Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout18 Planning Report TDPUD STAFF REPORT April 8, 1998 To: Board of Directors From: Scott Terrell, Planning Director Subject March 1998 AGENDA # 18 Note: Since most of these projects are ongoing, Staff continues to report the basic information and highlights the activities that have occurred during the reporting month. When a project/activity is completed it is reported, then deleted from this report. Strategic Planning/District $Savings Key Accounts Program- Staff is working with AL&Z to develop a business information package(notebook) with an emphasis toward deregulation to go specifically to TDPUD business customers. Staff will begin meeting with several key account customers each week when the notebook is ready. Staff is developing the notebook text and materials in-house. The notebook and its contents will be completed in April and the KA site visits will begin in April also. TDPUD Building GSHP Proposal - Davis Energy Group has completed a study to deter-mine the cost-effectiveness of installing GSHPs into the TDPUD building for heating and cooling. K.C. Engineering in Sacramento has reviewed the work done thus far by Davis Energy Group, et. al. and has confirmed the integrity of the work done to date. Staff made a presentation to the Board at the March 18 meeting and it was decided to postpone a decision regarding a TDPUD building GSHP system until the strategic plan is completed. Deregulation Education- I am attending various courses, seminars, workshops and meetings to help me keep up with deregulation activities. I attended a deregulation “education” workshop in Sacramento March 26 sponsored by SMUD and the Association of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers(ASHRAE). Conservation/DSM/Economic Development/Public Goods Public Benefits Program- Staff has drafted a proposal for some possible energy and water “public benefits” programs we can begin offering our customers in 1998. We are required by State mandate to spend 2.85% of gross annual electric sales on public benefits programs. TDPUD Programs & Services- I attended Sacramento Municipal Utility District’s Energy Technology Center Open House March 25 to see what they have in their technology center and to see what types of products, services and programs SMUD is offering their customers. SMUD staff indicated they may be willing to share the Center with TDPUD and its customers. Ground Source Heat Pump Bulk Purchase & Installation Program- So far over twenty TDPUD customers have signed contracts to install GSHPs for their homes. Before we are through, we expect about twenty-five or more TDPUD customers will sign contracts and have the work done this Summer. California GSHP Training Grant Activities- The Geothermal Energy Association is doing an excellent job in implementing the requirements of the grant. GEA has been granted an extension on the grant funding to continue training for at least one additional year. Energy Surveys/High Bill Assistance- Staff completed 0 commercial and 1 residential energy-use analyses and/or energy survey(s) this month. Staff also responded on-site to 2 residential "high" bill complaints. There is currently no survey requests pending. Communications/Public Relations/Education Deregulation Awareness Campaign- A large portion of the Statewide deregulation marketing materials should be ready by April. See attached copy of CalPower developed print ads, TV, radio, etc. for the deregulation awareness campaign. A statewide Press Release was prepared and distributed mid-March. AL&Z has also prepared its first statewide newsletter article which we can use in our next newsletter issue, April/May timeframe. Marketing & Media Plan- Staff and AL&Z are currently finalizing TDPUD’s media & marketing plan. The plan will be completed by early April and will be ready to begin immediate implementation. The plan will describe what information will be communicated and through what media. The plan is designed to educate TDPUD customers about TDPUD and such issues as deregulation, etc. Event Support- One of the primary elements proposed in the marketing & media plan is event support. Events we currently support include: Truckee Home Show, North Tahoe Home Show and the Solar & Geothermal Home Tour. Events planned for support th include: Windows on History, July 4, Railroad Days(new event), Donner Party Hike, Summer Music series, etc. We are currently assisting in the organizing of Windows on History including supporting the event with a bill stuffer and using the PUD for displaying historical artifacts and presentations Sunday evening, May 24. Truckee Home Show- Staff is currently planning for TDPUD to co-sponsor this year’s Home Show being held May 23, 24 as well as have a booth there. Kid’s Day- Staff assisted the School District’s staff in getting a gold panning club to set up a gold panning demonstration at the Kid’s Day event in North Lake Tahoe Saturday, April 25. Schools Education- A few Kindergarten classes from the elementary school will be visiting TDPUD April 9, 10 to get a presentation on the water cycle. Business & Energy Efficiency Partnership- The Truckee Donner PUD/Chamber of Commerce Partnership project is designed to encourage local groups, clubs and individuals to tour the energy and water-efficient Chamber facility. TDPUD Staff is available for guided tours. Newsletter- The next newsletter issue is currently being planned. Articles planned for the newsletter include: deregulation & CalPower, 11% bill credit, District bill information, power outages and transmission, and life support. The new Current Connections newsletter should be ready for distribution by May. Water Information Piece- Staff will be working with AL&Z to develop a TDPUD water information piece that will educate our customers on the value of Truckee’s high quality water and the need to use it wisely. Water conservation information will be included in this piece. Water conservation practices will benefit the community by lowering water pumping costs, sewage treatment costs and the future infrastructure costs associated with these efforts. Staff will contact TTSA and TSD for their input. This project is currently on-hold. Community/Statewide Involvement Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Committee- Working with other businesses in reviewing the following activities: Business Survey, Doing Business in Truckee Guide, etc. The committee met March 10. The Committee is looking into writing a grant for an economic development feasibility study for Truckee. Town of Truckee Air Quality Management Plan Advisory Committee- The Committee is currently evaluating different options for mitigating the PM 2.5/10 problem in Truckee. The Air Quality Management Plan is currently being drafted based on input from the Air Quality Management Plan Advisory Committee. Committee meetings are on-hold until the plan is in final draft form. Staff is hoping that some of these monies will be available to promote GSHPs and other energy- efficient and environmental technologies. California Municipal Utilities Association Energy Services and Marketing Committee- The Committee is working on projects and programs to help CMUA member utilities prepare for deregulation. CEC California Ground Source Heat Pump Collaborative- Staff participates in quarterly meetings of the California Energy Commission's GSHP Collaborative. The Collabora-tive was formed to oversee the development and promotion of the GSHP industry in California. The next Collaborative group meeting is planned for Auburn April 30. Utility Energy Forum Planning Committee- The next UEF meeting will be held in Granlibakken May 6-8, 1998. Substantial progress has been made in planning this meeting. The 1998 program title is “Earning Customer Loyalty in a Competitive Market”. There are about 100 utility industry persons expected to attend the meeting.