6.1f ERMUSR 09-10-2019 Elk River
Municipal Utilities UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
TO: FROM:
ERMU Commission Tom Sagstetter—Conservation & Key Accounts Manager
MEETING DATE: AGENDA ITEM NUMBER:
September 10, 2019 6.1f
SUBJECT:
Staff Update
ACTION REQUESTED:
None
DISCUSSION:
• In the last 30 days, the level two charger located downtown had eight sessions, and
provided customers with 80 kWh of green energy.The charger in the ERMU/City Hall
parking lot had 23 sessions and provided customers with 194 kWh of green energy.The
DC fast charger at the Coborn's fuel station has had 26 sessions and provided 210 kWh
of green energy to customers. There was a total of 57 charging sessions and 484 kWh of
energy provided over the last 30 days.
• Staff is working with Waste Management, and the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance
Trust to determine final costs of the engine#1 repair and any possible insurance claim.
• Staff attended the Minnesota State Fair on August 26. Staff visited with fairgoers that
were primarily interested in renewable energy, electric vehicles, and in-home car
charging.There were approximately 15 especially engaging conversations with visitors
in the 3 hour time period that ERMU staff worked the booth. On a special note, former
Utilities Commissioner Jerry Takle and his wife stopped by, they were impressed with
the accomplishments of the Utility.
• For National Drive Electric Week, Elk River Municipal Utilities and the City of Elk River
will have two vehicles on display during the farmers market for visitors to inspect and
learn about.The vehicles on display will be a Chevy Bolt which is 100%electric, and a
Mitsubishi Outlander which is a hybrid sport utility vehicle. During the event people can
also learn about time of use rates, costs of ownership, and range capabilities of the two
types of EVs.The Elk River event is one of just five events that are registered with Drive
Electric in the state of Minnesota. Our booth will be at the Farmers Market on
September 19 from 3-7 p.m. The link to the event page
is: https://driveelectricweek.org/event.php?eventid=1910.
• Staff is working with residential customers on the transition from Connexus load
management programs to ERMU programs. There have been various discussions with
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Connexus customers on the transition to ERMU programs that best fit their needs.
Customers that do qualify for an ERMU program that is in moratorium are told that the
program will end December 31, 2023. There are a few programs that Connexus offers
that ERMU does not (Cycled AC, Peak Time Rebate, and Whole House). ERMU staff
works with these customers to explain why the programs are not available and what
options may be available in the future.
• Staff attended the Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association (MMUA) Annual Summer
Conference.There were a number of great seminars about Advanced Metering
Infrastructure (AMI), electric vehicles, electric vehicle charging options, and rate making
strategies that work with AMI and electric vehicles.The Deputy Commissioner of the
MN Department of Commerce suggested that the 2020 legislative session may focus on
the Clean Energy First Plan and preserving the energy savings goals and spending '
requirements, similar to the 2019 legislative session.
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