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5.3. SR 09-13-1999 rei ~\j ( ); ~ll< ITEM 5.3. MEMORANDUM TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL FROM: STEPHEN ROHLF BUILDING & ZONING ADMINISTRATOR s~ DATE: SEPTEMBER 13, 1999 SUBJECT: ENERGY CITY UPDATE Northstar Corridor Energy City, specifically the Demonstration Subcommittee, has offered their expertise to aid the North Star Corridor Project on energy related issues. Attached is a letter on this subject dated, July 21, 1999. In this letter, Energy City also offers to advise the City of Elk River on energy issues related to land use planning, an important component that is often forgotten. The North Star Corridor Project is a tremendous opportunity to make a major statement that Elk River is Energy City. . Wind Generator The other major demonstration staff is currently working on is the proposed wind generator. Standing over 200 feet tall and with blades measuring approximately 180 feet in diameter, this wind generator is also an opportunity to make a major statement for Energy City. The financial hurdles and arrangements with participating utilities appear to be resolved. The last obstacle is finding a site. Staff will be reviewing possible sites with Greg Jaunich of Northern Alternative Energy, the developer of the wind generator, on Thursday, September 9. Staffwill update the Council on our progress at Monday night's meeting. . 13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330 · TDD & Phone: (612) 441-7420. Fax: (612) 441-7425 . July 21, 1999 Ken Stevens 1403596 Ave. N Maple Grove, MN 55369 ,,"~" and David Loch 6934 Majesta Lane Lakeshore, MN 56468 Subject: f,nergy City involvement with the North Star Corridor Project . Dear Mr. Stevens and Mr. Loch, Energy City is a partnership formed between the City of Elk River and Energy Alley. Energy Alley promotes Minnesota's growing and vibrant energy efficiency and renewable energy industry for the benefit of the environment and the economy. It is an industry-led program with membership ranging from engineers and architects to utilities and manufacturers, but it also includes environmental groups and government agencies. Energy City is built upon Energy Alley's constituency of energy industries and Elk River's extensive support of sustainable design and planned growth. By promoting the energy efficiency and renewable energy industry, we hope to educate the populace of the environniental as well as the economic benefits of smart energy use and renewable energy production. With the North Star Corridor running through Elk River, the members of Energy City felt that we should offer our services to your organization. Energy City can offer the North Star Corridor decision makers technical advice and research on energy related issues. We will be more than happy to review what has been planned so far for the system and welcome an opportunity to participate in appropriate future planning efforts. ! ! . . . . Energy City's connection to Minnesota's energy industries, environmental groups, and government agencies and its ability to bring these factions together in cooperative agreements is a strength that should be taken advantage of by the North Star Corridor. The use of energy efficient and renewable energy technologies is the sort of thing that helps build support for a project like the North Star Corridor. Energy City has been extremely successful at putting vendors and consumers of energy products together. The following are some preliminary recommendations and ways we can help: Train station Recommendation - We are concerne'd that during cold months people are unlikely to want to be dropped off at an non-enclosed train station. To avoid air pollution from people sitting in running vehicles and to increase ridership, Energy City wishes to work with your team in an effort to include energy efficiency as well as rider comfort in the design of the train station facility. Energy City Assistance - Because of the high number of people projected to use the train station, Energy City is extremely interested in its potential as a demonstration site for energy efficient and renewable energy technology in a public place. Energy experts involved in Energy City will be glad to assist in the design of heating, ventilation, lighting and building envelope for the station. Additionally, Energy City will put maximum effort toward finding vendors who are willing to demonstrate their energy efficient and renewable energy products. Train propulsion Recommendation - Energy City recommends the North Star Corridor consider cleaner more efficient alternatives to conventional means of propulsion. We understand that these technologies, such as fuel, may not be ready for trains quick enough to meet your timing. If this is the case, we recommend that you not make decisions on propulsion that void the possibility of converting to alternative technologies in the future. One possibility is liquefied natural gas engines, which are currently available for locomotives. Energy City Assistance - Energy City can offer technical advice on the various types of propulsion. Because of Energy City's industry connection, we understand the need for this advice to be practical, taking into consideration issues such as cost and availability. I { . Land use -planning and development surrounding the train station Recommendation - The long range land use plan for the City of Elk River should consider the station a centerpiece of the community. Alternative fueled vehicles could be a means for transporting patrons to and from the station. The station should be easily accessible to pedestrians and bicyclists. The inevitable development or redevelopment of the area immediately surrounding a train station provides an opportunity for innovative approaches to energy issues. For example, the large parking lot needed for the station could . contain a closed loop geothermal system that provides the heating and cooling for surrounding businesses. ;:;. Energy City Assistance - Energy City will help individuals, businesses, and the City of Elk River with building and site designs and provide input on the energy components of land use planning. At a minimum, Energy City would like to influence energy issues related to the North Star Corridor in Elk River. Hopefully, you will find our ideas of value and cost effective enough to apply them to the entire system. I will be your contact for Energy City. We look forward to hearing from you. . Sincerely, ~~ f::W Stephen Rohlf, Building and Zoning Administrator, City of Elk River Chair, Energy City Demonstration Subcommittee cc Elk River City Council Energy City Demonstration Subcommittee .