6.1a ERMUSR 02-13-2024��i
Elk River
Municipal Utilities UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
TO:
FROM:
ERMU Commission
Mark Hanson — General Manager
MEETING DATE:
AGENDA ITEM NUMBER:
February 13, 2024
6.1a
SUBJECT:
Staff Update
ACTION REQUESTED:
None
DISCUSSION:
• ERMU staff have been meeting with city staff and representatives from Vireo Health to
identify and plan for their utility needs. Vireo Health is a commercial marijuana grower
exploring Great River Energy's former Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) plant, at 10700 1651h Ave
NW in Elk River, as a new site to expand the growing operation. If the project moves
forward, Vireo has the potential to be one of our larger customers. With an anticipated
peak usage of 2.5-3.0 MW, only the two datacenters would be larger.
• The Board of Directors of the Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (MMPA) met on January
23, 2024, at Chaska City Hall in Chaska, Minnesota and via videoconference. Commissioner
Stewart and I attended. The public summary is below:
o The Board reviewed the Agency's financial and operating performance for December
2023.
o Customer penetration for the residential Clean Energy Choice program was 5.2%.
There was an increase of 33 customers participating in the residential Clean Energy
Choice program from November to December.
o The Board discussed the current business environment.
o The Board discussed the status of renewable projects the Agency is pursuing.
• Wednesday, February 7, marked our second Camaraderie Day event. During an after -
action review of the first event, the management team determined it would be more
efficient operationally to host the event in the winter vs the fall. Created in response to
staff feedback desiring improved connectivity between office and field staff, the event
not only included competitive games, but in true MN fashion, also included hot dish and
dessert competitions! Special thanks to the event committee for their great work!
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