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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEnergy Board - Minutes - 01/09/2014Energy Board Meeting Minutes January 9, 2014 1 Fort Collins Utilities Energy Board Minutes Thursday, January 9, 2014 Energy Board Chairperson City Council Liaison Greg Behm, 226-6161 Ross Cunniff, 420-7398 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, Nick Michell, Peggy Plate, Margaret Moore, John Graham, Phil Friedman, and Michael Doss Staff Present Steve Catanach, John Phelan, Lucinda Smith, Paul Sizemore, and Harriet Davis Guests James Newcomb (Rocky Mountain Institute), John Bleem (Platte River Power Authority), Adam Perry (Platte River Power Authority), and Bob Lachenmayer * Josh Agenbroad and Coreina Chan (Rocky Mountain Institute) participated via conference call. Meeting Convened Chairperson Behm called the meeting to order at 5:36 p.m. Introduction of New Members Chairperson Behm introduced the two new board members, Michael Doss and Phil Friedman. Public Comment None Approval of December 5, 2013 Minutes Board Member Michell moved to approve the minutes of the December 5, 2013 meeting. Board Member Graham seconded the motion. Vote on the motion: Yeas: Baumgarn, Behm, Doss, Friedman, Graham, Michell, Moore, O’Neill, and Plate. Nays: None. Vote on the motion: It passed unanimously. Staff Reports (Attachment available upon request). Energy Services Manager John Phelan introduced Adam Perry with Platte River Power Authority (PRPA). Mr. Phelan and Mr. Perry presented an update on Efficiency Works. Developed in partnership with PRPA and other owner municipalities of Estes Park, Longmont, and Loveland, this program is a new approach to support energy and water efficiency for local businesses. More information can be found at http://efficiencyworks.prpa.org/. Energy Board Meeting Minutes January 9, 2014 2 Highlights from the discussion:  A board member inquired if the program was a formal organization. Mr. Perry stated this is an informal organization.  A board member inquired if this program replaces the existing rebate program with the City of Fort Collins. Mr. Phelan stated it does not replace the existing program.  A board member inquired if there is information on this website that is not found on the City of Fort Collins website. Mr. Phelan stated the intent is to drive customers to this site; however, work is still being done to ensure both websites have the same information.  A board member stated he likes the program. The board member inquired about customer outreach regarding the program. Mr. Phelan stated the hope is for the Efficiency Works name and logo to become more recognizable to customers.  A board member likes the program and feels energy efficiency is in the best interest of PRPA.  A board member inquired if other entities could be involved in the program. Mr. Perry stated the City of Boulder is interested in joining the program. Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) Transportation Discussion (Attachments available upon request). Chairperson Behm introduced James Newcomb with RMI. Josh Agenbroad and Coreina Chan with RMI also participated in the discussion via conference call. This discussion is a follow-up to the “Stepping Up” presentation from the October 2013 Energy Board meeting and will focus primarily on the transportation sector. Major Transportation-Related Items:  Average fuel efficiency goal is 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025.  Electric vehicles are available and increasingly cost competitive.  Number of people who drive to work alone has decreased in 99 out of the 100 biggest cities in the U.S.  The amount of vehicle miles traveled has decreased from 2004. Mr. Agenbroad noted this trend is prevalent in younger generations. Also, bus routes have become more accessible with the invention of the smartphone. How does this impact Fort Collins? Fort Collins could achieve a 48 percent energy use reduction compared to business as usual. This translates to $480 million in fuel costs and avoided maintenance savings. RMI presented a graph showing the transportation energy reduction potential for Fort Collins:  Driving Less: 30 percent VMT (vehicle miles traveled) reduction per person  High Efficiency Vehicles: average efficiency of new sales increased half way to best-in- class  Electric Vehicles: reach 50 percent of new car sales by 2020 RMI presented a graph showing that efficient vehicles are increasingly cost competitive. This graph shows the costs and efficiency for various vehicles (conventional, high efficiency, hybrid, plug-in hybrids, etc.). Mr. Agenbroad shared a goal for Fort Collins:  50 percent of new vehicles sold in Fort Collins by 2020 will be electric vehicles or plug-in hybrids. Energy Board Meeting Minutes January 9, 2014 3 Mr. Agenbroad shared a goal for the state of California:  10 percent of new vehicles sold by 2015 will be electric vehicles  1.5 million electric vehicles on the road by 2025 Highlights from the discussion:  A board member stated the transportation goals are important to the board; however, he wants to know Mr. Agenbroad’s thoughts on how consumers select vehicles. Specifically, how important is efficiency to consumers when selecting a vehicle? Mr. Agenbroad stated there are many studies that indicate consumers purchase vehicles based on how it fits into their identity, not necessarily on the efficiency of the vehicle.  A board member inquired about the likelihood that the goals can be reached. Mr. Agenbroad feels it is highly likely that Fort Collins can achieve these goals.  A board member asked for examples of towns similar to Fort Collins that are on track to achieve similar goals. Mr. Agenbroad shared the examples of Portland, Oregon; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Charleston, South Carolina.  A board member stated that consumers move to Fort Collins for the lifestyle and outdoor activities (biking, camping, kayaking, etc.). The board member feels the auto industry should consider this when designing vehicles. Also, the industry should consider the needs of families with several small children and the need for hauling car seats.  A board member suggested that Poudre School District should look at the transportation issues related to their “school of choice” model. The board feels this model has a negative impact on vehicle miles traveled within Fort Collins.  A board member inquired about the interaction with auto dealers in promoting electric vehicles to consumers. Mr. Agenbroad stated Drive Electric Northern Colorado (DENC) is working with auto dealers to promote electric vehicles.  Light and Power Operations Manager Steve Catanach introduced Fort Collins Moves Program Manager Paul Sizemore. Fort Collins Moves is a new department that includes transportation planning, safe routes to school, and the City’s bike program. A pedestrian program is also planned for the future. Mr. Sizemore will share more information about the program at a future meeting.  A board member inquired if the report considers predicted population growth and demographics. Mr. Agenbroad stated this information was taken from the Fort Collins Sustainability Report. This report projects a population growth of 1.9 percent annually (3 times the national average).  A board member suggested the report should include risk management regarding the transportation and building efficiency goals.  A board member inquired about the next steps regarding the information presented to the board. Mr. Catanach stated this information will be presented at the February 11 City Council Work Session. It will also be presented at a City Council Futures Committee meeting. Finalize 2013 Annual Report (Attachment available upon request). Chairperson Behm provided this report for the agenda packet. Board Member Moore moved to approve the Energy Board 2013 Annual Report. Vice Chairperson O’Neill seconded the motion. Energy Board Meeting Minutes January 9, 2014 4 Vote on the motion: Yeas: Baumgarn, Behm, Doss, Friedman, Graham, Michell, Moore, O’Neill, and Plate. Nays: None. Vote on the motion: It passed unanimously. City Energy Policy/Greenhouse Gas Goals (Attachment available upon request). Mr. Phelan presented information on this item. Environmental Services Director Lucinda Smith also participated in the discussion. Background For the benefit of the new members, Mr. Phelan shared some background information on the City’s greenhouse gas goals and alignment with the Energy Policy. PRPA 2014 Strategic Plan Mr. Phelan presented a graph showing phases of planning at PRPA for the 1970’s-1980’s, 1980’s- 1990’s, early 2000’s, and the next phase. More information is available at http://www.prpa.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/PRPA_SP14_LowRes.pdf. PRPA Strategic Direction Statements Mr. Phelan presented the strategic direction statements. Consultant Projects Two on-going and related projects include greenhouse gas goal evaluation (Brendle Group) and “Stepping Up” White Paper (RMI). This information has been presented to the following boards and commissions:  Air Quality Advisory Board  Natural Resources Advisory Board  Economic Advisory Commission  Transportation Board  Energy Board Joint Board Chairs Meeting Mr. Phelan presented a statement from the board chairs joint meeting held on December 19, 2013 regarding interim goals for 2020, 2030, and 2040. The board committee shared agreement that interim goals are essential to meeting longer term goals. The statement wording will be incorporated into a memo from the Energy Board and will be added as an action item for the February 6 meeting. Energy Policy Review Mr. Phelan presented a chart showing the vision for the Fort Collins Energy Policy. Schedule  This item is scheduled for further discussion at the February Energy Board meeting as well as January meetings for the other boards and commissions listed above.  This item is also scheduled for the February Futures Committee meeting. This meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 10, 2014.