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ENERGY BOARD
2020 Annual Report
January 14, 2021
2020 ANNUAL REPORT Page 1
ENERGY BOARD MEMBERS
The following Fort Collins residents served on the board in 2020:
1. William Becker
2. Alan Braslau
3. Dan Gould
4. Jeremy Giovando (Vice Chairperson, elected in December 2019)
5. John Fassler
6. Marge Moore (appointed in February 2020)
7. Sue McFaddin (appointed in February 2020)
8. Amanda Shores (Chairperson, elected in December 2019)
9. Steve Tenbrink (appointed in February 2020)
ACTIVITY
The Energy Board held:
• 9 Regular Meetings
o All meetings in April, May, and June were cancelled to take a proactive protective measure
to minimize the impact of COVID-19.
o The Energy Board began meeting remotely in July pursuant to Ordinance No. 79, 2020.
• 2 Work Sessions
• 3 Super-Board Meetings
• 1 Community Listening Session
• 1 Letter to City Council
FORMAL ACTIONS
The Board took the following actions in 2020 at the meetings noted:
• Chairperson Shores submitted a letter to City Council on behalf of the Energy board on July 14 and
a response was received on July 23 from Mayor Wade Troxell. The letter comprised the following
requests:
o Requesting permission during the COVID-19 shut down to hold remote meetings and to
establish mechanisms for remote meetings in case of possible future events.
o Reimagining boards and the need for better representation, diversification, and inclusion of
gender, race, income status, and background amongst Board members. In the Reimagining
process, the board encouraged broader publicity of open positions through avenues like
social media. The Board also encouraged messaging that emphasizes the need for
enthusiasm and willingness to learn as critical factors for choosing Board Members rather
than expertise around Energy-related issues and engineering.
ENERGY BOARD
2020 Annual Report
2020 ANNUAL REPORT Page 2
• The Energy Board supported the changes to the 2021 electric utility rates and fees (September 10)
• The Energy Board supported the adoption of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for a
cooperative training center between Poudre Fire Authority and Fort Collins Utilities (November 12)
• The Energy Board recommended that City Council approve the Utilities 2020 Fall Code Updates
(November 12)
• The Energy Board recommended City Council approve the Riverside Community Solar Program
Ordinance (No. 141, 2020) on the second reading; however, the Board would like Staff to address
their concerns around insuring infrastructure and proactively address the owners regarding
potential O&M costs (November 12)
2020 WORK PLAN OBJECTIVES and RELATED ACTIVITIES
In addition to the highlighted issues and the formal actions taken, the Board discussed or received
presentations on topics related to the work plan objectives and related issues. Listed below are the
activities for 2020 under each of the six work plan objectives.
1. Revising the Energy Policy
a. Our Climate Future Updates (February 13, July 9, August 27, October 22)
2. Work with Light & Power staff to improve implementation of low income assistance programs
a. LEAP Partnership (August 13)
b. Utilities Affordability Programs (September 10)
3. Implementing the Energy Policy and Climate Action Plan
a. Metro Districts (February 13, November 12)
b. National & Local Energy Codes Update (August 13)
c. Transit & Transportation Update (October 8)
4. Advising on Cost of Service and Rate Structures
a. Time of Day, Year One Results (February 13)
b. 2021 Rates & Fees Update (September 10, October 8)
5. Protecting Light & Power Assets & Customers
a. Covered under budget, rate and operations topics
6. Ongoing Responsibilities
a. Review electric utility rate proposals and energy services programs or projects
i. Riverside Community Solar Project Acquisition (July 9, November 12)
ii. Battery Storage Pilot (August 13)
iii. Northside Aztlan Resilience Hub & DOLA Grant Appropriation (September 10)
iv. Energy Efficiency Programs Update (October 8)
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2020 Annual Report
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v. Electrification Planning (November 12)
b. Review the City’s Legislative Policy Agenda
i. Legislative Updates (February 13, March 12)
c. Engage with Platte River Power Authority, specifically their generation diversification plans
i. Distributed Energy Resources Strategic Planning (July 9, August 13, December 10)
ii. Platte River Power Authority’s Rawhide Unit 1 (July 9)
iii. Platte River Wholesale Rate Update (October 8)
d. Utilities operations and financial topics
i. Light & Power Operations Update (March 12, December 10)
ii. Energy Services Update (March 12, December 10)
iii. Interim Executive Director’s Update (July 9, November 12)
iv. Utilities COVID-19 Dashboard (July 9)
v. Budget Updates (July 9, September 10)
vi. Utilities & Poudre Fire Authority Training Facility Intergovernmental Agreement
(November 12)
vii. Utilities Fall Code Update (November 12)
7. Other
a. Engage with the Reimagining Board and Commissions Council priority
i. Three temporary Board member appointments: McFaddin, Moore, Tenbrink
(February 18)
ii. Reimagining Boards & Commissions Updates (January 9, August 13, September 10,
October 8)
iii.
b. Occasional or Impromptu Discussions:
i. Connexion/Broadband Service
ii. Platte River Integrated Resource Plan
iii. Larimer County Behavioral Health Facility
iv. Larimer County Landfill Gas Flaring Project
v. Hydrogen