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1996 The City of Elk River was selected from over 30 other applying communities to be <br />Energy City. The reasons Elk River was selected include: <br />1. Its history of acting proactively regarding environmental issues Elk River has <br />numerous environmentally sensitive industries, which it learned to regulate for the <br />protection of its citizens while maintaining the attitude of alloNving business to do <br />business. <br />Its history of energy related issues, e.g. <br />• Hydropower dam completed in 1916 bringing electrical power to Elk River. <br />• Headquarters of United Power Association (now GRE), second largest generation <br />and transmission electric utility in Minnesota. <br />• Home of the nation's first rural nuclear power plant (built in 1960, decommissioned <br />in 1968) and the first nuclear power plant in Minnesota. <br />• Refuse derived fuel (RDF) processing plant (built in 1988) <br />• RDF powered power plant (converted to burn RDF in 1989) <br />3. Its demonstrated ability to get community leaders, other governmental <br />entities, and local businesses to work together in support of Energy City <br />2004 Energy Alley has faded from the scene, but Energy City continues on spirited by the <br />commitment of its partners and the financial backing of the City of Elk River <br />2005 Elk River City Council establishes the Energy City Commission with representatives <br />from the City of Elk River, Elk River Municipal Utilities, Elk River Schools, Energy - related <br />businesses, the Elk River Landfill, City Council, and the Chamber of Commerce <br />2006 Energy City gains state approval to trademark its logo and the names "Energy City" <br />and "Elk River Energy City" <br />2007 Representative Thomas Hackbarth and Senator Michael jungbauer coauthor a bill to <br />designate Elk River as "Minnesota's Energy City" <br />2008 Energy City gains Federal approval to trademark its logo and the names "Energy City *" <br />and "Elk River Energy City" <br />Energy Cite' Demonstrations <br />Energy City has gained a critical mass of energy demonstrations by providing technical <br />assistance, monitoring, expert third party, analysis, promotion, and a common location to <br />showcase energy efficient and renewable energy technologies, products and services. <br />Some of the more notable Energy City demonstrations to date have included: <br />Energy Houses 1, I1, and III built with energy efficiency and green building practices <br />• Energy House [ vas a Gold Medal winner at the National Home Builders <br />Association's convention in 1998 <br />• Energy House III received the Building Excellence Award at the Structural Insulated <br />Panel Association Convention in 2006 <br />• Energy House III received the Governor's MN GREAT Award in 2006 <br />Landfill Gas -to- Electricity Facility uses methane gas from the decomposition of the <br />landfill to power 4 generators 24/7 <br />16 <br />