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11-19-2020 ECC MIN Meeting of the Elk River Energy City Commission Held at the Elk River City Hall virtual Zoom meeting Wednesday, November 19, 2020 Members Present: Chair Tom Sagstetter, Commissioners Aaron Brixius, Trish Curtis, Henry Griner, Becky Herbert, Alec Plaisted, Tim Steinbeck and Vern Iverson Members Absent: Commissioners Garrett Christianson and Harley Hanson Staff Present: Amanda Erickson, Environmental Coordinator & Colleen Eddy, Economic Development Specialist 1. Call Meeting to Order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River Energy City Commission was called to order by Chair Sagstetter at 8:00 a.m. via virtual meeting. 2. Pledge of Allegiance Chair Sagstetter led the Pledge of Allegiance virtually. 3. Consider Agenda No changes were made to the agenda and it was approved, motion by Commissioner Curtis, second by Commissioner Steinbeck. 4. Consider Minutes Consider minutes from the August 19, 2020 meetings. Minutes approved, motion by Commissioner Steinbeck, second by Commissioner Curtis. 5.1 Member Updates Commissioner Steinbeck provided a brief update about the Great River Energy’s Elk River facility. Over the last six months most of the building exterior has been removed. There is still some additional demolition to be done on site before winter but much of the work above grade has been completed. Work in the spring will include some below grade removal and bringing the site back to final grade. Per state requirements, they will remove up to four feet below grade, but some structure below grade can remain in the ground for stabilization. GRE plans to replant the hillside with native prairie grasses. They are also exploring options to add a small natural gas turbine on this site to utilize their existing permit for power production. Chair Sagstetter asked about the overall recycling and reuse during the demolition process and if this information can be shared after the demolition is complete. 2 Commissioner Steinbeck said they are hopeful the recycling and reuse rate will be close to 80% but they will share more information publicly after the project is complete. GRE’s facility has always been important to Elk River as Energy City so it would be a helpful tie in as the site changes to a different use. More to come on this and how it will fit into Energy City’s changing image. 5.2 Social Cost of Carbon Commissioner Curtis provided more information about the social cost of carbon (SCC) based on discussion from the last meeting. The goal is to eventually bring this information to Council for discussion and possible resolution or actions. The social cost of carbon is a monetary value placed of the economic impacts of adding or reducing one ton of greenhouse gas into the atmosphere. Commissioner Curtis explained that this metric allows establishes a monetary value for greenhouse gas emissions that can be included in the cost benefit analysis when making decisions. This value could be applied to building codes, property development, renewable energy projects, energy efficiency improvements and more. She explained that monetizing carbon costs can improve the cost benefit analysis of conversation and sustainability initiatives. Including the social cost of carbon value is helpful for understanding energy policy and the long-term impacts for residents and governmental agencies. Commissioner Curtis went on to state that many private businesses including manufacturers are using this to help prioritize projects. The City of Minneapolis is working to utilize their SCC with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, raise their climate action goals and drive new greenhouse gas reduction implementation pathways. It is possible that the payback requirements may not be met when SCC are included in calculations and decision making. Commissioner Curtis discussed the possibility of the city making a declaration or commitment to a SCC to prioritize projects that reduce carbon overall and include that when evaluating options. Chair Sagstetter discussed how this could be applied to projects, especially when the focus is often upfront costs and not always considering long term payback. Adding the SCC allows for longer term thinking about cost savings and carbon savings down the road for the overall benefit the project provides. The commission members discussed how best to continue this discussion and share with other staff and council members. Chair Sagstetter shared that the Public Utility Commission has discussed the SCC and created a range of values, rather than picking a specific amount as the City of Minneapolis is working on. Commission Brixius shared that Xcel Energy is required to factor in the high end of the social cost of carbon for their energy planning. Commission Iverson discussed that it would be beneficial to create a specific example to share with city leadership about how this cost would be factored into decision making or discussions. He provided the example of electric vehicles and the carbon reduction from switching to electric or hybrid options. An example like this would help better explain the benefits of the social cost of carbon. Next steps include finalizing a presentation and providing real life examples of how the SCC would be applied and what the benefits for considering this will be. The goal is to put a value on efficiency and conservation to help drive decision making. 3 The commission plans to gather more information and share with the council liaison Councilmember Christianson. A work session with Council in early 2021 is likely the best step after that, but more to come once information is gathered. 5.3 Solar Picnic Table Update Commissioner Iverson provided an update on the University of St. Thomas solar picnic table that has been an ongoing project. He has been in contact with a local architect that is working on updated drawings for the project on a volunteer basis. The panels are still functioning, but a new battery will be needed. Commissioner Iverson is waiting to hear back with more details and is still hopeful this can be constructed in 2021. It will need to be reviewed by the Park and Rec Commission once new drawings are complete and a contractor is committed to building it. 5.4 Water Tower Information Chair Sagstetter is working on a wellhead protection plan for ERMU and will likely add the water tower as another Energy City tour site. The tour would allow students to see the inside of water tower, including the pumping and filtration plant. This also includes models about surface water and filtering into the aquifer for drinking water. Commission members were supportive of adding this site to the Energy City tours in the future. 5.5 MMPA Wind Turbine The wind turbine is completed and has decals with the city logo and MMPA located at the Elk River Youth Athletic Complex. An educational sign will be installed at the site soon. This new renewable energy demonstration site will be used for the November Energy City Insight to promote the turbine and encourage people to visit it to learn more. 5.6 ERMU Programs: Bulbs and New Resident Bags Chair Sagstetter shared that ERMU had 395 new registrations from residents for the ERMU newsletter. As part of the promotion, those residents also received LED bulbs for signing up. 5.7 e-Bike Purchase and ERPD Plans Elk River Police Department plans to purchase their own e-bike to use and will also utilize the city’s bike to allow officers to go out in pairs. More to come soon! 5.8 2021 Plans for ECC Looking ahead to next year, the Energy City Insights will continue to be posted monthly, members are encouraged to think of ideas or share topics important to