ECCSR INFORMATION 08-17-2005For Information Only
(Article for the City's News Letter)
New Energy City Commission
The Elk River City Council recently voted to create an "Energy City Commission". In
addition, the city is considering requesting special legislation or possibly a gubernatorial
designation as "Energy City".
Elk River has been known as "Energy City" since 1997 when the Minnesota Environmental
Initiative choose it out from over 30 other applying communities to act as a geographical
focal point for demonstrating energy efficient and renewable energy technology, services and
products. It is anticipated that the newly created Commission will take Energy City to the
next level.
Energy City is the right thing to do environmentally.
The production and consumption of energy is the number one manmade source of
contamination facing the world today. The idea behind Energy City is that solutions to this
problem have to make economic sense as well as environmental sense to be sustainable.
The demonstrations in Energy City have an opportunity to succeed or fail under both of
these criteria.
Energy's effect on the economy.
Energy is one of the major issues facing the world's economy and it promises to be an even
bigger factor in the future. Every dollar spent on foreign energy is a dollar that won't be
used to pay wages in America.
Minnesota is second in the nation to only California for the number of energy related
companies it contains. Some of the leading experts from those Minnesota energy related
companies are already investing their time and energy into Energy City. As Energy City, the
City of Elk River anticipates attracting energy related companies and business of all kinds
through innovative energy saving programs and incentive.
Some of the more notable Energy City demonstrations include:
- The wind generator on Highway 169.
- The Elk River Landfill's "Landfill Gas-to-Electricity Project". This project will be
producing enough electricity to meet the yearly needs of approximately 2,200 homes
by the end of this year from a resource that would otherwise be wasted (landfill gas).
The original generator at the landfill received the US Environmental Protection
Agency's project of the year in 1998.
- In cooperation with the Suburban Northwest Builders Association two Energy
Houses have been built and the third is currently being constructed. These houses
demonstrated a wide range of energy efficient and renewable energy building
materials, construction practices and technologies (e.g. geothermal heat pumps). The
use of recycled building materials and good indoor air quality are also featured in
these houses. The first Energy House won a national energy efficiency award.
- Great River Energy's and NRG's use of refuse to create electricity.
- The Elk River School District is getting national recognition for their "High
Performance Schools Project" featuring energy efficient, durable and healthy
schools.
To learn more about Energy City check out its website at zvavzv.elkriverenergycity.org. If you
have a group that is interested in an Energy City Tour, contact the City of Elk River at
(763) 635-1000.