Energy Task Force Minutes

MINUTES

Meeting No. 1
Mayor’s Energy Task Force
October 29, 2003, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Room 260, Madison Municipal Building

Persons Present:	Nino Amato, Joe Luetmer (representing Kevin Bacon), Dave Benzschawel, Greg Bollom, Steve Brick, Scot Cullen, Chris Deisinger, David Denig-Chakroff, John Garvin, Wendy Grapentine, Sherrie Gruder, William Harvey, Charlie Higley, Steve Hiniker, Lynn Hobbie, Jeanne Hoffman, Ald. Steve Holtzman, Lou Host-Jablonski, John Imes, Joanne Kelley, Marc Looze, Melanie Lord (representing Caryl Terrell), Garrick Maine, Larry Nelson, Sonya Newenhouse, Supv. Andy Olsen, David Poklinkoski, Craig Schepp, Preston Schutt, Barbara Smith, Lon Sprecher, Michael Vickerman, Abby Vogen, Mike Walters, James Whitney, Gary Wolter

Absent:	Kevin Bacon (was represented by Joe Luetmer), Alex DePillis, George Edgar, Kenneth Pientka, Caryl Terrell (was represented by Melanie Lord), Mark Williamson, Niels Wolter

1. The members of the Committee introduced themselves and the organizations that they represented. (A list of the members of the Committee with their attendance noted is attached and made a part of these minutes.)

2. Mayor’s Opening Remarks. Mayor Cieslewicz addressed the Task Force and provided the following charge:

That the City of Madison be acknowledged as a progressive leader regarding energy renewable and conservation within the next five years.

The Mayor reviewed recent events including the east coast blackout, the approval of the West Campus Co-Generation Facility, controversy regarding power lines, and the city’s biotech industrial development. He reported that he recently toured the Oscar Mayer Plant and the major concern voiced by the plant manager was for dependable energy.

The Mayor stated that renewable energy and conservation were preferable to power lines but we need to discuss all three issues. The Mayor was hopeful that the Task Force could produce its report early in 2004.

3. David Benzschawel, City Engineering, and James Whitney, City Architect, discussed the city's policies and initiatives regarding energy use. Those initiatives include:

The City has a solar demonstration project under development with MGE.
The City and Dane County are working with State agencies to develop alternatives to regulated ozone reduction (non-attainment area) with a goal of clean air for city residents.
Energy conservation retrofits of city buildings
EnAct Teams, which have a five-year history with 200 participants.
Working with the University Chancellor on his energy imitative.
The City’s Climate Protection Plan and its Green Fleet program.

4. The Task Force then broke up into the Utility and the Energy Efficiency/Conservation Subcommittees.

Submitted by:

Larry D. Nelson, P.E.
City Engineer