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J <br /> Elk River <br /> Municipal Utilities UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING <br /> TO: FROM: <br /> Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission Tom Sagstetter- Conservation and Key Accounts <br /> John Dietz—Chair Manager <br /> Al Nadeau—Vice Chair <br /> Daryl Thompson—Trustee <br /> MEETING DATE: AGENDA ITEM NUMBER: <br /> April 12th, 2016 6.1f <br /> SUBJECT: <br /> Staff Update <br /> DISCUSSION: <br /> • Attended the Elk River Chamber of Commerce Expo and Job fair. There was good <br /> activity at the ERMU booth again this year. Activity at the Expo seemed a little slower <br /> than the past few years. We collected 235 surveys and registered 47 individuals for the <br /> energy efficiency newsletter that is emailed out quarterly. The visitors appreciated the <br /> LED lamps that were provided and the reusable grocery bags. The color changing cups <br /> were a hit with kids and parents alike. There were questions about water and electric <br /> efficiency and ERMU staff has followed up on the questions and comments that were <br /> brought to our attention. A particularly interesting observation was that not one staff <br /> member working the event fielded a question about high electric rates. <br /> • Rebate activity has been high in the first quarter. Staff has issued over$50,000 in rebates <br /> to date and there are a number of large projects in the planning stages at this point. The <br /> electric conservation programs have saved the equivalent of over 800,000 kWh. To date <br /> about 20%of the rebate budget has been spent and ERMU has saved approximately 33% <br /> of the 2016 energy savings goal. The majority of the spending and saving usually occurs <br /> in the last third of the year. <br /> • There was an engine failure at the landfill gas plant on March 17th. The engine was <br /> shipped to Illinois on March 22nd. The estimate for repair at this point is approximately <br /> $112,000. There is the possibility that Caterpillar will be able to cover some expenses <br /> under warranty. They are assessing the engine failure. At this point the cause was a bad <br /> oil bearing that resulted in a rod bearing failure, which then cascaded through the engine <br /> causing significant damage. The pistons, rings, heads, crankshaft, and cylinder liners will <br /> all need to be replaced. The engine block will also have to be inspected to confirm there <br /> is no damage to it. <br /> • rIWERED / 1Page 1 of 1 ATURE <br /> Reliable Public <br /> Power Provider P OWERED T O S ERV E <br /> 246 <br />