The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2014 - Energy Board - Annual Report1 Utilities – Energy Board 700 Wood St. PO Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522 970.221.6702 970.416.2208 - fax fcgov.com Energy Board 2014 Annual Review January 12, 2015 Energy Board Members The following Fort Collins citizens served on the board in 2014: Stacey Baumgarn Greg Behm (chairperson) Michael Doss Phillip Friedman John Graham Nick Michell Margaret Moore Peter O'Neill (vice chairperson) Peggy Plate Formal Actions The Board took the following actions in 2014. Work Plan objectives relevant to any action are noted by number in parentheses following that action. Refer to the Work Plan at the end of this report for details. 1. Approved at the January meeting the Board’s 2013 Annual Review report. 2. Elected at the February meeting Greg Behm as Board Chairperson and Peter O’Neill as Board Vice-Chairperson. 3. Approved at the February meeting a memo to City Council recommending adoption of more aggressive greenhouse gas reduction goals. (2) 4. Approved at the April meeting support for the Net Metering Rate Ordinance presented by staff to City Council. (4) 5. Approved at the April meeting support for a Time of Use (TOU) pilot study in which multiple electric utility rate structures are tested using multiple pilot programs starting in the fall of 2014. (4) 6. Rescinded at the May meeting a motion approved at the April meeting recommending multiple TOU pilot programs, after learning that staff doesn’t have the resources to implement multiple TOU pilot programs simultaneously. (4) 7. Approved at the May meeting support for a single TOU pilot study, as recommended by staff. (4) 2 8. Approved at the May meeting a memo to City Council regarding proposed amendments to the Foothills Mall Agreement. (1, 2) 9. Approved at the July meeting a recommendation that City Council adopt the Demand Side Management Partnership Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Fort Collins and Platte River Power Authority. (1, 4) 10. Approved at the July meeting support for the Virtual Net-metering Rate Ordinance prepared by staff for City Council approval. (4) 11. Approved at the August regular meeting a recommendation that City Council approve the Utility Buildings Appropriation Ordinance, appropriating capital project funding from the Light & Power, Water, Wastewater, and Stormwater Funds for construction of a new Utilities Administration Building at the corner of Laporte and Howes and renovation of 700 Wood Street. (3, 4) 12. Approved at the September meeting a memo to City Council supporting energy conservation and greenhouse gas reduction projects supported by the budget offers, in particular offers 47.14 (1.0 FTE Green Built Environment Program Coordinator), 47.18 (FortZED), and 169.1 (Transportation Climate Action Strategic Plan). (1, 2, 4, 7, 8) 13. Approved at the September meeting support for the City Manager’s recommended 2015-16 budget for the Light & Power Fund. (4) 14. Approved at the September meeting a memo to City Council supporting proposed 2015 electric rate increases and electric development fees. (4) 15. Approved at the October meeting support for Electric Capacity Fee code revisions, as presented by staff. (4) 16. Approved at the November meeting the Board’s 2015 Work Plan. Energy Policy Review City Council adopted the current Energy Policy in 2009, with a requirement that the policy “be reviewed and revised in the fifth year after adoption.” Therefore, the Energy Policy is due for revision by City Council in 2014. The Board’s 2014 Work Plan objective #1 was to review and propose revisions to the Energy Policy, consistent with our duty to “advise City Council and staff regarding the development and implementation of the City's energy policy.” The Board worked throughout the year, at regular and special meetings and through an ad hoc member committee led by vice chairperson O'Neill, to review and develop proposed revisions to the Energy Policy. By year-end, the Board presented a draft Energy Policy document to Utilities staff for assistance to review the proposed recommendations. 3 The Board expects to complete the proposed Energy Policy update and present it to City Council early in 2015. Other Activities In addition to the formal actions taken and the Energy Policy review noted above, the Board discussed or received presentations on the following topics and issues:  Welcomed staff from the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) for a discussion of energy use and transportation, as part of the Board’s Energy Policy review discussions. (1)  Received frequent updates from Environmental Services Director Lucinda Smith and Energy Services Manager John Phelan about the status of the City’s greenhouse gas reduction goals and the Climate Action Plan. (2)  Received information from City Manager Darin Atteberry about the hiring process for the new Utilities Executive Director to replace retiring director Brian Janonis.  Received a review of the Energy Board’s charter and meeting conduct from Assistant City Attorney Cyril Vidergar.  Received presentations from John Bleem of Platte River Power Authority on PRPA’s Integrated Resource Plan. (6)  Received a presentation from FC Moves Program Manager Paul Sizemore and from Planning, Development, and Transportation Deputy Director Mark Jackson on the City’s transportation plans and programs. (1, 2, 7, 8)  Received a presentation from Energy Services Engineer Pablo Bauleo on the Utilities Demand Response Program. (7, 8)  Received a demonstration from Senior Electrical Engineer Dennis Sumner and Web Portal and Demand Response Project Manager Angel Anderson on the Advanced Meter Fort Collins web portal. (7, 8)  Received a presentation from Mr. Phelan on Utilities’ plans for On-Bill Financing. (4, 7, 8)  Received a presentation from Standards Engineering Manager Kraig Bader on the Utilities Strategic Plan. (3)  Received a presentation from Customer Connections Manager Lisa Rosintoski on the Low Income Assistance Program.  Received a presentation from Police Chief John Hutto, introducing himself to the Boards and Commissions.  Welcomed and held a discussion with the new Utilities Executive Director Kevin Gertig. (3) 4  Received a presentation from Transportation Planner Amy Lewin, summarizing the Bike Share program’s business plan. (1, 2, 7, 8)  Received an update from Mr. Phelan on the Small-scale Solar Rebate program. (4, 7, 8)  Received a presentation from and held discussion with Policy and Project Manager Dan Weinheimer on the City’s Legislative Policy Agenda. (5)  Received various brief staff reports, Board members reports, and public comments throughout the year, as detailed in the Board’s official meeting minutes.  Board members Moore and Baumgarn served as representatives to the Climate Action Plan Citizen Advisory Committee. (1, 2)  Board members O'Neill and Behm presented an overview of the proposed Energy Policy update to the Climate Action Plan Citizen Advisory Committee. (1, 2) 2014 Work Plan Objectives 1. Review the Energy Policy and propose revisions. 2. Review the Greenhouse Gas Reduction goals and Climate Action Plan and propose revisions. 3. Review the Fort Collins Utilities Strategic Plan, providing feedback. 4. Review electric utility rate proposals and energy efficiency programs or projects and provide recommendations to City Council. 5. Review and provide advice to City Council and staff on the City’s Legislative Policy Agenda regarding energy and energy‐related issues. 6. Receive presentations from Platte River Power Authority on their Strategic Plan and Electric Integrated Resource Plan; provide feedback to ensure alignment with the Energy Policy goals and the Fort Collins Utilities Strategic Plan. 7. Collaborate with Fort Collins Utilities staff to manage strategies in order to build broader community support for sustainable energy. 8. Advise City Council and staff on a prioritized set of issues regarding implementation of the Energy Policy and other related policies and programs within the Board’s purview. This prioritized set of actions may be determined by the Board, its leadership, or by staff. 9. Collaborate with internal and external advisors to incorporate subject matter expertise on energy related topics.