6.1f ERMUSR 03-10-2020UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
TO: FROM:
ERMU Commission Tom Sagstetter Conservation & Key Accounts Manager
MEETING DATE: AGENDA ITEM NUMBER:
March 10, 2020 6.1f
SUBJECT:
Staff Update
ACTION REQUESTED:
None
DISCUSSION:
In the last 30 days, the level two charger located downtown had 6 sessions and provided
customers with 28 kWh of green energy. The charger in the ERMU/City Hall parking lot
had 9 sessions and provided customers with 56 kWh of green energy. The DC fast
charger at the Coborns fuel station has had 22 sessions and provided 311 kWh of green
energy to customers. There was a total of 39 charging sessions and 395 kWh of energy
provided over the last 30 days.
Staff has completed the calculation of energy efficiency in ERMUs utility infrastructure
(streetlights, distribution conductors, and transformers) for 2019. The energy savings
totaled 34,440 kWh. The majority of the energy savings (96%) were the result of the
street light upgrades. The preliminary energy savings for ERMU for 2019 is just under 3
million kWh, this is approximately 1 million kWh short of the States goal.
Attended an electric vehicle policy meeting at the Capitol that allowed the Drive Electric
Minnesota workgroup to discuss the groups policy positions with the Governors staff,
and some representatives from the MN Department of Commerce. Please see attached
document for the policy position details discussed in the meeting.
There has been a significant increase in the number of high bill concerns from
customers. The completion of Your Guide to Home Energy Use, the energy efficiency
booklet we produced this year, was very timely. It is a great tool to help customers work
through their energy use.
Sherburne County is interested in purchasing two electric vehicles and two charging
stations. ERMU staff is working with them to determine the types of vehicles and
charging stations that will best support both fleet and public charging applications.
Staff is working with two residential customers that will be installing solar photovoltaic
panels at their homes this spring. One system is 8.6 kW and the other is 5.0 kW.
At the Energy City Commission, we discussed the electric hybrid police vehicles, which
are receiving good reviews from the officers using them. The police department is
planning on purchasing four additional hybrid vehicles in 2021. There was also
______________________________________________________________________________
Page 1 of 2
86
discussion onthe location of the Minnesota Municipal Power Agency(MMPA)wind
turbine demonstration site at the Youth Athletic Complex (YAC).
ATTACHMENTS:
2020 Drive Electric Minnesota Policy Statement
______________________________________________________________________________
Page 2 of 2
87
2020 Policy and Regulatory Positions for Increasing Electric Vehicle
Adoption in MN
Drive Electric MN’s Policy Committee works together to advocate for policies and administration
actions to jump start Minnesota’s Electric Vehicle (EV) market. The following statements reflect
the direction of the coalition for the 2020 legislative session and is supported by the following
members:
American Lung Association in Minnesota Auto Dealers Association
Minnesota
Minnesota Electric Vehicle Owners
Center for Energy and Environment
Minnesota Municipal Utilities
Association
ChargePoint
Dakota Electric Association Minnesota Power
Elk River Municipal Utilities Nissan North America
Fresh Energy Otter Tail Power Company
General Motors PlugInConnect
Great River Energy Tesla
Greenlots Xcel Energy
Legislative Action:
Offer EV purchase incentive. A challenge in encouraging EV adoption is higher
purchase price, despite much lower fuel and maintenance costs. Recognizing the
economic, energy security, and environmental benefits of EVs, twenty states are
advancing sales through financial incentives. These include tax credits, sales tax relief,
or rebates. Studies of similar policies in other states make clear that this approach is
effective in increasing EV sales. Drive Electric Minnesota supports a Minnesota state
rebate program and other financial incentives to catalyze increased sales and
supports phase-out once the technology matures and upfront costs come down.
Encourage EV program investment by investor-owned electric utilities. Electric
utilities can support increased adoption and beneficial integration of EVs into the electric
system to benefit their customers. Several studies demonstrate that public charging
infrastructure availability can accelerate adoption of EVs. Utilities, in partnership with
charging companies, state and federal government, and other partners, can work to
close the infrastructure gap. They are a trusted source of information about charging
solution choices, have established relationships with their customers, and can
communicate and educate on the benefits of EVs. Drive Electric Minnesota supports
legislation making clear that investment by investor-owned electric utilities, along
with continued private investment in EV charging infrastructure and promotion,
benefits vehicle owners and utility customers.
Facilitated by the Great Plains Institute, Drive Electric Minnesota (DEMN) is a partnership of electric vehicle (EV)
champions, including automakers and auto dealers, utilities, charging companies, environmental groups, and state
and local government. DEMN paves the way forthe deployment of EVs and charging infrastructure through public-
private partnerships, financial incentives, education, technical support, and public policy. Learn more
at http://www.driveelectricmn.org/
88
Fair EV Tax. According to analysis by the Great Plains Institute, EV drivers contribute
more to the Highway User Tax Distribution Fund than drivers of equivalent gasoline-
powered vehicles through higher motor vehicle sales tax and tab fees based on the
currently higher up-front cost of EVs. Furthermore, any EV tax should reflect, like the gas
tax, the higher fuel efficiency of EVs. Over-taxing EVs today will discourage adoption
and slow the development of this new market. Drive Electric Minnesota supports a
delayed implementation of EV taxes until EVs reach price-parity with gasoline
vehicles (2025-2030) and calculation of a fair EV tax that takes into account the
fuel efficiency of EVs.
Administrative Action:
EVs in state fleets: EVs make economic sense for fleets through reduced fuel and
maintenance costs over the life of a vehicle and will help to meet state goals. Minnesota
has a goal, established through executive order, of 30% reduction in state fleet
consumption of fossil fuels, and 20% of state vehicles EV, by 2027. By purchasing EVs
for fleets, state and local governments can move the needle toward accomplishing these
goals. Additionally, having EVs on the state contract also has benefits beyond state
government by supporting availability of EVs at more dealerships and making it easier
for local governments to procure EVs. Drive Electric Minnesota supports the
adoption of EVs by state and local government fleets and the efforts of state
agencies to continue working toward achieving state goals.
Electric transit buses: Metro Transit has committed to increasing the adoption of
electric buses and has already purchased electric buses for one bus line. New Flyer
manufactures electric buses in St. Cloud and Crookston and employs nearly 1200
Minnesotans. Electric buses can benefit communities throughout the state through lower
emissions, improved air quality, and manufacturing jobs. Drive Electric Minnesota
supports increased purchasing of electric buses for transit statewide and
increased electric bus manufacturing in the state.
EV infrastructure: The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has made strong
commitments to invest funding from Appendix D of the Volkswagen Settlement to
increase public EV charging stations in the state. Drive Electric Minnesota supports
investment by the state, through the VW settlement and other sources, in making
public EV charging stations available to all Minnesotans.
Regional collaboration on EV corridors: To assist in increasing the adoption of EVs in
the state and providing convenient travel to neighboring states, Drive Electric Minnesota
recognizes the critical roles that completing EV corridors can play in enabling travel
throughout the region and beyond Minnesota’s borders. Drive Electric Minnesota
supports efforts of the state to collaborate with other Midwestern states on
building out and supporting EV charging corridors.
Facilitated by the Great Plains Institute, Drive Electric Minnesota (DEMN) is a partnership of electric vehicle (EV)
champions, including automakers and auto dealers, utilities, charging companies, environmental groups, and state
and local government. DEMN paves the way forthe deployment of EVs and charging infrastructure through public-
private partnerships, financial incentives, education, technical support, and public policy. Learn more
at http://www.driveelectricmn.org/
89