Title
Quarterly Conservation Program Update
Recommended Action
None
Staff Recommendation
None
Body
In the upcoming months the DPU will be extending the term of the PEEC contract for continued Community Energy and Water Conservation Services. The current contract expires on February 4, 2019. The amendment will be presented to the Utility Board and Council in January 2020 for consideration. PEEC is amenable to extending the contract and continuing to provide these services to the DPU. Staff has been very satisfied with the services provided by PEEC, the quality educators provided, execution of DPU sponsored functions and professional representation of the DPU.
The current Energy and Water Conservation Plan was adopted by the Board of Public Utilities on March 18, 2015. This approval was for four years, then after we were directed to update the plan. In the upcoming months we will be issuing a request for proposals for a consultant to revise the Energy and Water Conservation Plan.
There are two fundamental reasons for the existence and content of the plan. The first are regulatory mandates from the Office of the State Engineer and the Western Area Power Administration. The second reason is to provide guidance and actionable conservation recommendations that align with the DPU’s strategic objectives and long term goals. The final plan will be presented to the Utility Board for approval. Some considerations in updating the plan:
• Capturing public input in the update process. In preparation of the current plan an advisory group was formed comprised of representatives from the Public Schools, White Rock residents, Los Alamos residents, LAC environmental services, local realtors, and LAC parks. Other means are available such as surveys, public meetings and stakeholder meetings.
• DPU no longer has a full time conservation specialist and this contract replaces some of the education activities that the conservation specialist performed. LAC offerings such energy audits, blower door tests and irrigation audits are no longer provided.
• The Long Range Water Supply Plan has since been revised. Common elements of the two plans will be coordinated.
• A tiered water rate was adopted in July 2014. Tiered water rates have had a significant impact on water use and revenues in other municipal utilities we can now evaluate the impact on water use.
• Use of Advanced Metering Infrastructure in conservation efforts and customer education.
• Address current regulatory requirements for the Office of the State Engineer and the Western Area Power Administration.
• Evaluate the current DPU strategic objectives and long term goals related to conservation and sustainability.
Alternatives
N/A
Fiscal and Staff Impact
None
Attachments
None