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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-EC-1982-09-16 ENERGY COMMISSION CITY OF ITHACA. NEW YORK REGULAR MEETING COMMON COUNCIL CHAMBER THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1982 PRESENT: Ernest Bury, Doug Dylla, Lindy Elkins, Jeanne Fudala, Randall Lacey, Gerald Messmer, Benjamin Nichols, Carolyn Peterson, Nancy Potter, John Clynes, Staff Liaison, Elva Holman, Council Liaison; and guests: Mayor William Shaw, Donald A. Kinsella, Super- intendent of Public Works, and Frederick Chase and John Hamor from Power Authority of the State of New York (PASNY). The meeting was called to order at 7:40 p.m. by D. Dylla. AGENDA: Because Mayor Shaw had another commitment that evening, the order of the agenda was changed to allow Mayor Shaw to speak before the PASNY guests. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: On a motion by N. Potter and seconded by H. Jones the minutes of the July meeting were unanimously approved. ANNOUNCEMENTS: J. Fudala announced that the 4th annual Tompkins County Energy Exhibition would be hald on Saturday, September 25, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and asked for help in staffing an Energy Commission display. (H. Jones volunteered after the meeting). NEW BUSINESS: Presentation by Mayor Shaw Mayor Shaw spoke in response to the Commission's report "Steps Toward an Energy Pol- icy". He complimented the Commission on its work thus far, expressed delight at seeing so many members present, lauded the efforts of the Staff and Council Liaison and the Commission's cooperative efforts with the Energy Task Force. He noted that the Commission has provided an excellent example of what a lay group can do in help- ing the City take the iniative in saving both energy and taxpayer dollars. He stated that much progress had already been made with samller items such as replacing lights, and in developing of longer range projects. A major commitment has been shown by City staff - especially in those departments which control the most energy use - the Department of Public Works, the Police and Fire Departments, and the Youth Bureau. He added that in 1983 there would be a more clear identification of the responsi- bilities of J. C. Clynes, who has provided extremely invaluable assistance to the Commission and of the responsibilities of City staff, especially in the four above mentioned key departments. Mayor Shaw stated that he could not however, support the Commission's recommendation for a full-time energy coordinator. He felt that the same commitment of time spread over several departments, especially the four key ones, would yield better results because City staff would continue to take responsibility for cutting energy use rather than relying on one person to see to it. In response to the Report's stress on the necessity for ongoing tracking of energy use and costs, the Mayor stated that the City has set specific maximum budget goal amounts for energy use expenditutes in 1983 and 1984. In sum, Mayor Shaw stated that he feels good about working with the Commission and that major conservation efforts have been and are being made although progress may seem slow to Commission members at times. He ended his formal remarks by commend- ing the Commission's efforts and encouraging the group to keep at it. The Mayor took questions. Discussion revolved around the Commission's exact role from recommendation to implementation. Essentially the Mayor sees the Commission as having a major role in the recommendation stage, some role in implementation but with the primary responsibility being Staff's and finally, the Commission has re- sponsibility for general oversight to assess what has been done and point out where improvements could still be made. A major need felt by the Commission is going beyond the walk-through "audits" and the Target Applications Committee has done to a full scale technical cost/benefit analysis of energy conservation improvements. The Mayor responded that the City recognizes the need to increase in-house technical capabilities and is making pro- gress in that area. In conjunction with this E. Holman stated that the Capital Improvements Review Committee had decided to establish a general capital projects fund for energy improvements rather than earmarking monies for any specific project on the Commission's top five priorities in order to allow for flexibility in light of new.information. In response to another question, Mayor Shaw stated that the Capital Improvement monies are allocated for one year at a time but that much pre- cedence has been set for renewal of such monies. Mr. Clynes added that William Szabo of DPW has worked up a cost analysis of three of the Commission's proposed projects - insulation at Tin Can, and window treatments at each of City Hall and Central Fire Station. He distributed summaries of each. PASNY PRESENTATION: Frederic Case, Regional Manager of Community Relations and John B. Hamor, Public Affairs Officer gave a presentation with question and answer session about the options for municipalities under the new proposals as required by law for reallocation of PASNY hydropower. Present contracts with PASNY begin to expire in 1985 after which this cheap power must be reallocated to be more consistent with the requirements of the state Power Authority Act and the federal Niagara Redevelopment Act. Both of these laws state that power from the Niagara and St. Lawrence plants must be used to benefit the people of New York State as a whole, prioritizing "domestic and rural residential utility customers. The federal Act specifically states that 50% of the power must be sold to municipal electric systems. Currently, PASNY power is distributed as follows: 1 . The three upstate private utilities - NYSEG, Niagara Mohawk and Rochester Gas & Electric - must pass it on to their customers at cost. 2. Industries in western and northern New York State included within munici- pal electric systems. 3. The 51 municiapl electric systems. Municipal electric systems are not currently receiving the 50% they are allowed under the law. They are, in fact, suing PASNY to break utility contracts earlier than 1985 and for a larger total share of the power. Municipalities have three alternatives: 1 . Do nothing and lose any share of cheap PASNY hydro. 2. Apply for status as a municipal agency, city or county and thus become eligible for PASNY power. This does not entail full scale municipalization, condemning and then purchasing utility property, but making arrangements with the utility to lease transmission lines and take over responsibility for operation and maintenance of them and billing municipal residents. 3, Support a statewide agency under which system each New York State resident would be entitled to .73 kilo-watt hours (kwh) of PASNY hydro, The "Dyson Plan". Munici-palities would qualify under the terms of the Niagara Redevelopment Act, the general municipal law, and their own city/county bylaws. The general municipal law - 2 - requires having a resolution in place 90 days before a general election; this would however, be superseded by city/county provisisons which differ. Forty percent of NYSEG's electric power is purchased from PASNY; it will lose the hydro portion. In response to questions, the PASNY representatives stated that the proposals will not effect the cost of power to industry since the only industries currently re- ceiving PASNY power are doing so through affiliation with a municipality and will thus be protected. Sixty percent (547 Megawatts) of the power municipals receive goes to their industries. The two PASNY hydroelectric generators provide from 1880 to 2400 MW depending on flow in any particular year. The current cost of PASNY hydo power is .5t/kwh delivered; it will increase to .9¢/kwh because of an increase in "wheeling" costs. PASNY buys hydro from Canada at a higher cost than that which it produces but still comparatively cheap, and has contracted for an additional amount. Canada has more power than it needs; PASNY has the transmission lines in place to buy it. This power is not part of the arrangement with municipals under current or projected reallocation plans. By law, up to 10% of PASNY power must be sold to other states. In sum, the City of Ithaca or Tompkins County must choose between the three alter- natives. listed above. PASNY had written a letter to the Tompkins County Board of Representatives concerning this but had not received a reply. Carolyn Peterson will contact the Board of Reps to inquire about what was actually stated in the letter. OLD BUSINESS: Committee Reports Target Applications: R. Lacey asked for input as to whether the committee should continue with walk-through tours or follow up on the ones already done. There was a general sense that follow-ups would be the best course, and that the first focus should be on the Streets and Facilities Garage. J. Clynes stated that Mr. Szabo was working up a cost analysis of Streets and Facilities like the three he had al- ready provided. Don Kinsella reported that Art Santora is working on the fuel management system. He also stated that delamping in the Green Street Parking Ramp has resulted in savings of about $750.00/month or about $9,000.00 /year. Fluorescent lamps taken out of Green Street have been used to replace worn mercury vapor lamps in Seneca Street. He also displayed a copy of a booklet entitled "Total Energy Management" and stated he had ordered ten for the use of the Commission and City. Mr. Bury expressed concern about the lights in Seneca Ramp being replaced with fluor- escent and not with the more energy efficient sodium. Discussion revolved around how to handle recommendations for the five main capital improvements proposals. $125,000 has been allocated by Council for capital improve- ments (general , not specific). Mr. Dylla suggested that the Target Applications Com- mittee compare its walk-through analysis of projects with those for which W. Szabo has doneorwill do analysis and where necessary redefine recommendations for all five. J. Clynes further suggested that these be submitted one at a time and that some actual preparation of specifications be made by January lst. Acc_ou_n_t_iinng: C. Peterson reported that her committee is looking at street lighting and plans to start with spot checks with a light meter in a "problem" area. West Hill had been cited by the Department of Public Works and the Fire and Police Depart- ments as the areas about whish they got the most complaints. Street lights should also be checked routinely to ensure clearance from tree branches; a problem arises here with people not wanting their trees cut. - 3 - Ms. Peterson emphasized the importance of tracking City energy use/cost. For ex- ample, S&F electric bills have been about 50% higher in 1982 than 1981 ; only about 15% of that can be attributed to rate increases. The City had budgeted 11% more for lighting bills in 1982 than 1981 ; actual bills had been 20% more. She also stated that she had readouts from NYSEG which will allow comparison of 1982 with 1981, as well as some figures for 1979 and 1980. These will be turned over to W. Szabo who is developing a bill tracking system. G. Messmer will assist Szabo in interpreting the charts. Incentives: Elva Holman stated that the City Personnel Administrator is gathering information on how programs have been set up in other areas and has asked N. Potter's assistance. Ms. Potter noted that the other task before the Committee is setting up educational workshops for City staff. Lindy Elkins and Harold Jones volunteered to serve on the Incentives Committee. Doug Dylla stated that staff educational efforts should be keyed to capital improve- ments since it would be futile to invest thousands in conservation measures without staff cooperation in implementing energy savings. Energy Task Force: Mr. Clynes distributed copies of a report prepared by Kenneth Jordanek who had supervised the teenagers doing weatherization work at the Tin Can. 142 panes of glass had veen replaced; caulking had been done, etc. Mr. Jordanek had proven an excellent supervisor and the program had a constructive effect on the young participants. Mrs. Holman asked that the Budget and Administration Committee get the Tin Can re- ports. Mr. Clynes responded that it would be done. BUDGET COST 0 FINAL REPORTS Presentation to Council : Doug Dylla reported that the proposed Commission budget included $500.00 for general office supplies and publicity, $1 ,000.00 for the employee incentive program and $1 ,000.00 for energy audits the Commission could arrange for itself. He then quick- ly summarized the presentation he had made at the August meeting of Common Council utili.zing six well designed posters. E. Holman stated that the presentation had been very effective and well received. Media coverage had also been excellent. Mr. Dylla distri.buted copies of an article entitled, "How Do Your Buildings Measure Up Energy Wise". He emphasized that tracking of both energy use and cost is needed for the top 20 energy users. Finally he cited a cost figure of $186.00 for prepar- ation and distribution of "Steps Toward An Energy Policy'_' and requested that Ithaca _ Neighborhood Housing Services (INHS) , which had paid out the money, be reimbursed. A voucher has already been submitted. A motion by B. Nichols and seconded by H. Jones moved that INHS be reimbursed the money; carried unanimously. Doug Dylla requested that consideration of the final two agenda items, Where To From Here" and "Citywide Efforts" be deferred a couple of months in order to allow follow up on current city government projects. Carolyn Peterson reminded the group that the newest member, Lindy Elkins, had not been formally welcomed and introduced, nor the rest of the Commission to her. This was done. An a motion the meeting adjourned at 10:10 p.m. - 4 -