CAMPAIGN UPDATE !
Much appreciation to all who made a positive difference for the Minneapolis Clean Energy Partnership by helping us submit 150 pieces of commentary on Xcel’s Integrated Resource Plan (IPR) ! For reference, here is letter that we've pre-written for commentary and here is our template we offered for those who opted to write their own letter.
We saw some early results of the IRP comment campaign we launched back in July when Xcel submitted and E-Docket filing on Friday October 2nd, 2015 the last day of the comment period. Xcel’s filing specifically acknowledged “the Clean Energy Partnership with the City of Minneapolis” and the partnership’s approved 2015-2016 work plan on page 15.
“… (T)he Clean Energy Partnership with the City of Minneapolis represents our commitment to collaborate on innovative approaches and enhanced outcomes in energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy to help the city achieve its Climate Action Plan goals. We supported the approval of the Partnership’s 2015-2016 work plan…”
On page 4, Xcel’s filing makes a pointed reference to Community Power’s main emphasis in elevating the role of cities in energy and sustainability “
"...[O]ur customers increasingly want cleaner energy. More of our customers are asking us to provide options for all renewable energy or are making individual or corporate commitments to sustainability and the environment. Likewise, our cities are making commitments to sustainability."
Overall, has Xcel validated our vision and our analysis on the level of words. Now we take the next step and turn our validated vision into reality. Xcel plans to file more detailed information related to their October 2nd filing no later than January 29th where we hopefully will see additional articulation on including Minneapolis's energy goals or the Clean Energy Partnership work plan. After that, Xcel’s overall 15-year IRP will be in the hands of the Public Utilities Commission to either approve or reject, most likely next year.
Frequently Asked Questions on our IRP Comment Campaign (see below or download this 2-pager)
Why are we writing letters to the Public Utilities Commission?
Xcel Energy has publicly signed onto the Clean Energy Partnership (CEP) with the City of Minneapolis, and if the energy company plans to take the Partnership seriously, they must include it in their 2016-2030 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP).
What is the Minneapolis Clean Energy Partnership?
In October of 2014, Xcel and CenterPoint signed a first-in-the-nation Clean Energy Partnership with the City of Minneapolis empowering the City to hold both utility companies accountable to mutual clean energy goals. Such a partnership also creates unprecedented potential for collaboration through new initiatives like a rental & multifamily energy efficiency programs that are funded by the utility. The city-utility partnership formed in response to our broad coalition of citizens and organizations demanding Minneapolis have a greater say in how their energy system is run. The Partnership means that the City of Minneapolis is more of a business partner with Xcel and CenterPoint than a mere customer. Finally, the partnership allows for the community to weigh in and make recommendations through the Energy Vision Advisory Committee.
What is an Integrated Resource Plan?
All utilities are required to present an Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) every three years to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC). Utilities are supposed to use IRPs to explain how they will meet their customers’ future energy needs for the next 15 years in a way that creates the “least cost.” A wide range of factors and assumptions need to be taken into account when creating such a forecast, such future fuel costs (coal, natural gas, etc.), development costs, financing and market conditions, and policy regulations.
What does Xcel’s Integrated Resource Plan have to do with the Minneapolis Clean Energy Partnership?
In order to ensure the Xcel’s IRP selects the best approach, it’s important that all components which significantly affect energy usage be taken into account. Minneapolis accounts for 13% of Xcel’s electrical load in Minnesota. Since the Clean Energy Partnership involves new energy efficiency strategies and innovative ways of financing clean energy at the municipal level, it would greatly improve Xcel’s IRP to have the Partnership included. Thus far, Xcel’s IRP has not explicitly recognized the Minneapolis Clean Energy Partnership and the energy management goals and objectives of the City. Now that the Clean Energy Partnership Board has adopted its work plan for 2015-2016, it’s time for Xcel finalize a version of its 2016-2030 IRP that reflects the Minneapolis Clean Energy Partnership and its significant changes to the utility’s business model.
Possible Points to communicate in support of the Minneapolis Clean Energy Partnership
- In March 2014 Minneapolis adopted an energy vision statement: “In 2040, Minneapolis’s energy system will provide reliable, affordable, local and clean energy services for Minneapolis homes, businesses, and institutions: sustaining the city’s economy and environment and contributing to a more socially just community.” Some goals of the Minneapolis Climate Action plan adopted in 2013 include:
- Reducing energy use by 17% by 2025 (by increasing efficiency of commercial and residential efficiency by 20 and 15%, respectively)
- Generating 10% of electricity from local, renewable sources
- Helping 75% of homeowners and 75% renters and rental property owners participate in energy efficiency retrofits by 2025
- Xcel has committed to partnering with the City to meet its energy goals and Xcel’s IRP needs to reflect these goals.
- This Partnership was inspired by a vision of helping everyone save money on energy use, particularly low-income residents who spend a disproportionate amount of their income on energy bills. Minneapolis residents and businesses spend $450 million annually on electricity and gas, and national research shows that at least 30% of our energy use is preventable waste. The Clean Energy Partnership is a long-term effort to move tens of millions of energy dollars annually back into the pockets of Minneapolis families and businesses, while creating local jobs with a special focus on neighborhoods suffering the worst effects of energy poverty. This Partnership has the potential to transform energy management for Minneapolis energy consumers and meet the city’s 80% by 2050 and 30% by 2025 greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets.
- The partnership can change the game of what is possible for Xcel by combining policy, outreach and data. The Clean Energy Partnership programs can be made accessible and relevant to low-income communities and groups from many cultural backgrounds that need them the most. In addition, the Partnership promised in its work plan to identify additional lending sources to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. These strategies will empower Xcel to increase the number of residents and businesses participating in renewable and energy efficiency programs enabling them to exceed conservation savings and renewable generation currently projected.
- Regardless of the specifics of the Minneapolis Clean Energy Partnership, the city-utility partnership model must be recognized as a core part of Xcel’s business model. A city and its utility can accomplish a lot more as far as tools for our energy future when they work together and combine their strongest aspects as opposed to the previous status where the city and its utility worked largely in isolation from each other. Energy efficiency programs will be most effective in reaching renters and multifamily building residents when the city can integrate its neighborhood engagement systems and its regulatory authority over housing / businesses with the utility’s programs, incentives, financing methods, and infrastructure.
STEPS TO COMMENT ON ADDITIONAL PUC DOCKETS Using the PUC’s online comment collector- click here for instructions or see below.
Visit the MN Public Utilities Commission website and get set up on their online comment system, called Speak Up! Follow the steps below:
1. Go here: https://minnesotapuc.granicusideas.com/ The website has step by step instructions on how to get set up.
2. Create your own log-in account on the Public Utilities Commission Speak Up Site.
3. Once you create your log-in, visit the “Open Discussions” page.
4. Look for the discussion titled, “Discussion: Xcel’s 2015 Upper Midwest Resource Plan | RP-15-21”
5. Then click “View Discussion” and scroll down to “Topics”
6. Find “Topic: Whether the plan is in the public interest.”
7. Click “View Topic” and scroll down to the bottom where you will find a blank text box. There you can type your comment for submission and when you are ready.
8. Click “Post” and your comment will have posted into the system!