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5.1. SR 09-15-2008REQUEST FOR ACTION To Item Number City Council 5.1. Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by Community Development September 15, 2008 Rebecca Haug, Environmental Administrator Item Description Reviewed by "Project Conserve" Participation and Funding Jeff Gongoll, Community Develo ment Director Reviewed by Lori ohnson, Ci Administrator Action Requested Staff and the Energy City Commission are requesting the City Council participation in "Project Conserve" and fund $2,500 for Vance Zehringer's time and $5,000 for program materials, publishing, etc. Background/Discussion The Energy City Commission is working on a new endeavor called "Project Conserve." It is designed to help reduce electric, natural gas, water, gasoline and garbage use. The goal of "Project Conserve" is to establish realistic goals for residents on conservation. Family size, home ownership, and willingness to try to conserve will all be used to determine these goals. Informational meetings for the participants will be held to share conservation techniques. Visits will be provided to give the most up to date information needed to make a difference. Some free items will be given out to help make a difference and some of the participants may be eligible for rebates if upgrades are needed. Participants must be willing to share results with Energy City personnel and allow data from their experience to be shared with the public. It is our hope to use pilot data to encourage all residents of Elk River to follow the participant's lead. Done right, this could be a test of national prominence and certainly one that can save a homeowner as much as $1,400 per year in energy costs. Currently, there are approximately 20 residents who have filled out the application to take part in this project. In late September, the application will be included in all ERMU utility bills. The deadline for applications is October 10. After the deadline, staff and commissioners will go through the applications and determine eligibility. The goal will be to have a good cross reference of home sizes, ages, and number of people living in the home. Staff attended the September 9, 2008 Utilities Commission meeting to request participation and funding fox "Project Conserve" and were successful in achieving approval of $2,500 for Vance Zehringer's time towards the project and purchasing prizes as incentives. Mr. Zehringer's time would be a cost-share between the City and Elk Rivex Municipal Utilities. Other Energy City partners are also willing to donate prizes as incentives. C:\Documents and Settings\jmiller\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\OLK3E\Action Requested -project conserve (2).doc The additional $5,000 that is being requested would be used to pay for program materials, publishing, etc. The Energy Expo stayed below budget by approximately $4,000 and the Energy City Coordinator position was not filled which was budgeted for $30,000. The Energy City budget also had $2,000 for researching and initiating new programs which "Project Conserve" falls under. Financial Impact ^ $2,500 for cost-share of Vance Zehringer's time ^ $5,000 for program materials, publishing, etc Attachments ^ Application Form Action Motion by Second by Vote Follow Up C:\llocuments and Settings\jmiller\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\OLK3E\Action Requested -project conserve (2).doc E LKRI VER ~~~~~~~~ •~ ~~'~~~ar~~rc ~r~~ , ow~a o~ -r ~ ~ .,. ~ iE~~~~. Energy City is committed to demonstrate renewable energy and energy efficient technologies and services, and to educate the public on wise use of our natural resources. Our latest endeavor is called PROJECT CONSERVE and it is designed to help you reduce electric use, gas use, water use, gasoline use and reduce what goes into the garbage. We are looking for up to 30 Elk River families to participate in the first year pilot phase of this Project. We need to establish realistic goals for PROJECT CONSERVE and to see what really works and what doesn't. Family size, home ownership, and your willingness to try your best to conserve will all be used to determine eligibility to participate in the pilot Project. Information meetings for pilot participants will be held to share conservation techniques and home visits will be provided to give you the most update info you need to make a difference. You must also be willing to share resultant information with Energy City personnel and allow us to use data from your experience publicly. Confidentiality will be honored! It is our hope to use pilot data to encourage all residents of Elk River to follow your lead! Done right, this could be a research project of national prominence and certainly one that can save you as much as $1400 per year in energy costs. For more information, ca11635-1330 or 635-1068. To participate, consider the eligibility requirements, fill out the Application Questionnaire on the back and drop it off at City Hall or mail to Project Conserve, PO Box 430, Elk River, MN 55330. Application deadline is Oct 10, 2008. S~ ~p (0 $tAOO oer mar on e~e1g~ C18~$~~ PROJECT CONSERVE APPLICATION Please return by Oct 10, 2008 Customer Name Address Phone Number E-mail Are you an electric customer of Elk River Municipal Utilities? Are you a water and sewer customer of Elk River Municipal Utilities? How many square feet of living space in your home? What year was your house built? Has it been remodeled or reinsulated? How many people live in the house ,and do you live in it year-round ? Do you use electricity or gas to heat your water? (circle correct response) How do you heat your house? Natural Gas, propane, fuel oil, electric, or wood (circle correct responses) Do you have central air conditioning? Do you have any compact fluorescents lamps installed in your house? If yes, how many? Do you have a home computer? Do water your lawn via an underground sprinkler system? Do you recycle? How many miles per year do you drive (all vehicles)? Have you done anything in the last 5 years that greatly decreases the amount of electricity, heating fuel, water or transportation fuel that you use? If so, what? If selected to participate in the pilot project, would you be willing to let others learn from your experience and be willing to share test results in a confidential manner? 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