HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2001MEMBERS PRESENT:
MEMBERS ABSENT:
PRESIDING OFFICIAL:
STAFF PRESENT:
CALL TO ORDER
a.m.
EVANSTON ENERGY COMMISSION
MINUTES
Friday - January 12, 2001
Room 2404 — 7:15 a.m.
CIVIC CENTER
David Gr un ran, Jackie Brown, Ray Doolin,
Del Leppke, Kerry McKenna, Rudy Wolfson
Ronald Naylcr
David Grumman, Chair
Dennis Marino, Max Rubin, Mary Baaske
David Grumman, Chair of the Energy Commission, called the meeting to order at 7:25
MEMBERSHIP
Dennis Marino said that the new Energy Commission members had received a packet
containing the Stanley Report, a letter from ComEd to the City Council, the ComEd quarterly
report dated October 31, 2000, Ordinance 1340-57 authorizing ComEd to construct, operate and
maintain an electric light and power system in Evanston, and three maps of Evanston's electric
circuits.
SCHEDULE FOR COMED REPORTS
Dennis Marino stated that, under an agreement with ComEd, it is obligated to provide the
City with a report listing their progress on improvements on a quarterly basis, with the next
report due January 31, 2001. The next report on outages (six-month report) is due April 15,
2001. He thought that until the April report is received the Commission will not have enough
information to make the comprehensive report it periodically gives to A&PW.
Evanston Energy Commission
Minutes - January 12.2001 Pace Two
ACTIVITIES OF REGIONAL COUNCILS OF GOVERNMENT & CITY OF CHICAGO
Dennis Marino reported that the City of Chicago and the Northwest Municipal
Conference have narrowed the field to three respondents to their RFP for purchase of power for
aggregated municipal and government loads. However, they have not published their decision.
He thought there was also some activity going on with the Northwest Municipal
Conference to reduce the threshold when fines can be levied against ComEd for outages. The
current threshold is approximately 25,000 customers, but there is an effort to get that number
changed.
RECENT OUTAGES
Max Rubin reported that the police station and surrounding area had an outage for a short
time. He added that there were two or three short outages in the City in the last quarter.
Del Leppke mentioned that ComEd has been asked to add a column in their report,
dealing with exactly what they did to fix the outages.
COMMUNICATIONS WITH STEVE THOMAS
Dennis Marino said that Mr. Thomas was unable to attend the Energy Commission
meeting in either November or December. However, he is still interested in attending a meeting
and Mr. Marino said he would keep in touch with him to arrange a meeting in the future.
ROY WARMINGTON'S DRAFT MEMORANDUM
Dennis Marino said he has changed the title of this memorandum to be "History of the
Energy Commission and Energy Alternatives Task Force 1989-1997". He explained that it was
written by Roy Warmington at the request of former chair Bud Nesvig. Mr. Marino explained
that he had written two new paragraphs at the beginning of the memorandum and lightly edited
the rest of the memorandum. Del Leppke felt that this article should be extended through
December 2000.
DISCUSSION OF FUTURE FRANCHISE ISSUES
Dennis Marino said that the franchise that was signed in July of 1999 expires July of
2002, with two additional options of one year each.
Evanston Energy Commission
Minutes - January 12. 2001
Page Three
In response to a question from Jackie Brown, Mr. Marino said that most of the
municipalities in the region, with the exception of Evanston and Chicago, are part of the
Northwest Municipal Franchise Agreement. Chicago has its own franchise agreement with
ComEd, and it has provisions and benefits to Chicago that most other franchise agreements do
not have. He said that the Commission should review Chicago's franchise agreement to see if
Evanston wants to include some of the provisions in our agreement that Chicago has in its
agreement.
Chair Grumman suggested that a critique of the Northwest Municipal Conference
franchise written by a law firm intem for a former member of the Commission also be given to
new members for their information.
Members suggested that studies done by Giordano and a critique done by the Energy
Alternatives Task Force on the Northwest Municipal Conference agreement be distributed and
reviewed.
Kerry McKenna said that he has been thinking about the situation that the City is in. First
of alt, he thought that the Commission should consider what is happening in the marketplace so
that it can put the Evanston situation in perspective.
Mr. McKenna recommended that the Commission determine what the actual base load is
in Evanston. When the Commission meets with ComEd, it should discuss a 50 megawatt supply
agreement for a negotiated charge per kilowatt hour for however many years ComEd is willing
to contract (basically, contracting for supply of electricity, for a fixed price and for a fixed
period of time, that covers the base load).
He suggested the Commission take a look at a city -owned peaking plant. The peaking
plant should be a standard aero -derivative jet engine that would be ten-minutc-up/ten-minute-
down, connected to the grid, which would cost about S250 a kilowatt. A 30-megawatt plant
would cost about $71/2 million, with $1.5 million for a new substation, for a total of
approximately $9 million. This device would meet Evanston's peak power requirements. If the
City does not need the power, it could be sold back to ComEd. He said that ComEd should be
told that the City does not want to pay to use their grid, and the grid is the City's to use for the
peaking distribution. Mr. McKenna felt that this is what is needed to be done in order to protect
Evanston.
Mr. McKenna said that, if the City does not aggregate their demand, that is the end of
effective negotiations. Del Leppke asked what needs to be done now to develop aggregation.
He thought that the City would have to form a corporation, cooperative or something on which
they can aggregate, and then get the agreement of all residents to participate in that aggregation.
Ray Doolin asked what could be done about businesses that already have their own contract with
ComEd. Mr. McKenna said that, if you cannot aggregate, your negotiating leverage is minimal.
Evanston Energy Commission
Minutes - lanuary 12.2001 Paee Four
Del Leppke asked what legal steps would be necessary for the City to aggregate all the
residents into one municipal company. He added that if something were not done now, the City
would have to help all the low-income people in the City with their utility bills, which will
impact the City's budget. Mr. McKenna asked if the Commission had access to an attorney
knowledgeable in this subject. Mr. Marino replied that a former Energy Commission member
(Janet Hoffman) is knowledgeable in this case. David Grumman said that virtually all of the
questions raised in this meeting required legal advice.
The Commission asked Dennis Marino to invite Janet Hoffman to the February 7, 2001
meeting.
CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES OF DECEMBER 1, 2000
Del Lcppke moved approval of the December 1, 2000 minutes. Motion seconded by Ray
Doolin. Minutes passed with minor corrections - 5 ayes and one abstention (Rudy Wolfson).
COMMUNICATIONS
David Grumman brought a few newspaper articles about California's power supply
problems. Communications were discussed and accepted into the record.
OTHER BUSINESS
David Grumman said Mardi Klevs, Environmental Board member, has asked that a
member of the Energy Commission come to their next meeting. Del Leppke said that, in his
conversation with Ms. Klevs, she stated that the Environmental Board wanted certain
environmental requirements written into the energy franchise. Dave Grumman and Del Leppke
stated they would be willing to meet with the Environment Board sometime, but both had
conflicts on the date of the next Board meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Commission, the meeting adjourned at 9:06
a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
M7. aaske
EVANSTON ENERGY COMMISSION
MINUTES
Friday - February 7, 200I
Room 2404 -- 7:15 a.m.
CIVIC CENTER
MEMBERS PRESENT: David Grumman, Ray Doolin, Del Leppke, Arlene Haas,
Rudy Wolfson
MEMBERS ABSENT: Jackie Broom, Kerry McKenna, Ronald Nayler
PRESIDING OFFICIAL: David Grumman, Chair
STAFF PRESENT: Dennis Marino, Mary Baaske
OTHERS PRESENT: Bud Nesvig, (Former Energy Chair); Paul Morse;
Jenny Saranow, Northwestern Student
CALL TO ORDER
David Grumman, Chair of the Energy Commission, called the meeting to order at 7:20
a.m.
WELCOME NEW MEMBER
David Grumman welcomed Arlene Haas to the Commission and asked her to give the
Commission a summary of her background. Ms. Haas said that she has lived in Evanston for
five years and is an environmental lawyer, currently a stay-at-home mom. She said she
graduated from Northwestern Law School and has worked for the United States Environmental
Protection Agency.
CONSIDERATION OF JANUARY 12, 2001 MINUTES
Del Leppke mentioned that the numbers that Kerry McKenna introduced as the cost of a
standard cycle peaking plant may not include everything. He thought that those numbers were
for equipment only and not for site and site development, fuel supply, etc.
Due to lack of a quorum, the minutes could not be voted on.
RECENT OUTAGES
Dennis Marino reported that he had checked with Max Rubin and there had not been any
significant outages since the last Energy Commission meeting.
Evanston Energy Commission
Minutes - February 7, 2001
Page Two
Paul Morse (audience member) said that two to three blocks in his area experienced a
two -three-hour outage in January.
ACTIVITIES OF REGIONAL COUNCILS OF GOVERNMENT AND CITY OF
CHICAGO
Dennis Marino reported that there are two items ongoing: one, the solicitation last year of
power supply bids by the City of Chicago in a consortium with a number of members of the
Northwest Municipal Conference; second, the Northwest Municipal Conference is in the process
of developing a legislative agenda for the spring session.
COMED REPORTS
For the benefit of Ms. Haas, Dave Grumman gave a brief history of the franchise with
ComEd, the attached Letter of Agreement, and the consultants hired to advise the Energy
Commission. He added that ComEd is required to give quarterly reports of its progress and six-
month reports of outages in Evanston.
Del Leppke said he was disappointed ComEd did not include the Year 2000 loadings on
the various circuits in its latest report. He recommended that Dennis Marino inform ComEd that
the Commission is still looking for an update on all the circuits, including the circuits on which
ComEd reported they had improved capacity by adding additional circuits in the south part of
Evanston. Mr. Leppke felt that the Commission should receive that information before the
TRG's next meeting with ComEd. He said that ComEd still owed the Commission its criteria of
how it determine the percentage loading.
Dennis Marino stated that there would be a meeting of the Technical Review Group
(TRG) followed by a meeting of the TRG with ComEd. He hoped to schedule these meetings
the first week of March.
Dennis Marino called the Commission's attention to the charts containing the distinction
between the duration and the frequency of outages.
Action Item
Dave Grumman asked Dennis Marino to send an agenda to the TRG that would include a
list of items ComEd was asked to do at the last TRGIComEd meeting.
OTHER BUSINESS
Action Item
Dave Grumman asked Dennis Marino to call Janet Hoffman and confirm her attendance
at the next Energy Commission meeting in March.
Dave Grumman informed the Commission that Irwin Levinson would be a liaison to the
Energy Commission from the Environment Board. He asked that Mr. Levinson be put on the
Energy Commission mailing list.
Evanston Energy Commission
Minutes - February 7. 2001
Paee 'Three
DISCUSSION OF FUTURE FRANCHISE ISSUES
Del Leppke had many legal questions regarding what could be put in a future franchise
with ComEd. Arlene Haas said that, while she would be happy to look at the rules, this matter
was not in her legal background. Commission members discussed questions they had regarding
what could be included in a future franchise. Commission members reviewed the franchise
articles included in their packet.
Del Leppkc stated that the real issue is how the City cominces the power supplier to
build in capacity for contingency. He added that, when the City goes go to a competitive
marketplace there is no incentive for generation suppliers. Dennis Marino commented that the
City's focus has been reliability capacity in the distribution system, not regional power supply
concerns. He asked Mr. Leppke if he was now saying that them was another dimension to this,
which is regional power supply, and that both those issues need to be addressed with ComEd as
we move forward. Mr. Leppke replied that they were different issues but have the same
underlying principle: namely, who provides the excess capacity to take care of the contingency
and who pays for it.
CALIFORNIA ENERGY CRISIS
Dennis Marino stated that staff is trying to make sure the Commission is aware of some
of the best articles that are being written related to this subject. He added that this material is for
the Commission's consideration as they go forward, thinking about where the City should
position itself and what is needed to look out for as the City goes doom the road.
MEMBERSHIP
Dennis Marino mentioned that Ron Nayler has not attended a meeting for some time. He
also told the Commission that, while Jackie Brown has changed jobs, she still lives in Evanston,
and will remain on the Commission. Del Leppke asked what action is taken when a member has
not attended a meeting in approximately one year. Dennis Marino said that it would be
interaction between the Commission Chair and the individual and the Commission Chair and the
Mayor.
Action Item
Dave Grumman will speak to Ron Nayler and the Mayor regarding rules of attendance.
Dennis Marino said that, while staff makes calls to Commission members most of the
time, it would be a great help if the members would call when they knew they could not attend a
meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Commission, the meeting adjourned at 9:17
a.m.
Evanston Energy Commission
Minutes - February 7, 200I
Respectfully submitted,
Mary aaske
Exec ve Secretary
Planning Division
Community Development Department
Page Four
n'.
EVANSTON ENERGY COMMISSION
MINUTES
Thursday, March S, 2001
Room 2404 — 7:15 a.m.
CIVIC CENTER
MEMBERS PRESENT: .................. Jackie Brown, Ray Doolin, David Grumman, Arlene Haas,
Del Leppke, Rudy Wolfson
MEMBERS ABSENT: ..................... Kerry McKenna, Ronald Nayler
PRESIDING OFFICIAL: ................ David Grumman, Chair
STAFF PRESENT:..........................Dennis Marino, Max Rubin, Mary Baaske
OTHERS PRESENT: ...................... Bud Nesvig, (Former Energy Commission Chair); Janet
Hoffman, David Kraft, (Former Energy Commission
Members); Irwin Levinson, David Schreier, Environment
Board members; Paul Morse
CALL TO ORDER
David Grumman, Chair of the Energy Commission, called the meeting to order at 7:21
a.m.
REPORT OF TECHNICAL REVIEW GROUP MEETING WITH COMED
For the benefit of the audience and new members of the Energy Commission, Mr.
Grumman explained that there is a Technical Review Group (TRG) (consisting of Del Leppke,
Rudy Wolfson, Dennis Marino, Consultants Jerry Hoppe and Dave Metz) that meets with
ComEd. ComEd submits a quarterly report, the Commission reviews it, and the TRG meets with
ComEd to discuss what has been done and what needs to be done. The last meeting of the TRG
and ComEd occurred on March 2, 2001.
Dennis Marino reported that there was a good representation from ComEd at the March 2
meeting. He called attention to the supplementary information received from ComEd that deals
with CAIDI and SAIFI issues related to duration and frequency of outages.
Evanston Energy Commission
Minutes - March 8. 2001 Paee Two
Del Leppke stated that the Letter of Agreement contained 13 projects that ComEd reports on
each time in their quarterly report. Of those 13 projects, essentially most of them are completed
with the exception of Project 1, (the installation of supervisory control and data control
acquisition) Project 3, (a project in the southeastern part of Evanston where there were 12 kv
feeders and 4 kv feeders) and Project 4 (review of all circuits that are over 90% loaded). He
reported on the discussion at the meeting w7th ComEd.
Dennis Marino summarized a quarterly report that was prepared by the City, listing all of
the real estate development projects under construction as well as any projects in the
development pipeline. The development completed in the past year -and -a -half is the most
development Evanston has seen since the 1950's. He said that it's fair to say that ComEd's staff
was impressed at the aggregate scale of all the development. ComEd's engineering staff
commented that, although this is cn increased load, they had already considered many of these
projects.
Mr. Marino said that, for the lint time, the TRG had raised the issue of regional power
supply standards and projections with ComEd. In light of the California situation, every state in
the country is raising concerns about what happened in California and wondering if it could
happen in their state. In response to that issue, ComEd distributed a press release that states that
there are four important differences between California and Illinois. One, ComEd operates in a
large regional market for energy that gives ComEd tremendous flexibility to purchase power.
Two, ComEd has long time agreements in place to purchase energy with locked -in prices.
Three, new suppliers of energy are entering Illinois. Four, the Illinois restructuring law created a
transitional period to reduce disruptions.
The Illinois restructuring law was described by ComEd as including protections for
customers, including the fact that all nonresidential customers are already free to choose their
electric supplier, and participation and choice to date has been "robust". Dennis Marino added
that this report did not include new construction proposed at Northwestern University.
RECENT OUTAGES
Dennis Marino said that approximately a week ago there were multiple outages in
Evanston that were attributed to high wind.
He stated that one of the comments made by ComEd staff at the TRG meeting on the
subject of outages concerned contractors operating in Evanston. ComEd has asked staff to
investigate contractors that are allegedly intentionally cutting their lines as part of a major
construction project to speed up production.
Evanston Energy Commission
Minutes - March 8, 2001
Paee Three
ACTIVITIES OF REGIONAL COUNCILS OF GOVERNMENT AND CITY OF
CHICAGO
Dennis Marino said that the City of Chicago and a number of related governmental
entities combined together to issue an RFP for power supply that had a component of green
power included within it. Some members of the Northwest Municipal Conference also signed on
to that consortium, not as full members, but as participants who will be able to get discounted
power should that program come to pass. Three responses were received, and by early Spring,
the City of Chicago and Northwest Municipal Conference will be ready to announce what they
have decided. Del Leppke said that it was his understanding that this power would be for city
facilities or other governmental facilities.
Mr. Marino called the Commission's attention to a report received yesterday from the
Environmental Law and Policy Center entitled "Repowering the Midwest, the Clean Energy Plan
for the Heartland."
CONSIDERATION OF JANUARY 129 2001 AND FEBRUARY 79 2001 MINUTES
The minutes of January 12, 2001 and February 7, 2001 were approved with minor
corrections.
KEY ISSUES FOR FUTURE DISCUSSION
David Grumman stated that there should be some serious discussions regarding
aggregation and how the City of Evanston should position itself to participate.
Action Item
Dennis Marino to identify speakers who have experienced in putting aggregation agreernenls
together.
Mr. Grumman also said that there should be discussion on the Energy Policy at a future
meeting.
DISCUSSION OF FUTURE FRANCHISE ISSUES
David Gnunman asked Janet Hoffman, who had been specifically invited to this meeting
to share her expertise on franchise matters, to tell the Commission of her professional
background. Ms. Hoffman explained that she is an attorney, and her expertise on energy is not
so much on the regulatory side but on the arrangements that cities, counties, and states make with
each other. She added that she was a member of the Energy Commission for seven years, was a
member of the negotiating team for the extension of the Commonwealth Edison h uchise, and
also was a member of the Franchise Taskforce.
Evanston Energy Commission
Minutes - March 8, 2001 Page Four
Janet Hoffman said that, so everyone is working from the same base of knowledge, she
would spend a few minutes talking about what a franchise is. She said she would then answer
questions. Ms. Hoffman mentioned that she pulled the files she kept on the franchises and
loaned her master copies to the planning division for Commission members to review.
Ms. Hoffman stated that, in general, franchises are a form of contract that a municipal
corporation makes with another entity about providing some kind of utility services or some
other kind of contractual services. She explained that, when electricity became something that
could commercially be made available to people, there was a lot of competition among different
providers within cities to provide electricity to different areas. To move the electricity from the
generation facility to people or businesses that wanted it, frequently there was a need to put in
transmission lines and distribution facilities across public rights -of- way which effectively
belonged to a city or municipality. Rather than just allowing anyone to do that in any way they
wanted to, cities learned that it was much wiser for them to make contractual arrangements so
that they could supervise how that was done through franchises.
About ten or fifteen years ago, the regulatory climate started changing drastically.
Illinois will soon be allowing retail wheeling, and customers will be able to pick and choose
whom they get their power from. This is forcing changes on contractual arrangements that
people want to make with the electric utilities.
Ms. Hoffman commented that the Franchise Extension addressed Evanston's concerns
about reliability through a contractual means (letter of agreement), and she is pleased that there
has been progress in addressing these issues. Ms. Hoffman offered to help in whatever way she
can.
MEMBERSHIP
Dennis Marino reported that Alan Kistler had been introduce at the last Council Meeting and will
be up for confirmation this coming Monday night.
COMMUNICATIONS
Communications were accepted into the record.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Commission, it adjourned at 9:20 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary E. ke, Executive Secretary
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EVANSTON ENERGY COMMISSION
MINUTES
Friday, April 6, 2001
Room 2404 — 7:15 a.m.
CIVIC CENTER
MEMBERS PRESENT: ................. Jackie Brown, David Grumman, Arlene Haas, Alan Kistler,
Del Leppke, Kerry McKenna,
MEMBERS ABSENT......................Ray Doolin, Rudy Wolfson
PRESIDING OFFICIAL: ..... . ........ David Grumman, Chair
STAFF PRESENT: .......................... Dennis Marino, Mary Baaske
OTHERS PRESENT: ...................... Bud Nesvig, (Former Energy Commission Chair)
............................................................Paul Morse
CALL TO ORDER
David Gnumman, Chair of the Energy Commission, called the meeting to order at 7:20
a.m.
WELCOME NEW MEMBER
David Grumman welcomed Alan Kistler to the Commission and asked him to give the
Commission a summary of his professional background.
Mr. Kistler said that that he was trained as an aerodynamicist and worked for Northrop
3PL and worked on space and military problems. For the last thirty years, he was a professor of
mechanical engineering at Northwestern.
CONSIDERATION OF MARCH 8, 2001 MINUTES
Del Leppke made a motion to approve the March 8, 2001 minutes. Arlene Haas
seconded the motion. With minor corrections, the minutes were unanimously approved.
I0�.1
Evanston Energy Commission
Minutes - April 6. 2001
Page Two
MEMBERSHIP
Dennis Marino reported that Ron Nayler has resigned from the Energy Commission.
This leaves a vacancy of 3 positions.
David Grumman mentioned that his term expires in October 2001. He suggested that an
election occur sometime this summer to elect officers for the Energy Commission.
RECENT OUTAGES
Dennis Marino reported that he had spoken with Max Rubin this week. He said that last
month continued the trend of fewer outages and shorter duration and outages. Mr. Marino stated
that feeder 8528 was an exception which experienced four outages due to various reasons, e.g.,
squirrels, insulation issue, etc.
Action Item
Max Rubin to continue talking to ComEd regarding feeder 8528.
Action Item
Keep feeder 8528 on the agenda jar the next meeting with ComEd.
ACTIVITIES OF REGIONAL COUNCILS OF GOVERNMENT AND
CITY OF CHICAGO
Dennis Marino said he understands that the City of Chicago is in the final stages of power
supply negotiations. With regard to our own interest, Evanston has been told by the Northwest
Municipal Conference (NWMC) that there may be an opening to Evanston participation in the
future. What NWMC hasn't distinguished is if there would be a different class of membership
for people that were in the power supply consortium from day one versus others who night want
to get involved later. He said he would continue to monitor the situation and report back to the
Commission.
Mr. Marino stated that NWMC had a bill introduced in the Illinois Legislature or attached
to another bill that tries to change the threshold of the number of customers who experience
outages at one time that would trigger a compensation. There has not been success yet, but by
next month he will report on the outcome.
Consideration was made for discussion about pursuing further discussions with Chicago
in relation to their activity.
Action Item
Distribute RFF and attached documents in Mays packet.
I==�
I III ■ - ., _ � � �i � .�
Evanston Energy Commission
Minutes - Anril 6, 2001
DISCUSSION OF FUTURE FRANCHISE ISSUES
Page Three
David Grumman stated that the current franchise extension is scheduled to run out in July
2002, and the City has two options to extend it for one year. He raised the importance of
beginning to discuss the franchise negotiation process and issues to be addressed. The difference
between the franchise that has existed since 1957 and what was done several years ago is that a
letter of agreement was negotiated. This Letter of Agreement was attached to the franchise
agreement, and it spelled out certain provisions obligating ComEd to take some action with
respect to the distribution system in Evanston. These items were deemed to be specific to
Evanston.
Mr. Grumman said that there exists a favored nations clause that is in ComEd's
agreement with the other communities that signed their standard Northwest Municipal
Conference Franchise. This means that any particular thing granted to one community may have
to be granted to every community. However, he said that there is a way to get around the
favored nations clause by calling for things that are particular to a specific community.
He said that issues would be coming up with regard to franchise discussions. The
following questions should be discussed with A&PW and among Commission members: When
do we form a negotiating team? Who's going to be on it? Do we seek an extension of the
existing franchise agreement or try to negotiate a new one in 2002? If there is a new franchise or
Letter of Agreement, what are some of the things we would be looking for in that agreement?
Arlene Haas said that the importance of energy policy items and should Evanston be the
leader in aggregation be included among the items listed. She asked if the Commission is going
to set deadlines for itself.
Dennis Marino stated that the Commission would soon be receiving another quarterly
report from ComEd and thought that the Commission would want to meet with A&PW in June.
Action Item
Max Rubin to inform the A&PW Committee that the Energy Commission would life a
meeting with them to discuss the franchise issues, importance of energypolicy item and whether
Evanston should take the lead in aggravating.
Dennis Marino thought there was a need to have someone who is actively involved with
franchise negotiations on a national basis share what is going on over the past year or so with the
Commission.
He explained that previously, the Energy Commission had Cathy Fogel, (attorney with
Washington Law Firm) speak at a previous Energy Commission meeting about changes that
Evanston Energy Commission
Minutes - Avril 6, 2001 Pace Four
were occurring at FERC with regard to rule 8088 and other significant matters. He said he
understands that she has experience in franchise issues as well. Mr. Marino said that if the
Commission would like her to speak at a future meeting, he would be willing to contact her to
ascertain her availability.
Action Item
Dennis Marino to call Cathy Fogel and report at the next meeting
ENERGY POLICY
David Grumman said that the Environment Board was interested in revisiting the Energy
Policy and coming up with an action plan. He added that the Environment Hoard was interested
in working with the Energy Commission.
Del Leppke said he thought there was not enough emphasis on reliability. He said that,
the way he understands the Energy Policy, it's all about decreasing energy use, improving the
efficiency, and being more environmentally clean, but it does not emphasize the need for
improved reliability.
David Grumman thought that this subject should be discussed at the next Energy
Commission meeting. Dennis Marino said that he had a copy of a memo he wrote dated
December 7, 2000, which was a summary of a previous discussion (including Del Leppke's
points).
Action Item
Dennis Marino to send the memo he wrote dated December 7, 2000 to Energy Commission
members,
Del Leppke mentioned that a robot was being used to install conduit and TV cable in the
sewer system. He said he wondered if the electric system could gain some reliability by being
installed in our new sewer system -- and could this robot do it. He said he would be following
the technology and how it works.
Mr. Leppke said that he had the opportunity to meet with a representative from
Stonewater, which is a manufacturing equipment and software company that has products to
monitor components of a distribution system.
Action Item
Del Leppke to speak with the Stonewater representative and invite him to a future
meeting.
Evanston Energy Commission
Minutes - Anril 6.2001
Pane Five
COMMUNICATIONS
Dennis Marino drew the Commission Members' attention to the copies of documents
from the Illinois Commerce Commission's website that deals with deregulation law.
Communications were discussed and accepted into the record.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Commission, it adjourned at 9:15 a.nL
Respectfully submitted,
Mary E Bc
Executiv Secretal
Planning Division
EVANSTON ENERGY COMMISSION
MINUTES
Tuesday, May 1, 2001
Room 2404 -- 7:15 am.
CIVIC CENTER
MEMBERS PRESENT: ................. Jackie Brown, David Grumman, Arlene Haas, Alan. Kistler,
Del Leppke, Rudy Wolfson
MEMBERS ABSENT: ..................... Ray Doolin, Kerry McKenna
PRESIDING OFFICIAL: ................ David Grumman, Chair
STAFF PRESENT: .......................... Dennis Marino, Max Rubin, Mary Baaske
OTHERS PRESENT: ...................... Bud Nesvig, (Former Energy Commission Chair); ': 3
Leonard Sclarra, Environment Board; Paul Morse
CALL TO ORDER . : 1,1
David Gtvmman called the meeting to order at 7:15 a.m.
MEMBERSHIP
Dennis Marino stated that there were still three openings on the Energy Commission. He
asked Commission Members to encourage people to submit their applications to the mayor's
office for membership.
Mr. Marino informed the Commission that applications for membership are on the City's
website.
David Grumman mentioned that Janet Hoffman told him that her law firm was expecting
some law student interns for the summer and asked if the Energy Commission had any particular
projects it would like to have worked on by these law students. Mr. Grumman said he suggested
three possibilities: one concerns the matter of aggregation, who has done this, what is involved,
what are the legal implications; secondly issues related to energy policy development
implementation; and three, questions regarding franchise
Action Item
Dennis to submit possible project descriptions to Janet Hoffman and she ►vill see if there
is an project appropriate to give to one of her interns.
Dennis Marino suggested the Commission ask Ms. Hoffman to consider having an intern
do a survey of cities across the country that are currently, or soon will be, involved in franchise
negotiations and take a look at what kind of preparations and issues they have encountered. The
Commission has found that, in the past, that has been very helpful. Del Leppke suggested that
the Commission look at those cities that have just completed negotiations of a franchise and see
what they have been able to include in a franchise. ;
COMMUNICATION WITH A&PW COMMITTEE
it '�i �'Ii/ i;i
Dennis Marino stated that Max Rubin was staff to the A&PW Committee. At the Iast
A&PW meeting Mr. Rubin raised the issue of an Energy Commission meeting with A&PW in ,
the near future. After discussion among the Commission, it was agreed to meet with A&PW at
their June 11 meeting. Mr. Rubin agreed to arrange this. ;
CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES OF APRIL 6, 2001 ""'( I if ;
Del Leppke moved approval of the minutes of April 6, 2001 minutes. Jackie Brown
seconded the motion. Discussion ensued. With minor connections, motion passed 5 ayes, 0 nays,
and I abstention (Rudy Wolfson).
RECENT OUTAGES i t
Commission Members discussed the recent reliability data from ComEd distributed by
Max Rubin that he had sorted by date, line/circuit, voltage, number of customers affected,
duration, cause, and action taken. Dennis Marino suggested that it was time for the Technical.
Review Group to investigate when the cause for outage is animal -related with ComEd.
Action Item
Dennis Marino to put animal caused -outages on the agenda for discussion.
Action Item
Dennis Marino to ask Dave Metz to find an e"rt source on whether rodents eat lead
cable.
Dennis Marino said he would get something in the mail to Dave Metz, but that Metz will
be will be out of the country until the first week of June. He said that he hopes to have Mr. Metz
at the June Energy Commission meeting.
E
Dennis Marino said that he is expecting the quarterly report from ComEd, which is a
report of construction projects to upgrade Evanston's distribution system.
David Grumman asked 'tax Rubin for his overall assessment of ComEd's progress. Max
Rubin said that, in general, he was satisfied; however, he was unhappy with the inconsistency of
ComEd's reporting of outages.
Del Leppke made note that the Commission has been watching C4713 and C4716 circuits
because of the number of outages on them, and they are still among the highest circuits in outage
frequency. Two additional circuits, C8428 and C907, are also beginning to experience an
extensive number of outages.
Action Item
Max Rubin said he would pull together a spreadsheet of the outages far the last three
years and sort them by feeders.
APRIL 6 ACTION LIST
Max Rubin to continue talking to ComEd regardingfeeder 8528. Max has been talking
to ComEd and will continue. (Carry forward action item).
Dennis Marino to keep feeder 8528 on the agenda for the next meeting with ComEd
(Carry forward action item)
Dennis Marino to distribute RFP (Chicago's) and attached documents in May's packet.
Mr. Marino said he had not received the full packet as of yet, but will distribute it when he
receives the packet in full. (Carry forward action item.)
Max Rubin to inform the A&PW Committee that the Energy Commission would like a
meeting with then to discuss franchise issues. Max Rubin said that this action item was
accomplished.
Dennis Marino to call Cathy Fogel and report at the next meeting. (Carry forward
action item.)
Dennis ,Marino to send the memo (summary of a previous discussion including Del
Leppke's points) he wrote dated December 7. 2000 to Energy Commission. Dennis Marino
stated that that memo was in the Commission Members' May packets.
Del Leppke to speak with the Stonewater representative and invite him to a future
meeting. Mr. Leppke said that he wanted to defer that until after the Technical Review Group
meets with ComEd. (Carry Forward)
Action Item
Dennis Marino - Send all members available circuit maps
Commission Members discussed the possibility of one of the Commission Members
attending every A&PW meeting. It was mentioned that Max Rubin attends every A&PW
meeting. After discussion it was decided that one or more Commission Members would go to
A&PW meetings as needed for specific discussions.
ACTIVITIES OF LOCAL, REGIONAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES
AND COGS
Dennis Marino said that the Northwest Municipal Conference has not made a decision
regarding their RFP.
DISCUSSION OF KEY ISSUES FOR FUTURE CONSIDERATION
AGGREGATION
Del Leppke expressed concern that the bigger customers in Evanston might already be
signing up with ComEd. David Grumman asked Dennis Marino to call Jonathan Pernm to see
if the Chamber of Commerce surveys its members and if they would allow the Energy
Commission to include a survey regarding their electric power suppliers. Dennis Marino said
that it would also be possible for the Energy Commission to send a brief questionnaire to the top
ten largest industrial firms.
ENERGY POLICY
Dennis Marino said that the December ? memo written by him (included in the
Commission Members` packet) highlighted issues where there was consensus regarding changes
in the Energy Policy. Changes/additions to Resolution 33-R-95 were discussed.
David Grumman suggested that a subcommittee be formed to review the changes to
Resolution 33-R-95. He asked Del Leppke, Rudy Wolfson, and Arlene Haas to be on the
subcommittee. Mr. Grumman recommended that the subcommittee solidify the
improvements/changes that the Commission wants changed/added, approve it as a commission
and then approach other boards (i.e. the Environment Board) and ask for their comments.
Leonard Sclarra offered to help the Energy Commission with their revision to the Energy
Resolution. Del Leppke said that he would keep in touch with Mr. Sclarra.
FRANCHISE RENEWAL
David Grumman said that he and Del Leppke would be attending the A&PW meeting on
June 11, 2001 and invited other Commission members to join them. Leonard Sclarm asked the
purpose of the Commission members attending the A&f W meeting. Mr. Grumman replied that
the Commission wants to make sure that the franchise agreement issues being addressed by the
Commission is in line with what the City Council wants. He added that the Commission would
4
also like to know if the Council thinks that the Energy Policy is appropriate for Evanston, and
how they feel about the matter of aggregation.
Del Leppke stated that he had the follouing ideas regarding the franchise:
Don't think in terms of just a franchise, but think in terms of a distribution
franchise and a power supply contract
Consider the definition of an acceptable quality and capacity distribution system
Define acceptable maintenance and upgrading of the system
Establish a methodology for correcting conditions that do not meet acceptable
standards, including penalties
Establish a methodology for review and updating of franchise conditions
`i
Establish City role in overview of the management and objectives of the system
The franchise should state how the city would interact with the management and
operation of the system. Perhaps, establish City interaction and monitoring with
the distribution system owner
David Grumman said he would like to see these items on the discussion list with A&PW
on June 11.
Bud Nesvig said the Commission may want to include the transmission system because,
if you're going to aggregate, you may want to get your power somewhere else, and ComEd will
tell you that their distribution system is not capable of bringing in that power. Del Leppke said
he thought the transmission system would be part of the power supply contract, and if the City is
going to negotiate for a power supply separate from a ComEd contract, some arrangement for
transmission should be included.
After discussion, the Commission decided to consider possibly moving the July meeting
from July 12 to duly 17.
COMMUNICATIONS
Dennis Marino brought the newspaper article distributed earlier to the Commission
Members' attention. Dave Grumman commented on newspaper articles he brought to the
meeting. After discussion, the communications were accepted into the record.
5
OTHER BUSINESS
Jackie Brown offered her assistance to the Technical Review Group. Del Leppke
explained that the Technical Review Group was not a subcommittee of the Energy Commission,
but a group appointed by the City. The meetings are open to the public; however, the next
meeting of the Technical Review Group is intended to be held on either June 6 or June 7.
FiV)-VF1Dj
The meeting adjourned at 9:30 am.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary E aaske
Facevr Secretary
Planning Division
6
Draft Not Approve,
EVANSTON ENERGY COMMISSION
MINUTES
Wednesday, June 6, 2001
Room 2404 — 7:I 5 a.m.
CIVIC CENTER
MEMBERS PRESENT: .................. Jackie Brown, Ray Doolin, David Grumman, Arlene Haas,
Alan Kistler, Del Leppke, Kerry McKenna
MEMBERS ABSENT: ..................... Rudy Wolfson
PRESIDING OFFICIAL: ................ David Grumman, Chair
STAFF PRESENT: ....Dennis Marino, Max Rubin, Mary Baaske
OTHERS PRESENT: ...................... Bud Nesvig, (Former Energy Commission Chair);
Leonard Sciarra, Irwin Levinson, Environment Board
1. CALL TO ORDER
David Gmmman called the meeting to order at 7:20 a.m.
1I. ACTION LIST REVIEW
Dennis Marino to research the previous minutes where the Commission discussed the franchise'
issue. Make a list of those questions, and send them to Janet RoB'mmr and she will see if there it a
project appropriate to give to one of her interns. Mr. Marino reported that he had sent a memo to Janet
Hoffman highlighting two possible projects for summer interns within her firm. One project dealt with
aggregation and the other project dealt with franchise issues. He said that he spoke to Ms. Hoffman on
Tuesday, June 5, 2001 and she said that they seemed like two very good projects and after she met her
interns she would be in contact with him
Dennis Marino to put animal caused outages an the agenda for discussion for the next meeting
with ComEd. Mr. Marino said Stanley Metz was out of the country and upon his return a meeting would
be set up with ComEd. (Carry forward action item)
Dennis Marino to ask Dave Metz to find an expert source on whether indents eat lead cable. '
(Carry forward action item)
Max Rubin to carrtinue talking to ComEd regardingfeeder 8528. (Carry tbrward actson,iteni)
r
Evanston Energy Commission
Minutes - June d, 2001
Paee Two
Dennis .Marino to keep feeder 8528 on the agenda for the nest meeting it -ills ComEd. (Carry
forward action item)
Dennis Marino to distribute RFP (Chicago's) and attached documents. Mr. Marino said he had
not received the full packet, but will distribute it when he receives the packet in full. He drew the
Commission's attention to two articles handed out today concerning the selection of ComEd as the
supplier of Green Power to Northeast Chicago Power Alliance. This alliance includes a number of
northwest suburbs, which does not include Evanston. The articles in the Sun Times and Tribune' highlight
the fact that it starts with 10% Green Power and that the source of the Green Power is methane gas from a
landfill on the south of Chicago.
Leonard Sciarra (member of the Environment Board) mentioned that he had been ia�'
contact with David Reynolds and Steve Walters, who work for the City of Chicago in the
Environment Department. They indicated they were willing to come to an Energy Cortimission
meeting and speak to the Commission members on the RFP.
Dennis Mario to follow up with David Reynolds regarding attending a future, meetiT
the Energy Commission. ' ' ' ' '
Dennis Marino to call Cathy Fogel and report at the next meeting. Mr. Marino said he had
spoken to Ms. Fogel and that she was willing to speak with the Energy Commission, but the price is
steep. He said that he would like to keep this possibility on hold until the City and the Commission are
firmer about the exact topics that would like to hear her speak about. (Carry forward Action Item)
Del Leppke to speak with the StoneKater representatives and invite them to a future meeting. Mr.
Leppke said that he wanted to defer inviting the Stonewater representative until after the Technical
Review committee meets with ComEd. He added he is still waiting for a Technical Review Group
meeting with ComEd. (Carry Forward)
New Action Item
Dennis Marino to contact Jonathan Perman to see if the Chamber of Commerce surveys
its members and if they would allow the Energy Commission to include a survey regarding their
electric power suppliers.
Irwin Levinson said he was aware of several businesses having their own generators with
jet engines and thought that this would be quite a noise pollution problem. Dennis Marino said
that there was a noise ordinance that would be enforced by the Community Development
Department.
Mr. Sciarra stated that he has been in contact with a group called the interfaith
Sustainability Circle (ISC), a group of multi -religious individuals that promote sustainability and
livability issues. They are also concerned with energy and a group called the Center for
Neighborhood Technology which is a not for profit enviornmental group. The ISC wants to Bold
an event in Evanston about energy. They have asked the Environmental Board to cosponsor this
event because they are concerned with environmental issues and thought that they would also
Evanston Energy Commission
Minutes - June 6, 200)
Pnee Three
like the Energy Commission to cosponsor a public outreach. Date Grumman suggested Mr.
Sciarra contact Dennis Marino when the final plans are made. Del Leppke thought that someone
on the Energy Commission should be involved with the planning. Mr. Sciarra said that most of
the meetings would be by email.
III. CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES OF MAY 9, 2001
Del Leppke made a motion to approve the minutes of May 9, 2001. Motion seconded by
Jackie Brown. With minor corrections, the minutes were approved unanimously.
I
IV. DISCUSSION WITH A&PW COMMITTEE SCHEDULED JUNE 11, 2001
Max Rubin reported that.A&PW meets from 7:00 p.m. to 8:20 p.m., and City Council starts
at 8:30 p.m. He said that while the Energy Commission is on the agenda for the'June l l IA&PW
meeting, this was a very busy agenda and suggested that the Energy Commission would want to
meet with A&PW at a later date. Max Rubin suggested that the Energy Commission ask A&PW
for a special meeting. Dave Grumman suggested that the Energy Commission stay on the'
current A&PW meeting agenda for now, and he would call Ald. Moran to discuss a special
meeting with A&PW.
Del Leppke suggested that a subcommittee be formed to plan their participation in a special
meeting with A&PW. Arlene Haas, Del Leppke, and Dave Grumman volunteered to be on that
subcommittee. Dave Grumman said he would ask Rudy Wolfson to also be on that
subcommittee.
V. RECENT OUTAGES
Max Rubin reported that all recent reported outages were planned outages so that ComEd
could work on the system. ' '' % I s i l ' , , it/
VI. COMED REPORTING
Commission members discussed the quarterly report dated April 20, 2001 submitted from,
ComEd.
VH. ACTIVITIES OF LOCAL, REGIONAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTAL
AGENCIES AND COGS
Dennis Marino drew attention to the article he distributed earlier in the meeting about the'
Chicago Northwest Green Power initiative. He said he would keep the Commission posted
should other information become available. Mr. Marino said he would ask a speaker to come
before the Commission to speak about this initiative.
VIII. ENERGY POLICY
Evanston Energy Commission
Minutes - June 6, 2001
Pa¢e Four
Del Leppke reported that the Energy Subcommittee has had two meetings and has
discussed the revisions to the energy policy. He said they have decided to draft a new energy
policy. With one more meeting. Mr. Leppke said that the Energy Policy should be ready for the
Commission's review.
Action Item
Del Leppke to make a presentation of the new Energy Policy.
IX. MEMBERSHIP
r;
Dennis Marino said that currently there were three vacancies on the Energy Commission..
X . RESCHEDULING OF COMBINED JULYIAUGUST MEETING
Currently, the Energy Commission meeting in July is scheduled for the I2"; Dave
Grumman asked if the meeting could be scheduled later in the month and cancel the August
meeting. . .
rt,
The Commission decided to cancel the August meeting and the July meeting date would be
decided later.
X1. COMMUNICATIONS
Dennis Marino drew the Commission's attention to the various articles included in their
packet. Dave Grumman brought additional newspaper articles to the meeting and asked that they
be distributed in the next packet.
XII. OTHER BUSINESS
A discussion occurred about overall power supply in the United Stales. Del Leppke stated
that there was much fuel to be had, for example nuclear fuel could be degraded so that it is not
weapons material, but is still adequate for power production. Overlooking politics, and looking
at it strictly from an engineering position, there is a lot of fuel.
Dennis Marino said it was not clear from newspaper articles, but it was his understanding
that there are wholesale power supply caps in California, and it is related to a narrow margin in
total supply. Dave Grumman said it was his understanding that there are caps in California, but
they are so high they would never be reached. Kerry McKenna said there are caps and an
inability to enter long-term purchase agreements. He said there is no shortage of natural gas in
the Pacific Ocean, but they can't find markets on commercially acceptable terms - presto energy
shortage. Other members suggested that if the caps that exist in California are superficial the
price would float up pretty high before they get triggered and the kind of economic disruption
� YI❑
Evanston Energy Commission
Minutes - June 6, 2001
Pace Five
that has already occurred in California isn't going to change that much based on these so-called
caps.
XIII. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the commission, it adjourned at 9:19.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary E. ice
Executi Secretary
Planning Division
Vr r, � y 1 1 1 �� i•��/
EVANSTON ENERGY COMMISSION
MINUTES
Wednesday, July 18, 2001
Room 2404 — 7:15 a.m.
CIVIC CENTER
MEMBERS PRESENT: .................. David Grumman, Arlene Haas, Alan Kistler, Del Leppke,
............................................................Rudy Wolfson
MEMBERS ABSENT: ...................... Jackie Brown, Ray Doolin, Kerry McKenna, Paul Morse,
............................................................Hans Detweiler
PRESIDING OFFICIAL: ................ David Grumman, Chair
STAFF PRESENT:..........................Dennis Marino, Max Rubin, Mary Baaske
OTHERS PRESENT: ...................... Bud Nesvig, (Former Energy Commission Chair);
Leonard Sciarra, Irwin Levinson, Environment Board
I. CALL TO ORDER
David Grumman called the meeting to order at 7:20 a.m.
II. ACTION LIST REVIEW
Dennis Marina Put antural caused outages on the agenda for discussion
for the ream meeting with ComEd Mr. Marino said that at the last Tcchnical
Review Group meting, Stanley Mctz stated that animals could cause off.
Dennis Marino Ask Dave Metz to find an expert source on whether rodents eat
lead cable. Mr. Metz said that this was a possibiiity.
Max Rubin Continue talking to ComEd regarding feeder 8J28. '
(Carry forward actifln item)
Evanston Energy Commission
Minutes - July 18, 2001 Paee Two
Dennis Marino Keep feeder 8528 on the agenda for the next meeting with ComEd.
Carry forward action item)
Dennis Mario Follow up with David Reynolds of the City of Chicago regarding
attending a future meeting of the Energy Commission. Mr. Marino
said he is working on setting up a meeting with a representative from
the Department of Environment for the September or October meeting to discuss
the Chicago Power Alliance.
Dennis Marino Call Cathy Fogel and report at the next meeting. He said that he would like to
keep this possibility an hold until the City and the Commission are fi,"eri about.
the exact topics that would like to hear her speak about.
(Carry forward Action item)
Del Leppke To speak with the Stonewater representatives and invite them to a
f nure meeting. Mr. Leppke said that he wanted to defer inviting'thc `f 1, 111" 1 i
Stonewater representative until after the Technical Review committee
meets with ComEd (Carry Forward)
Dennis Marino To contact Jonathan Perman to see if the Chamber of Commerce
surveys its members and if they would allow the Energy Commission.'
to include a survey regarding (heir electric power suppliers. Dennis
Marino stated that he spoke with Jonathan Perman regarding the survey,
and they Mr. Perman is supportive of the survey being emailed to his
membership; however, he has no immediate plans for sending out a
survey.
Dennis Mario Draft a survey for the September meeting that can be sent out to the
Chamber of Commerce mailing list. I: 'I-) i t j /.
MEETING WITH A&PW
Dave Grumman reported that Del Leppke, Arlene Haas, Dennis Marino and he met with
A&PW. He said that while the meeting lasted less than an hour, there was a wide-ranging
discussion. Arlene Haas mentioned that at the end of the meeting that the Aldermen said they
were looking to the Energy Commission for direction.
TECHNICAL REVIEW GROUP REPORT
Dave Grumman said that the Technical Review Group had a meeting with ComEd., Del
Leppke reported that one of the significant items learned at the meeting was that Conatd. has
divided their system into seven regions and has a designated person in charge of each region.
This person is an operations director covering engineering, construction, and maintenance of that
Evanston Energy Commission
Minutes - July 18, 2001 Page Three
segment of the distribution system. The person designated for the Evanston region is Dan Brea.
The transmission operations are under another division that now has the Edison system divided
into three regions and the transmission substation reliability is under the control of Jack O'Toole
for Evanston's region.
Mr. Leppke added that the discussion dealt with construction projects #2, #5 and #12,
projects that are not 1001/6 complete. He said that the annual frequency of outages has been
reduced to 1.2 outages per customer, and the annual average duration of outages has been
reduced to 148 minutes per outage. There was much discussion on the capacity of circuits and
the criteria of how the planning for loading on circuits is developed. He added that the Technical
Review Group (TRG) will visit the dispatch center in Joliet on Friday (July 20) to observe the
performance of the SCATA system and observe the operations of the dispatch center.
Dennis Marino stated that David Metz would be joining members of the TRG when they,
visit Joliet on Friday.
ACTIVITIES OF LOCAL, REGIONAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES
AND COGS
This will be discussed in the September Energy meeting.
ENERGY POLICY
Del Leppke stated that Rudy Wolfson, Arlene Haas and he had been meeting to update
the existing energy policy. They came to the conclusion that it would require more than just an
updating of the energy policy, so they chose to completely rewrite the policy. He stated that in
1995, (when the resolution was written) the country was in an energy crisis and the issue in most
people's minds was that of conservation. Today, there is a different set of circumstances where
continuing service and reliability is of the most concern.
Mr. Leppke said that because of these facts and also that the regulatory law and the
industry is changing, it was felt that the energy policy should be completely rewritten. He
explained that the draft energy policy is primarily focused on energy and asked Commission
members if the policy should be broader. But, if the policy were broader, would that take it
beyond the scope of the Energy Commission.
Dennis Marino commented that Ray Wannington's (former Energy Commission
member) concern about the Energy Policy is that much of it could be filled with very positive
altruistic goals that don't get achieved, and his greatest concern about the current energy policy
is that he thought much of it wasn't achievable. His advice, as we revise the energy policy, is
that we be realistic.
Evanston Energy Commission
Minutes - Ju1v 18. 2001
Pace Four
Del Leppke suggested that two statements be drafted. one that implies a heavy amount of
monitoring, and another that implies supervisory monitoring. Both these draft statements could
be brought to the September Energy Commission meeting and the Commission could decide
which one to use.
David Grumman suggested that if any Commission member has suggestions on the
revision of the energy policy, they e-mail those suggestions to Del Leppke. Commission
members discussed ideas concerning the new Energy Policy.
RECENT OUTAGES
Max Rubin reported that he has been getting only planned outages from ComEcl. Therc
have been several outages in Evanston in the last month that ComEd had not reported to him.
Dennis Marino said that it appeared that ComEd's trucks were seen repairing the problem within
a reasonable period of time. The thought is that there may be a lack of communication within,
ComEd itself.
ADJOURNMENT i r.
There being no further business before the Commission, the meeting adjourned at 9:05.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary E. B e
Executive ecretary
Planning Division
Community Development Department
EVANSTON ENERGY COMMISSION
MINUTES
Thursday. September 20, 2001
Room 2404 — 7:13 a.m.
CIVIC CENTER
MEMBERS PRESENT: .................. Jackie Brown, David Grumman, Arlene Baas, Alan Kistler,
............................................................Del Leppkc, Paul Morse, Rudy Wolfson
MEMBERS ABSENT: ..................... Hans Detweiler, Ray Doolin, Kerry McKenna
PRESIDING OFFICIAL: ................ David Grumman, Chair
STAFF PRESENT: .......................... Dennis Marino, Max Rubin, Mary Baaske
OTHERS PRESENT: ........................ Bud Nesvig, Leonard Sciarra, Irwin Levinson
I. CALL TO ORDER
David Grumman called the meeting to order at 7:15 a.m.
H. APPROVAL OF ENERGY MINUTES OF JUNE 6, 2001 AND JULY 18, 2001
Jackie Brown moved approval of the minutes of June 9, 2001. Del Leppke
seconded the motion. Discussion ensued, With minor corrections, motion passed 7 ayes, 0 nays.
Del Leppkc moved approval of the minutes of July 18, 2001. Alan Kistler
seconded the motion. Discussion ensued. With minor corrections, motion passed 7 ayes, 0 nays.
Ili. ACTION LIST REVIEW
Dennis Marino Keep feeder 8528 on the agenda for the next meeting with ComFd.
Carry forward action item)
Dennis Marino Distribute RFP (Chicago's) and attached documents, Mr. Marino
said he has been in contact with the Northwest Municipal Conference several
times. He said he would keep in contact with them.
Dennis Marino Call Cathy Fogel and report at the next meeting. He has been in touch with Ms.
Fogel and he is monitoring where she is speaking. She is holding a seminar in
Washington D.C. and Mr. Marino said he would try to secure a tape fan this
seminar for the Commission. (Carry forward Action Itesn)
Evanston Energy Commission
Minutes - September 20, 2001 Paste Two
Del Leppke To speak with the Stonewater representatives and invi(e (hem to a
future meeting. Mr. Leppke said after he toured the operation center for
ComEd. he thought ComEd could give the same information without having to
purchase and install additional equipment from Sionewater. (Carry Forward)
Dennis Marino Draft a sur vey for the September meeting that can be sent out to the
Chamber of Commerce mailing list. Mr. Marino passed out a survey he
had drafted and asked the Commission members for their input. In
response to a question from Dave Grumman, Mr. Marino said that the first
cut is focused on companies, but it would be easy to adapt the survey to
send to a sample number of residents. Alter discussion by Commission
members and members of the audience it was decided to make revisions'
and bring the survey back to the Commission's October meeting for
Mill ;1�
finalization.
Dennis Marino/ Pursue with ComEd what precautions they are taking against rodentsk"
Max Rubin eating cables. CaM Forward
TECHNICAL REVIEW GROUP REPORT AND MEETING WITH A&PW
Del Leppke reported that Ald. Rainey suggested an overlay be used in the Energy
Commission's next presentation. She thought this would be effective in getting a better visual
impression of where the outages are occurring. Ald. Rainey thought that the Energy
Commission could make a geographic presentation of where the feeders are and the outages
occurring.
Max Rubin stated that he was posting outage information on the Evanston web site.
Dennis Marino said he would work with Mark Varner of the City's Geographic Information
Systems Department to make a geographic map of outages.
Action Item ; t III
Dennis Marino To pursue geographic representation of where outages have occurred
over tine.
Del Leppke said that Aid. Feldman asked if the Energy Commission was still looking for
alternate distribution systems. He said he told Ald. Feldman that no private enterprise was
willing to come forward and fund it and he didn't think that the Energy Commission should ask
the City for more money for this purpose.
Dennis Marino drew the Commission's attention to the duly 31, 2001 ConnEd quarterly
report. By September 30, 2001 the City will be receiving a six-month outage report plus another
Evanston Energy Commission
Minutes - September 20, 2001 PaRe Three
quarterly report will be due the end of October. He said that the Technical Review Group (TRG)
will meet in October and then meet with ComEd thereafter.
DISCUSSION OF REQUEST TO CO-SPONSOR ELECTRIC FORUM
(HANS DETWEILER)
Dave Grumman informed the Commission that Hans Detweiler sent an agenda for the
forum and asked if the Energy Commission wanted to sponsor some kind of electric forum to
take place sometime in October. After conferring with Dennis Marino, Mr. Grumman said that.
the Energy Commission usually doesn't co-sponsor forums when they it was not involved in the
agenda.
RECENT OUTAGES
Mr. Rubin said that for approximately two months he did not receive any data from
ComEd. Somehow his fax number got deleted from ComEd's list. It is now reinstated and he_;;;
should be receiving faxes about feeder outages.
WELCOME NEW MEMBER
Dave Grumman welcomed Mr. Paul Morse to the Energy Commission and asked him to
give an overview of his background. Mr. Morse said he is an engineer by education and has
worked in consulting and design engineering his entire career. Since 1970 most of the time has
been working for consulting firms. He is more familiar with the generation aspect, but has
learned more about transmission and distribution in the last few years. He added that
Northwestern University is one of his clients, and he has worked mostly with facilities
management on the central utility plants.
Dennis Marino mentioned that the Commission now has ten members and needs only one
more member for a complete Commission. Dave Grumman said that his term expires next
month (October) and the Commission should be prepared to hold an election for a new chair and
vice -chair,
ENERGY POLICY
Ii 1'
Del Leppke said that this draft is the result from the comments received at the last Energy
Commission meeting. The most significant change is that the words "electric energy" have been
changed to "energy". He said that there are two versions, one that deals with auditing, and one
that deals with monitoring.
Mr. Leppke said that they have added Section 2 where it was felt it was appropriate that
energy policy gives rise to an Energy Commission, which was not in the previous policy. He -,.
said that if this policy is accepted, the Energy Commission enabling ordinance would have to be
Evanston Energy Commission
Minutes - September 20, 2001 i'aee Four
rewritten. Section 3 was added to commit the City to include a line item in the annual budget to
include the cost of the energy police.
Dave Grumman asked what was meant by audit and systematically monitor. Mr. Leppke
replied that his understanding was that an audit would be to periodically look deeply into the
operation maintenance of the City's energy supply whereas systematically monitoring would be
to not look as deeply or as intensive.
Dennis Marino said that, while he agreed with the intent of Section 3 to make sure there
are resources there, he thought that perhaps Section 3 could state that the City of Evanston shall
provide sufficient resources annually to cover the cost of implementing an energy policy.
Del Leppke thought that if the Commission adopted an Energy Policy, the City would set
aside funds to achieve the end result.
Dave Grumman asked if the Commission wanted la or Ib? The Commission discussed
the cost of implementing 1 a, "auditing ComEd operation, maintenance and upgrading of the
City's energy supply and distribution system..."
Dennis Marino said that the Ordinance that established the Energy Commission was
established in 1993. He thought Section 2 should read "The City of Evanston shall maintain an
Energy Commission..."
Leonard Sciarra and Irwin Levinson thought that the environmental needs should be
further in the front of the Resolution. Mr. Grumman said that the order or issues did not dictate
importance.
Del Leppke moved deletion of 1. Lb and the substitution of the word "maintain" for
establish and in Section 3 replace "include a line item in its annual budget" with "they shall
provide sufficient resources annually. Rudy Wolfson seconded the motion. Motion 6 ayes and
1 abstention (Jackie Brown).
Mr. Grumman asked Dennis Marino to draft a memo to the Environment Board to
accompany the revised Energy Resolution.
ILLINOIS CLEAN ENERGY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Dennis Marino stated that the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation has a trust
fund to allocate for programs that increase energy efficiency, enhance the environment, develop
or increase renewable energy sources.
Hans Detweiler is encouraging the Commission and the City to consider proposing
something for funding in the area of energy conservation, particularly related to his interest in
seeing us retrofitting existing buildings. This Commission has also discussed a whole wide.
Evanston Energy Commission
Minutes - September 20, 2001 Pave Five
range of issues that it would like to see the City engaged in, but financial issues are an issue for
achieving them.
Mr. Marino stated that fuel cells, distributed generation and aggregation were some issues
that might be of interest to this funding source.
Mr. Marino asked if one or two Commission members would like to work with Jeff
Burdick, and him to see if there are some key issues that we would like to include as a potential
proposal to go to this fund under the government partnership program. Dave Grumman
suggested that Hans Detweiler and Arlene Haas would be good candidates to join Dennis Marino
and Jeff Burdick in a subcommittee.
ACTIVITIES OF LOCAL, REGIONAL, AND STATE GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES
AND COGS
Dennis Marino said that the Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission has started a!' -
process to rewrite the Comprehensive Plan for the region. Planning staff will be involved in this
process. One of staffs contributions to that will be issues related to electrical energy and some
of the Commission's concerns regarding growing distribution, etc.
COMMUNICATIONS
Dennis Marino commented on several communications contained in the packet. David
Grumman asked reprints be ordered for an article "Out of the Darkness" in the Wall Street
Journal.
OTHER BUSINESS
Dave Grumman pointed out that October is his last month on the Energy Commission.
He suggested that a chair and vice -chair be elected in that meeting.
Bud Nesvig mentioned that he had attended a meeting in London of the International
Electric Tentacle Association of fuel cells. Representatives of Japan, Germany, Canada, the
United States, Denmark, and Italy also attended this meeting. Large automobile manufactures
are all interested in fuel cells and in 2004-2005 they will be marketing cars using fuel cells. Dave
Grumman said that the problem right now is that it would be very expensive.
Paul Morse mentioned that the ICC has a subgroup called "Aggregation Consumer Issue
Subgroup". He said he had a copy of the agenda of a meeting held last fall. All of the questions
that they were going to address he has heard asked at the Energy Commission meetings. Mr.
Morse suggested that staff contact ICC and ask for a set of minutes from that meeting.
Evanston Energy Commission
Minutes - Sentember 20. 2001 Pave Six
Action Item
Dennis Marino - Follows -up on contacting the ICC regarding the Aggregation
Consumer Issue Subgroup's meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Commission, it adjourned at,9:10 a.m.
Respoctfully submitted, ,
Mary E.S e
Executive Secretary
Planning Division
EVANSTON ENERGY COMMISSION
MINUTES
Wednesday October 3.2001
Room 2404 — 7:1 5 a.m.
CIVIC CENTER
MEMBERS PRESENT: .................. Jackie Brawn, Hans Detweiler, David Grumman,
............................................................Arlene Haas, Alan Kistler, Del Leppke, Paul Morse,
............................................................Rudy Wolfson < . ,;,. "
MEMBERS ABSENT: ..................... Ray Doolin, Kerry McKenna
PRESIDING OFFICIAL: ................ David Grumman, Chair
STAFF PRESENT: .......................... Dennis Marino, Mary Baaske
OTHERS PRESENT: ...................... Bud Nesvig, Leonard Sciarra
I. CALL TO ORDER
David Grumman called the meeting to order at 7:15 a.m.
! r
II. APPROVAL OF ENERGY MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 20, 2001
Del Leppke moved approval of the September 20, 2001 minutes. Paul Morse seconded -
the motion. Discussion ensued. With minor corrections, the minutes passed unanimously. (9,
ayes 0 nays) >>
III. WELCOME NEW ENERGY COMMISSION MEMBER
Dave Grumman welcomed Hans Detweiler to the Energy Commission and asked him to-.
give the Commission an overview of his background. Mr. Detweiler said he is a policy advocate
at the Environmental Law and Policy Center in Chicago where he works on energy issues, global
warming, and sustainable energy. He said he hoped that power reliability and environmental
consequences of the current energy consumption would be a high priority to the Commission.
IV. AMON LIST REVIEW
Dennis Marino Keep feeder 8528 on the agenda far the nears meeting with ComEd.—
Cary forward action item)
}
Dennis Marino Distribute RFF (Chicago s) and attached documents. Mr. Marino !:
f
�11
Evanston Energy Commission
Minutes - October 3.2001
Paue Two
said he has been in contact Aith the Northwest Municipal Conference
several times. He said he would keep in contact with them.
Dennis Marino To pursue geographic representation of where outages have occurred
over time. Mr. Marino reported that he asked the GIS staff to be
involved, and they have agreed. However, it will be a few weeks before
they will be able to start on this project. . ! ' i i
Dennis Marino Follow-up on contacting the ICC regarding the Aggregation Consumer
Issue Subgroup's meeting. Mr. Marino said he did look on the Illinois
Commerce website and was unable to find anything labeled the f
Aggregation Consumer Issue Subgroup. He said he did find a number of
things related to residential delivery service implementation plans, and a' }
number of rate cases and issues related to rate service and delivery. Paul
Morse suggested that someone call the ICC. Mr. Marino said he wotild' ,-.
make the call.
�1:ilst)
V. COMED OUTAGE REPORT MARCH - JULY 20011
Continued to November meeting.
VI. TECHNICAL REVIEW GROUP SCHEDULE
Dennis Marino said that on Friday, October 19, 2001 from 9 a.m. to i I a.m., there would
be a Technical Review Group (TRG) meeting with ComEd. He suggested that the TRG meet at
8 a.m. For the new Energy Commission members, Mr. Marino explained that the Technical
Review Group is a City body that includes members of the Energy Commission, several
consultants and City staff. TRG meets quarterly with ComEd to discuss performance issues
related to liability and outages, significant issues related to construction schedules, and progresst
on items that ComEd committed to when ComEd and the City signed the last franchise
extension.
VII. ENERGY POLICY
Dennis Marino stated that the Commission approved the Energy Policy at the September
meeting. The Energy Policy will be sent to the Environment Board for their next packet.
Del Leppke mentioned that he looked at the establishment of the Commission, and he felt
that them is a section that is completely out of date. He suggested that a subcommittee
(Ordinance Revision Subcommittee) be appointed to review Section 2-14.5 Powers and Duties }
of the City Code included in Ordinance 49-0-93 establishing an Energy Commission. After
discussion, Dave Grumman appointed Paul Morse and Alan Kistler to that subcommittee. � � � , , - '°
Evanston Energy Commission
Minutes - October 3.2001
Action Item
Mary Baarke to e-mail Leonard Sciarra a copy of the Energy Policy.
VIII. ILLINOIS CLEAN ENERGY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Paite Three
Dennis Marino said that the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation has a very
significant capital source of grant giving capacity. focusing on energy conscrvation,
environmental protection and lowering the cost of energy services in Illinois.
Staff is investigating what ties there would be for existing or new activities in Evanston
to be funded by the Foundation. Secondly, the City is very interested in aggregation, and that
could be a significant way to reduce cost. Thirdly, there has been much discussion on staff level
and the commission about some of the exciting prospects there are for distributed sources of,..
energy as a way to deal both with reliability and cost issues.
Mr. Marino said that he hoped to talk with Mr. Fan, a resource person suggested by Hand
Detweiler sometime in die future and perhaps he could give the Commission some guidance.
Dave Grumman said that Chicago had just adopted an energy code. The Illinois Chapter
of ASHRAE (The American Society of Heating and Air Conditioning Engineers) is holding a
seminar to discuss the provisions of this new code. He thought this might be a sample of what is
feasible with a big municipality.
IX. ELECTRIC ENERGY SURVEY
Rudy Wolfson moved approval of the Electric Energy Survey. Del Leppke seconded the
motion. With minor corrections, the motion passed unanimously. (8-0)
X. ACTIVITIES OF LOCAL, REGIONAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTAL
AGENCIES AND COGS
Dennis Marino reported that there was an article in the August Northwest Municipal - .
Conference newsletter indicating that the program with Enron and ComEd would move forward
in October, but as of yet that has not been confirmed.
The Northeast Illinois Planning Commission is updating the regional Comprehensive
General Plan . There is a meeting October 27 on that subject in Rosemont. .
XI. MEMBERSHIP/ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Dave Grumman opened the floor to nominations for Chair and Vice -Chair. He explained
that, by law, this would be conducted in an open meeting. Arlene Haas nominated Del Leppke'
for Chair of the Energy Commission. Because of Mr. Leppke's many commitments in the
Evanston Energy Commission
Minutes - October 3.2001 Page Four
upcoming months, Dave Grumman agreed to continue as Chair for the next three months with
Mr. Leppke taking the responsibilities of Chair in February 2002. Paul Morse made a motion to
elect Del Leppke as Chair of the Energy Commission to take effect February 2002. Motion
seconded by Jackie Brown. Motion passed 7-ayes, 0 nays, l abstention (Del Leppke).
Del Leppke made a motion to elect Rudy Wolfson as Vice -Chair of the Energy
Commission. Arlene Haas seconded the motion. Motion passed 7 ayes, 0 nays, 1 abstention
(Rudy Wolfson).
Jackie Brown nominated Paul Morse as Secretary of the Energy Commission, Paul
Morse nominated Arlene Haas. Ms. Haas declined. Jackie Brown made a motion to elect Paul
Morse Secretary of the Energy Commission. Motion seconded by Del Leppke. Motion passed
7 ayes, 0 nays, 1 abstention (Paul Morse).
XI1. COMMUNICATIONS
Dennis Marino drew the Commission's attention to the communications included in their
packets.
XIIL OTHER BUSINESS
Hans Detweiler mentioned that the American Solar Energy Society annual tour of solar
homes occurs on October 13, 2001. There is an Evanston tour, and 12 of the 13 homes on the f F
tour. aresolar. On October 13 maps will be available at 1550 Asbury between 10 a.m. and noon.
He said that all of the various tours can be found on the American Solar Energy web site which
is www.ases.org.
On November 27, 2001 in Lisle, Illinois, the USDOE is sponsoring a one -day workshop
on wind energy. They recently released a new wind energy resource map for the state of Illinois.
Mr. Detweiler said energy could be generated from wind for approximately S.05 per hour. Dave
Grumman asked if there was any information on how the S.05 an hour was arrived at.
Del Leppke asked Bud Nesvig to tell the Commission of his meeting in London. Mr.
Nesvig explained that it was a meeting about fuel cells with representatives from many countries.
He said that there are many demonstration cars with fuel cells in them at the present time. The
thought that in time it will be more efficient and less polluting than the gas currently being used.
Mr. Nesvig said that many auto companies are considering selling fuel cells to homeowners in
the future. i, , j
Del Leppke gave staff the following articles, one from International Fuel Cells entitled
"Fuel Cell Provides Premium Power To Internet Gateway For 52 Schools," and an article laami
the Monday, October 01, 2001 Associated Press entitled "Siemens will put $122 million fuel cell
Evanston EnmW- Commission
Minutes - October 3, 2001 Page Five
plant near Pittsburgh." He asked that these two articles be inc!uded in the November Energy
packet. Mr. Leppke said that United Technologies has a web site
www.internationalfuelcells.com where they have a calculation program to enter the amount of
energy you need, the amount of outages you currently have and then computes a payback time.
Dave Grumman told the Committee of a book entitled National Caoitalism that describes
things that could happen in the next 25 - 50 years regarding home and car fuel cells.
XIV. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the Commission adjourned at 8:55 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary E.
Planning
ENERGY CO.%L% ISSION
MINUTES
Thursday. November 1.2001
Room 2404 — 7:15 a.m.
CIVIC CENTER
MEMBERS PRESENT: .................. Hans Detweiler, David Grumman. Arlene Haas,
............................................................Del Leppke, Paul Morse, Rudy Wolfson
MEMBERS ABSENT: ..................... Jackie Brown, Ray Doolin, Alan Kistler, Kerry McKee
PRESIDING OFFICIAL: ................ David Grumman, Chair
STAFF PRESENT: .......................... Dennis Marino, Mary Baaske
OTHERS PRESENT: ...................... Bud Nesvig, Leonard Sciarra
I. CALL TO ORDER
David Grumman called the meeting to order at 7:18 am.. a quorum being present.
11. APPROVAL OF ENERGY MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 1, 2001
Del Leppke made a motion to approve the minutes of October 3, 2001, Arlene Haas
seconded the motion. With minor corrections, the minutes of October 3, 2001 were approved 6.
0.
III. ACTION LIST REVIEW
Dennis Marino To pursue geographic representation of where outages have occurred
over time. Mr. Marino said that he had contacted the Geographic
Information Systems Department (GIS) and would work with them to
secure maps displaying outage data.
Dennis Marino To call the Illinois Commerce Commission /ICQ regarding their activities
in relation to aggregation.
IV. TECHNICAL REVIEW GROUP SCHEDULE Lf ,It orris -
Rudy Wolfson said that it was a very productive meeting. he felt that ComEd was very
responsive to the TRG's requests. Dennis Marino said that Bob Fomey, who is the supervisor of
the north region distribution planing, was very forthcoming and sharing of the information he
Evanston Energy Commission
November 1. 2001
Pace 2
had available. He said that William Dennis (DIC) was also present and very familiar with the
Evanston distribution system. These two ComEd staff were present at a TRG meeting for the
first time in response to a long standing request of Del Leppke
Special attention was given to certain feeders where multiple outages were evident. The
ComEd representatives did make commitments to get back to the TRG concerning those feeders
after they took a closer look at those feeders. The TRG group asked for a sharing of the analysis
ComEd does annually, based on the peak load in the summer.
Del Leppke reported that he asked Bob Forney the criteria that ComEd uses for sizing the
alternate feeders that can pick up a load should other feeders go down. Mr. Leppke said that Mr:
Forney replied that ComEd's criterion is that any one feeder should be able to be picked up by
three adjacent feeders.
Mr. Leppke said that there was an extended discussion along the fact that Dave Metz (the
City's consultant) would like ComEd to have as its criteria, that adjacent feeders could pick up
the down feeders within 100% of rated capacity of the alternative. ComEd does not agree with
this standard and permits emergency operation for a period of time up to 140% of rated capacity.
Mr. Leppke stated that the curve on the frequency of interruptions in the last quarterly
report shows a pretty strong turn -up in the last six months. Feeder 8528 is an example of
increased interruptions. While ComEd was constructing some lines to add capacity in that area,
they had extended this feeder to serve 4000 customers and it Kent out. There were two other
outages while they were in a temporary arrangement with that feeder because of the large
number of customers effected has a strong influence on the System Average Frequency of
Interruption (SAFI) index.
Dennis Marino mentioned that one of the things that came out of the meeting was that
certain developers are calling ComEd for a temporary hookup and stating that they would need
permanent hookup not too far in the future which sends ComEd scrambling trying to supply that
need. He said that perhaps future planned development checklists given to potential developers
would indicate that the applicant had checked in with the utilities.
In response to a question from Arlene Haas, Dennis Marino replied that the TRG would
be reporting the results of TRG's meeting with ComEd to City Council in December, but that the
discussion will highlight those feeders with higher than average interruptions on which ComEd
has agreed to provide more information.
Action Item
Dennis Marino lfComEd has not responded to TRG's request for information about. .
certain feeders by the week of November 12, Mr. Marino is to contact
them and remind them of the Commission's request.
it
Evanston Energy Commission
November 1, 2001 Page 3
Dennis Marino To inform .flax Rubin that the TRG will it -ant to meet Kith A&PW on
December 3. 2001.
Del Leppke asked if the TRG should be prepared to speak to the full Council after they
meet with A&PW. Dennis Marino said that would be up to the A&PW Committee, but TRG
should be prepared to speak during Council's citizen comment.
Mr. Marino mentioned that the three construction projects that were still outstanding
from the Letter of Agreement attached to the franchise extension were discussed. He said that
construction should be done by the end of the calendar year. This affects a small area in
southeast Evanston, but it is a significant project that the City would like to see done. These
projects affect circuits 435, 658 and 659.
Mr. Marino reported that the TRG also discussed that the duration of outages had
dropped dramatically.
Dave Grumman said that, with a meeting tentatively being scheduled with A&PW
December 3, 2001, the Commission needed to hear from ComEd by November 9. He asked that
they be pressed the following week for the answers to issues raised by the TRG.
V. RECENT OUTAGES
VI. ENERGY POLICY
Dennis Marino suggested that some time be set aside in the December 7 Energy
Commission meeting for some time when a representative or members of the Environment
Board can share its perspective of the Energy Policy with the Energy Commission.
David Grumman asked if the Energy Commission and the Environment Board would
submit a joint Energy Policy. Mr. Marino said that the Ordinance creating the Energy
Commission specifies that the Energy Commission will submit an energy policy in conjunction
with the Environment Board to the City Council.
V11. ILLINOIS CLEAN ENERGY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION (ICECF)
Dennis Marino said that he and another staff person had a good conversation with Doug
Farr and found him very helpful. Mr. Farr is an architect in Chicago who has worsted on energy
issues including ones that have been funded by this foundation. Because the proposal would
affect other staff/departments, we have to make sure that everyone is on board with this proposal
before it is submitted to the ICECF.
Evanston Energy Commission
November 1.2001
Paste 4
Mr. Marino said that the City would be looking to receive a grant to fund activities
ranging from conservation to efficiency to aggregation.
Mr. Marino stated that many communities are adopting an energy code. He added that he
has requested a copy of Chicago's Energy Code. in response to a question from Dave Grumman,
Mr. Marino said that while Evanston had adopted the 1996 building BOCA Code, his
understanding was that the energy amendment was not adopted.
Del Leppke said that he had spoken with Gladys Bryer, Chair of the Environment Board,
and she suggested that the Chairs of the Plan Commission, Energy Commission and
Environment Board schedule a quarterly or semi-annual meeting. Mr. Leppke strongly
suggested that the three chair people have such a meeting. Dave Grumman felt that there should
also be one or two Aldermen at this meeting.
After discussion, Del Leppke moved that the Chair of the Energy Commission write to
the Chairs of the Plan Commission and the Environment Board suggesting that there be an
informal meeting every six months. Arlene Haas seconded the motion. Len Sciarm said that the
Environment Board has a series of goals they want to accomplish in the next few years, the
Energy Commission has goals they want to accomplish, and he was sure the Plan Commission
also had goals they wanted to accomplish. He through that perhaps this meeting could be a
comparison of all of these goals. Mr. Sciarra said that he would send a copy of the Environment
Board's list of goals for the next year to the Energy Commission. Paul Morse amended Del
Leppke's original motion to "the Chair of the Energy Commission communicate with the Chairs
of the Plan Commission and Environment Board for one coordination meeting to discover
whether there are areas of mutual interest. Del Leppke accepted that "friendly" amendment to
his original motion, as did the seconder. Motion passed unanimously.
VIII. OTHER BUSINESS
Dave Grumman reported that he, Arlene Haas, and Del Leppke met with A&PW in June.
He gave the Commission a summary of that meeting and said that the memo presented to A&PW
would be sent to the whole Commission in their next packet.
Del Leppke thought that a franchise should be in place in three years from the date of the
last extension, not five years, and now is the time to start working on that. Mr. Leppke suggested
that in the Commission's report to A&PW this issue be raised and that we ask that they appoint
someone to take the lead. Dennis Marino mentioned that the focus of the City Council right now
is the City's budget. After much discussion Mr. Marino suggested that the current Letter of
Agreement be evaluated and judged on how effective it has been.
Mr. Leppke said that one of the things he would want in the franchise and in the
extension is continuation of the quarterly meetings with ComEd.
Evanston Energy Commission
November 1.2001 Paae 5
Hans Det,%veiler reported that the Environment Board held a public meeting on what sort
of energy goals the citizens in Evanston are interested in right now, and there is a follow up to
that meeting to be held on November 20, 2001 at 7 p.m. at the Public Library.
Mr. Leppke thought that there needs to be clarification on what can be done within a
franchise because there is expectation by the public that more can be done than is really possible;
that needs to be brought out clearly in the November meeting.
IX. RECENT OUTAGES
Max Rubin distributed new ComEd quarterly reports to the Commission. Dave
Grumman asked Mr. Rubin to do a sort by customer -hours outages (outage length of minutes by
number of customers). Mr. Rubin said he would.
Mr. Rubin said that the outage report he receives from ComEd is put on the City web the
same day he receives it. The Commission discussed the outages shown on the report.
X. ACTIVITIES OF LOCAL, REGIONAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTAL
AGENCIES AND COGS
Dennis Marino reported that there is nothing new, only that the power purchase by the
Northwest Municipal Conference is very slow moving. He said he has not had much success
contacting them by phone.
Len Sciarra said he had a list of mayors and staff members involved in this, and he would
share that information with the Commission.
XI. COMMUNICATIONS
Dennis Marino drew the Commission's attention to the articles included in their packet.
Communications were accepted into the record.
XII. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Commission, it adjourned at 9:15 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary E ke
Planning Division
r
ENERGY COMMISSION
MINUTES
Friday. December 7.2001
Room 2404 — 7:15 a.m.
CIVIC CENTER
MEMBERS PRESENT: .................. Jackie Brown, Hans Detweiler, David Grumman,
............................................................Arlene Haas, Alan Kistler, Del Leppke, Kerry-McKenna,!
............................................................Paul Morse, Rudy Wolfson
MEMBERS ABSENT: ..................... Ray Doolin
PRESIDING OFFICIAL: ................ David Grumman, Chair
STAFF PRESENT: .......................... Dennis Marino, Mary Baaske
OTHERS PRESENT: ...................... Bud Nesvig, Leonard Sciarm, :
1. CALL TO ORDER
David Grumman called the meeting to order at 7:18 a.m., a quorum being present.
II. APPROVAL OF ENERGY MINUTES OF DECEMBER 7, 2001 '
Del Leppke moved approval of the December 7, 2001 minutes. Jackie Brown seconded
the motion. After minor changes the minutes were approved unanimously.
III. ACTION LIST REVIEW
Dennis Marino To pursue geographic representation of where outages have occurred
over time. Mr. Marina said that he had contacted the Geographic
Information Systems Department (GIS) and it is on their list to be done
sometime in December.
Dennis Marino To call the Illinois Commerce Commission (!CC) regarding their activities
In relation to aggregation.
Dennis Marino 1fComEd has not responded to TRG's request for information about
certain feeders by the week of November 12, Mr. Marino is to contact
them and remind them of the Commission's request.
t
Evanston Energy Commissions
Minutes - December 7, 2001 Paee Two
Dennis Marino To inform .1lar Rubin that the TRG will it -ant to meet with A&PIV on
December 3. 2001. This item has been postponed because the information
has not vet been received from ComEd.
David Grumman If'rite to the Chairs of the Plan Commission and the Environment Board
suggesting that there be an information meeting every six months. Mr.
Grumman said he would do that in the near future.
IV. TECHNICAL REVIEW GROUP PROCESS
Dennis Marino reported that, because information requested was not received in time,
the meeting the TRG had originally scheduled with A&PW on December 3, 2001 was postponed
unlit December 17, 2001. He added that information had been received and TRG would be able
to meet with A&PW on December 17, 2001. That information was distributed to Commission
members at the beginning of the meeting.
V. RECENT OUTAGES
Max Rubin reported that there had been only one outage last month and that was due to
maintenance.
VI. ENERGY POLICY
David Grumman stated that the Energy Commission has revised and approved its
recommended Energy Policy and sent it to the Environment Board for their input. According to
the ordinance the Energy Policy is to be developed by both the Energy Commission and the
Environment Board. r , . ;
Irwin Levinson said that the Environment Board has a subcommittee to review the policy
sent to them by the Energy Commission. The Chair of the Environment Board has reviewed the
Energy Policy and prepared a draft report, this draft report is currently under review by the
subcommittee. Mr. Levinson said that the Environment Board believes that energy addressed by
the Energy Commission should be more than electric energy. He said that the Energy Policy
should address all energy i.e., gas, electrical, power by fuels, wind, etc. Mr. Levinson said that
the Environment Board wishes to be present when the Energy Commission drafts its final policy.
Energy Commission members expressed their intention that the Energy Policy be a broad
document that encompassed all energy, they felt that when a document is so specific as to name
the kinds of energy, that document is limited.
VII. FRANCHISE ISSUES
lil
Evanston Energy Commission
Minutes - December 7, 2001
Paee Three
Dennis Marino drew the Commission's attention to the documents related to past
franchise discussions and issues he included in their packet. Del Leppke said that during the
experience of the Commission the last ten years, the Commission does not want to put a
document in place that has a 35 year lag. there needs to be a document in place that provides
opportunity to make adjustments as needed. He added the previous franchise (1957) did not
have that type of accommodation within it. Dave Grumman pointed out that ComEd has been
reporting every quarter. Looking at the Letter of Agreement, the last report is scheduled for
April 15, 2002. He questioned if this Letter of Agreement is extended a year would it apply to
the reports as well. Mr. Grumman thought the Commission would need a legal opinion. After
much discussion, the Commission formed a Franchise Renewal Subcommittee consisting of
Hans Detweiler, Kerry McKenna, and Alan Kistler. Mr. Gnmunan asked Hans Detweiler to
chair the Subcommittee. Mr. Detweiler agreed to be chair. Mr. Detweiler suggested that the
Subcommittee review the Proposed Franchise Negotiation Goals recommended by the Energy
Alternatives Talk Force in 1992. Mr. Grumman suggested that the Subcommittee consider
asking the City Council for funds for legal advice. ; I
Del Leppke thought that the Subcommittee should also review a study that was done by
Giordano which had some suggestions on legal documents. Kerry McKenna stated that there is a
body of information that deals with how to deal with ComEd and what ComEd demands of a
supplier.
VIII. APPROVAL OF THE YEAR 2002 MEETING DATES
Hans Detweiler made a motion to adopt the Year 2002 Meeting Dates as submitted. Del
Leppke seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
IX, REQUEST FOR CITY FACILITIES ELECTRIC USAGE
Dennis Marino reported that Hans Detweiler has requested that the City review its
electric usage and city facilities. He said that Max Rubin and he had discussed this request. Mr.
Marino said that they would focus in on some of the major electric users rather than all facilities.
The most critical facilities would include: the Civic Center, Robert Crown Center, pumping
station, Police Station and pick one Fire Station.
Paul Morse asked for what purpose this information was needed. Hans Detweiler replied
that the information was needed to determine the number of kilowatt-hours a year is used by the
City. If the Commission wants to do energy efficiency to reduce the energy load by a certain
amount, or if the City wants to use green power to constitute a certain percentage of energy the
City is purchasing, that information w7ll be needed. Len Sciarra stated that when the
Commission starts negotiating with ComEd, it would be negotiating the amount of electricity the
City will be demanding. Dennis Marino stated that throughout the history of the Energy
Commission and the Energy Alternatives Task Force, the issue of City subsidized electricity for
Evanston Energy Commission
Minutes - December 7, 2001 gage Four
City facilities has been a topic and Hans is now taking that another step in terms of saying - what
is our usage pattern at our most significant facilities and is there anything we can do about that.
Max Rubin was concerned about the financial implications.
X. COMMUNICATIONS
Communications were accepted into the record.
XI. OTHER BUSINESS r
Del Leppke asked that a worts plan be discussed for next year. -Dave G uhriiad Wd dw
it should be put on the agenda for the nexi meeting:
XIL ADJOURNMENT I
There being no further business before the Commission, it adjourned at 9:00 irri
Respectfully submitted
Mary E. ke
Planni Division