Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-12-01 Min - Board �^ TRUCKEE DONNER PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT PLANNING DIRECTOR ACTIVITIES DECEMBER, 1995 Strategic Planning/District $Savings Business Customer Communications- Staff has decided that it will be in the District's best interest to develop a positive, open line of communication with our largest business customers instead of asking them to answer a lot of survey questions. This will allow us to work with them in maintaining their service on the TDPUD electric system as changes occur in the electric industry. Discussions with our twenty-five largest customers is planned for completion by Spring. TDPUD Competition Plan- Staff is preparing a report about the different utility issues we are currently being challenged by. The report will include a discussion of the different approaches TDPUD can take to meet these challenges as well as an analysis and recommendations to respond to competition. This comprehensive report is planned for completion by Spring. Energy/Water Showcase Program- HDR Engineering, Inc. is currently preparing a report that will identify energy and cost-saving energy-efficiency water system improvement options available to TDPUD. They have requested pump testing data from us to complete the report. TDPUD can then decide which options to implement based on their cost-effectiveness to the District. Conservation/DSM/Economic Development Ground Source Heat Pump Pilot Site Activity- Nine GSHP pilot site units are current- ly in operation. There are still two pilot sites in planning: a site in Glenshire and a second site in Tahoe Donner. Plans are to complete these activities by Summer 1996. GSHP Pilot Project Funding Assistance- The $181,000 Truckee Donner PUD/SMUD CEC GSHP monitoring and evaluation RFP is complete. Interested consulting energy engineers have until January 26, 1996 to respond to the RFP. I am participating in a pre-bid conference with potential pilot consultants January 9th. The CEC is assisting five California utilities in getting the States's share of $100,000,000 earmarked for GSHPs through the National Earth Comfort Program. GSHP/Water Heater Promotion- Staff is working toward getting the Truckee GSHP pilot monitoring program in place so that we will have data available to perform an analysis of the benefits and costs of using GSHPs in Truckee. The results of this data will be used to determine GSHP's role in TDPUD's Strategic Plan. Based upon current customer acceptance and the low electric heating bills of GSHP pilot participants it is anticipated that GSHPs will be beneficial to the Truckee community. Energy Surveys/High Bill Assistance- Staff completed 0 commercial and 1 residential energy survey this month. Staff also responded on-site to 2 "high" bill complaints. Business & Energy Efficiency Partnership- The incorporation of energy and water efficiency measures are expected to be retrofitted into the Chamber building by Winter, 1995. Currently about 75% of these measures are installed. Staff is submitting a grant application to CMUA for about $5,000 to fund the development of a low-water use demonstration garden at the Chamber facility. An Open House for the new Chamber facility and the Business & Energy Efficiency Partnership will be planned for after the completion of the energy and water efficiency retrofits as well as the water-efficient landscaping around the building. This Open House may be combined with a Chamber mixer and is expected to take place in the Summer of 1996. Communications/Public Relations/Education Newsletter- The Spring Current Issues newsletter is currently being discussed. Truckee Water Information Piece- A water information piece is currently being planned to educate TDPUD customers on the value of TDPUD water. TDPUD Display System- Staff is currently investigating the different types of display systems commercially available. The Display system will be set up in the Lobby the majority of time. The system we select will be portable so that we can set it up at the Home Show. Community/Statewide Involvement Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Committee- Working with other businesses in reviewing: the General Plan, an Incubator/Business Park Feasibility Study , and a possible Chamber Business Resources Partnership with the Library. Tahoe-Forest Hospital Healthly City Committee- Working with other agencies and community groups in the development of a Healthly City Plan for Truckee. Town of Truckee Air Quality Management Plan Advisory Committee- Will be working with other group and agency representatives in reviewing a draft report on Truckee's AQMP prepared by the Northern-Sierra AQMD in conjunction with the Town of Truckee. California Municipal Utilities Association Committee on Energy Efficiency- Working with other public utilities Statewide on a Model Energy/Customer Services Program Guide with will list the various strategies utilities are using to respond to a changing, more competitive electric utility environment. Programs are designed to increase customer satisfaction and result in customer retention. Employee Safety/Training Wellness Program/Health Screenings- TDPUD Employee Wellness Program participants met with T-F Hospital Staff December 15 to go over their health screening results. Wellness Program/Healthy Meals- This continues to be a popular program with TDPUD employees. About ten employees meet twice a month for a healthly lunch. Wellness Program/Health Education- T-F Forest Hospital Staff conducted two exercise/fitness seminars which took place December 15, 29. Seminars are being scheduled during the Winter while the crews are not as busy. Staff is currently looking into developing a fitness "course" in the TDPUD building using mostly existing facilities. Many exercises do not require special equipment- a chair, wall, floor or step may suffice. Facility Safety Inspection- The District's Safety Committee conducted a safety inspection of the District's facilities December 19. Considering that State OSHA, Workman's Compensation carrier, and our Insurance carrier have already inspected �,..� our facilities we are in pretty good shape. Winter Driving Safety Seminar- TDPUD Staff will be showing a video on Winter Safe driving practices to employees at an All Employees meeting January 17. Hearing Tests- T-F Forest Hospital Staff will be giving TDPUD employees hearing tests Wednesday, January 10 from 1- 4 p.m. CPR Course- TDPUD employees will be able to receive certification/re-certification for CPR Wednesday, January 24 from 8 a.m.-12 Noon.