HomeMy WebLinkAbout10 Staff Report TDPUD STAFF REPORT
March 11, 1998
To: Board of Directors
From: Scott Terrell, Planning Director
Subject: February 1998 Staff Report
AGENDA # 10
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. A letter notifying
the 57 Key Account customers about the "deregulation notebook" and the plan to
personally visit them was mailed out.
TDPUD Competition Plan-Staff is preparing a report about how TDPUD can respond to customer's
needs and wants in light of deregulation. The report will focus on programs and services we can
offer our customers. Some offerings will involve incentives while others TDPUD can charge a fee
for. I believe the intent of this plan has now evolved into the development of a strategic plan
for the District. Staff will participate in the strategic plan.
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 plans to present this
information at the March 18 Board meeting.
Deregulation Education- I am attending various courses, seminars, workshops and meetings to
help me keep up with deregulation activities. I am currently attending meetings coordinated by the
Southern California Public Power Authority, Dan Waters, to develop a statewide media and
marketing program for customer-owned utilities.
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.
Ground Source Heat Pump Bulk Purchase & Installation Program- So far over twenty TDPUD
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} 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 2 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 March-end. A statewide Press Release has been prepared and
is being distributed around March 7. Staff is working with AUZ to develop deregulation
awareness information that will be used locally. AUZ has also prepared its first statewide
newsletter article which we can use in our next newsletter issue, April/May timeframe.
Marketing & Media Plan- AUZ is currently developing a new marketing and media plan for
TDPUD. 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. The plan is completed in final draft form and is currently being reviewed
and revised by Staff.
Event Support- One of the primary elements proposed in the marketing & media plan is
event support. Events we may provide co-sponsorship include: Truckee Home Show
(continue), Solar&Geothermal Home Tour(continue),Windows on History, July 41, 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 an electric bill
staffer and possibly using the PUD for displaying historical artifacts and presentations
Sunday evening, May 24.
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 expected to focus on deregulation related issues. The
newsletter is currently being planned. AUZ has presented some ideas for a name change and
redesign of the Current Issues newsletter. The new name proposed for TDPUD's customer
newsletter is Current Connection. The new 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
y the future infrastructure costs associated with these efforts. Staff will contact TTSA and TSD for
their input. This project is currently on-hold.
Energy Day- Sierra Mountain Middle School invited TDPUD Staff to be a presenter at their
February 10 Energy Day. Staff spoke on Geothermal energy, geothermal heat pumps, solar
energy systems and energy conservation.
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 did not meet in February. Staff wrote an economic development article for the
February Chamber newsletter.
Town of Truckee Air Quality Management Plan Advisory Committee-The Committee is currently
evaluating different options for mitigating the PM 2.5110 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.
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. Staff submitted two applications to CMUA's Community Service/Resource
Conservation Awards program.
CEC California Ground Source Heat Pump Collaborative- Staff participates in quarterly meetings
of the California Energy Commission's GSHP Collaborative. The Collaborative was formed to
oversee the development and promotion of the GSHP industry in California. The Collaborative
group is considering disbanding the committee since it has really met its intent to overcome barriers
in the development of the GSHP industry in California. Utility representatives are still planning
to hold similar meetings.
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". The first marketing piece was mailed out to
over 1000 utility persons.
ST