9.2 SR 02-16-2021
Request for Action
To Item Number
Mayor and City Council 9.2
Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by
Work Session February 16, 2021 Amanda Erickson, Environmental Coordinator
Tom Sagstetter, Energy City Commission Chair
Item Description Reviewed by
Joint Meeting with Energy City Commission Suzanne Fischer, Community Development Director
Reviewed by
Cal Portner, City Administrator
Action Requested
Provide direction to Energy City Commission and staff regarding goals and expectations of the commission.
Background/Discussion
The Energy City Commission works to promote Elk River as a hub of energy technology, energy demonstrations,
recycling, use of green products and adoption of sustainable living practices. The commission has worked to
develop a 10-year Action Plan that outlines goals and projects for the commission as well as other departments
within the city. Over the last several years, the commission has worked to increase clean energy demonstration
(solar and wind power), promote education (Energy City Insights), further electric vehicle adoption and become
more involved with other city departments.
The Energy City Commission and staff would like to discuss goals, projects, and priorities with City Council to
better understand their expectations and hopes for the commission. The commission has identified some priorities
including adding solar to a city-owned building, interacting more with local businesses, working with local schools,
and achieving and documenting more outcomes identified in the 10-year Action Plan. The commission is also
hoping for direction from Council about priorities for the future.
Financial Impact
None
Mission/Policy/Goal
Work with citizens to achieve goals.
Attachments
Energy City Commission 2021 Projects and Goals
The Elk River Vision
A welcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional
service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity.
Updated: August 2020
2021 Energy City Commission
1.10-year Action Plan: Outlines goals for the ECC and city departments as it relates to energy and
sustainability related goals, below are some priority areas.
Educate and interact with local business via BR&E visits to provide resources about waste
reduction, energy savings, renewal energy, rebates, and opportunities for other
sustainability initiatives. Work with Economic Development to encourage and expand
sustainability focused jobs and industries in Elk River.
Provide education to the community regarding sustainability topics: Energy City Insights
monthly postings, Energy City Tours (hopefully in 2021 to connect with scouts, homeschool
groups, 4-H clubs, etc.), participate at the Farmers Market, etc.
Apply for grants (as available and applicable) and participate in programs (GreenStep Cities,
Climate Smart Municipalities, Cities Charging Ahead, possible Green Neighbor Challenge
program, etc.)
Continue working with building department to deliver LED bulbs and sustainability
information to new construction homes via welcome bag.
Explore/Discuss supporting statewide commercial building energy code legislation with CSM
partner cities (draft letter from cohort included below).
Continue to participate in the GreenStep Cities program including tracking and improving on
metrics annually as part of Steps 4 & 5.
2.Install solar power on a city building (new or existing), potentially the Public Safety building
redesign, additional information to be discussed.
3.Solar picnic table: find a licensed contractor able and willing to construct the project, then work
with Park & Rec Commission to finalize location and plans.
4.Social Cost of Carbon: discuss the benefits of establishing a social cost of carbon for decision
making regarding overall environmental benefit. Also explore the possibility of utilizing college
students for additional research on this topic if necessary.
5.Continue to build a relationship with local schools: provide educational opportunities and
partner on projects when possible. Local elementary schools and Spectrum have proven to be
more receptive in the past.
6.Monitor the performance of the hybrid vehicles within the city fleet (ERPD) and monitor the
satisfaction with the electric bike. Analyze fleet operations for inclusion of electric vehicles,
specifically for those vehicles with higher use as they are the best candidates for hybrid and
electric options.
7.Provide feedback: the ECC members would welcome the opportunity to provide feedback and
recommendations on city projects including construction of new building, remodeling, parks,
programs, and other areas where the Council feels their feedback would be beneficial.
February 8, 2021
RE: Better Buildings Legislation to advance the Minnesota commercial building energy code
Honorable Members of the Climate and Energy Finance and Policy Committee,
The undersigned cities are writing in support of legislation that would advance and accelerate
commercial building energy standards so that the State of Minnesota is better positioned to
meet its statutory greenhouse gas reduction goal of 80% by 2050. Likewise, better building
energy standards will help cities to meet our own local climate and energy targets. Together, our
coalition of cities represents more than 1.14 million Minnesotans and contains more than 590
million square feet (33%) of commercial building space.
Buildings consume an enormous amount of energy and are a leading contributor to greenhouse
gas emissions. In 2017, Minnesota’s building sector made up 40.6% of the total energy
consumed in the state, of which roughly half was from within the commercial buildings sector,
including high-rise multifamily buildings.
Improving building efficiency is one of the most impactful and cost-effective ways state and local
governments can enhance the comfort and health of people, reduce costs for building owners,
and make progress toward climate goals. However, in most cases, state law prohibits
municipalities from deviating from the state energy code. Therefore, cities must rely on the state
to implement energy codes that are up to date and consistent with state and local climate and
energy goals.
In December 2020, the Department of Labor and Industry and the Department of Commerce
released a report titled Improving building energy efficiency in commercial and multifamily
construction. With input from experts and stakeholders, the report recommends instituting a
framework for the statewide commercial building energy code that ensures that all new
commercial and large multifamily construction is net-zero by 2036. The undersigned cities
support this recommendation.
Absent adequate state and federal policy, climate action is increasingly driven at the local level.
More than two dozen Minnesota cities have energy goals and at least eight cities have adopted
climate action plans. The negative impacts of climate change are being felt in Minnesota and
disproportionately affect vulnerable households and overburdened communities. Any further
delay to updating the energy standards sets emissions targets back for the decades-long life of
the buildings.
The cities that have signed this letter support legislation that will drive better building
construction through advanced and accelerated energy standards.
To date, the following cities have signed on to support this effort:
City of Duluth City of Morris
City of Eden Prairie City of Northfield
City of Edina City of Rochester
City of Golden Valley City of St. Louis Park
City of Minneapolis City of Saint. Paul
Energy City Commission February 16, 2021
Goals, Projects and Priorities energy code legislation Explore/Discuss supporting a statewide commercial building bike-EVs and e–Incorporate more alternative transportation Install solar
on a city buildingParticipate in programs and apply for grantsInteraction with local businessesEducate the community (students, EC Insights)year Action Plan-10
Building Energy Code Cities across the state are joining to offer support!family construction. -code for commercial and large multiof Commerce support advanced and accelerate building
energy The Department of Labor and Industry and the Department energy bills and reduce air pollution.Efficient buildings create more local jobs, save money on GHG goals.Current state
codes is not on a trajectory to meet state or local building energy standards above state code.In Minnesota, cities do not have the authority to require emitted.Nationally, building
energy costs account for 40% of the GHG
Solar Picnic Table in the futureIn contact with local company who can construct the structure Orono Park projectlocation and have a concrete slab poured this year as part of Currently
working with P&R staff and commission to finalize
Social Cost of Carbon help drive renewable projects. state agencies across the county. Manufactures also use it to It is used by many governmental entities including cities and greenhouse
gas into the atmosphere.economic impacts of adding or reducing one ton of The social cost of carbon is a monetary value placed on the valuation as a tool.greenhouse gases (GHG). The
ECC is working to research the term costs of -that establishes a monetary value for the longThe Social Cost of Carbon (SCC) is a valuation methodology
Social Cost of Carbon Total savings over three years: $9,040Tons of CO2 saved: 35.7 tons or $892 (based on $25/ton)Cost savings (gasoline potential less electricity): $8,148for chargingBased
on average driver with two EVs using 22,461 kWh SCC Example: Electric Vehiclesyears.based on extensive research and discussion over the last few MMPA values one ton of carbon between
$5 and $25 per ton, It is used to drive policy, justify funding improvements and
Goals, Projects and Priorities How can we help with this important work to be done?How does the ECC help achieve these goals? What is our role?What are the city priorities? sustainability
goals for the city. The Energy City Commission is passionate about furthering