6.1f ERMUSR 08-08-2017 Elk River .M
Municipal Utilities UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
TO: FROM:
ERMU Commission Tom Sagstetter—Conservation&Key Accounts Manager
MEETING DATE: AGENDA ITEM NUMBER:
August 8, 2017 6.1f
SUBJECT:
Staff Update
ACTION REQUESTED:
None
DISCUSSION:
• As reported last month, the Level 2 electric vehicle (EV) charging station is up and
running. Staff is working on promoting it through online networks including
Plugshare.com and ChargePoint. There has been 4 public charging sessions to date on the
charger.
• The EV charging station and ribbon cutting ceremony planning is in full swing. The
event is scheduled for September 13 from 6 to 8 p.m. Cornerstone Automotive has
committed to have two vehicles available for test drives. We are networking with the EV
community and are encouraging them to attend the event with their vehicles and their EV
story. We've confirmed that Representative Zerwas will be able to attend and give some
brief comments at the ceremony and Chair Dietz will be there as well to do the ribbon
cutting. The Star News will have a representative at the event and will run a public
service story a week or two before the celebration. We are also working with local area
EV owners to put together a promotional video that can be used to promote the event
through social media. A flyer promoting our EV brand and the event will be sent out with
the August billing. Attached is the flyer.
• Attended a Drive Electric Minnesota meeting in Minneapolis. The group consists of
utilities and non-governmental organizations that are working to promote electric
vehicles and charging infrastructure in Minnesota. Made a great contact with the City of
St. Paul. They are going to work with Elk River Fleet to better understand electric
vehicles, servicing questions, and their overall experience to date with the new EVs.
• The cycled air conditioning transition has begun. Customers that are currently
participating in the program were mailed a letter and WIFI thermostat rebate application
form. Customers have had some general questions about the changes, but overall there
haven't been many challenges. The information that was sent to cycled AC customers is
attached for your reference.
• Working with Energy City to upgrade some metering that will help them implement a
new energy tracking tool that is being utilized by our sister city Iserlohn in Germany.
• Attended the MMPA annual meeting. We learned about the Clean Energy Choice
program that will allow ERMU to offer customers the option to purchase renewable
energy for small additional charge.
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122
• The CIP program is going incredibly strong this year; to date, we have surpassed the
energy savings goal by more than 300,000 kwh. As of July 28, 2017 the commercial CIP
funding was exhausted. Commercial rebate forms have been removed from our website
and replaced with a notice that funds are no longer available for 2017. The residential
rebate programs will continue in a limited capacity until those funds are exhausted.
ATTACHMENTS:
• EV Charging Station Celebration and Ribbon Cutting Event Flyer
• Cycled Air Conditioning Program Letter
• WIFI Programmable Thermostat and Rebate Application
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FUTURE . .
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WITH ELK RIVER MUNICIPAL UTILITIES ! ONLY;;
Join us as we celebrate today's widespread availability of plug-in
vehicles and highlight the benefits of electric vehicles—and the -chargepairt
unveiling of Elk River's public electric vehicle charging station. _,,.....,M
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POWER YOUR FUTURE
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CELEBRATION & EV CHARGING
STATION RIBBON CUTTING ,;;.
IISeptember 13, 2017 . 716 Main Street . T
6 pm to 8 pm V Elk River, MN i
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Please join us as we commemorate National Drive Electric Week and the
unveiling of our first EV charging station!
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Elk River Municipal Utilities is proud to partner with the City of Elk River t 1
and ChargePoint®to provide its first public electric vehicle charging station, I ,y
located in the downtown parking lot where the Farmers Market is held. $'
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• Ribbon cutting by Mayor&Commission Chair John Dietz !, ,'
• Representatives from Drive Electric Minnesota& Fresh Energy
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• Ride & Drive sponsored by Cornerstone Automotive
• Electric vehicles on display SIGN UP IN A D VA N C E
• Appearances from elected officials FOR A TEST DRIVE
• Giveaways Phone 763.441.2020
Web www.elkriverutilities.com/
electric-vehicle-charging
124
BENEFITS OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES
• ENVIRONMENT: Significant reductions in Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHGs)
• COST SAVINGS: Lower operating costs than gas-powered vehicles
• ENERGY SECURITY: Reduction of U.S. dependence on imported petroleum
• INCENTIVES: Rebates or federal tax credits may be available
FUN: Electric vehicles are fun to drive
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SHARE YOUR EV STORY • ..a
We'd love to hear your EV story! Local owners of
electric vehicles will have an opportunity to share
their experience and help spread the EV love.
MAKE THE SWITCH
APV
With Elk River Municipal Utilities and ChargePoint®, it's
easy to make the switch to an electric vehicle. We offer
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%fithe convenience of a public charging station where you
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live, work, shop, and play—with more charging station
locations planned. Or install a charging station at your
home, and take advantage of ERMU's affordable
charging rates, discounts, and incentives.
Learn more about ERMU's electric
vehicle charging programs at: ER
www.elkriverutilities.comi
electric-vehicle-charging
POWER YOUR FUTURE
125
Elk River
Municipal Utilities
13069 Orono Parkway•P.O. Box 430 Phone: 763.441.2020
Elk River,MN 55330-0430 www.elkriverutilities.com
July 19, 2017
Customer Name
Address
Elk River, MN 55330
Subject: Cycled Air Conditioning(CAC)
This letter is a follow-up to the letter you received in April about the CAC program. ERMU is
transitioning away from all direct load control programs including; cycled air conditioning, dual fuel,
storage water heat, and storage space heat. If you participate in any additional direct load control
programs you will receive additional information on the transition plan for that specific program.
The monthly bill credit for CAC will end with the September 2018 billing. The 5 monthly bill credits for
2017 will be $6 per month for an annual total of$30. In 2018,the credits will be $3 per month for an
annual total of$15. After the September billing in 2018,there will be no more monthly credits issued
and the program will be eliminated.
As part of the transition away from the direct load control of the CAC program,ERMU is including a
$25 rebate application for you to use towards the purchase and installation of a new WIFI compatible
programmable thermostat. The features and displays of each thermostat vary a great deal and result in a
wide price range for the different models. The cost of a typical WIFI compatible thermostat is between
$85 and$250,plus installation, if you choose to have it installed by a professional.
To receive your rebate for the WIFI thermostat simply make a copy of the receipt, complete the enclosed
application, and return them to ERMU. Once your rebate application has been processed you will be
removed from the CAC program and will no longer receive the credit on your monthly bill. You will
receive your one-time $25 thermostat rebate in the form of a bill credit on your next billing statement.
The air conditioner will no longer be controlled by ERMU and you will be able to utilize your new WIFI
thermostat to control your own comfort and energy use.
If you have any questions, please contact ERMU at(763) 441-2020.
Sincerely,
Thomas J. Sagstetter
Conservation and Key Accounts Manager
E [raila® .Reliable IlioAPOWERED T o SERVE
Power Provider 126
Smart Thermostats = Smart Savings
If you've ever considered switching over to a WIFI programmable thermostat,
now is the time to do so. Mobile temperature control, in-depth reporting, alerts
and energy savings are just a few features that can all be yours with the touch
of a button. If that wasn't reason enough, Elk River Municipal Utilities is offering
you a $25 rebate towards the purchase and installation of a new WIFI thermostat.
Benefits of WIFI Thermostat
- "' • Control-You control your heating and cooling system at
' , anytime from anywhere in the world with your smart device.
� • Ease-WIFI thermostats are easy to use and can be controlled
remotely with a computer,tablet or smartphone device that has
, Internet access.
$' • Energy Savings-Save up to 20%of your heating and cooling costs.
• Intelligence-Some models can learn the behavior of
/— household occupants and will automatically switch
between the"Home"and"Away"mode.
• Efficiency-Some models provide service notifications.
and reminders to change your furnace filters.
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Helpful Tips for Purchasing and Using a WIFI Thermostat
• Research which new thermostat will be compatible with your existing heating and cooling systems.
• If you're unsure about properly installing the new WIFI thermostat,contact a local professional HVAC contractor.
•WIFI thermostats can only control one system at a time.If you have multiple zones or systems you will need
to purchase multiple thermostats.
•To ensure you get the most from your WIFI thermostat,make sure that you have a strong signal where the
thermostat will be installed.
Elk River Residential WIFI Thermostat Rebate
Municipal Utilities 2017 Residential Rebate Application
Customer Information
Name Account#
Service Address
City State Zip
Phone Email
WIFI Compatible Programmable Thermostat
Retailer Purchased From: Brand/Manufacturer:
Model: Purchase Date: Installation Date:
What is your primary source of heat? �'Gas Electric Heat Pump 0 Other
Do you have central air conditioning? Yes n No
I certify that my thermostat has been installed at the address listed above,and that this address represents a valid utility account.
Signature Date
Important:
• Customers are eligible for one rebate per service address.
•This rebate is available to ERMU electric customers participating in the cycled air conditioning program.
•Access to internet is required to operate the thermostat.
• Customers must submit a copy of the sales receipt that includes the model number and purchase date.
•This rebate is for the purchase of a WIFI compatible thermostat.If the thermostat does not have WIFI
capability it does not qualify for this rebate.
• $25 rebate will be given in the form of a credit on electric utility bill.
• Once your rebate has been processed,you will be removed from the program and will no longer receive
the monthly bill credit.
•To apply for rebate,complete the Residential WIFI Thermostat Rebate Application.Submit rebate
application and a copy of the sales receipt by September 30,2018 to:
Elk River Municipal Utilities, 13069 Orono Parkway,PO Box 430,Elk River,MN 55330
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