5.4. ERMUSR 11-15-2011Elk River
Municipal Utilities
13069 Orono Parkway
Elk River, MN 55330
UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
P B W E B E B B Y V,
~~UR~ -~
P O W E R E D I O > 2^
phone: 763.441.2020
Fax: 763.441.8099
TO: FROM:
Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission Tom Sagstetter -Conservation and Key
John Dietz -Chair Account Manager
Daryl Thompson -Vice Chair
Al Nadeau -Trustee
MEETING DATE: AGENDA ITEM NUMBER:
November 15, 2011 5.4
SUBJECT:
Review and Consider Conservation Consultant
BACKGROUND:
The direction of the Commission was to bring back the topic of the Conservation Consultant as
an agenda item for discussion on maximum hours and/or end date.
DISCUSSION:
For Januazy 1, 2012 through November 15, 2012 there is a total of $24,969 dollars budgeted for
the Conservation Consultant. Due to timing and other circumstances, there is an overlap of
contracted consulting duties. This overlap is scheduled through November 15, 2012, but is not a
redundancy of either the Conservation Consultant or the Conservation and Key Account
Manager. This commitment will see Project Conserve Phase III through completion and provide
for the transition to Phase IV. Also included in the consulting fees will be providing energy
facility tours for Energy City, rate studies, distributed generation analyses, and new efficiency
and recycling program research and development. Provided below is breakdown of tasks
performed by Conservation Consultant.
Project Conserve (PC) Phase III & IV 40% $9,988
Sustainability Studies (PC) Phase I&II 10% $2,497
Energy City Tours 10% $2,497
Rate Studies and Dist. Generation 15% $3,745
CFL and Refrigerator Recycle 10% $2,498
Load Management 5% $1,248
Low Income, Other 5% $1,248
Training Workshops, Staff& Participants 5% $1,248
As the role of the Conservation and Key Accounts Manager has been defined, there will be more
time committed to marketing and meetings with all customers to promote the water and energy
efficiency programs that ERMU offers and/or supports. The focus is primarily on water and
electric efficiency but may include other heating fuels, recycling, sustainable building practices,
and financing options for energy efficient equipment in new and existing buildings.
These programs will support the business environment in Elk River by reducing monthly costs
and increase key accounts profitability.
In addition to ensuring compliance with the Next Generation Policy Act of 2007 through
planning, mazketing, and reporting all conservation and load management activity, the Key
Account Manager will assume additional roles and responsibilities. The responsibilities will
include leading the water conservation programs, wellhead protection plan and implementation
of the protection plan, and customer education.
Creating a positive business environment in ER is a new function that will concentrate on
establishing new and maintaining positive relationships with key business accounts and trade
partners including but not limited to; Elk River Chamber of Commerce, APPA, MMUA,
Minnesota Division of Energy Resources (MN PUC), and Minnesota Community Action
Partnership. There will also be many opportunities to work collaboratively with the Elk River
Economic Development Authority to help support existing businesses while attracting new
businesses to the Elk River community.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The current budget reflects $24,969 in costs to ERMU.
ACTION REQUESTED:
Approve Conservation Consultant budget for 2012.
ATTACHMENTS:
None.