HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes.council.20110426 Special Meeting Aspen City Council April 26, 2011
Mayor Ireland called the special meeting to order at 4:10 PM with Councilmembers Skadron,
Kruger, Torre and Johnson present.
Mayor Ireland moved to go into executive session at 4:10 PM pursuant to C.R.S. 24 -6- 402(4) (b)
conferences with an attorney for the local public body for the purposes of receiving legal advice
on specific legal questions and (e) determining positions relative to matters that may be subject
to negotiations; seconded by Councilwoman Kruger. All in favor motion carried.
City Attorney Worcester announced the Castle Creek Hydro project is the topic of the executive
session.
Councilman Skadron moved to come out of executive session at 4:50 PM; seconded by
Councilman Johnson. All in favor, motion carried.
Mayor Ireland noted Council is considering a change to the FERC process. Steve Barwick, city
manager, requested Council direct staff to pursue discussions with FERC, with Pitkin County
and with American Rivers for their support of the conversion of the city's current application for
a small conduit application to a minor water power project license application. If those
discussions are successful, the city will file a motion with FERC to support additional public
comments on that process change and to request FERC engage in the appropriate NEPA review
at no less than the environmental assessment. Barwick said there has been indication from
Healthy Rivers and Streams and from American Rivers that their opposition to this project would
become support if the city engaged in a different process. Barwick said most of the opponents to
the project have opposed the process.
Barwick pointed out the change in application process would mean the current diversion pipes
and Thompson reservoir would come under FERC jurisdiction. Barwick said this will cost more
money and will take more time. The length of additional time will depend on FERC and the
NEPA processes and could be up to two years longer. Barwick stated there will be 5 million
pounds of coal burned for every year of delay. Barwick said this process will become FERC's
jurisdiction and they will decide the length and depth of the process. The exemption is
permanent and a license will be reviewed after 50 years and renewed every 30 years. Barwick
said staff feels this change is process is the proper way to proceed.
Mayor Ireland supported this change in process as studies show that carbon based power will
continue to cost more. Mayor Ireland said the cost of power from this plant would be fixed and
stabilized after it is built. Mayor Ireland pointed out the city has the third lowest electricity rates
in Colorado. Mayor Ireland said hydropower reduces dependence on externally created carbon
based power and 5% of the power transmitted to the city is lost in that transmission. Mayor
Ireland said the city should accept responsibility for the power that is used in the city. Mayor
Ireland stated the city can create a citizen process and use a broader, more rigorous process.
Mayor Ireland said the water that would have been used in the previous plant where the current
art museum is has been taken by the Front Range. The City should do all they can to protect
their water rights. Mayor Ireland said the city could build a model plant and protect the stream
and use real science to determine how much water needs to remain in the stream. Mayor Ireland
said the city can absorb the impacts of Aspen's energy use and reduce dependence on carbon.
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Special Meeting Aspen City Council April 26, 2011
Mayor Ireland noted in the last 30 years, 14 days of skiing have been lost; the seasons are shorter
and the water is less.
Councilman Johnson said he supports a larger process. Councilman Johnson stated he has seen
the financial pro forma and environmental issues aside, even with the delays and the additional
costs, the pro forma works and provides a return. Councilman Johnson said adding additional
partners, this is the right direction. Councilman Skadron concurred. Councilwoman Kruger
agreed in principle hydropower and sustainable green energy strategies are the correct way to go.
Councilwoman Kruger said she wants to make sure the city government is leading by example
and that the environmental reports and approvals are in order. Mayor Ireland said the voters
approved a hydropower project on Castle Creek and Council needs to act in accordance with that
vote.
Mayor Ireland moved that Council directs staff to pursue discussions with the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission (FERC), Pitkin County, and American Rivers for their support of the
conversion of the small conduit exemption application to a minor water power project license
application of 1.5 megawatts or less as defined in 18 CFR 4.30(b)(17) and if the discussions with
these entities are fruitful, staff is further directed to file a motion with FERC supporting
additional public comments in the process and request FERC engage in the appropriate level of
NEPA reviews and no less than an environmental assessment; seconded by Councilman Torre.
All in favor, motion carried.
Councilman Torre moved to adjourn at 5:15 PM; seconded by Councilman Johnson. All in
favor, motion carried. Lj
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Ka on S. Koch
City Clerk
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