Kane County Reporter

City of Batavia Committee of the Whole met July 7

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

1. ROLL CALL

Ald. Malay called the meeting to order at 7:58 p.m.

Aldermen in attendance at roll: Barraza (7), Lanci (6), Beck (5), Malay (4), Malone (3), Wolff (2), Solfa (1), Baerren (1), Leman (2), Lohman (3), Pieper (4), Fahrenbach (5), Anderson (6), Vogelsinger (7).

2. REMINDER: Please Speak Into The Microphone For BATV Recording

3. ITEMS REMOVED/ADDED/CHANGED

4. Matters from the Public (For Items NOT on Agenda)

5. PRESENTATION: ELECTRIC UTILITY SURVEY RESULTS

Max Weiss presented the results of the recently conducted Electric Utility Survey.

The results of the survey suggested that without incentives for meaningful uptake, there is likely to be slow adoption of EV, electrical appliances, and solar. Long term planning is required, more than 3 years ahead. Incentives need to be substantial, in the range of 25-75% of cost recovery.

Top priority for residents is low cost, followed by reliability, but still assigned meaningful value to renewable energy. There is support for environmental improvements, but cost sensitivity is high.

There are options for Batavians to participate in greener initiatives. Renewable Energy Credits are available. Time of Use Pricing, Smart Thermostats, and Demand Response Incentives all help reduce peak demand.

Comments from Batavians reflect that the Prairie State Contract is a major concern, cost and reliability are core priorities, there is conditional support for renewable energy, there are ongoing concerns about power outages and grid reliability.

Why should the Council adopt a formal Energy Policy? Clear guidelines serve as a decision-making framework for the Integrated Resource Plan.

Weiss supplied Guiding Questions to help start the conversation.

6. Discussion: Electric Utility Survey Results

Ald. Malay noted that at the end of the previous meeting, Mayor Schielke’s comments focused on severe weather and climate change. He said that the conversations about energy policy have changed significantly during his time on the Council.

Ald. Fahrenbach noted that there are new pressures from the state as a result of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA). He reviewed the impact of Northern Illinois Municipal Power Association (NIMPA) and Prairie State.

Ald. Beck asked if Fahrenbach was in favor of an arrangement like Illinois Municipal Energy Agency (IMEA), which is more full service. Fahrenbach agreed.

Ald. Malone said that the situation is very dynamic. He said that the data reflects a population that is interested in renewables, as long as the renewables are cost effective.

He said that renewable sources that could be generated as locally as possible would provide additional resiliency in the energy portfolio.

Mayor Schielke said that demand for electricity is going up, both on the personal level, and the industrial scale.

Ald. Dustin spoke about the viability for EV owners to employ existing home infrastructure. There are concerns in residences where the infrastructure doesn't have enough capacity.

Ald. Malone returned to the topic of setting policy. How will new construction projects be impacted by changing standards? Newman responded that the new codes make allowances for increased energy demands.

Ald. Fahrenbach said that the conversation should not be focused on current or upcoming technology, which changes rapidly and is unpredictable.

Ald. Lanci spoke about implementing the data from the survey and taking time to craft the policy. He suggested holding off on major infrastructure changes.

Ald. Beck asked what is the timeline for the Integrated Resource Plan? Weiss responded that the Plan would be more immediate than long ranging. Beck asked if the IRP would be prepared to meet new 40% renewable legislation, if it were to be passed by the State legislature. Conversation ensued.

Ald. Lohman asked if staff were looking at examples from other cities with IRPs.

Newman responded that most municipalities in Illinois do not have IRPs.

Ald. Malay said he was not in favor of Renewable Energy Credits. Malone agreed that RECs do not address the short term or the long term concerns.

Ald. Pieper asked if the infrastructure in Batavia would support demand side solutions.

Newman responded that there would need to be significant changes to the infrastructure to meet the technology needs of demand side solutions.

Ald. Fahrenbach asked if burying powerlines would be recommended by the IRP.

Newman responded that burying powerlines would be a way to support system resilience.

Ald. Beck asked if this could be one of two initial discussions before a draft of the policy would be available. Newman responded that it could be. Beck said she would enthusiastically support demand side programs and energy efficiency measures on the end user side, which would drive demand down. She said she would support incentivizing appliance swaps to electrical. She would support bringing energy sources as close to the user as possible, and would like to see more information about full service agencies like IMEA.

Ald. Baerren asked if the City would fully fund necessary costs of infrastructure upgrades, or would some be passed on to the end users, like home owners paying to integrate their residences to new underground power lines? Weiss responded that it would be something on which the Council would need to provide direction.

7. OTHER

none

8. ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Ald. Solfa, seconded by Ald. Malone, to adjourn. Motion carried by voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 8:56 p.m.

https://www.bataviail.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/22016?fileID=16853