Keynote Presentation
William Becker, Director, Center for Excellence for Sustainable Development
William Becker, past editor of the Wisconsin State Journal returned to Wisconsin and
introduced conferees to the online “Sustainable Communities Tool Kit” provided
by his office to help communities understand and adopt sustainable development strategies.
The Kit includes, among other products, the Sustainable Building Technical Manual,
helping architects, developers, building owners, and government officials implement
sustainable development practices; the Community Energy Workbook, outlining steps to
achieve sustainable community wide energy savings; and the Codes and ordinances.
Database, highlighting real models that can be adapted for different communities. Much
of the Tool Kit can be downloaded from the Center’s website, http://www.sustainable.doe.gov.
Community Based Projects: A Study of Marketing Alternatives.
George Edgar, Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation Kathy Kuntz, Energy Center of
Wisconsin
In the early 1990’s, six Wisconsin utilities, in conjunction with Wisconsin
Demand-Side Demonstrations, Inc. (WDSD), developed and fielded community-based energy
conservation projects. Established to evaluate energy conservation marketing alternatives,
WDSD was a collaborative of the Public Service Commission, several electric utilities, and
a variety of public interest groups. These projects were implemented in geographically
specific area using formal and informal community structures to facilitate service
delivery.
Lessons
1. Take full advantage of synergies between project partners. The best example of this
came from the Merrill project where the local utility enlisted the local fire department
to sell energy efficient exit lighting during routine inspections. Fire inspectors turned
out to be the perfect people to promote energy efficient exit lighting because the average
commercial establishment pays more attention to those lights during the fire inspection
than at any other time all year.
2. It’s much easier to use existing community infrastructures than to invent them.
It’s easier to implement a community-based project that taps into existing community
priorities or uses existing community organizations than to start from scratch.
3. Informal community structures are key. In the Madison project, the utility asked
local citizens to invite others on their block to energy workshops. The local volunteers
got more people to come to the workshops than professional organizers did in other
comparable neighborhoods. Similarly, an evaluation of the Milwaukee project found that a
good predictor of whether of not someone had participated in the project was whether or
not they knew someone else who had participated.
4. Approach customers with a comprehensive array of potential services. A number of the
WDSD projects were limited to electric conservation. That meant those projects ended up
ignoring important opportunities for customers to save gas or water in some cases.
5. Projects take a lot of time to gain momentum. To be effective, they should probably
remain active for years rather than months.
Future projects in the deregulated world
Dramatic changes brought about by industry deregulation have complicated assessments of
the projects. The world is moving from a system where customers buy their gas and
electricity from a regulated monopoly to a system where many if not all customers will be
able to choose their energy supplier. This has significant implications for future
community-based projects.
Most future community-based projects will probably not be funded by utility dollars
because utilities will probably not be tied to particular communities like they are now.
Other groups will be needed to lead future efforts and that the concentration on
specific communities will be driven by something other than utility planning issues.
There may be new opportunities for community-based efforts that enable neighborhoods or
cities to implement conservation plans that will enable them to buy energy more cheaply
than they could on an individual basis.
Elk River, MN “Energy City”
Bill Poppert, Technical Administrator for Energy City Project Stephen Rohlf, Building
and Zoning Administrator, Elk River, MN
Mission Statement:
To promote Minnesota’s renewable and efficient energy products and services by
showcasing economical, cost-effective and viable energy technologies and programs to
benefit our communities, the economy and the environment.
Elk River, Minnesota, is a community of 14,000 located between the rapidly growing
areas of the Twin Cities and St. Cloud. The city has recently partnered with the
non-profit organization, Minnesota Environmental Initiative, to turn Elk River into a
world model for sustainable energy. The long-term project will merge the resources of Elk
River with those of the energy efficiency and renewable energy industry to demonstrate how
cost effective energy products and services can benefit a city economically and
environmentally. Organizers expect that tapping into this growing multi-million dollar
market will help Elk River increase its job and tax base. Potential demonstrations include
an energy business incubator, wind turbines, a fuel cell, lighting retrofits, a
demonstration home, insulation, and passive solar heating systems, among others.
The Energy City project’s uniqueness lies in the industry-based delivery of
products and services. The project emphasizes demonstrations based on return-on-investment
data and cost effectiveness rather than on mandates and rebates. Organizers feel that
their market based approach is all the more timely, given the looming deregulation of the
energy industry and ever more competitive energy markets. Planing the extensive project
has required much cooperation by local officials, the energy industry, non-profit
organizations, and citizens. Direction and content of the project has been determined by a
steering committee and four “working groups.”
Action Committee for Energy (ACE)
The ACE committee consists of ELK River city leaders and members of the renewable and
efficient energy industry. This overall decision-making body for the project ultimately
reports to the Minnesota Environmental Initiative board of directors and to the Elk River
City Council. The following working groups report to ACE.
Marketing and Communications Committee
This group is responsible for enlist the participation of renewable and efficient energy
companies, and publicize the benefits to consumers.
Energy Use Committee
This group is responsible for the technical integrity of the project and the city’s
Energy Use Profile. The Profile will map ElkRiver’s energy use and identify areas of
potential savings and improvement.
Demonstration Committee
This group is developing the process for demonstration projects. They will inventory
current renewable and efficient energy products and services in the Elk River Area; manage
incoming demonstration site requests; and solicit demonstration project sectors that
result from the Energy Use Profile.
Economic Development Committee
This group will bring together the economic development, financial and business arms to
retain and attract energy businesses toElk River. For more information about the
Energy City project, contact Julie Ball at (612) 334-3388.
Environmentally Sustainable Energy Choices: A National Town Meeting
This conference incorporated a 90 minute interactive video teleconference sponsored by
the Renew America organization. Deborah Potter of The Poynter Institute moderated, as four
diverse panelists discussed the issue of sustainable energy. They were; Christine Ervin,
U.S Department of Energy, David Freeman, SunLight Power International, Amory Lovins, Rock
Mountain Institute, and Roger Sant, The AES Corporation. During the broadcast, the
panelists took viewer questions from across the nation.
Videotapes of this informative discussion are obtainable from Renew America, (800)
922-RENEW.
Roundtable Discussions
“ We’re all familiar with the expression, ‘Talk is cheap.’ I
suggest, rather, that talk can be ‘cheapened.’ Talk can be quite useful, and is,
in fact, vital if we are to find reasonable solutions to the complex issues currently
facing the energy industry. ”
Rodney Stevenson, Conference Chair
Attendees of this conference broke into groups to discuss obstacles and solutions to
the design and implementation of sustainable energy programs. Participants valued the
opportunity to exchange ideas with people of divergent viewpoints.
Roundtables were presented with three questions, and achieved the following results.
Question 1: How can sustainable energy (SE) benefit community development?
1. SE investment stimulates community pride and improves the quality of life.
- SE systems promote efficient land use, e.g., cluster development.
- SE systems promote better designs for living and working environments.
2. SE stimulates the local economy and creates jobs.
- SE investment attracts businesses and residents.
3. SE saves money.
- SE reduces the amount of money leaving the community for outside sources of energy.
- SE stabilizes energy supply and costs, reducing vulnerability to curtailments, service
interruptions, etc.
- SE reduces need for electrical facility construction.
- SE reduces the costs of environmental compliance.
- SE reduces direct energy costs through weatherization and enhanced energy efficiency;
this is especially important regarding low income housing. (Wisconsin provides energy
assistance payments to 130,000 households - oneout of every eleven, and provides
weatherization for 3,500 households per year).
4. SE improves the environment.
- Fosters an ethic of sustainability.
- “Closed Loop” reduces the negative environmental impact of current energy
sources.
- SE preserves or improves human health, leading to reduced health care costs.
5. SE reduces the threat of military conflict over fossil fuels.
Question 2: What are the barriers to developing local sustainable energy
projects?
1. SE systems cost more than conventional systems.
- Funding is limited both for complex SE systems and simple weatherization programs.
- SE systems tend to have higher front end costs resulting in long pay-backs.
- A well established SE infrastructure does not exist.
- Installation and maintenance of SE systems is expensive.
- Local technical expertise is minimal.
- SE systems are not yet mass-produced.
2. SE systems are poorly understood.
- Without models, gauging cost effectiveness and determining practical applications is
difficult.
- Incremental retrofitting of conventional systems is difficult.
- People are skeptical of SE systems.
- Past SE projects have failed.
- Customers don’t perceive a need for SE systems.
4. Conventional energy systems have much institutional and technological
inertia.
- Retrofitting existing infrastructure is expensive.
- Existing housing is incompatible with SE technology, e.g. fluorescent light fixtures.
- Regulatory barriers deter the installment of SE systems.
- Mandated DSM incentives hinder SE development.
- Conventional energy is inexpensive and subsidized.
- Current fossil fuels prices do not reflect their true costs.
- Individuals resist restrictions on their right to consume cheap conventional energy.
- Energy companies exercise considerable political influence.
- Electricity is not taxed.
5. There is too little long-term planning at all levels of government.
- SE is not coordinated with new development e.g., housing subdivisions.
- SE development is underbudgeted.
- Government entities don’t cooperate with one another.
- SE is a low priority for the legislature.
Question three: How can these barriers be overcome
1. Financing should be improved.
- Increase federal, state and local funding for SE projects.
Design new SE projects on a shared risk basis.
provide grants, e.g. Iowa blends federal, state, and local
jurisdictions.
Create revolving loan pools.
Create a public benefit fund.
Shift subsidies to SE programs.
Reduce property tax for home energy improvements (Norway).
Finance housing rehabilitation through sweat equity programs, e.g.
Habitat for Humanity.
Institute incentives aligned with financing, e.g. H.E.R.S. &
Lifecycle.
- Fund alternative transportation systems.
2. The SE market should be developed.
- Commercialize SE technology.
- Design SE systems that are accessible and convenient.
- Finance SE through methods that create a quick positive cash flow.
- Provide more consumer choice, e.g. green pricing.
- Implement portfolio standards for energy providers.
3. Subsidies for fossil fuels should be eliminated.
- Tax fuels to reflect true costs.
- Tax carbon, or establish tradable credits.
- Tax inefficiency, or offer tax credits for efficiency.
4. SE should be included in community planning activities. Address the potential loss
of the PSC Advance Planning Process.
- Develop better zoning ordinances with multi-sensitivity as a vision..
- Change housing codes to reinforce the use of sustainable energy.
- Mandate that energy budgets address long term benefits.
- Consider energy caps for communities.
- Develop community commons/resources/programs.
- Implement local action programs, e.g. composting.
5. Improve education and community outreach.
- Include energy in school curriculums at all levels.
- Establish credibility with political leaders and decision makers; enlist their help.
- Establish diverse partnerships between SE professionals conventional energy providers
consumers and government.
- Specifically target changes in community attitudes.
- Increase the level of community peer pressure.
- Promote competition among communities.
- Establish an open forum to discus issues and develop a community vision.
Community Development & Sustainable Energy
Conference Sponsors
- Energy Center of Wisconsin
- Midwest Renewable Energy Association
- RENEW Wisconsin
- Urban & Regional Planning - UW Madison/UWEX
- Wisconsin Electric Power Company
- Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation\
- Wisconsin’s Environmental Decade
- Wisconsin Environmental Initiative
- Wisconsin Power & Light
- Wisconsin Public Utility Institute
- Wisconsin Energy Bureau
Conference Steering Committee
- Jim Christensen
Wisconsin Power & Light
- Noel Cutright
Wisconsin Electric Power Company
- Mark Hanson
Energy Center of Wisconsin
- Sabrina Karl
Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation
- Brian Ohm
Urban & Regional Planning - UW Madison/UWEX
- Tehri Parker
Midwest Renewable Energy Association
- Dennis Ray
Wisconsin Public Utility Institute
- Keith Reopelle
Wisconsin’s Environmental Decade
- Barbara Samuel
Wisconsin Energy Bureau
- Rodney Stevenson
Wisconsin Public Utility Institute
- Michael Vickerman
RENEW Wisconsin
Community Development &
Sustainable Energy
Sponsored by:
Energy Center of Wisconsin
Midwest Renewable Energy Association
RENEW Wisconsin
Urban & Regional Planning - UW Madison/UWEX
Wisconsin Electric Power Company
Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation
Wisconsin’s Environmental Decade
Wisconsin Environmental InitiativeWisconsin Power & Light
Wisconsin Public Utility Institute
Wisconsin Energy Bureau
Wednesday, February 19, 1997
8 am - 3:30pm
Wisconsin Memorial Union
Madison
Introduction
This interactive conference presents the most
progressive local and national examples of how governments, citizens and businesses are
cooperating to promote sustainable energy.
Conference attendees will learn proven and practical tools to
build effective partnerships between different stakeholders in their communities.
Topics
Community Based Projects
Beginning in 1991, Wisconsin utilities worked with
Wisconsin Demand-Side Demonstrations, Inc. to field six community based projects with
varying results. Although individual projects were unique, they shared the common goal of
increasing energy conservation in specific communities through partnerships between
investor owned and public utilities, local businesses and community organizations.
At this conference, organizers and participants in the projects
will discuss:
- What has worked.
- What has not.
- What future projects are being planned.
Energy City
Elk River, Minnesota, has embarked on a mission to become a world
model for sustainable energy. The city is planning to build several working demonstrations
of technologies related to energy efficiency and renewable energy, showing that they can
be both commercially viable and environmentally sound.
At this conference, organizers of the Energy City project will
present:
- Step by step descriptions of cooperative planning by local
officials, conventional and alternative energy producers, nonprofit organizations, and
citizens.
- Economic benefits for the city, energy producers and local
consumers.
Renew America Teleconference
Environmentally Sustainable Energy Choices: A National Town
Meeting is a 90-minute interactive video teleconference. 15,000 viewers nationwide
will participate in this live event discussing ways to promote sustainable energy. You
will have the opportunity to ask questions and exchange ideas with the Washington DC panel
of business, government and environmental leaders.
Who should attend?
Economic development and community planners;
government regulators and policy makers; representatives of public, cooperative and
investor owned utilities; producers of energy efficient technologies and renewable energy;
environmental advocates; business managers and leaders; and other interested parties.
Agenda
8:00-8:45 am Registration & Continental
Breakfast
8:45-9:00 am Welcome & Introduction
9:00-9:30 am Keynote Address
William Becker - Director, Center of Excellence for Sustainable Development (U.S.
Department of Energy)
9:30-9:45 am Question & Answer
9:45-10:00 am Break
10:00-11:00 am Do / Don’t try this at home! Critical
discussion about past and current sustainable energy projects.
Panelists;
- Kathy Kuntz - Project Manager, Energy Center of
Wisconsin
- Stephen Thompson - General Manager, New London
Electric & Water Utilities
- Bill Poppert - Technical Administrator, Energy City
project
- Steven Rohlf - Building & Zoning Administrator,
Elk River, MN
11:00-11:30 am Question & Answer
11:30-12:30 pm Facilitated Roundtable Discussions
Attendees will break into groups and discuss
how different stakeholders can form effective partnerships in their communities to design
and implement sustainable energy programs. Ideas generated will be published in a
conference report.
12:30-1:00 pm Lunch
1:00-2:30 pm Sustainable Energy Choices: A National Town Meeting
Washington DC Panelists:
- Deborah Potter, The Poynter Institute for Media Studies
(moderator)
- Amory Lovins, Vice President, Rocky Mountain Institute
- David Freeman, CEO and Chairman, Sunlight Power International
- The Secretary, U.S. Department of Energy (invited)
- The Hon. Norman Rice, Mayor, Seattle, Washington (invited)
2:30-3:00 pm Roundtable Conclusions
Facilitators from each table will report back to the general assembly.
3:00-3:30 pm Informal Networking (Optional)
3:30 pm Adjournment
Local Panel Biographies
- William Becker is the director of the Center for
Excellence for Sustainable Development, Denver (U.S. Department of Energy). The Center
helps communities nationwide understand and adopt sustainable development strategies. Bill
has deep roots in Wisconsin. Previously, he served as editor/publisher of the Kickapoo
Scout in Soldiers Grove, worked for the state energy office where he developed
Wisconsin’s Energy Extension Service, and served as editorial page writer for The
Wisconsin State Journal.
- Kathy Kuntz is a project manager with the Energy
Center of Wisconsin (which assumed responsibility for the activities of Wisconsin
Demand-Side Demonstrations in 1995). She is currently leading Center efforts to identify
lessons learned from the six WDSD community based projects. Kathy also manages several low
income and education related projects, including the School-to-Work Energy Education
Project.
- William Poppert serves as Technical Administrator
of the Energy City project. He is also president of Technology North, a St. Paul design
engineering and energy management consulting firm. Bill was awarded the National Award for
Energy Innovation by the U.S. Department of Energy for his work as energy director at
Carlson Companies.
- Steven Rohlf is the Building and Zoning
Administrator for Elk River, MN, a rapidly growing (pop. 14,000) near Minneapolis. He has
been the city’s key figure in the Energy City project, working closely with community
leaders, businesses and energy producers to design and implement the project.
- Stephen Thompson is the General Manager of New
London Electric and Water Utilities. As one of the WDSD participants, the utility
cooperated with the community to develop and market a successful energy conservation
project. Stephen also serves on the board of the Municipal Electric Utilities of
Wisconsin.
Conference Steering Committee
- Jim Christensen, Wisconsin Power & Light
- Noel Cutright, Wisconsin Electric Power Company
- Mark Hanson, Energy Center of Wisconsin
- Sabrina Karl, Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation
- Brian Ohm, Urban & Regional Planning - UW
Madison/UWEX
- Tehri Parker, Midwest Renewable Energy Association
- Dennis Ray, Wisconsin Public Utility Institute
- Keith Reopelle, Wisconsin’s Environmental Decade
- Barbara Samuel, Wisconsin Energy Bureau
- Rodney Stevenson, Wisconsin Public Utility Institute
- Michael Vickerman, RENEW Wisconsin
WEI Mission Statement
The Wisconsin Environmental Initiative is a non-partisan, educational organization
bringing diverse groups together in a non-contentious forum to facilitate solutions to
contemporary regional environmental problems.
The Wisconsin Environmental Initiative is a
nonprofit educational organization bringing diverse groups together in a collaborative,
non-contentious forum to facilitate solutions to contemporary regional environmental
issues.
Registration Form
Please complete this form and fax or mail to:
Wisconsin Environmental Initiative
5315 Wall Street, Suite 235
Madison, Wisconsin 53704-7939
Phone: (608) 249-5834 Fax: (608) 245-2015
Registration Fee:
(Includes contintal breakfast, lunch & all materials.)
- Business & Industry = $50
- Government/University/Nonprofit = $25
- Student = $10
Reduced rate passes available. Please call to reserve. No one
will be denied access due to an inability to pay.
Method of payment:
(Cancellations must be made 3 days prior to event for refund.)
- Check enclosed. (Please make checks payable to the Wisconsin
Environmental Initiative.)
- Bill me.
- Visa or Mastercard.
