6.1a EMRUSR 02-11-2025�i
Elk River --�-
Municipal Utilities UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
TO:
FROM:
ERMU Commission
Mark Hanson — General Manager
MEETING DATE:
AGENDA ITEM NUMBER:
February 11, 2025
6.1a
SUBJECT:
Staff Update
ACTION REQUESTED:
None
DISCUSSION:
• The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) has provided us with a
preliminary assessment in response to our permit request to drill three new wells. The
assessment authorizes us to move forward with designing the new wells but cautions us
that we may need to install observation wells and conduct an aquifer test to determine if
the new wells will impact other nearby users.
• Water Superintendent Dave Ninow and I are working with the Minnesota Department of
Health (MDH), the Minnesota Rural Water Association, and the MNDNR to explore the
potential of a $50,000 grant to construct monitoring wells through MDH's Accelerated
Implementation Grant.
• On January 27 and 28, Commissioner Zerwas, Tony Mauren, and I attended Minnesota
Municipal Utilities Association's (MMUA) Legislative Conference. MMUA's advocacy staff,
along with membership, identified several legislative priorities and accompanying "asks" as
described in the attached flyer. We had separate visits with Senator Lucero, Representative
Novotny, and Representative Hudson to review the priorities and answer any questions. All
three were supportive of our position and accompanying asks.
• As a reminder, Commissioner Zerwas, Commissioner Bell, Governance & Communications
Manager Tony Mauren, and I will be attending the 2025 APPA Legislative Rally in
Washington DC, February 24-27.
• The Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (MMPA) Board of Directors met January 21, 2025,
at Chaska City Hall in Chaska, Minnesota and via videoconference. Commissioner Stewart
and I attended. The public summary follows:
o The Board reviewed the financial and operating performance for December 2024.
o Participation in the residential Clean Energy Choice program increased by 43
customers. Customer penetration for the program is at 6.0%.
o The Board was informed that MMPA received a $4.19 million direct payment of an
investment tax credit for the renewable natural gas project at the Agency's
Hometown BioEnergy facility.
o The Board discussed the status of renewable projects the Agency is pursuing.
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ATTACHMENTS:
• MMUA 2025 State Legislative Priorities
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