HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Utilities Committee 2009-12-100
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Town of Estes Park,Larimer County,Colorado,December 10,2009.
Minutes of a regular meeting of the UTILITIES COMMITTEE of the Town of
Estes Park,Larimer County,Colorado.Meeting held in the Town Hall in
said Town of Estes Park on the 10th day of December,2009.
Committee:Chairman Homeier,Trustees Blackhurst and Ericson
Attending:All
Also Attending:Deputy Town Administrator Richardson,Utilities Engineer
Bergsten,Recording Secretary Petrie
Absent:Town Administrator Halburnt,Utilities Dir.Goehring
Chairman Homeier called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m.
PUBLIC COMMENT.
None.
LIGHT &POWER DEPARTMENT
Defer Renewable Energy Rate Increase to 2011
The Town of Estes Park began purchasing renewable energy from Platte River Power
Authority in the late 1990s.Beginning in 2010,Platte River will increase the base cost of
renewable energy from .012 cents per kWh to .019 cents per kWh.The cost of
conducting a rate increase for the Town of Estes Park in 2010 would be $4,012.15 and
the increased rate would net the Town $4,615.20.For 2010,the Water Department can
be charged for the increase and Light &Power will automatically absorb the increase.
The Committee recommends deferring the renewable energy rate increase to
2011,as it is expected rate studies and financial plans will recommend further
increases for 2011,2012 and 2013.
Small Wind Incentive Program (SWIP)Discontinuance for 2010
In 2008 the Town of Estes Park contributed $25,000 to the Governor’s Energy Office
(GEO)to establish a total of $50,000 for the 2009 Small Wind Incentive Program
(SWIP).Matching rebates were offered up to $5,000 to install residential small scale
wind turbines.A total of six applications were received for the program,and to date two
turbines have been commissioned and are operational.After one year approximately
47%of SWIP funds have not been used,and after December 31,2009 the GEO portion
of the funds will no longer be available.Wind data collected has shown the small scale
turbines may not perform as well as initially expected in Estes Park,and there has been
some public contention regarding the installation of wind turbines within the Estes
Valley.Staff recommends remaining funds in account 502-6501-560-26-25 be used
towards weatherization and energy conservation efforts.The Committee recommends
discontinuing the Small Wind Incentive Program in 2010 and utilizing remaining
funds as recommended by Staff.
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RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Utilities Committee —December 10,2009 -Page 2
LIGHT AND POWER REPORTS.
Marys Lake Water Treatment Plant Update
Presently the plant is running intermittently.Testing of the new system is being done
during the day and it is turned off at night,and it is projected the facility will be running
continuously by the end of the month.GE continues their testing of the operation to
work through last minute issues.Glacier Basin is still able to keep up with water
production while the project is completed.The Committee stated they are pleased that
the project is nearing completion and suggested a plant tour in January after the
committee meeting.
There being no further business Chairman Homeier adjourned the meeting at 8:34 a.m.
Sand ra,J’.Pthrle,iecording Secretary
APPROVED
LJN 12
TOWN OF ESTES PARK
BOARD OF TRUSTEES