HomeMy WebLinkAboutEnergy Board - Minutes - 05/02/2013Energy Board Meeting Minutes
May 2, 2013
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Fort Collins Utilities Energy Board Minutes
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Energy Board Chairperson City Council Liaison
Greg Behm, 226-6161 Lisa Poppaw, 223-4136
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, Peggy Plate, Britt Kronkosky, and Margaret Moore
Board Absent Board Member Barrett Rothe
Staff Present Steve Catanach, Brian Janonis, John Phelan, Norm Weaver, Melissa Hovey, Lucinda
Smith, Mike Gebo, and Harriet Davis
Guests Theo Stewart, John Bleem, Nicole Decesare, and Lindsey Gates
Meeting Convened
Chairperson Behm called the meeting to order at 5:33 p.m.
Public Comment
None
Approval of April 4, 2013 Minutes
Board Member Baumgarn moved to approve the minutes of the April 4, 2013 meeting. Vice
Chairperson Member O’Neill seconded the motion.
Vote on the motion:
Yeas: Baumgarn, Kronkosky, Moore, O’Neill, and Plate. Nays: None.
Vote on the motion: It passed unanimously.
* Chairperson Behm abstained from voting due to his absence at the April meeting.
Feed-In Tariff (FIT)/Fort Collins Solar Program (FCSP) with Letter of Support
(Attachments available upon request).
Light and Power Operations Manager Steve Catanach introduced Energy Services Manager John
Phelan and Energy Services Engineer Norm Weaver. This item is presented to the board to ask for
their support of the Purchase Power Agreement (PPA) for the program. A draft memo was included
in the packet.
Mr. Phelan presented the Fort Collins Solar Program Open House agenda and presentation. This
event was held on April 23.
Energy Board Meeting Minutes
May 2, 2013
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Pilot Program Criteria
Contribute to Renewable Energy Standard (RES) commitments with local solar
Two-year application window (2013/2014)
Specific funding limit
Maximize benefit and minimize risk for all ratepayers
Establish Purchase Power Agreements
Understand interest and demand for customer-sited solar systems
Purpose
The purpose of the pilot Fort Collins Solar Power Purchase Program is to procure new locally
installed solar capacity on behalf of all ratepayers to help meet the community’s renewable energy
commitments under the Colorado Renewable Energy Standard.
Renewable Energy Standard
Established by Amendment 37 and legislative updates
2012 RES commitments including bundled wind energy and Renewable Energy Certificates
(RECs)
Unbundled RECs
Local solar RECs purchased via rebate agreements
Need 45,000 megawatt-hours for 2015
Options include RECs, utility scale wind and solar projects, and local solar projects
Mr. Phelan presented the program attributes along with the purpose and benefits for each one. The
board members and staff discussed the program attributes.
Why Local Solar?
Contributes to RES commitments (3X)
Supports local investment and benefits, Climate Action Plan, Energy Policy, and grid
modernization.
Mr. Phelan presented the provisional program timeline through 2015. The item will be presented to
City Council on May 21 and June 4.
Highlights from the discussion:
A board member asked about property tax issues and incentives for the program. Mr. Phelan
stated this is still being determined.
A board member asked how staff will provide answers to the questions asked at the Open
House event. Mr. Phelan stated staff intends to answer the questions via e-mail.
A board member asked for clarification on the requirement for 45,000 megawatt-hours
needed for 2015. Mr. Phelan stated the 45,000 megawatt-hours is approximately half of
what is needed.
A board member asked for clarification on the useful life of the equipment. Mr. Catanach
stated production capacity of the solar panels declines over time; however, if the equipment
has been maintained properly it can still produce after 20 years.
A board member asked about the specific funding limit as a result of the Budgeting for
Outcomes (BFO) process. Mr. Catanach stated there is a rate increase to fund the program.
Mr. Catanach stated the City is not allowed to enter into an agreement longer than a year.
The agreement specifies an automatic renewal in 20 years.
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May 2, 2013
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Discussion on the motion:
The board members and staff discussed revisions to the draft memo.
A board member expressed concern with the board approving the memo at this meeting (see detail
below under “Reason for the nay vote”). Chairperson Behm requested the board should have
sufficient time to hear presentations and discuss items before approving memos.
The board members and staff discussed approaches to ensuring the board has adequate time to
hear information before they approve memos. Mr. Catanach reminded the board this can be
dependent on timing of items going to Council. There may not be enough lead time before the items
are scheduled for Council.
Vote on the motion:
Yeas: Behm, Kronkosky, Moore, O’Neill, and Plate. Nays: Baumgarn.
Vote on the motion: 5 for, 1 against.
Reason for the nay vote:
Board Member Baumgarn: He does not want the Energy Board to become a “rubber stamp”
committee. He does not feel the board has had an opportunity to discuss the topic properly before
being asked to approve a memo.
Energy Policy 2012 Annual Report
(Attachments available upon request).
The draft annual report was included in the packet. Mr. Phelan introduced the item and presented
the Energy Policy Metrics and Outcomes (2012 Compared to 2005) including total percentage
change, per capita percentage change, and carbon change. He noted changes to the emissions factor
is driven by improvements from Platte River Power Authority (PRPA).
Highlights from the discussion:
A board member is interested in seeing the progression from 2005 to 2012 showing data
year by year.
The board members and staff discussed the best way to present the data to Council. A board
member suggested presenting 2012 data separately.
Green Building Program/2012 International Codes
(Attachment available upon request).
Mr. Phelan introduced the item and introduced Chief Building Official Mike Gebo and Senior
Environmental Planner Melissa Hovey. Mr. Phelan and Mr. Gebo presented an overview of the
Green Building Program Elements, including Voluntary and Performance Based Programs and
Building Code Review and Adoption.
Ms. Hovey presented information from the Roadmap for Coordinated and Enhanced Green Building
Services (August 2007). Green buildings are designed, constructed, and operated to provide
maximum benefit to people, prosperity, and our planet. Ms. Hovey also presented the definition of
“green building” and green building practices.
Board Member Moore moved that the Energy Board adopt the memo as written. Vice
Chairperson O’Neill seconded the motion.
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May 2, 2013
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Ms. Hovey identified four areas of action with short term, mid-term, and ongoing tasks:
Mandate minimum performance and remove barriers
Encourage innovation
Reward success
Build internal city capacity
Ms. Hovey presented the 2013-2014 BFO Offer. This offer supports coordination of City initiatives
related to the built environment including land use planning, access to transit, green streets, and
voluntary measures beyond code.
Ms. Hovey presented the Green Building Future Work Plan. This includes determining the status of
28 recommendations and 45 programs from the 2007 roadmap; access program successes, barriers,
and benchmarks; and coordinating with the Energy Policy, Sustainability Plan, and Climate Action
Plan.
Highlights from the discussion:
A board member asked what type of input is needed from the Energy Board. The board
members and staff discussed how the board can weigh in on programs and metrics. Ms.
Hovey stated staff will be seeking advice from the board on the internal structure of the
program. The board may also be asked for input on a web based portal.
Ms. Hovey stated there is a need for a more comprehensive structure for the planning
processes. The board may be asked to review this.
A board member requested the list of 28 recommendations and 45 programs so the Energy
Board can review this information.
The item will be added to the August Energy Board agenda.
The item is scheduled for a Council Work Session in September 2013.
Staff Reports
Mr. Catanach gave an update on the Advanced Meter project. The project will be mostly finished by
the end of May. There are approximately 200 individuals who do not want to participate in the
project. There are approximately 7,000 water meters left to install.
Mr. Catanach gave an update on FortZED. A work plan is being developed. The group is examining
17 different projects related to renewable energy, energy efficiency and conservation, energy
storage and load management, and Smart Grid projects.
Mr. Catanach gave an update on the Energy Policy development. Mr. Catanach, Mr. Phelan, and
Customer Connections Manager Lisa Rosintoski met with Rocky Mountain Institute on Friday,
April 26. Rocky Mountain Institute has been asked to facilitate the Energy Policy discussion. The
June meeting may be changed to a Work Session so the board can discuss this in more depth.
Board Member Reports
Board Member Moore attended the Human Relations Commission Awards Breakfast as a
representative of the Energy Board.
Board Member Plate stated she received a letter on an upcoming informational meeting on
the oil and gas issue. This meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 8.
Board Member Kronkosky gave an update on the upcoming PRPA public meeting. This
meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 9 at the Fort Collins Hilton. The purpose of the