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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEnergy Board - Minutes - 11/01/2012Energy Board Meeting Minutes November 1, 2012 1 Fort Collins Utilities Energy Board Minutes Thursday, November 1, 2012 Energy Board Chairperson City Council Liaison Ross Cunniff, 420-7398 Lisa Poppaw, 223-4136 Energy Board Vice Chairperson Staff Liaison Barrett Rothe, 303-881-9683 Brian Janonis, 221-6702 Roll Call Board Present Chairperson Ross Cunniff, Vice Chairperson Barrett Rothe, Board Members Britt Kronkosky, Greg Behm, Peggy Plate, Peter O’Neill, Margaret Moore, and Stacey Baumgarn Board Absent Board Member Steve Wolley Staff Present Steve Catanach, John Phelan, Bruce Hendee, and Harriet Davis Guests Jackie Sargent, John Bleem, and Rick Coen Meeting Convened Vice Chairperson Rothe called the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m. Public Comment Rick Coen reminded the board of the invitation to attend a tour of the Rawhide Power Plant. Approval of October 4, 2012 Minutes A board member asked for clarification on staff’s response to a question concerning the City’s Renewable Energy Standard (RES) goal from the discussion on the 2013 Budget and Rate Recommendations. Light and Power Operations Manager Steve Catanach stated what was captured in the minutes accurately reflects the discussion from the meeting. Board Member Moore moved to approve the minutes of the October 4, 2012 meeting. Board Member Plate seconded the motion. Vote on the motion: It passed unanimously. * Board Member Baumgarn abstained due to his absence at the October 4, 2012 meeting. ** Chairperson Cunniff was not present during the voting. Introduction to Jackie Sargent, New Platte River Power Authority General Manager Vice Chairperson Rothe introduced the item and introduced Ms. Sargent. She presented an overview of Platte River Power Authority (PRPA) and entertained questions from the board members. Ms. Sargent stated the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) approach is the founding vision of PRPA. She feels a balanced approach is important in the industry. The social, economic, and environmental aspects have to be in balance. She gave the example of integrating buffalo into land management Energy Board Meeting Minutes November 1, 2012 2 at the Rawhide Power Plant. She feels power production and the environment can coexist. PRPA has also taken steps to reduce emissions at the facility. She feels the PRPA board provides a high level of service while keeping all factors in balance. Highlights from the discussion:  A board member asked about the possibility of utilizing hydro power with the lack of rain during the past year. What is the anticipated mix of hydro power in the upcoming year? Ms. Sargent stated there are some requirements involved with managing the hydro power that comes from the Colorado River. John Bleem with Platte River Power Authority stated there is a contract for delivery with Western Area Power Administration (WAPA). Deliveries are required as a part of this contract.  A board member asked about the Renewable Energy Standard (RES). Since investor owned utilities have a more aggressive implementation schedule than municipal owned utilities, does it make sense to pursue a more aggressive goal? The board member asked if the percentage can be increased by partnering with PRPA. Ms. Sargent gave the example of Austin Energy. Even though they do not have a requirement for meeting the RES, Austin’s City Council established goals for them to pursue. Ms. Sargent stated that PRPA is willing to work with the municipalities to meet the RES goals.  A board member asked about the impact of NetZero type setups on PRPA. Ms. Sargent stated contracts are in place for the member cities to purchase power from PRPA. Integrated resource planning should be a part of the vision as PRPA looks forward.  A board member asked for Ms. Sargent’s initial thoughts on flexibility towards the four cities that are supplied by PRPA (Fort Collins, Loveland, Longmont, and Estes Park). How does PRPA avoid the least common denominator approach? Ms. Sargent stated there is an opportunity for the City of Fort Collins to move forward with the acquisition of energy from the biomass facility. Since PRPA would have a bilateral transaction with the energy supplier, the costs would then be passed along to Fort Collins.  A board member stated since the industry is evolving towards distributed generation, how can the transition be managed as it becomes less centralized? Ms. Sargent stated this is taken into account during long-range planning.  A board member asked Ms. Sargent for her thoughts on fossil fuel costs for the next 10- 20 years. Ms. Sargent stated this depends on natural gas supplies and the production of natural gas. If those costs continue to stay low, this would look more attractive.  A board member mentioned the controversy concerning installing transmission lines through open spaces. How can this be less likely to happen in the future? Ms. Sargent stated this is part of taking all the factors into account. The issue has to be looked at from an environmental impact standpoint. Ms. Sargent feels a public involvement process is also very important.  Mr. Catanach asked for Ms. Sargent’s thoughts on the idea that Xcel Energy wants to develop an imbalance market. He asked for Ms. Sargent’s thoughts on what this means for the future and how does PRPA participate? Ms. Sargent feels there could be greater utilization of assets in the system. This depends on how the market would involve. Update on Net Zero Cities Conference Chief Sustainability Officer Bruce Hendee gave an update on the Net Zero Cities Conference held October 16 and 17, 2012 at the Fort Collins Hilton. 325 individuals attended the event co- sponsored by the City of Fort Collins. Energy, transportation, and STEM Education (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) were the main topics at the event. Colorado State University (CSU) also participated in the event, which included more than 30 speakers from Energy Board Meeting Minutes November 1, 2012 3 locations such as Brazil, Japan, Texas, New York, and Michigan. Mr. Hendee presented an overview of the topics presented at the event. 2013 Work Plan Update (Attachment available upon request). Chairperson Cunniff introduced the item. A subcommittee consisting of Chairperson Cunniff, Board Member Behm and Board Member O’Neill met to discuss and draft the work plan. The work plan consists of the board’s aspirations, desired outcomes, topics, and the board’s operating mode. The board’s duties and functions were also included as an appendix. The work plan topics are consistent with City Council direction and the board’s aspirations. Highlights from the discussion:  A board member would like the board to include sustainable projects and planning as part of their operating mode.  A board member would like the words “climate” and “sustainable” included in the board’s operating mode. Board Member Behm stated the board’s operating mode is utilized for setting the work plan for the upcoming year. Chairperson Cunniff reiterated the “Operating Mode” and “Desired Outcomes” are background for the board as they outline the work plan.  The board discussed the aspirations outlined in the work plan.  The board member discussed changing “community” to “residents” or “customers.” A board member feels the board’s scope goes beyond Utilities customers; therefore, the wording should remain as “community.”  The board members discussed the desired outcomes outlined in the work plan.  A board member feels the board should review the language in the Fort Collins Energy Policy concerning the RES goals since this is listed in the desired outcomes. The board member would like to include wording concerning meeting the eventual goal of 100%. Energy Services Manager John Phelan suggested the board review the introductory language of the Energy Policy. This may be useful in discussing the work plan items.  A board member suggested adding “in accordance with Fort Collins Energy Policy” to the desired outcomes.  A board member reiterated the board is not tasked with rewriting the Energy Policy. The board is asking Council to seek more aggressive goals for specific numbers.  The board discussed providing more policy input to City Council before issues arise.  The board discussed the goal of reducing Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions as part of the Climate Action Plan. The board would like City Council to set this goal on a more aggressive schedule than called for by the Climate Action Plan.  The board discussed the outcome related to energy infrastructure.  The board discussed the outcome related to reliable delivery.  The board members discussed prioritizing the work plan topics. Topics include the City’s Energy Policy and Climate Action Plan, Automated Infrastructure (AMI) and utility rates, the City’s Legislative Policy Agenda regarding energy and energy-related carbon issues, PRPA’s Electric Integrated Resource Plan and public process, and the board’s Charter and Bylaws. As applicable, the board will also discuss other topics outlined in the work plan. Board Member Behm moved that the Energy Board accept the work plan as revised during the meeting. Vice Chairperson Rothe seconded the motion. Vote on the motion: Yeas: Baumgarn. Behm. Cunniff, Kronkosky. Moore. O’Neill. Plate. and Rothe. Nays: None. The motion carried. Board Member O’Neill departed the meeting at 8:23 p.m. 2012 Annual Report Chairperson Cunniff provided copies of the Electric Board 2011 Annual Report and a summary of the Energy Board’s 2012 activities for the board members to review. He will draft the 2012 Annual Report. This will be sent to the other board members for review. The final report is due to the clerk’s office no later than January 31. 2013. Staff Reports None Board Member Reports Board and Commission Collabora/ive lvleeling (Vice Chaiiperson Roihe): Vice Chairperson Rothe attended this meeting on Monday, October 29. 2012. Highliuhts from the meeting: • Council believes the boards and commissions system needs to be revised. • There is a lot of variation across the various City boards. • Council has discussed combining some of the boards. • Council drafts a two-year agenda each April. The board may want to realign their work plan after Council publishes their agenda. Other Business A board member asked for an update on the items presented during the Budgeting for Outcomes (BFO) process. Mr. Catanach stated the Fort Collins Solar Program was approved at the first reading without any questions. Staff will provide more information to Council on the proposal for the Electric Vehicle Charging Stations. Future A2enda Review The board discussed the upcoming December agenda. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 8:38 p.m. Submitted by Harriet Davis. Administrative Assistant. Fort Collins Utilities Approved by the Board on 2012 Signed iIiIi Board Secretary Date Energy Board Meeting Minutes 4 November 1, 2012