Budget planning is scheduled for second quarter 2014. Key Issues  There is a need for PRPA to be part of the goal setting analysis  Order and alignment  Goal followed by plan  Plan determines goal  Simultaneous goal setting/planning  Greenhouse gas goals under consideration are all challenging Highlights from the discussion:  A board member feels long-range planning is critical.  A board member feels PRPA should be part of the goal-setting process; however, he does not want competing plans (for example, PRPA’s Integrated Resource Plan). John Bleem with PRPA stated their modeling is based on alternative scenarios. PRPA is looking at an alternative that makes sense to all parties involved. He also stated the cost of carbon is a critical piece.  A board member inquired about the goal from the Brendle Group’s research. Ms. Smith stated this group was originally hired to participate in Climate Action Planning. The group’s modeling has forecasted different scenarios. This item will be discussed further at the December Energy Board meeting. Board Member Reports Vice Chairperson O’Neill attended the Annual Boards and Commissions Appreciation Event held on Wednesday, November 6, 2013. He spoke with a member of the Economic Advisory Commission about keeping more of Fort Collins’ energy expenditures within Fort Collins. Other Business None Future Agenda Review None