Madison, WI Taking a Leadership Role in Renewable and Sustainable Energy

Type: Resolution
Status: Adopted on 3/20/07
Vote: Unanimous
Source File: http://legistar.cityofmadison.com/detailreport/Reports/Temp/1172008152725.pdf
Text:
Legislative File Number 05822 (version 1)
Title
Declaring City of Madison's interest in taking a leadership role in promotion of sustainable energy by promoting both energy efficiency and renewable energy for the City of Madison facilities and the community, and amending the 2007 Operating Budget to appropriate $17,000 for the purchase of renewable energy credits from contingent reserve.
Body
WHEREAS, a sustainable energy supply is critical to the well-being of our society;
WHEREAS, energy-efficient technology and renewable energy electricity sources are economically viable
and available;
WHEREAS, City of Madison facilities, streetlights and traffic signals, public water supply wells and pumping stations, and wastewater pumping stations are major users of energy totaling 53,500,000 kWh in 2004 with an annual cost of $4,041,800;
WHEREAS, City of Madison's procurement of renewable power consists of an aggregated load of sufficient
size to potentially have influence in the electricity marketplace on the development of clean and renewable resources;
WHEREAS, renewable electricity generated from "zero emission" sources such as solar, wind, and low impact hydro have fewer adverse environmental consequences than fossil fuel generated power;
WHEREAS, the City of Madison has worked in partnership with Madison Gas and Electric Company (MGE)
on the development of a photovoltaic canopy spanning parking spaces at the Madison Municipal Building to demonstrate and evaluate the performance of solar technology;
WHEREAS, the Transit Utility of the City of Madison has purchased 803,232 kWh per year of wind power
paying a premium from 1999 to 2005 of $0.0333/kWh, and a premium from 2006 through current of
$.0268/kWh which represents 1.5% of the City's total annual electrical power purchase;
WHEREAS, Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center has purchased 350,000 kWh of wind or 8%
of their energy power in 2007 paying a premium of $0.0268/kWh which represents .065% of the City's total annual electrical power purchase;
WHEREAS, approximately 1.48% of MGE's and 1.48% of Alliant Energy's regular system power is supplied
by renewable sources, so the City of Madison is now receiving a total of approximately 3.64% of its
electricity from renewable generation;
WHEREAS, the purchase of additional renewable power provides impetus to MGE and Alliant Energy to
increase renewable power generation;
WHEREAS, the City of Madison expects that the additional cost associated with purchasing renewable
energy will be small relative to the total cost of energy purchases by the City and expects that the price premium associated with each additional kilowatt-hour of renewable electricity will be substantially less than that currently being paid;
WHEREAS, energy efficiency is the cornerstone of a sustainable energy system, and energy efficiency not only reduces energy consumption but also saves money and prevents pollution. Madison's efforts have already resulted in significant savings including retrofitting streetlights and traffic signals with more energy efficient fixtures, building new buildings green and upgrading existing buildings. Madison recognizes that additional programs and retrofits will achieve further energy savings;
WHEREAS, the Sustainable Design and Energy Committee of the City of Madison has identified numerous
ways in which the City could encourage the principle of sustainability through changes in City buildings and operations as well as through policies that would impact the private sector and the City is implementing many of those;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and City Clerk are hereby authorized to enter into
contracts with MGE and Alliant Energy Corporation to purchase a portion of the City's power from renewable
sources or to purchase green tags directly on the open market until adequate local utility generated
renewable energy is available; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Madison's purchasing goals for renewable power are hereby
established as 10% for 2007 and 20% for 2011; and the City prefers that the renewable energy be derived
from a portfolio of wind, solar and hydro projects, and that this portfolio include, to the maximum extent cost effective, installations in Madison and Dane County, and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Madison will encourage community participation in renewable
power programs through a Madison Clean Energy Challenge, the goal of which is to persuade 5% or more of the City's electricity consumers to participate in the challenge and to be recognized as an EPA Green Power Partner by having consumers purchase 2% or more of their electricity from renewable sources; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Madison will investigate and implement opportunities to
increase sustainability and efficiency for City facilities and privately owned buildings in Madison. The Madison Clean Energy Challenge will include promotion of these opportunities and provision of other energy efficiency information, such as the benefits of compact fluorescent lighting, choosing energy-efficient appliances, and prioritizing energy efficiency in new building design and construction; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Madison will continue to identify opportunities where the
installation of distributed renewable energy and combined heat and power systems would benefit the
community,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the 2007 Operating Budget is amended to appropriate $17,000 from the
Contingent Reserve to Miscellaneous Appropriations for the purchase of renewable energy.
Fiscal Note
The goal of purchasing 10% of the City's annual electrical energy in 2007 from renewable sources would
cost approximately $17,000 for the purchase of "Green Credits." The current balance available in the
Contingent Reserve is $965,000. There is no impact on the tax levy or eligibility under the State Expenditure.
Restraint program.
Category:City Governments
Category:Madison
Category:Renewable Energy
Category:Resolutions
Category:Wisconsin