1.4 ERMUSR 11-09-2021UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
TO:FROM:
ERMU CommissionTom Sagstetter– Conservation & Key Accounts Manager
MEETING DATE:AGENDA ITEMNUMBER:
November 9, 20211.4
SUBJECT:
Recognition of American Public Power Association’s Smart Energy Provider Designation
ACTION REQUESTED:
Receive the APPA Smart Energy Provider Designation Awardfor 2022 - 2023
BACKGROUND \\ DISCUSSION:
The American Public Power Association (APPA) has awarded ERMU with the Smart Energy
Provider (SEP) designation. ERMU is one of70public power utilities in the nation who received
this honor at the Customer Connections Conference held in Scottsdale, Arizona, October 24-27.
This designation lasts for two years (December 1, 2021, through November 30, 2023).
The SEP recognizes public power utilities who demonstrate commitment to and
accomplishment in, smart energy program planning, energy efficiency and distributed energy
resources, environmental and sustainability programs, as well as communication and customer
experience.
Some of the criteria ERMU had to meet include:
Smart Energy Information: This section focuses on structuring programs and establishing
goals and objectives that are part of normal business operations. This can include
research and development in distributed energy resources (DER), energy efficiency, or
sustainability. We also benchmark these initiatives with similar utilities.
Energy Efficiency and DERs: This section measures the effectiveness of offering a variety
of energy efficiency and DER programs to diverse types of customers.
Environmental and Sustainability Programs/Initiatives: This section assesses how a
utility works to reduce emissions and other adverse environmental impacts. Utilities
provide detailed descriptions of how they collaborate with stakeholders inside and
outside the community on environmentally beneficial initiatives.
Communication/Education and Customer Experience: Communicating with customers is
the last key section. Utilities must detail how they plan and implement communications
and marketing initiatives for smart energy programs like energy efficiency, DER, and
other environmentally beneficial initiatives. Key aspects of this area are evaluating
customer satisfaction, and training customer service representatives.
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ERMUand the City of Elk River have collaboratedwith residents and businesses for years to
implement environmentally beneficial initiatives. The list of projects includesincorporating
electric vehicles in city and utility fleets, electric vehicle charging programs usingtime-of-use
rates,single sort recyclingand organics programs, Clean Energy Choice for residential and
commercial customers, support for distributed renewable energy, tiered water rates to
incentivize conservation, and rebates for all water and electric customers to incentivize
equipment upgrades.
ERMU is proud of the accomplishments to date and is looking forward to improving our
community’s access to environmentally sustainable initiatives in the future. As part of the SEP
program, ERMU will have the opportunity to gain experience, improve our sustainability
practices, and serve as an example for others.
ATTACHMENTS:
Picture – Conservation & Key Accounts Manager Tom Sagstetter and Communications &
Administrative Coordinator Tony Mauren receiving the Smart Energy Provider
Designation
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