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stoplight program, LED streetlights had a high initial cost that was difficult for some <br /> commissioners to rationalize.129 <br /> In 2008, ERMU and the City of Elk River launched Project Conserve, a new program to promote <br /> energy conservation. The program helped the test group of forty participants to reduce their <br /> energy consumption. Low-flow showerheads reduced water usage while compact fluorescent <br /> lights did the same for electricity. Soil moisture probes helped participants prevent over-watering <br /> their lawns and "Kill-a-watt" meters identified how much electricity their appliances used. <br /> Participants' homes were also tested to determine areas of heat loss. After one year,participants <br /> had reduced their electricity usage by 14 percent and water usage by 18 percent. The program <br /> was extended through 2010 because of the positive results. The project goals were to reduce city- <br /> wide electric and water usage by 25 percent, gas by 10 percent, garbage by 25 percent, and <br /> transportation fuel by 25 percent over five years. For Project Conserve, the City of Elk River and <br /> ERMU won the Green Project Award from the Recycling Association of Minnesota. ERMU also <br /> gave rebates through the Conservation Improvement Program to customers who tuned-up their <br /> air conditioners, purchased Energy Star appliances,planted trees, and made other <br /> improvements.130 <br /> Project Conserve's budget came under review in 2011. ERMU gave $25,000 to the program and <br /> the city gave another$10,000, but Council Member Nick Zerwas voted against approving the <br /> funds feeling that the initiative should be wholly funded by ERMU. Other council members <br /> disagreed and the program continued as a joint venture.131 <br /> In conjunction with efforts by ERMU, the City of Elk River was an active steward in promoting <br /> conservation. In June 2012, Elk River was one of only seven municipalities in Minnesota to be <br /> recognized as a Step 2 GreenStep City, a program of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency in <br /> collaboration with the League of Minnesota Cities, the Minnesota Department of Commerce, and <br /> four Minnesota nonprofits. It identified twenty-eight best practices to help cities achieve <br /> sustainability goals focusing on cost savings, energy use reduction, and innovation.132 <br /> Landfill Gas-To-Electric Generation Facility <br /> The Elk River landfill had long been burning off the methane gas that was naturally produced by <br /> decomposing garbage. The landfill management team, along with ERMU and Sherburne County, <br /> decided to turn that resource into useable energy. Following in the footsteps of other landfills <br /> around the country, ERMU constructed an electric generation facility at the Elk River landfill.133 <br /> 129"Bright Idea?Maybe,"Elk River Star News,April 15,2008. <br /> "I Joni Astrup,"Project Conserve: Savings Seen in Utilities,"Elk River Star News,November 25,2009;"Elk River <br /> Municipal Utilities:2009 Year in Review,"at ERMU archives. <br /> 131 Joni Astrup,"Elk River Expands Project Conserve Program,"Elk River Star News,June 15,2011. <br /> 132 Joni Astrup,"Elk River Recognized as a GreenStep City,"Elk River Star News, June 29,2011. <br /> 133 Joni Astrup,"Landfill Gas to Electricity,"Elk River Star News,October 4,2000. <br /> 35 <br />