5.7. ERMUSR 09-15-2010
Elk River ---
Municipal Utilities
13069 Orono Parkway • P.O. Box 430
Elk River, MN 55330.0430
UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
5; ~ r
Phone: 763.441.2020
Fax: 763.441.8099
TO: FROM:
EIk River Municipal Utilities Commission Troy Adarns, P.E. -Director of Operations
John Dietz. Chair
Jerry Gumphrey, Vice Chair
Daryl Thompson, Trustee ~
MEETING DATE: ' AGENDA ITEM NiJMBER:
~ September l5, 2010 5.7
SUBJECT:
Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association 2010 System Innovation Award
DISCUSSION:
EIk River Municipal Utilities (ERMU) has won the System Innovation Award from Minnesota Municipal
Utilities Association. The award was presented to ERMU "in recognition for its leadership and
innovation in customer service, energy efficiency, renewable energy or technology use, which has
improved service to its community and enhanced public power's prestige."
This award really comes to ERMU because of our excellent electrical system reliability and our
progressive resource conservation programs. It represents the effort and dedication from the current and
past employees and Utilities Commissioners of ERMU as well as the Energy City Commission, City
Council, the Mayor, and City employees involved in our conservation programs. This also reflects well
on our customers who have participated in our conservation programs making them successful.
Our electric utility maintains excellent reliability numbers quantified by the reliability standards
established by the state. Most impressive is our availability of service indicated by the Average Service
Reliability Index (ASAI). The ASAI for ERMU in 2009 indicates that electrical service is available
99999% of the time. Our excellent reliability index numbers reflect the condition of our robust electrical
system as well as the superb response time from our local line crews. This also reflects the local
accountability, long term visioning on system design, and ongoing system maintenance.
In 1997 the Cih" of Elk River became "Energy City" after being chosen by the Minnesota Environment
Initiative as a demonstration point to highlight renewable ener~~. In 2008, Energy City with the
leadership of ERMU consultant Vance Zehringer started a pilot project call Project Conserve developed
for educating and promoting resource conservation. This pilot project set very high goals for resource
conservation and energy efficiency. The goals included a 20% reduction in electric usage. The results of
the pilot program were great and the program was honored with the 2009 Green Project of the Year
Award from the Recycling Association of Minnesota. Phase II of the program kicks of this year and will
aggressively expand the participants from 31 to 500. This project has become a huge component of our
Conservation Improvement Program and has received much industry attention. Vance Zehringer and his
contributions to ERMU, Energy City, and our community was a significant factor in our achievements
that led to receiving this award.