HomeMy WebLinkAboutresolution.council.069-12 RESOLUTION#".0
(2012)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ASPEN,COLORADO AUTHORIZING SPENDING OF
FUNDS GENERATED THROUGH THE RENEWABLE ENERGY MITIGATION PROGRAM
(REMP)
WHEREAS, on December 13, 1999, City Council approved Ordinance No. 55, adopting the
Aspen/Pitkin Energy Conservation Code, and
WHEREAS,the Aspen/Pitkin Energy Conservation Code allows that the REMP funds be spent in
accordance with a joint resolution by the Aspen City Council and the Pitkin County Board of County
Commissioners, and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Agreement, the Board of Trustees of the Community Office for Resource
Efficiency approved a number of spending proposals, and
WHEREAS,the spending proposals meet the screening criteria of affordable housing, cost-effectiveness,
public visibility and education, environmental benefits,energy efficiency, leverage, unique opportunity,
new technologies and green design.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ASPEN,
COLORADO that the Community Office for Resource Efficiency(CORE) is authorized to negotiate and
secure contracts and manage the installation and/or implementation of the following projects:
Grant Funding Supported by CORE's Board
1. AMATIS CONTROLS
Amatis Controls, LLC is a locally owned, for-profit clean-tech venture capital firm engaged in the design
and manufacture of energy metering equipment. Their project will install BTU meters and conduct
complete system tune-ups on 10 existing solar hot water systems that have benefited from CORE rebates
in the Roaring Fork Valley. Their$5,000 grant would cover a total per-system cost of$500,which
reflects a per-system discount of$170($1,700 over 10 systems)to be absorbed by Amatis Controls.
Amatis will primarily target systems serving affordable housing and other publicly owned facilities. The
Estimated Annual Energy Savings assume that 50% of the systems evaluated are not functioning at all
prior to tune-up.
Estimated Annual Energy Savings: 15,000 kWh
Total Project Cost: $6,700 Recommended Funding: $5,000
2. ASPEN TREE
Aspen TREE(Together Regenerating the Earth through Education) is a non-profit organization that
educates and encourages sustainable living practices with a focus on building sustainable local food
systems. Their request is to support construction of a 42-foot diameter geodesic greenhouse. The
greenhouse will serve as a public demonstration, research and education facility,which will help build
understanding and capacity for year-round local food production, and will be powered entirely with
renewable energy. Of the $78,200 project budget,Aspen TREE has already secured $37,025. Another
$4,000 has been applied for through other grant opportunities. The recommended REMP grant funding
will cover the cost of the greenhouse climate battery, and is expected to serve as a catalyst to ongoing
fundraising efforts. Energy savings projections assume ability to meet annual caloric needs of 14 people.
Estimated Annual Energy Savings: 60,665 kWh
Total Project Cost: $78,200 Recommended Funding: $12,000.
3. GRASSROOTS TELEVISION
Grassroots Television is a non-profit organization providing community access television throughout the
Roaring Fork Valley. Their grant proposal is to replace 4,800W of existing incandescent studio lights in
the Aspen studio with 880W of fluorescent fixtures and lamps. They also propose to install 770W of
fluorescents in the new Carbondale studio, as an alternative to 3,700W of incandescent lighting. This
upgrade will result in an 80% reduction in the lighting system energy load.
Estimated Annual Energy Savings: 4,115 kWh
Total Project Cost: $18,000 Recommended Funding: $9,000
4. ROARING FORK CONSERVANCY
The Roaring Fork Conservancy is a non-profit organized to"inspire people to explore,value, and protect
the Roaring Fork Watershed". Their grant proposal is to install a solar thermal heating system at their
Roaring Fork River Center(currently in design). The system was recommended in an energy study
prepared by Beaudin Ganze.
Estimated Annual Energy Savings: 709 MBTU and 34kWh(Total 207,821 kWh equivalent)
Total Project Cost: $3.2M(includes $202K in energy upgrades)Recommended Funding: $27,000
5. ROARING FORK TRANSIT AUTHORITY(RFTA)
RFTA is the Roaring Fork Valley's primary public transit provider. Their grant proposal is to install five
(5)Level 2 PEV(Plug-in Electric Vehicle)charging stations as part of their ongoing VelociRFTA Bus
Rapid Transit Project. RFTA is installing infrastructure to support at least one charging station to be
located at each of their BRT park-n-ride facilities. The proposed stations would be compatible with the
"Chargepoint Network", allowing for compatibility with the City of Aspen's PEV stations, and increasing
the valley's EV infrastructure.
Estimated Annual Energy Savings: Unknown Total Project Cost: $132,000 Recommended
Funding: $30,000
6. PITKIN COUNTY
Based on recommendations coming out of a technical energy audit completed in 2010, Pitkin County is
proposing to implement energy efficiency upgrades, including lighting retrofits, boiler upgrades, high
efficiency motors, and new Building Automation Systems(BAS) in several public buildings(City Hall,
Jail, Health&Human Services, Public Works). The improvements are expected to reduce operating costs
by 30%, and reduce carbon emissions by 462 tons annually. The recommended funding will be applied
primarily toward boiler replacements and controls upgrades.
Estimated Annual Energy Savings: 500,000kWh
Total Project Cost: $852,000 Recommended funding: $119,229
7. TOWN OF SNOWMASS VILLAGE
The Town of Snowmass Village Housing Dept. is seeking a grant to purchase and install a side-arm hot
water heater and two solar thermal panels to assist with domestic hot water production at the Brush Creek
Apartments(7-unit)400 Building. The Town has budgeted to replace an existing cast-iron boiler with a
new 96%efficient condensing model. The recommended grant will allow this unit to serve both heating
and domestic hot water needs.
Estimated Annual Energy Savings: 981 Therms (28,750 kWh equivalent)
Total Project Cost: $19,000 Recommended Funding: $8,000
8. CITY OF ASPEN—RIO GRANDE PARK
The Parks and Open Space Dept. requested funds to install four(4)composting toilets($80,000)and a
recirculating stormwater irrigation system($38,000)in a park that sees 65,000 users per year. The
restroom facility is designed to utilize solar PV and solar thermal collectors, and will feature interpretive
panels highlighting the building's sustainable design elements. The recommended grant will help provide
for the upgrade from a typical 70%efficient pump to an 83%efficient vertical turbine pump, and will
offset costs associated with on-site renewable systems.
Annual Energy Savings: Unknown
Total Project Cost: $508,000
Recommended Funding: $49,000($19,000 for pump upgrade and $30,000 for on-site renewables)
9. CITY OF ASPEN—TRUSCOTT HOUSING
This request is to fund window replacements at the 200&300 buildings at the Truscott Phase II
affordable housing development. These buildings are 25 years old, and many windows are failing;
resulting in air leakage and significant condensation. These units are heated by electric baseboards, and
are the largest electricity consumers in the affordable housing rental program. It is recommended that the
grant award be made contingent upon completion of an Energy Smart audit and engagement in Energy
Smart's efficiency improvement incentive program.
Estimated Annual Energy Savings: Unknown
Total Project Cost: $126,000
Recommended Funding: $31,500(on the condition the project gets engaged with Energy Smart)
10. CITY OF ASPEN—YELLOW BRICK
The City is proposing to upgrade the building controls system software at the Yellow Brick Building.
The system upgrade will create cost savings for the City,while adding remote control access, integrated
systems communications, and efficiency to the building's heat delivery system.
Estimated Annual Energy Savings: 5,835 Therms & 18,393 kWh (189,399 kWh equivalent)
Total Project Cost: $36,872 Recommended funding: $14,109
Recommended 2012 Green Key Grant Funding Summary
1. Amatis Controls $5,000
2. Aspen TREE $12,000
3. Grassroots TV $9,000
4. Roaring Fork Conservancy $27,000
5. RFTA $30,000
6. Town of Snowmass $8,000
7. Pitkin County $119,229
8. City of Aspen—Rio Grande Pump/Renewables $49,000
9. City of Aspen—Truscott Housing $31,500
10. City of Aspen—Yellow Brick $14,109
Total: $304,838
Rebate and Management Fund Supported by CORE Board of Directors
1. REMP Project Management- $90,000: These funds include support for REMP advertising, education
and program outreach, REMP grant and rebate administration, and energy and carbon savings analysis
and reporting. These funds support a portion of the Director's position and the part-time Rebate Manager
position.
2. Project Coordinator- $75,000: The Project Coordinator works on special projects associated with
REMP and the reduction of greenhouse gases in Aspen and Pitkin County. This position also serves as
CORE's grant writer, a position that raises funds for programs within CORE's territory, including
projects specific to City of Aspen and Pitkin County. As an example,the Project Coordinator was the
lead grant writer on the recent$4.9m Department of Energy grant awarded to Pitkin, Eagle and Gunnison
County.
3. REMP Financial Review- $5,000: These funds will be used to complete tax work and financial
oversight for CORE and REMP.
4. Appliance and Heating Rebates- $45,000: In mid-2011,the CORE Board approved a shift in funding
to allow for a$25,000 appliance rebate program for top efficiency-tier dishwashers,refrigerators, clothes
washers, low-flow toilets and programmable thermostats. As of early June 2012, $11,461 remained. Each
year, CORE has made adjustments to the rebate structure to reflect changes in technology and market
saturation of efficient products. Beginning January 1,2013, CORE appliance rebates from a one-size fits
all amount to $0.50/annual kWh saved, for appliances. Toilets and programmable thermostats would
remain at their present levels for 2013. By rebating based on a unit of energy saved, CORE will prepare
consumer and retailer mindsets to maximize the rebate(and annual bill savings)by opting for the
minimally energy-consumptive option. Staff foresees that in the near future, as early as 2014,appliance
rebates may no longer be the most cost-effective way to achieve REMP's carbon offset goals. Future
efficiency rebates could go toward lighting, insulation and other upgrades on a payment per kWh or therm
saved basis.
Again for 2013, CORE requests a budget for super-efficient boilers and furnaces,this year at$20,000. In
order to best leverage the Energy Smart funding that remains and maintain a strong incentive following
the conclusion of the grant period in August 2013, staff would like to adjust the requirements to be 92%
AFUE for boilers and keep furnaces at 95%AFUE. In addition, staff would like to keep the boiler amount
at$500 and increase furnaces from $300 to $500 for consistency across programs.
5. Solar Rebates- $50,000: CORE's solar rebate program has supported hundreds of PV and solar
thermal installations since our first offering in 2001. Demand has waned again this year. As a result,
CORE expects to have a combined 2011 and 2012 surplus of up to $95,000. In addition to allowing this
funding to roll over to 2013, CORE sees the opportunity to change and increase the rebates, in addition to
developing an alternative path to driving the REMP-required carbon offsets promised in the previous
allocation of those funds to solar installations.
CORE recommends that solar PV rebates shift to $0.50/annual kWh produced(for the first year)to match
the efficiency structure and to drive the most efficient,best oriented systems to be installed. On average,
CORE rebates will increase from $300-700 on a typical system under this structure, as opposed to the
former$0.50/kW nameplate. For on-site leased systems, an exciting new model in our area that has yet to
take hold,CORE requests a$0.25/annual kWh produced, first year only. This rebate will go to the system
owner and is projected to reduce the monthly lease payments for the homeowner by about$15, depending
on system size.
CORE requests that the solar thermal rebate be increased to match Holy Cross Energy's incentive for
electric-only customers: $1,500 per panel,up to$6,000, for gas, propane or electric-heat customers across
the Valley. Business or homeowners who are also eligible for the rebate would receive 50% of their
rebate from HCE and 50%from CORE. On top of the rebate, CORE requests to offer an additional $200
on every system that includes a control or meter that gives real-time data on temperature in the pipes and
BTU production. At a time with increasing potential for natural gas drilling in our immediate territory,
CORE requests to follow the Governor's Energy Office's model by not requiring NABCEP or COSEIA
certification for solar thermal installers, and instead allowing any Master Plumber to complete rebate-
eligible installations.
Finally, CORE requests that$10,000 of the solar surplus be allocated to a solar thermal tune-up and repair
program, with CORE covering 50%of the tune-up cost and offering a$200 rebate on a controller or
meter to be installed on these older systems.
6. Commercial Rebates- $10,000: CORE requests to spend the expected surplus of about$20,000 from
2012 boilers and furnaces plus a new allocation of$10,000 to create a new commercial rebate program.
The Main Street program was extremely successful in 2011, and CORE has followed it with an informal
valley-wide commercial rebate. The City of Aspen has demonstrated a need for additional commercial
rebate funding within the municipal electric territory. CORE recommends a trial rebate program of up to
$2,500 per commercial property for the calendar year 2013. Staff will establish program details, including
%of project cost, with utility partners and CLEER preceding program launch on January 1.
7. Community and Mini-grants - $40,000: Historically, CORE has utilized Community and Mini-grants
to support small projects(typically under$5,000 and$1,000 respectively)throughout the year in order to
forward community-based energy saving projects in lieu of the annual Green Key Grants, which typically
fund larger projects.
In response to declining budgets at public schools,CORE is requesting this funding to be primarily
directed to efficiency upgrades at Pitkin County public schools. Projects could include mechanical
systems upgrades, lighting upgrades, controls upgrades or increased insulation and sealing, depending on
the school's needs. CORE recommends a 75%/25% split, where at least 75% of approved funding
would be directed to Pitkin County public schools.
Dated: Avg,{ lLi 2-10lZ.
Welidif $-ly- 1/Z-
Michael C. Ireland, Mayor
I, Kathryn S. Koch, duly appointed and acting City Clerk do certify that the foregoing is a true
and accurate copy of that resolution adopted by the City Council of the City of Aspen, Colorado,
at a meeting held,
id/
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Kathryn S. Koch, City Clerk