6.1d ERMUSR 04-09-2024��i
Elk River ,
Municipal Utilities UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
TO:
FROM:
ERMU Commission
Tony Mauren — Governance & Communications Manager
MEETING DATE:
AGENDA ITEM NUMBER:
April 9, 2024
6.1d
SUBJECT:
Staff Update
ACTION REQUESTED:
None
DISCUSSION:
• In April, all residential electric customers will receive the Clean Energy Choice
Residential flyer and all commercial customers will receive a flyer for the Clean Energy
Choice Business program. Both flyers are attached.
• In addition to highlighting the bill insert topic, social media posts this month feature a
variety of items including the commission meeting notice, National Safe Digging Month,
Sever Weather Awareness Week, Lineworker Appreciation Day, garden watering
conservation tips, and more.
• Communications staff is updating the website, forms, and processes for the residential
and commercial rebate programs to be in line with the rebate management services
provided by Frontier Energy.
• The Governance & Communications Manager attended the 2024 Minnesota Clerks and
Financial Officers Association Conference in St. Cloud, March 19-22. There were several
very valuable sessions on topics such as effective data management, utility rate analysis,
cyber security, and funding capital projects for water services.
• Staff attended the Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (MMPA) Energy Education
Program presentation at Meadowvale Elementary on Friday, March 15. MMPA's Energy
Education Program was created in collaboration with the Science Museum of Minnesota
and aligns with the state's 4th grade science standards. It focuses on how energy is
generated, transmitted, and used. The program is fully funded by MMPA and is provided
free of cost to schools within MMPA member communities. The following Elk River
schools are participating in this program in 2024:
o Twin Lakes Elementary
o Otsego Elementary (the school boundary includes ERMU customers)
o Meadowvale Elementary
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o Parker Elementary
o St. Andrew's Catholic School
Four elementary schools in ERMU's service territory are now committed to an in -school
field trip and take-home experience with National Energy Foundation (NEF).
Presentations are scheduled for the end of April at Meadowvale, Lincoln, Parker, and
Twin Lakes. This program builds on MMPA's in that it teaches fourth grade students how
to install and use energy saving equipment around their home. Students are then
provided with an energy saving kit to employ the efficient usage practices they learned.
This is a budgeted program provided by ERMU.
• Staff is working with Allegiant Utility Services to create customer communication
materials including installation information letters and door hangers.
Staff has been testing the drone and its many unique functions. Drone footage is being
used for the lineworker appreciation social media post scheduled for April 18.
ATTACHMENTS:
• Bill Insert — Clean Energy Choice — Residential
• Bill Insert - Clean Energy Choice — Business
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Clean Energy Choice provides residential customers an affordable and convenient way to receive their
electricity from environmentally friendly, renewable sources. No contracts. No equipment. You can
become a sustainability leader in your community for a small increase in your electric bill.
EASY SIGN UP
Three simple options to enroll;
Call ERMU at 763.441.2020
Visit cleanenergychoice.com/elk-river
Mail in the form on the back
O
[?]
FIXED COST
For an additional monthly cost, a
percentage of your electricity can be
sourced from renewable resources.
$3=100%, $2=75%, $1=50%
NO CONTRACTS
The subscription appears as a
surcharge on your monthly electric
bill. There is no minimum term
commitment for Clean Energy Choice.
Three options to enroll in the Clean Energy Choice program
CALL ERMU at 763.441.2020
VISIT cLeanenergychoice.com/elk-river
MAIL Fill out the form on the back and mail it in
Frequently Asked Questions CLEAN ENERGY
What is renewable energy? G CHOICE
Renewable energy is generated from facilities powered by
wind, solar, bioenergy, water, and more.
Where does the renewable energy for Clean Energy Choice come from?
The renewable energy for the Clean Energy Choice program is supplied by Minnesota Municipal Power Agency's
renewable resources. MMPA's renewable resources include: wind, solar, and biomass.
For more information please visit http://www.mmpa.org/sustainable-energyloverviewl
Hove much does Clean Energy Choice cost?
Clean Energy Choice is an affordable way for residential electric customers to support renewable energy. For an
additional $3 a month, 100% of your electricity can be sourced from renewable resources. Alternatively, for $2 a
month, 75% of your electricity can be sourced from renewable resources, or for $1 a month, 50% of your electricity
can be sourced from renewable resources.
Does renewable energy flow directly to my home or rental unit?
No. The renewable energy that's generated enters into the "electric grid," so it's difficult to pinpoint exactly where
the specific electricity supplying your home or rental unit originates. However, Renewable Energy Certificates
(RECs) provided as part of the Clean Energy Choice program guarantee that your renewable purchases are certified
renewable energy in Minnesota.
What are Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs)?
Every kilowatt-hour of renewable energy generated by MMPA is assigned a unique REC number to ensure that each
unit of renewable energy is accurately tracked. The State of Minnesota also uses RECs to track renewable energy use.
The Clean Energy Choice program utilizes these RECs to ensure that you are helping to support sustainable energy
systems for the future.
Am I committed to a contract term?
No. The subscription appears as a surcharge on your monthly electric bill. There is no minimum term commitment for
Clean Energy Choice. You can choose to unsubscribe at any time.
For more information call ERMU at 763.441.2020 or visit cleanenergychoice.com/elk-river
SIGN UP TODAY I Enroll online at cleanenergychoice.com/elk-river or send in the form below.
Please select one of the following
Name
Address
City
Phone
50% $1 /month
State
Email
75% $2/month
Utility Account #
Zip Code
100% $3/month
Enroll by returning this form to: Elk River Municipal Utilities, 13069 Orono Parkway, PO Box 430, Elk River, MN 55330
By subscribing to Clean Energy Choice you are acknowledging that an incremental charge will appear on your monthly electric bill.
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11
•
Powering
Your Business
with
Renewable
Energy
Clean Energy Choice for Business provides Elk River Municipal Utilities customers with the opportunity
to have 100% of their electricity come from environmentally responsible, renewable sources.
Commercial electric customers who participate are making a choice to support the environment as Well
as their community and its future.
EASY ENROLLMENT
2-
3— `� • Contact Elk River Municipal Utilities at 763.441.2020 to enroll in the Clean Energy Choice for Business program.
• Participation is based on a calendar -year term.
• We can help you determine how this program Will affect your monthly electric bill.
AFFORDABLE COST
o • The program adds an incremental charge to the standard electric rate.
• As an example, a customer With usage of 10,000 kWh per month Would pay an additional $16 based on the
following formula: (10,000 x [100%-20%] x $.002) = $16. See the back of this form for details.
PROGRAM BENEFITS
• o
Convenient and affordable Way to power your business With 100 /o renewable energy
• Meet your company's sustainability goals Without investing in equipment
• Position your business as an environmentally responsible leader in the community
BECOME A SUSTAINABILITY LEADER IN YOUR COMMUNITY. ENROLL IN CLEAN ENERGY CHOICE TODAY!
What is renewable energy?
Renewable energy is generated from facilities powered by
wind, solar, bioenergy, water, and more.
Where does the renewable energy for Clean Energy Choice
come from?
CLEAN ENERGY
CHOICE
The renewable energy for the Clean Energy Choice program is supplied by Minnesota Municipal Power Agency's
renewable resources. MMPA's renewable resources include wind, solar, and biomass.
For more information please visit mmpa.org/sustainable-energy/overviewI
Does renewable energy flow directly to my business?
No. The renewable energy that's generated enters into the "electric grid," so it's difficult to pinpoint exactly where the
specific electricity supplying your business originates. However, Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) provided as
part of the Clean Energy Choice program guarantee that your renewable purchases are certified renewable energy in
Minnesota.
What are Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs)?
Every kilowatt-hour of renewable energy generated by MMPA is assigned a unique REC number to ensure that each
unit of renewable energy is accurately tracked. The State of Minnesota also uses RECs to track renewable energy use.
The Clean Energy Choice program utilizes these RECs to ensure that you are helping to support sustainable energy
systems for the future.
Am I committed to a contract term?
Yes. Participation in the Clean Energy Choice for Business program is based on an annual contract term. In return, the
per -kWh surcharge is fixed for the same time period. You will be informed of any change in the per -kWh surcharge for
the upcoming year by November 1, and you have until December 1 to inform us if you want to continue your contract
in the new year.
Howl much does CLean Energy Choice for Business Cost?
An incremental charge of $0.002 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) is added to the standard electric rate. The charge is applied
to all kWh in excess of the Minnesota Renewable Energy Standard, which is currently 20% of all electric sales. An
example fee table is listed below.
Formula: (kWh per month (10,000 x [100%-20%] x $.002) = Clean Energy Choice Additional Surcharge
kWh Approximate Clean Energy Choice
per Month Electric Charge Additional Surcharge
1,000 $100 $1.60
10,000 $1, 000 $16
100,000 $10,000 $160