7. ECCSR 02-16-2011MEMORANDUM
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TO: Energy City Commission
FROM: Ross Pomeroy, MN GreenCorps
DATE: February 16, 201 I
SUBJECT: Trim Your Wasteline, Project Conserve Update, Energy City Expo
As promised, the Energy City Education Series kicked off with Trim Your Wasteline, held in the
Mississippi Room at Great River Energy on January 2T~. Angela Hauge of Elk River Utilities, Sarah Haas
of the Minnesota Materials Exchange, Ellen Telandex of the Recycling Association of Minnesota, and Kate
Worley of Waste Wise all spoke on issues relevant not only to Elk River businesses, but to all members of
the community. The event was marginally attended, but those who came left the event with smiles on their
faces and glowing reviews. They learned about such things as reducing irrigation, exchanging materials for
mutual bene&t, boosting business via recycling, and eliminating wasteful practices to save money and the
environment. The event had something fox everyone.
As the heating season draws to a close, so do the bulk of Project Conserve energy audits. Our auditors
have performed 88 home energy audits since the process began last November. We intend to continue
offering home audits as requested by participants, though without a substantial temperature difference
between the inside and outside of homes, results and analysis will be much harder to ascertain. The audits
have been massively well received by participants and auditors alike. This is a service that should be
continued with ox without Project Conserve.
The next Project Conserve workshop is scheduled to take place in early April at City Hall. Participants will
learn about water conservation, transport fuel efficiency, waste reduction, and our findings from the energy
audits. We also intend to offer mid-year report cards to participants, detailing their progress six months in
to the program.
The Energy City Expo is a little over two weeks away, and it's getting to be crunch time. There are
currently 26 exhibitors signed up for the expo. We also have nine sponsors, offering coffee, food, waste
services, fun activities, giveaways, and over $11,000. The event is slated to begin with a keynote by Ron
Schaxa at 10:OOam, and continue with brief presentations on lighting, water conservation, Project Conserve,
and organics recycling. Exhibits, activities, and prize giveaways will take place throughout the event. We
look forward to hosting another successful Energy Expo!