12-16-2009 ECCMIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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A suggestion was made to contact the Minnesota School of Business, and Ms. Deckert will contact the Economic Development Authority (EDA) regarding sponsorship. She may also have other potential contacts for sponsors. 6. Review ERMU Rebate Commercial & Residential Program -Vance Zehrinqer Chair Zehringer discussed what Elk River Municipal Utilities does for rebates. Considering that the utility must save 1.5% electrical usage in 2010 (which equates to 3 million kilowatt hours), his hope is that 500 households will be able to save 2,000 KWh/year. Discussion followed regarding commercial rebates that were issued for 2009. More than $70,000 worth of rebates were issued to commercial businesses this year. Most work is done regarding lighting retrofits. 7. Electric Cars -John Setala Commissioner Setala gave a brief presentation regarding conversion to electric from gas vehicles. He stated the controller is the key. Direct current (DC) is directly proportional to the battery pack, so you have to have a lot of batteries (80 - 100 volts). It's most practical to have a 48 volt DC motor connected to a controller ($3 - 4,000) which leads to a manual transmission and drive train: 48V DC Motor -controller -manual transmission -drive train. Ideally, one would have an alternating current (AC) motor connected to a controller. It is the most efficient and has the largest range but also has the highest cost ($10,000). The high cost is due to the complexity of the controller (because it has an inverter). The controller turns the engine on and off. Commissioner Gagliardi commented that golf carts have 48 volt batteries, so an inverter could be taken from there. Other systems such as air conditioning, heat, vacuums, in the vehicle are power systems so they would have to have their own power source (separately charged battery). A comment was made that electric heat sucks battery power FAST. Another comment was made that this doesn't sound practical. A response was that it is a hobby. A 4-H robotics team, advised by Steve Vrchota (a GRE employee), is looking at changing a minivan into an all electric vehicle. They will be giving a brief presentation at 3:00 p.m. (following the meeting). 8. Wind Power Update -Vance Zehrinqer Removed from discussion at Chair Zehringer's request. 9. Kellen Farm Resolution -Stephen Rohlf Commissioner Rohlf discussed a resolution supporting the bonding bill put forth by the Kelly Farm to remodel and enlarge the visitor center. Discussion regarding the safety of the site followed. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ROHLF AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER SETALA TO SIGN THE RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE KELLY FARM. ALL IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED.