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
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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.
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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.
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