5.3.E. SR 09-10-2007Item # 5.3.E.
c
ver
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor & City Council
FROM: Rebecca Haug, Environmental Administrator
DATE: September 10, 2007
SUBJECT: Energy City Commission 3-year Plan
Elk River has been known as Energy City since 1997 when the Minnesota Environmental Initiative
(MEI) Foundation chose it from over 30 other applying communities to be the focal point for the
demonstration of efficient and renewable energy products, services, and products. Since that time,
several demonstrations have been implemented in the City of Elk River. Some of the more notable
ones are the full-scale wind generator on Highway 169, the landfill-to-gas facility at the Elk River
Landfill and the three (3) Energy Houses.
Since the inception of Energy City in 1997, a local committee called the Action Committee for
Energy (ACE) ran the programs of Energy City. In 2004, MEI informed ACE that their focus was
changing and that focus would change the relationship with Energy City. On June 13, 2005, ACE
attended a City Council worksession meeting to discuss the establishment of an Energy City
Commission. Establishing this commission would validate its existence and be able to advise the
Council in regards to energy related businesses coming to the city; identity and image perspectives;
maintain relationships with businesses, Energy City and the Council; and also an economic
development tool. The Energy City Commission was formally created on June 20, 2005.
In 2007, the Energy City Commission (ECC) had several accomplishments. They are as follows:
• 15` Energy Expo- the Energy Expo will be discussed in greater detail later in the meeting
• Federal and state trademark
• Recipient of two (2) MnGREAT (Minnesota Government Reaching Environmental
Achievements Together) Awards for Energy House III and Methane Gas to Electric
Facility
• Having an influence on the new library being built to LEED certification standards
• Designation as "a state energy city"
In addition, staff discussed with the Commission the need to develop goals and priorities. This was
done in January 2007. These are attached. Using this existing tool, a 3-year plan has been
developed. The ECUs mission has been being in collaboration between the City of Elk River,
government, and businesses to promote the City, energy efficiency and the renewable energy
industry through demonstrations and consumer education. Through this 3-year planning process,
the ECC has further developed the mission to include being astate-wide conservation
demonstration site.
By using the mission statements, achievements for each year of the plan were developed. The ECC
felt it to be valuable to also list the 2007 accomplishments in the plan. The plan is broken down
into three (3) categories for each year. Each of the categories has one or two main components with
objectives to meet those. In 2008, one of the main objectives for the ECC is to hire apart-time
Energy City Coordinator to elevate Energy City. This person would be responsible for developing
programs to build partnerships with other groups, increase community awareness, establish city-
wide conservation programs and encourage diversity in energy sources as well as be a tool to
encourage businesses to locate in Elk River. The hope is to then in 2009 make this position full-
time to continue the same programs plus additional ones and then in 2010 expand those programs
even further. The ECUs goal is to be a model city for other communities. The ECC realizes that
doing these programs will cost money. If the Council chooses not to fund this position, existing
staff will only be able to work on a limited number of programs, primarily the Energy Expo in 2008
if approved and maintenance of the website.
To assist staff direction, the following discussion items should be considered:
1. Does the Council want the role of the ECC to expand?
2. Are there specific areas of interest the Council wants the ECC to focus on?
3. Is there agreement on how to proceed/or not with the ECC Coordinator?
4. Discussion of the 3-year work plan
Energy City 3-year Plan
Make Elk River astate-wide conservation demonstration site
(energy, water, recycling, etc)
2007 Accomplishments
• Federal and State Trademark
• 1St Energy Expo -April 21, 2007 -Twin Lakes Elementary School -Paul
Douglas, WCCO Keynote Speaker -focus on residents
• MnGREAT Awards -Energy House III & Methane Gas to Electric Facility
• Library built to LEED certification standards
• Designated as "a state energy city"
2008
Hire Energy City Coordinator (PT position) to achieve the following:
Partnerships
• Develop partnerships with other groups
o Continue pursuing State legislation declaring Elk River as Energy
City and monitor State Legislation
o Work with Elk River School District and other governmental entities
o Continuous research on products or projects that other'~Energy
communities" are implementing
o Coordinate with local utilities on related issues (CIP, etc)
Residential
• Raise community awareness regarding Energy City
0 2"d Energy Expo -focus on residents and students
o Maintain Energy City website
o Seek publicity regarding Energy City
• Establish city-wide conservation programs
o Coordinate with local utility conservation programs
o Seek County Funding to achieve our mutual goals
Businesses
• Encourage diversity in energy sources
o Work with City's Fleet Management Team on purchasing alternative
fuel vehicles
o Explore Hydro electric dam
o Support GRE's methanol plant research and/or implementation
o Support more methane gas to electric facilities at Elk River Landfill
o Explore having discussions with trucking companies on using
biodiesel
Use Energy City to encourage businesses to locate in Elk River
o Develop energy related grant and/or loan programs to ofFer new
and existing businesses
o Encourage industrial, commercial and institutional buildings to be
LEED certified, energy-efti icient and/or green buildings
o Encourage alternate fuel and other energy related companies to
locate in Elk River
o Make site visits to alternate fuel and other energy related
companies
o Work with County for Funding opportunities
2009
Hire or promote Energy City Coordinator (FT position) to continue the
achievements from 2008 and the following:
Partnerships
• Develop partnerships with other groups
o Monitor State Legislation
o Energy House IV (based on housing market)
o Work with Elk River School District and other governmental entities
o Continuous research on products or projects that other'~Energy
communities" are implementing
o Coordinate with local utilities on related issues (CIP, etc)
Residential
• Raise community awareness regarding Energy City
o Maintain Energy City website
o Seek publicity regarding Energy City
• Establish city-wide conservation programs
o Coordinate with local utility conservation programs
o Seek County Funding to achieve our mutual goals
o Create an Energy City neighborhood
Businesses
• Encourage diversity in energy sources
o Install a biodiesel tank for all diesel engines in the City
o Continue working with City's Fleet Management Team on
purchasing alternative fuel vehicles
o Begin permitting process for Hydro electric dam
o Support GRE's methanol plant research and/or implementation
o Support more methane gas to electric facilities at Elk River Landfill
• Use Energy City to encourage businesses to locate in Elk River
0 3rd Energy Expo -focus on businesses
o Implement grant or loan program for new and existing businesses
o Encourage industrial, commercial and institutional buildings to be
LEED certified, energy-efficient and/or green buildings
o Encourage alternate fuel and other energy related companies to
locate in Elk River
o Work with County for Funding opportunities
2010
Partnerships
• Develop partnerships with other groups
o Monitor State Legislation
o Work with Elk River School District and other governmental entities
o Continuous research on products or projects that other "Energy
communities" are implementing
o Coordinate with local utilities on related issues (CIP, etc)
Residential
• Raise community awareness regarding Energy City
o Maintain Energy City website
o Seek publicity regarding Energy City
Establish city-wide conservation programs
o Coordinate with local utility conservation programs
o Seek County Funding to achieve our mutual goals
o Expand the Energy City neighborhood program
Businesses
• Encourage diversity in energy sources
o Continue working with City's Fleet Management Team on
purchasing alternative fuel vehicles
o Begin construction of Hydro electric dam
o Support GRE's methanol plant research and/or implementation
o Support more methane gas to electric facilities at Elk River Landfill
• Use Energy City to encourage businesses to locate in Elk River
0 4t" Energy Expo -focus on distributors and/or products available
world-wide
o Continue grant or loan program for new and existing businesses
o Encourage industrial, commercial and institutional buildings to be
LEER certified, energy-efficient and/or green buildings
o Encourage alternate fuel and other energy related companies to
locate in Elk River
o Work with County for Funding opportunities
MISSION STATEMENT
Collaboration between the City of Elk River, government, and businesses to
promote the City, energy efficiency and the renewable energy industry
through demonstrations and consumer education
Policy Recommendation
The City of Elk River should actively take advantage of opportunities that arise from the
status of being Energy City. This can be accomplished by the goals and tasks listed
below.
GOALS AND TASKS TO ACHIEVE THEM
Capitalize on being Energy City, globally
Task: Federal Trademark
Task: Seek out awards and other recognitions (MnGREAT Awards)
Task: Gubernatorial Proclamation declaring Elk River as Energy City
Task: Encourage partners to identify with Energy City (websites,
presentations, literature, and networking)
2. Identify ways to promote a positive image of Elk River and encourage
economic growth
Task: 2007 Energy Expo - Apri121 st
Task: Develop innovative energy saving programs and incentives
(energy loan program) as an Economic Development tool
Task: Promote press coverage of open houses, demonstration sites and
Energy City partners
Educate producers and consumers on energy issues, specifically on their
effects on the environment and the economy. Starting point should be in
Elk River.
Task: 2007 Energy Expo - Apri121st
Task: Promote the tourism of Energy City demonstration sites
Task: Encourage the use of the Environmental Learning Center
Task: Involve School Districts in Energy City, specifically Elk River
Task: Seek publication regarding demonstrations in technical journals
and other media
4. Encourage and assist in the development and use of renewable energy
and energy efficient technologies
Task: Recruit new energy demonstrations
Task: Develop innovative energy saving programs and incentives
(energy loan program)
Task: Review and make recommendations on energy-efficient
technologies for the YMCA
Task: Encourage energy-efficient technologies in all new construction
(building and development)
Task: Review and make specific energy related recommendations on
significant construction projects
Task: Seek publication regarding demonstrations in technical journals
and other media
Task: Any city assisted project should be brought in front of the ECC for
recommendations
Diversify Elk River's energy base and strife for energy independence
Task: Research these technologies to determine if feasible: hydro, wind,
fuel cells, landfill gas, animal waste to electric, geothermal, etc.
Task: Support GRE's Peaking Plant
of
ver
MEMORANDUM
TO: City Council
FROM: Rebecca Haug, Environmental Administrator
DATE: September 10, 2007
SUBJECT: 2007 Energy Expo Recap
On Apri121, 2007, Elk River's Energy City Commission held its first Energy Expo at the
Twin Lakes Elementary School. It is estimated that approximately 700 people attended the
event. During Paul Douglas' presentation, the gymnasium was packed with over 300 people
and the exhibitor area was also busy with people. Both of the children's performances were
full to capacity and I have received many compliments and suggestions on how to make the
event even better. On the attached spreadsheet, there is a list of some of the exhibitors.
Several of the donators also had booths at the event. Many lessons were learned from the
first year event.
In 2007, the City budgeted $30,000 but thanks to the many sponsors and exhibitors who
brought in $16,650, the city's total was approximately $13,471.01. A financial suirunary of
the 2007 Energy Expo is attached. The hope is to make the event bigger and better in 2008.
It is anticipated that the exhibitor rate will increase and more donations will be received.
Staff also plans to continue with the same marketing firm, Wolf Marketing, to reduce costs
as they have experience from the 2007 event.
If the Council recommends continuing to have the Energy Expo in 2008, it was suggested
that the sessions be in the morning and tours be offered in the afternoon. It was also
suggested that we condense the number of sessions and increase the time for the tours,
especially for Great River Energy (GRE) and Resource Recovery Technologies (RRT). The
Commission would like to have the opportunity to demonstrate the new library and to
accomplish this, have been discussing having the 2008 Energy Expo at the City Hall campus.
The proposed budget includes $20,000 for the 2008 Energy Expo.
S:\B&E\REBECCA\Enexgy City\Energy City Recap.doc
w
y
C O
N '
Q ~
O ~
~, M
U 'fl
ti
O ~
x P
W N
~``
L ~
~ L
W ~
++
0
0 0
00 0
O 0
O 0
O 0
O 0
O tq
_L N
_L 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0
~
O
CEO
O
O
~
~
~ O
L O
L 0
O 0
O 0
O 0
O 0
O 0
O 0
O 0
O 0
O
~
tf) ~ N N ~ 6N9~ ~ p~ ~ EH _
EA ER ER _
EA EA d9 Efl V3 r
- -
~
r
6F}
m `~
~ c
N ~ a~
~
O U
7 ~ c
C •~ m
'~
O O
~ ~ r
Q/ ~
w ~ rn
~
~ ~ Y ~
t6 N N N ~
~ ~ m W ~
U
C7
~
>+ H-
~ O
U C
7 >,
O)
`~ C
O
.
~
~
i
Z 7 w > ~ ~ ~ N O_ (0 C O U
i 0 U O ~ ~ U c L W `p N ~ ~ O
O ~ ~ ~ m w 3 'o Q r ~ >
~ U ~ ~ m W ~
~
_ O
w- ~
~ ~
O
d ~
O ~
~ Q
~ ~
i
~
~ Q
Z
C ~,
'N ~ ~
'O ~
Y ~
~
~
i+
~
~
C
>
~
N
~
~
x
O
w
C
U
~ w
~'
~ E
C
O
Q- L O L f
6 = H
fn ~ cn ~ l- ~ m ~ U Li C7 W W W Q Y W ~ C~ m ~ W
t7
0 O
0 G
0 O 0
0 0
0 f~
0 O
GD O
~ N
M N
~
CO ~
N
O ~
~ O
O 0
~
O O O W ~ 0 0 ~ m N M 00 ~ ~ O
O
~ ~A
I~ O
00 M
~ CO
N OO
M N
O f~
~ N
M
N In
M ~ M
~ ~
d9
00 O
~ (fl
~
_" tf3 fA Efl EA fA N ~ Ef3 Efl M M
~
EA EA ~ EH Efj Ef> Efl Efl
N
ER
N
d
N
C ~
Q '~
c
~ ~
W ~
O
U U f0
N _
~
C
N
~ N
C
~
.~
~
C
N L
~
'
O
H" ~
~
~ 'O
o y
~2S
~ ~
~~ ~
~ O
~
N
L N
L C
O O
~
~~ C
~ O
i
~ N
N L
~
O O
•i
.
-~
oZf ~ N L ~ O (ll fA O N
~ O L ~
tC
o
I- U m U cn ~ U ~ Q cn ~ o U E a _U H