HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015 - Energy Board - Annual ReportEnergy Board 2015 Annual Review
Energy Board Members
The following Fort Collins citizens served on the board in 2015:
Stacey Baumgarn
Greg Behm
Michael Doss
Philip Friedman (Vice-Chairperson)
Darrin Johnson
Nick Michell
Margaret Moore
Peter O'Neill (Chairperson)
Peggy Plate
Formal Actions
The Board took the following actions in 2015 at the meetings noted. Work Plan objectives relevant to
each action are noted by number in parentheses following that action. Refer to the Work Plan at the
end of this report for the statement of the objectives.
1. Approved the Energy Board’s 2014 Annual Report. January.
2. Recommended that City Council approve changes to the on-bill financing Home Efficiency Loan
Program to increase its participation rate. (4, 8) January.
3. Elected Peter O’Neill as Chairperson and Philip Friedman as Vice-Chairperson. February.
4. Recommended that City Council approve the accelerated GHG reduction goals of the proposed new
Climate Action plan and that Council provide direction on the development of robust near-term
implementation plans to meet these goals. (2) February.
5. Recommended that City Council approve the time-of-use electric rate pilot study as proposed by
Light & Power. (4, 8) June.
6. Completed the revision of the Energy Policy and recommended adoption by City Council. Writing
this revision was an agenda item of most of this year’s meetings. (1, 2) July.
7. Recommended that City Council fund all seven of Utilities’ budget offers in support of the 2015
Climate Action Plan and 2015 Energy Policy. (9) August.
8. Approved the Energy Board’s 2016 work plan. November.
9. Made changes to the Energy Policy requested by City Council regarding Platte River’s renewable
generation targets. (1, 6) November.
10. Develop ideas to implement the Energy Policy and Climate Action Plan and recommended them to
the Climate Action Team. (9) December.
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:
1. Received a presentation by utilities Strategic Financial Planning Manager Lance Smith on time-of-use
(TOU) and low-income rate structures and pilot program being proposed to City Council. (4)
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2. Received a presentation by Energy Services Manager John Phelan on proposed revisions to City
Code language related to utilities on-bill financing loans. (4, 8)
3. Received regular updates on the development of the Climate Action Plan by Environmental Services
Director Lucinda Smith. (2)
4. Were introduced to new City Attorney Carrie Daggett.
5. Received an update on progress towards meeting the Energy Policy’s goals from Energy Services
Manager John Phelan. (1)
6. Aligned the Energy Policy revision to the Climate Action plan as adopted by City Council in February.
(1, 2)
7. Energy Board Chair O’Neill and Vice-Chair Friedman together with Customer Connections Manager
Rosintoski and Energy Services Manager Phelan met with 9 boards and commissions to get their
feedback on the new Energy Policy. This feedback was quite positive with the underlying theme
that aggressive implementation was needed. (1)
8. Received regular financial reports on Light & Power operations from Utilities Strategic Financial
Planning Manager Lance Smith. (4)
9. Received a status report on the Integrated Utilities Services Model from Energy Services Manager
John Phelan at the May meeting. (8)
10. Received a presentation on the Utilities Customer Segmentation Study from Customer Account
Manger Tiana Smith at the May meeting. (7, 8)
11. Received a presentation on the Broadband Strategic Plan from Economic Policy & Project Manager
SeonAh Kendall at the May meeting.
12. Received updates on the Peak Partners Wi-Fi demand response thermostat program from Energy
Services Engineer Pablo Bauleo: Program design at the May meeting, early results at December
meeting. (8, 9)
13. Received an update on the Light & Power’s solar program from Senior Energy Services Engineer
Norm Weaver at the June meeting. (4, 7, 9)
14. Received an update on the Water Efficiency Plan from Water Conservation Specialist Renee Davis at
the June meeting. (1)
15. Received a presentation on the revision of the Economic Health Plan from Economic Health Director
Josh Birks at the July meeting after it had been adopted by City Council. (1)
16. Received a presentation on the Utilities Strategic Financial Plan from Strategic Financial Planning
Manager Lance Smith at the July meeting. The Board expressed concern about Light & Power
lagging the “wet” utilities in strategic planning. (3)
17. Chairperson O’Neill and Vice-Chairperson Friedman met with the recruiter to help establish criteria
for hiring the new Light & Power Operations Manager. They Later served on a community interview
panel that interviewed the top three candidates. . (3, 8)
18. Were introduced to new Chief Sustainability Officer Jacqueline Kozack-Thiel. (1)
19. Received a presentation on the process by which City Staff is developing implementation plans for
the Climate Action Plan from Environmental Services Director Lucinda Smith at the August meeting.
(1, 2)
20. Received a review of the Efficiency Works energy conservation program from PRPA Customer
Services Manager Paul Davis at the August meeting. (9)
21. Received an update on proposed 2016 electric rates from Rate Analyst Randy Reuscher at the
September meeting. (4)
22. Received a presentation on Platte River’s Resource Plan from Planning Director John Bleem at the
September meeting. Encouraged to see consideration of more renewable and distributed
generation. (6)
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23. Were introduced to new Light and Power Operations Manager Tim McCollough at the October
meeting. (4, 8, 9)
24. Received a presentation on the Light & Power Utility Training Center from Gordon Cromwell at the
October meeting. (8)
25. Received a presentation on the Environmental Services Strategic Plan from Environmental Services
Director Lucinda Smith at the October meeting. (1, 2)
26. November 12 Chair and Vice Chair met with utilities Director to discuss asset management,
predictive maintenance planning and other Light and Power operations and projects.
27. Dan Weinheimer reviewed the City’s Legislative Policy at the November meeting, emphasizing how
the Energy Board can influence the City’s legislative agenda concerning energy matters. (5)
28. Received a presentation on Drive Electric Northern Colorado’s workplace challenge from Annie
Freyschlag with DENC, and Michelle Finchum, Utilities Community Engagement Specialist at the
December meeting. (7)
2015 Work Plan Objectives
1. Complete the board’s review of and proposed revisions to the City of Fort Collins Energy Policy,
presenting to City Council and offering subsequent advice as necessary.
2. Collaborate with and offer advice, as appropriate, to the ad hoc citizen’s Climate Action
Committee as it develops, for City Council’s consideration, an updated Climate Action Plan.
3. Review the Fort Collins Utilities Strategic Plan, providing feedback on alignment with the Energy
Policy goals.
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,
relevant to 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 collaborate with Fort Collins Utilities staff to explore potential new
business models and services to adapt to the changing utility industry.
9. 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.
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