HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Electric Utility Operations Review and Advisory Board Minutes 06/14/2021MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE ELECTRIC UTILITY OPERATIONS REVIEW & ADVISORY BOARD
(EUORAB)
June 14, 2021
The regular meeting of EUORAB was called to order by Donald Kom at 3:03 p.m. on
June 14, 2021, at 401 East 20th St. EUORAB Members present were Ken Kruempel,
Wendy Kisch, Scott Bauer, Jeff Witt, and Mike Wilson. Also present were Electric
Director Donald Kom and Energy Services Coordinator Kayley Barrios Lain.
Election of Officers: Ms. Kisch was nominated as chair. Mr. Bauer volunteered as vice
chair. Both nominations were approved unanimously.
Approval of February 1, 2021 Minutes: Moved by Bauer, seconded by Witt to approve
the minutes of the February 1, 2021 meeting. Vote 5-0. Motion declared passed
unanimously.
Public Forum: Director Kom noted that 2021 is the 125th anniversary of the Electric
Utility. This anniversary will be recognized on July 8 at the City Night at the Bandshell.
The Ames Historical Society is also working on a one-month display detailing the history
of the utility. Cupcakes will be served at the Ames Historical Society on July 21.
Electric Vehicle Charging
Discuss the current location of public charging and discuss the desire to
expand within the City: Mr. Kom stated that supporting electric vehicle adoption
in Ames is a good thing and that one of the areas for electric utility to grow is
electric vehicles. A couple of years ago, the City put in two electric vehicle
charging stations, one at City Hall and one at Bandshell Park, for city vehicles
along with a second cable for citizens to charge their electric vehicles.
There are three new EV charging stations in the works currently. The first is at
the Kum and Go on Highway 30 and Interstate 35. The unveiling of this station
will take place on July 20. The second EV charging station will be at the
Intermodal Facility. The third station will be in the parking lot of the west
HyVee/Fareway stores. Details on the location of this charging station are still
being worked out with both stores.
Residential/Commercial charging and the concept of encouraging fleet
conversion: Mr. Kom noted that CyRide will be getting two electric buses.
Electric would love to encourage all postal trucks to get electric vehicles. Electric
is open to ideas and suggestions for encouraging people to choose electric
vehicles.
There was discussion regarding time-of-day rates or encouraging off-
peak appliance usage (ie: dishwasher, washer, dryer).
Retail Solar
Mr. Kom stated that the City continues to see people oversizing their system
whether that is due to the homeowner or the solar panel salesperson. Electric
wants to encourage customers to choose the appropriate number of solar panels
for their homes. Electric currently offers a buy-back rate for any extra kW the
homeowners doesn’t use. There was discussion as to whether a larger rebate
should be offered rather than offering buy-backs.
FERC 2222: There is language that may be proposing that customers can sell
their unused power and it can then be traded throughout the open market.
Advanced Metering Infrastructure
Ms. Barrios Lain shared with EUORAB the benefits that an Advanced Metering
Infrastructure would bring to the City of Ames. With the growing diversity of
programs that Electric Services is offering, an Advanced Metering Infrastructure
would allow customers access to their own portal giving them a more hands on
approach to their utility usage.
Climate Action Plan
Mr. Kom said that the City has engaged in a greenhouse gas study and that Ms.
Barrios Lain serves on a committee that is overseeing the study. Ms. Barrios Lain
said that the committee is focusing on reducing emissions and a community
engagement strategy.
Waste to Energy
Mr. Kom stated that the City has been burning Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) for 45
years using traditional steam boilers. He said the City believes it is better to burn
RDF than to bury it even though the cost to burn it has increased over the last
decade. Currently, what cannot be burned is sent over to the Boone County
Landfill. The City is conducting a waste to energy study trying to determine the
best, most efficient way to burn RDF.
Adjourned at 5:02 p.m.
____________________________ ____________________________
Wendy Kisch, Chairperson Jacque Higgins, Recording Secretary