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HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report (2) Staff Report To: Board of Directors From: Scott Terrell Date: September 12, 2001 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- TDPUD has received $50,000 of the $100,000 it will receive in SB5X monies from the California Energy Commission through NCPA. This funding supports Truckee non-profits including Special Districts energy-efficiency and load reduction projects. 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 for 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 Solar Home Tour- The annual Solar Home Tour which TDPUD co-sponsors along with the Town of Truckee is set for October 13. Several community volunteers participate in organizing this event with Rick Solinsky as the Coordinator. The organizing committee has had several meetings over the last few months to prepare for this event. Energy Forum- The Solar Home Tour committee discussed the idea of also having an Energy Forum in conjunction with the Solar Home Tour October 13. The Forum activities will take place primarily between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. with presentations, exhibitors and energy demonstrations. Both the Tour and Forum will act as fundraisers for the Kidzone project. Public Benefits Program- TDPUD has processed about 210 Conservation Cash Rebate program applications to date. TTSA has received an approximate $50,000 grant from the California Energy Commission for their high efficiency lighting and motors energy- efficiency and peak load reduction efforts this Summer. The School District’s retrofit of three of their schools to high efficiency lighting is complete. The Fire Protection District is upgrading to high efficiency lighting in all their facilities beginning in September. Tahoe-Donner facilities are all being upgraded to high efficiency lighting. The Kidzone’s construction including internal wall assembly is expected to be completed in October. The hydronic heating distribution system for the Kidzone has been installed. The GSHP system will be installed in late-September/October. New Truckee Middle School- Plans are currently underway to build a new Middle School in Truckee. The School District has been awarded a $250,000 grant for the new middle school under the California Energy Commission’s High Performance School’s program. They plan on using a ground source heat pump for providing all its heating and cooling needs. The ground source heat pump will largely be responsible for the school meeting its energy efficiency requirements for the grant money. Staff is participating as an “advisory” committee member for this grant/project. Schools Energy & Water Conservation Education Program- This program is designed to teach th both energy and water conservation education to 7 grade children and includes energy and water conservation measures the kids can install in their parent’s homes. So far the Living Wise program has been well received. Sue Mock, SMMS teacher, is responsible for administering this program for the School District. TDPUD staff is working with Mrs. Mock again this Fall. 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 other technologies which may be of value to PUD customers. 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 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. The economics for GSHP in Truckee is becoming very strong with higher natural gas prices. Most projects currently being proposed have a 5 to 10 year payback. There are currently some projects under construction. GSHP Pilot Project, Phase 2- The funding agreement with the California Energy Commission will be complete in September. Davis Energy Group will again be the engineering group responsible for the major logistics of the project. Staff has been working diligently with SMUD and the CEC to finalize the details of the workplan. Staff attended a meeting August 1 and August 9 at the CEC to move the project forward. There is a strong efficiency componet in the workplan that strives to optimize the efficiency of the GSHP equipment with the building’s efficiency looking at such measures as insulation, air leakage in the building envelope and distribution system, single to double- pane windows, etc. 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. 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 1 residential "high" bill complaint(s). There are currently no survey requests pending. Communications/Public Relations/Education Newsletter- The next newsletter is planned to go out by year-end. Potential issues to cover include: the takeover of the Donner Lake and Glenshire water systems, Public Power Week, th TDPUD’s 75 Anniversary, Solar Home Tour and Energy Fair, updated Web Site. Marketing & Media- Our current marketing efforts are at a low level as we wait for TDPUD’s direction with broadband. Recent marketing has included information 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 helped promote Railroad Days and the Donner Party Hike in August through bill stuffers in TDPUD bills. Display Activities- Staff has contacted Russ Rosewood to take new pictures of the Board of Directors. Staff has discussed with Board members having individual Board pictures displayed in the PUD as well as having a group picture for the “show exhibit” in the entryway. Russ has been contacting individual Board members to set up photo shoots. Power Content Label- State law requires that all California public and private utilities supply their customers with a Power Content Label quarterly. The next quarterly Power Content Label will be mailed out with the September/October bills. 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 Truckee to develop the Kidzone project. Kidzone participants have partnered with TDPUD due to TDPUD Board’s approval to partially fund the ground source heat pump hydronic heating system installation. 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 Town Emergency Preparedness “Committee”- Staff has been serving on the Truckee Emergency Preparedness “committee” for about three years. We did the “Shake & Bake” exercise in 1999. We are now working on a tabletop exercise set for September 18. I attended a Standardized Emergency Management System(SEMS) refresher training course September 12 at Town Hall. SEMS training is necessary for an organization to receive Federal and State funding for disaster relief. Truckee River Watershed Council- 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 beneficial to many organizations. Many Truckee area watershed remediation projects are being considered by this group. Staff attended the August 8 meeting at Town Hall. Lisa Wallace was hired through grant funding to act as the new Truckee River Watershed Council Coordinator. California Municipal Utilities Association Energy Services, Marketing and Legislative Committees- Committee are working on projects and programs to help CMUA member utilities deal with deregulation issues. Staff participated in a legislative conference call July 26. Public Power Renewable Energy Action Team(PPREAT)- Western Area Administration Staff developed the idea of bringing public power utilities together to explore the opportunity for “economical” renewable energy electric generation projects in California. A group was formed called the Public Power Renewable Energy Action Team made up of about 15-20 publically- owned electric utilities throughout the State. Joining the group required no commitments or obligations. Truckee Donner PUD staff occasionally attends meetings as a member of this group. PPREAT is a quickly evolving group which recently applied for grant funding through the nd California Energy Commission and came in 2 place out of several proposals for a grant award of $6,000,000. Several renewable project opportunities will be explored throughout the State include an assessment of whether a biomass plant could be built in the Tahoe-Truckee area that could provide a reliable supply of economical electric generation for any interested utility. The grant money only provides funding for a “feasibility” study. A biomass plant would use dead tree and plant materials, etc. as the fuel for generating electricity. One concern in the study would be if there is enough available biomass to generate a reliable supply of electricity. A lot of other issues/barriers will also have to be sorted out. There is no obligation for TDPUD or any other utility to participate in this project. We will be contacted about our interest. Association for Efficient Environmental Energy Systems- Staff participates in quarterly meetings of the newly formed AEEES, formerly the GeoExchange Association. This California Collaborative was formed to oversee the development and promotion of the GSHP industry in California. AEEES is expanding to include training and education in the areas of energy efficiency, renewable energy and distributed generation. Staff participates as a Board member and Membership Chair for AEEES. Staff is currently working with AEEES to expand their service offerings which will be of benefit to TDPUD and its customers in the future. Staff participated in an AEEES meeting July 11 in Davis. Utility Energy Forum Planning Committee- The next UEF meeting is scheduled for May 15-17, 2002. Staff attended a planning meeting August 21 in Portola at Plumas-Sierra REC to begin th planning this next conference. This is my 5 year in a row as the Conference Chairperson.  Page 5