Annual Internal Review — original pdf

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Annual Internal Review This report covers the time period of 7/1/2019 to 6/30/2020 RESOURCE MANAGEMENT COMMISSION The Resource Management Commission’s mission statement per the City Code is: (A) Maintain an overview of all programs, studies and proposals concerning the efficient use of energy, alternate energy technologies, renewable energy resources, including solar and wind, and the conservation of energy, excluding the use of conventional coal, nuclear, natural gas, or petroleum technologies. (B) Serve as a liaison with other city commissions, including the Electric Utility Commission. (C) Receive citizen input on alternate energy technologies, renewable energy sources, and on energy conservation. (D) Review and analyze: (1) energy conservation technologies and renewable energy sources as to their short-term and (2) energy conservation policies, alternate energy technologies, and renewable energy projects in (3) water conservation policies, alternate technologies, and water conservation projects in other long-term feasibility in the city; other cities and states; cities and states; and (4) City Code to identify potential amendments that encourage the use of alternate energy technologies and renewable energy sources, and the conservation of energy. (E) Advise the City Council: (1) in developing and reviewing city plans and programs in the area of alternate energy technologies, renewable energy sources, and energy conservation. (2) as to available funding from private and public sources which are available to the city for alternate energy technologies and renewable energy, and for the conservation of energy; (3) on energy conservation, on alternate energy technologies, and on renewable energy sources and report to City Council on the status of its activities at least annually; (4) in developing and reviewing city plans and programs that encourage water conservation as it relates to water consumption from the tap to customer and within structures or building; and, (5) regarding appropriate City Code amendments that encourage the use of alternate energy technologies and renewable energy sources, and the conservation of energy. (1) the conservation of energy, the use of alternate energy technologies and renewable energy sources in City-owned facilities; and Page 1 of 4 (F) Encourage: Resource Management Commission Annual Internal Review Report 2019-2020 (2) the private and public sectors to develop and to use alternate energy technologies and renewable energy sources, and to conserve energy. 1. Describe the board’s actions supporting their mission during the previous calendar year. Address all elements of the board’s mission statement as provided in the relevant sections of the City Code. The Resource Management Commission (RMC) met 11 times during the reporting period. The December 2019 and April 2020 meetings were cancelled. The RMC also met in a special called joint meeting of the Electric Utility Commission and RMC to approve Austin Energy’s Resource Generation and Climate Protection Plan including Long-Range Planning through 2030. The May 2020 and June 2020 RMC meetings were held via videoconferencing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The RMC’s mission-specific actions included: • Reviewed and took action supporting the following Recommendations for Council Action (RCAs): o One solar installation agreement for performance-based incentive for commercial manufacturing customer; o Four commercial energy efficiency rebates; o Four multi- family energy efficiency rebates; o A 25-year power purchase agreement for the full output of the electricity from 1.8 MW rooftop solar generation installation at the Austin Bergstrom International Airport; o A 12-year power purchase agreement for 200 MW utility-scale wind generation facility contingent upon the project not being located in a migratory bird flyway or including shut- off provisions in case of a migratory event; o Negotiation and execution of a multi-year contract to support Austin Energy’s multifamily energy efficiency programs; o Negotiation and execution of multi-year contract to provide electric vehicle charging stations, maintenance and repair; o Negotiation and execution of a contract for high performance building software subscription and support services; o Negotiation and execution of contract to provide support services for energy efficiency retail instant savings program; o Negotiation and execution of contract to provide support for Austin Energy’s multifamily energy efficiency programs. • Discussed and approved the following recommendations and resolutions: o Recommended that Austin Energy issue a Request for Proposals that allows a developer to select host sites for Distributed Community Solar Installations and further recommended minimum qualifications and preferred criteria for project selection as well as criteria for the energy user side of the program. Recommendation No. 20200607-004 o Recommended for approval the Austin Energy Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan to 2030 with a recommendation that Austin Energy report annually to the Electric Utility Commission with respect to progress on the research provided for in page 6 of the 2030 Plan. Recommendation No. 20200309-002. Page 2 of 4 Resource Management Commission Annual Internal Review Report 2019-2020 o Recommended approval of Austin Water Capital Improvement Projects located in the Drinking Water Protection Zone and that these project be included in the 5-year Capital Spending Plan as required by Financial Policy #8. Recommendation No. 20200520-003 o Recommended changes to Texas Gas Service Rate Structure to Encourage Conservation. Recommendation No.20200309-03 • Received briefings and reports on the following items: o Austin Energy Customer Energy Solutions Budget o Austin Energy Green Building Program standards o Fayette Power Project o Fleet electrification o Studies committed to in Austin Energy’s Resource Plan o Status of determining MW savings from Austin Energy programs through 2025, 2027 and 2029 o Austin Water Utility onsite water requirements for new commercial developments o CapMetro, City of Austin Fleet Service and Austin Energy transportation electrification o Energy efficiency data management o Quarterly updates from Texas Gas Service o Quarterly reports from Austin Water Utility o Austin Energy Green Building presentation on roof technology o Texas Gas Service rebates for new construction o Update on City of Austin review of Texas Gas Service’ energy efficiency rebates o Austin Community Climate Plan by Office of Sustainability • Received input at meetings during Citizen Communications on the following topics: o Multifamily energy efficiency improvements o Energy efficiency programs lowering customer bills and need to separate efficiency programs from social programs o Texas Gas Service rate structure o Energy efficiency rebate funding o Low income multifamily energy efficiency rebate programs o Austin Energy Green Building residential and multifamily standards 2. Determine if the board’s actions throughout the year comply with the mission statement. All actions of the RMC during the reporting period were within the scope of and in compliance with its Code-mandated mission statement. 3. List the board’s goals and objectives for the new calendar year. a. Continue to provide: review of programs, studies and proposals; advice to City Council; and encouragement for the conservation of energy and water, use of emerging energy technologies and renewable sources in City facilities and departments, specifically highlighting departments that have accomplished goals toward this end. b. Encourage the use and greater adoption of sustainable building methods, emerging technologies such as energy storage, renewable energy sources, and resource conservation Page 3 of 4 Resource Management Commission Annual Internal Review Report 2019-2020 strategies, specifically education. through the advancement of customer programs, policies, and c. Continue to work with the staff of Austin Energy, Austin Water, the Development Services Department, Fleet Services, the Office of Sustainability, and Texas Gas Service, specifically to assist staff in achieving the City’s goals in regards to greater adoption of resource conservation, the use of alternate technologies and renewable sources, and reduction of CO2 emissions. d. Continue to regard citizen input on these issues as important as any other source. e. Support additional studies to evaluate energy efficiency and distributed generation, and to assist the staff in developing new programs and policies that have achievable, affordable, and aggressive goals. f. Support Austin Water staff in the development of a comprehensive water conservation plan and annual reporting. g. Support Austin Energy staff in the development of new energy conservation programs and policies, and renewable energy projects and policies, including community solar projects and additional programs to expand access to solar for low income residents and those in multifamily housing. h. Continue to provide opportunities for City departments to highlight their successes in energy efficiency, water conservation, and sustainable practices. i. Utilize the concepts of triple bottom-line sustainability in the RMC’s decisions, recommendations, and advice to council, i.e., consider the balance between the environmental, economic, and societal equity impacts of our decisions, recommendations, and advice. j. Advocate for and monitor compliance with adopted policies ,such as the Energy Code and water restrictions, and review proposed changes. k. Leverage synergies of existing and emerging methods and technologies to enhance resource management such as the water-energy nexus. l. Support the goals of the Austin Community Climate Plan by exploring options and making recommendations on strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions as quickly as possible. m. Work with Austin Energy, the Office of Sustainability, Cap Metro, and Fleet Services to develop policies, programs, and rate structures that facilitate and encourage electrification of transportation, provide ancillary services, and reduce peak power consumption. n. Review and monitor progress of the Austin Energy Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan to 2030, including studies called for in the plan, and participate in any updates to the plan. Page 4 of 4