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HomeMy WebLinkAbout#15 Scott's report To: Board of Directors From: Scott Terrell, Planning Director Date: January 4, 2001 Monthly Activity Report 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 will be in touch with KA customers regarding their wants and needs and feelings (opinions) about TDPUD. Staff is waiting to contact KA customers until the outcome of TDPUD’s telecommunications plans are known. Many Key Account Customers are currently being contacted regarding their interest in participating in a Truckee proposal for the State of California’s summer peak load reduction grant program. TDPUD Building GSHP Proposal- Staff would like to re-visit this project idea with the Board in the near future. This project is on-hold pending the District’s Strategic Planning process outcome. Deregulation Education- I am attending various courses, seminars, workshops and meetings to help me keep up with deregulation and “competition” activities. Conservation/DSM/Economic Development/Public Benefits Public Benefits Program- TDPUD has received and processed about 140 Conservation Cash Rebate program applications. The School District Staff is looking into various funding mechanisms to implement EMI’s cost-effective lighting recommendations. EMI at School District’s Staff request has converted two classrooms into lighting efficiency demonstrations. TTSA staff has reviewed EMI’s recommendations with their Board. Their Board approved going forward with developing the specifications for four projects. The Hospital District has purchased the highest efficiency chiller commercially available for their facilities. The Truckee Fire Protection District has received approval from their Board for energy efficiency upgrades to their Fire Station facilities. TSD’s energy analysis has been completed and is currently being reviewed by TSD staff. A contractor has been selected to oversee the GSHP installation for the Kidzone project. EMI and TDPUD staff has recently performed energy surveys for the Town of Truckee, Nevada County Building, TDPUD, Glenshire Mutual Water Agency, Placer County Water Agency, Tahoe-Donner Association facilities. About 5 agencies including those mentioned may be included in the State’s Peak Load Reduction program. Schools Energy & Water Conservation Education Program- This program is designed to teach both energy and water conservation education and includes actual energy and water conservation measures the children can install in their parent’s homes. So far the Living Wise program has been received very well. Sue Mock, SMMS teacher, has asked TDPUD to provide them with 175 more kits for the 2000-2001 school year. Staff made a presentation to Sierra High School students studying electricity on how electricity is generated including generation from renewable energy resources. The presentation included a field trip to two solar and wind power assisted homes. TDPUD Programs & Services- Staff is currently collecting information and ideas about some possible future programs and services for TDPUD customers. Staff is researching whole-house surge protection and “fiber-optic” building security systems for the benefit of our customers. Alan and Scott met with a representative from Energy Solutions Network to discuss a $5M grant to research some broadband/internet applications with substantial potential benefit to users. Ground Source Heat Pump Bulk Purchase & Installation Program- Staff is currently looking into new ideas on how to educate and promote this technology to our customers. Staff is currently planning to offer a few GSHP seminars. Staff has been contacted by several developers, architects and building engineers, etc. due to their interest in possibly pursuing GSHPs for projects they will be building. There are currently some residential projects being considered for GSHP as well as some already under construction. GSHP Pilot Project, Phase 2- The completion of the funding agreement with the California Energy Commission is taking time. Davis Energy Group will again be the engineering group responsible for the major logistics of the project. They are currently very busy and may also push the start of the project back a few months. SMUD and TDPUD are ready to go when these issues are resolved. We hope to begin March or April. Business & Energy Efficiency Partnership- The Truckee Donner PUD/Sierra College Partnership project is designed to encourage local groups, clubs and individuals to tour the energy and water-efficient Sierra College facility. TDPUD uses the grounds as a demonstration of low-water using plant types and water conserving irrigation systems. TDPUD Staff is available for guided tours. The TTUSD School District is planning to use this facility in conjunction with the Living Wise kits. Energy Surveys/High Bill Assistance- Staff completed 0 commercial and 2 residential energy-use analyses and/or energy survey(s) this month. Staff also responded on-site to 2 residential "high" bill complaint(s). There are currently no survey requests pending. Communications/Public Relations/Education Newsletter- The Winter 2000 newsletter is currently being worked on. This issue will include articles on TDPUD’s fitness for Deregulation, Donner Lake, Billing Change, etc. A late December/January newsletter release is being planned. Marketing & Media- Our current marketing efforts focus on community conservation cash rebate programs, TDPUD’s Web Site, low electric rates & high power reliability and TDPUD’s efforts in promoting environmental- clean air, high water quality and the local economy. Community Event Marketing- TDPUD has provided marketing support for the following activities this year: Small Business Development Center workshops, Town Census, Truckee Spring 2000 Home Show, Chamber of Commerce Windows on History event, Truckee-Donner Historical Society Social/Presentation, Sierra Nevada Children’s Museum Circus benefit/fundraiser, Truckee-Tahoe Airport Air Affair, School District promotion of Student Excellence in Education, Nevada County Fair Truckee Donner Day, Kidzone project, Railroad Days and the Truckee Town Portrait. Power Content Label- State law requires that all California public and private utilities supply their customers with a Power Content Label quarterly. The next label will go out the first quarter of next year. Water Bottle- The new TDPUD water bottle is getting a lot of attention. There have been requests for bottles to take to meetings and other events. If you have a meeting or event you would like to take water bottles to give me a call. Kidzone Project- Staff has been working with a group of organizations in Town to develop the Kidzone project. This is a 3,500 square-foot facility planned to be used as a play and educational center for young children. It will also be the new home for the Sierra Nevada Children’s Museum. This new facility is planned to be located next to the Recreation District’s Activity Center. Kidzone participants are partnering with TDPUD due to TDPUD Board’s approval to partially fund the ground source heat pump hydronic heating system installation. A groundbreaking ceremony will take place in January. Community Garden Brochure- Staff has agreed to participate in the development of a brochure that describes Truckee’s garden projects that are available to the community. The brochure will include the garden at the SBDC building created to showcase low water using plants and water- efficient irrigation systems. Other gardens to be featured include: Sierra Herb garden, TTHS and Regional Park’s native vegetation gardens, project Mana’s food for the hungry garden and the proposed Historical Society victory garden. Community/Statewide Involvement Community Involvement- There are many community-related activities staff is involved with as described throughout this entire report. Staff has concentrated more on helping with and participating in activities than serving on committees. Committees are often time-consuming and involve members in many activities unrelated to their expertise and ability to contribute efficiently. Truckee River Watershed Coordinated Resource Management & Planning- Staff is currently serving on this committee to see how TDPUD fits into their overall effort. There are opportunities to work cooperatively with this group that may be mutually beneficial to both organizations. Many Truckee area watershed remediation projects are being considered by this group. Staff attended CRMP meetings December 8, 13. 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. The next committee meeting is scheduled for January 18, 19. Staff has been participating in Legislative Committee conference call meetings. Association for Efficient Environmental Energy Systems- Staff participates in quarterly meetings of the California Utility & GEA GSHP Collaborative. The California Collaborative was formed to oversee the development and promotion of the GSHP industry in California. The next quarterly meeting is being considered for February. Utility Energy Forum Planning Committee- The next Conference is scheduled for May 7-9, 2001 in Granlibakken.