Laserfiche WebLink
�i <br />Elk River --�- <br />Municipal Utilities UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING <br />TO: <br />FROM: <br />ERMU Commission <br />Mark Hanson — General Manager <br />MEETING DATE: <br />AGENDA ITEM NUMBER: <br />February 11, 2025 <br />6.1a <br />SUBJECT: <br />Staff Update <br />ACTION REQUESTED: <br />None <br />DISCUSSION: <br />• The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) has provided us with a <br />preliminary assessment in response to our permit request to drill three new wells. The <br />assessment authorizes us to move forward with designing the new wells but cautions us <br />that we may need to install observation wells and conduct an aquifer test to determine if <br />the new wells will impact other nearby users. <br />• Water Superintendent Dave Ninow and I are working with the Minnesota Department of <br />Health (MDH), the Minnesota Rural Water Association, and the MNDNR to explore the <br />potential of a $50,000 grant to construct monitoring wells through MDH's Accelerated <br />Implementation Grant. <br />• On January 27 and 28, Commissioner Zerwas, Tony Mauren, and I attended Minnesota <br />Municipal Utilities Association's (MMUA) Legislative Conference. MMUA's advocacy staff, <br />along with membership, identified several legislative priorities and accompanying "asks" as <br />described in the attached flyer. We had separate visits with Senator Lucero, Representative <br />Novotny, and Representative Hudson to review the priorities and answer any questions. All <br />three were supportive of our position and accompanying asks. <br />• As a reminder, Commissioner Zerwas, Commissioner Bell, Governance & Communications <br />Manager Tony Mauren, and I will be attending the 2025 APPA Legislative Rally in <br />Washington DC, February 24-27. <br />• The Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (MMPA) Board of Directors met January 21, 2025, <br />at Chaska City Hall in Chaska, Minnesota and via videoconference. Commissioner Stewart <br />and I attended. The public summary follows: <br />o The Board reviewed the financial and operating performance for December 2024. <br />o Participation in the residential Clean Energy Choice program increased by 43 <br />customers. Customer penetration for the program is at 6.0%. <br />o The Board was informed that MMPA received a $4.19 million direct payment of an <br />investment tax credit for the renewable natural gas project at the Agency's <br />Hometown BioEnergy facility. <br />o The Board discussed the status of renewable projects the Agency is pursuing. <br />Page 1 of 2 <br />109 <br />