6. ECCSR 08-17-2011MEMORANDUM
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TO: Energy City Commission
FROM: Ross Pomeroy, MN GreenCorps
DATE: August 17, 201 I
SUBJECT: Staff Updates
PROJECT CONSERVE PHASE II & III
Phase II of Project Conserve is entering its final months. Through the first nine months, participants have reduced their usage
by 5.1% for electricity, 11.2% for water, and 2.2% for natural gas. In absolute terms, this equates to 48,000 kWhs of electricity,
330,000 gallons of water, and 1,560 therms of natural gas saved. In addition, one-fourth of households surveyed either joined
the organics xerycling program ox downsized their trash carts. The final workshop fox Project Conserve Phase II will be held
in September.
With Phase II winding down, Phase III is gaining steam. On July 13~^, City staff approached the River's Edge Business
Association at their July meeting to discuss a potential partnership fox Project Conserve Phase III. This partnership was
unanimously approved.
For the partnership, River's Edge businesses would join Project Conserve as "PC Partners." In this role, businesses would
provide a deal or discount to their establishment to be used for a Project Conserve member card. This card would be
distributed to all individuals (past and present) sigtung up for the program, thus incentivizing participation and encouraging
participants to patronize downtown businesses. In addition, the "PC Partner" businesses would join Project Conserve as
business participants, post signage, and advertise fox Phase III. In return, partner businesses would be acknowledged on
Project Conserve websites, in presentations, and in all advertising.
Since forming the partnership with the River's Edge Business Association, the Chamber of Commerce has also expressed
interest in collaboratively rolling out Project Conserve Phase III to local businesses and citizens.
Lastly, the recruitment process for Phase III recently kicked-off. Over 100 households have signed up (as of S/9) since the
recruitment process began ten days ago. The deadline to sign up is September 15~".
ENERGY CITY WEBSITE NOW UP
City- staff just finished merging the Energy City website with the City of Elk River website. The new website can be accessed at
www.ci.clk-river.mn.us/energvcitl!. If you have any suggestions for changes or improvements, please let Ross Pomeroy know
as soon as possible
FARIBAULT FOODS EMBRACES HIGH FIVES
In late June, John Anderson, the Director of Operations for the Faribault Foods -Beverage Division plant, invited City staff
to make a presentation about the Energy City High Five Program. On July 13°', City staff visited Faribault Foods and
presented information about energy conservation and sustainability to senior management at the plant. After the presentation,
it was announced that Faribault Foods intends to use the Energy City High Five program to guide their business sustainability
efforts.