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Home My WebLink About2024-09-11 EAC Agenda Packet 216 4th Street N, Stillwater, MN 55082 651-430-8800 www.stillwatermn.gov AMENDED AGENDA ENERGY ACTION COMMITTEE MEETING September 11th, 2024 REGULAR MEETING 10:30 a.m. I. CALL TO ORDER 1. Congratulations and Welcome II. ROLL CALL III. CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR SELECTION 2. Report on Governance Structure: City Attorney or Designee IV. OPEN FORUM - The Open Forum allows the public to address the Committee on subjects which are not a part of the meeting. The Committee may take action or give direction to staff. V. CONSENT AGENDA (ROLL CALL) VI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS VII. NEW BUSINESS 3. Establish Committee Meeting Schedule 4. Review of Energy Action Plan a. Add-on Business Strategies for Stillwater b. Add-on Promotions Calendar c. Add-on Decide on 1-3 Prioritized Strategies VIII. OTHER DISCUSSION ITEMS IX. FYI X. ADJOURNMENT AGENDA ENERGY ACTION COMMITTEE MEETING September 11th, 2024 REGULAR MEETING 10:30 a.m. I. CALL TO ORDER 1. Congratulations and Welcome II. ROLL CALL III. CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR SELECTION 2. Report on Governance Structure: City Attorney or Designee IV. OPEN FORUM - The Open Forum allows the public to address the Committee on subjects which are not a part of the meeting. The Committee may take action or give direction to staff. V. CONSENT AGENDA (ROLL CALL) VI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS VII. NEW BUSINESS 3. Establish Committee Meeting Schedule 4. Review of Energy Action Plan VIII. OTHER DISCUSSION ITEMS IX. FYI X. ADJOURNMENT Boards & Commissions Training Presented by Kori Land, City Attorney Intro •Firm: •LeVander, Gillen & Miller, P.A. = general practice law firm (est. 1929) focusing 50% of its business on representing cities of various sizes •Stillwater, Cottage Grove, Hastings, Lilydale, Sunfish Lake, Forest Lake, South St. Paul, Arden Hills, Little Canada, Randolph, Baxter, LeRoy, South Haven, Hayward, Shell Rock Township •My Experience: •Undergrad at Augustana University, Law School at William Mitchell •Attorney at LeVander since graduating from Law School •Over 25 years representing cities AGENDA ALL Boards & Commissions Open Meeting Law Data Practices Act Meetings Conflicts of Interest HPC & PC All things Planning and Zoning General comments Big picture discussion No specific discussion about any projects, pending applications Stop me if you have questions Power Point is available if you want it – contact the City Clerk Boards/Commissions Handbook is available on website OPEN MEETING LAW Open Meeting Law Minn. Stat. §13D.01 Must be open to the public. All meetings of - The City; or A committee, subcommittee, board, department or commission of the City, Open Meeting Law •Inside the room meetings Notice of the date, time, location is posted on the bulletin board and City’s website (including the remote location if a member is participating remotely) Open Meeting Law Minn. Stat. §13D.02 Subd. 1(a) Remote Location allowed IF: •At least one person is in the regular meeting location •All members and the public can see/hear everyone •All votes are conducted by roll call •Remote location is open and accessible to the public •Need at least 3 days’ notice (cannot decide at the last minute to be remote) Meetings “Meetings” (not defined in the Open Meeting Law) Defined in case law: •A quorum of the body; •Discusses, decides, or receives information as a group; and •Information is related to official business Open Meeting Law •Outside the room meetings •Email •Telephone •Social media Open Meeting Law Email •Too many members involved results in a quorum; •Message is received by the group; •Message contains information related to official business. Open Meeting Law When a quorum of the members of a public body subject to the OML want to discuss or decide public business, that discussion or business must occur at a public meeting.Moberg v. Independent School District No. 281, 336 N.W.2d 510 (Minn. 1983). As part of its discussion in Moberg, the Supreme Court directed members of a public body not to use serial meetings in groups of less than a quorum to avoid a public hearing or reach an agreement on a particular issue.Moberg at 518. Open Meeting Law IPAD Opinion 06-017 •Background: •City was hiring a new finance director •Top candidate declined •#2 candidate quit after a week •City Administrator conducted a telephone poll of the four council members and asked if they could hire the third candidate •Each council member said yes Open Meeting Law Quorum Discusses, decides or receives information as a group Information is related to official business Round robin style of contact, even though by an intervening party, was still considered a violation of the OML. Open Meeting Law “The Commissioner will also take this opportunity to remind members of public bodies that the OML requires that public business be conducted in public.St. Cloud Newspapers, Inc. v. District 742 Community Schools, 332 N.W.2d 1, 4-5 (Minn. 1983). While it may be appropriate for the city administrator to inform council members that a City employee has resigned, the better process would be to convene a special meeting of the Council to discuss what the appropriate next step(s) are in the hiring process. Avoiding public scrutiny of a decision by having a city employee serially contact Council members is the type of conduct that was of concern to the Supreme Court in Moberg.” Open Meeting Law Open Meeting Law •Lessons Learned: •Email/phone calls/texts/instant messaging should be used: •To receive information from the City (one-way communication) •Between 2 members only, without forwarding or copying each other No kidding –you cannot use any form of communication to talk to each other outside of a meeting if a quorum is involved and it relates to your board or committee business Open Meeting Law OML Pop Quiz: Can my Committee share a document using Googledocs so others can collaborate on it? Open Meeting Law Apply the test: •Quorum of the body •Discusses information as a group •Related to official business If the answer is No to any of the above, then not a violation. Open Meeting Law •Do we have to allow all members of the public attend? •Yes, unless they are committing a crime •What if members of the public are disruptive? •Stop the meeting (call a recess or adjourn) •Do we have to have public/open forum where members of the public can talk? •No, but if you do, treat everyone the same (same time limit or no time limit) •Can the City provide food/meals at meetings? •No, unless it is during a normal mealtime or an extended amount of time such that normal people would need to eat Open Meeting Law Penalties •$300 for each occurrence & attorney’s fees (up to $13,000) •Removal from office for 3 or more violations •Really embarrassing if called on it DATA PRACTICES ACT •Minn. Stat. Chapter 13 GENERAL RULE: All data is public unless it fits under an exception. Data Practices Act •Data = All data collected, created, received, maintained or disseminated by the City, regardless of its physical form, storage media or conditions of use. •Examples: •Documents you consider/review at meetings •Audio tapes & Video recordings (of meetings) •Computer storage media (external drives or storage devices) related to your business •Emails •Text messages Data Practices Act All cities are required to have a Responsible Authority and a Compliance Officer to administer the Act. Responsible Authority needs to have copies of all the data that you review When asked for data, refer all people to the Responsible Authority (City Clerk). DO NOT provide the data yourself. Data Practices Act Remember: 1.What you put in writing, documents that you possess, internal electronic files you keep about official business could be subject to a data practices request. 2.You should not be responsible for keeping this data. 3.Never write anything that would embarrass you if it became public. MEETINGS Meetings •Roberts Rules of Order •Introduce Subject Matter •Overview •Invitation to Applicant/if any •Discussion •Motion •Further Discussion •Vote Meetings (further discussion) Focus on things outside your scope and authority Want more information than what is available at the meeting You disagree with each other Meetings •Focus on things outside your scope and authority •Let’s study everything (must focus on thing you can control) •SQUIRREL = Start with parks, community policing, short term home rentals downtown, the Shoddy Mill, the Lowell Park pavilion floating into the River… Meetings •What if you want more information than what is available at the meeting? Should you… •Look it up during the meeting •Text others asking for more information Meetings The information you receive may not be reliable (Dr. Google) You may be misinterpreting the information you find (reading too fast) You are not paying attention to the meeting if you are doing research (distracted) We don’t do math at the table (not enough thought) Meetings Better idea: •Continue the matter and ask Staff (or one of your own members) to find out the answers or research it between meetings; or •Have the group decide if you can make a decision without the information Meetings (Disagree) Chair of the meeting has the duty to control the meeting. •Can redirect the discussion if they think it is outside the scope •Can call for a motion when issues are getting too contentious, have been thoroughly exhausted or when there is silence •Sometimes you lose –accept it and move on (don’t belabor the point) Minutes of Meetings Minutes are a summary of the record, not a verbatim recitation of the meeting 1.A record of the meeting must be kept 2.The record reflects attendance, agenda items and actions taken 3.Chair should repeat who made motion/second (especially because minutes are taken by a tape recorder) 4.If it is general discussion that led to an action: “There was general discussion about whether the city needed to add trash cans downtown. Motion was made by X and seconded by Y that there should be more trash cans and Z was asked to talk to the City Clerk about how to do it. Motion passed 4-0” 5.Who brought up the topic or exactly what was said is not important. As long as the message is correct, don’t get hung up on the words Roles and Responsibilities YOU WERE APPOINTED BY THE COUNCIL COMMITTEE HAS POWERS AND DUTIES ASSIGNED BY THE COUNCIL SOME OF THE COMMISSIONS HAVE BEEN GIVEN AUTONOMOUS POWERS (CHARTER, LIBRARY, HPC, PC) IF NO AUTONOMOUS POWERS, COMMITTEE IS ADVISORY CANNOT DO ANYTHING AS AN INDIVIDUAL WITHOUT COMMITTEE APPROVAL YOU ARE ONE MEMBER OF THE BODY Roles and Responsibilities Alone you have no power Together you have all the power Roles and Responsibilities The City Council could not do its job unless someone made the sausage You make the sausage Energy Action Committee Duties: •Make recommendations to the Council to implement the objectives and strategies in the Energy Action Work Plan CONTACT INFORMATION Kori Land, City Attorney LeVander, Gillen & Miller, P.A. 1305 Corporate Center Dr. Suite 300 651-451-1831 kland@levander.com www.levander.com An Energy Action Plan for Stillwater April 2024 illwater fl Xcel Energy ® PARTNERS IN ENERGY An Xcel Energy Community Collaboration Stillwater Energy Action Plan i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Thank you to the following individuals who contributed many hours of service to developing this Energy Action Plan. The content of this plan is derived from a series of planning workshops hosted by Xcel Energy’s Partners in Energy. Xcel Energy is the main electric and gas utility serving Stillwater. Partners in Energy is a two-year collaboration to develop and implement a community’s energy goals. For more information about the planning workshops, see Appendix 4: Xcel Energy’s Partners in Energy Planning Process. STILLWATER ENERGY ACTION TEAM Larry Odebrecht City Council Member, City of Stillwater (Community Lead) Griffin Brod Stillwater Resident Bethany Cox Planning Commissioner, Stillwater Sunrise Rotary Max Dalton Environmental Specialist, Washington County Glenn Hansen Stillwater Resident Rick Heidick Sustainable Stillwater Dory Herman Stillwater Resident Lindee Hermes Stillwater Resident Jessica Johnson Stillwater Resident Joe Kohlmann City Administrator, City of Stillwater Beau Marchwick Stillwater Resident Jesse Ordonez-Saybe Stillwater Resident Angela Peterson Stillwater Resident Paul Richtman Stillwater Resident M. Sarah Schaffer Stillwater Resident Utility Representatives and Facilitators Paolo Speirn Partners in Energy Community Facilitator Megan Weck Partners in Energy Community Facilitator Michelle Frost Partners in Energy Community Facilitator Kelsey Poljacik Partners in Energy Community Facilitator Sofia Troutman Program Manager, Xcel Energy's Partners in Energy Tami Gunderzik Team Lead, Xcel Energy Adam Burr Accounts Manager, Local Governments, Xcel Energy Mike Wilhelmi Community Relations Manager, Xcel Energy Cover Photos: Kelsey Depew, Greg Shulz, Jerry Weise Stillwater Energy Action Plan ii This Energy Action Plan was funded by and developed in collaboration with Xcel Energy’s Partners in Energy. Partners in Energy shall not be responsible for any content, analysis, or results if Stillwater has made modifications to the plan. Stillwater Energy Action Plan iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements ...................................................................................................................... i Executive Summary ................................................................................................................... iv Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 2 Why We Want an Energy Action Plan .................................................................................... 2 Our Engagement & Outreach Process ................................................................................... 3 Where We Are Now ................................................................................................................... 4 Community Demographics ..................................................................................................... 4 Population .......................................................................................................................... 4 Energy Use and Savings ........................................................................................................ 5 Where We Are Going ................................................................................................................14 Energy Vision Statement .......................................................................................................14 Focus Areas ..........................................................................................................................14 Residential Energy Efficiency ............................................................................................15 Business Energy Efficiency ...............................................................................................15 Reducing Energy Burden ..................................................................................................15 Renewable Energy Opportunities ......................................................................................15 Community-wide Goals .........................................................................................................16 Energy Action Plan Impact ....................................................................................................17 How We Are Going To Get There .............................................................................................20 Strategies Overview ..............................................................................................................20 Core Strategies: Communications .........................................................................................21 Focus Area: Residential Energy Efficiency ............................................................................22 Focus Area: Business Energy Efficiency ...............................................................................24 Focus Area: Reducing Energy Burden ..................................................................................25 Focus Area: Renewable Energy Opportunities ......................................................................27 How We Stay On Course ..........................................................................................................30 Appendix 1: Implementation Work Plan ....................................................................................32 Appendix 2: Baseline Energy Analysis ......................................................................................39 Appendix 3: Methodology for Measuring Success .....................................................................46 Appendix 4: Xcel Energy’s Partners in Energy Planning Process ..............................................51 Appendix 5: Glossary of Terms .................................................................................................55 Appendix 6: Implementation Memorandum of Understanding ...................................................58 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY STILLWATER ENERGY ACTION PLAN Stillwater community members collaborated with Xcel Energy's Partners in Energy program to create this Energy Action Plan at no cost to the City of Stillwater. The plan offers Stillwater residents , businesses, and the City a path forward to save energy and manage costs while avoiding carbon emissions . Our Energy Vision Energy Action Plan Impacts Stillwater's Energy Action Plan educates and inspires residents and businesses to engage in energy action . With a focus on saving energy, the plan aims to save the community money, reduce emissions, and increase energy resiliency while embracing Stillwater's historic character and preserving it for future generations . Our Goals By implementing this plan , Stillwater will save 3.8 million kWh of electricity and 198,000 therms of natural gas by the end of 2025 . This will avoid an additional 58% of energy- related greenhouse gas emissions and save the community $450,000. oQo □□ ,:;;===1 C] ~....,,,,...,,.,,,~□ C] r illwater "' ........... , ...... ~) The conte nt of th is plan is der ived from a series of plan ning workshops hosted by Xcel Energ y's Partners in Energ y. Thank you to the Stillwater Energy Action Team who contrib uted many hours of service to creating our vision, goals , and strategies fo r th is plan. Estimated savings of $450,000 community- wide by the end of 2025. Avoid an additional 58% of energy-related greenhouse gas emissions relative to the baseline emissions levels by 2025 (that's like removing 205 gas- powered cars from the road for one year). Making Stillwater more energy resilient while embracing its historic character. fl Xcel En ergy• PARTNERS IN ENERGY An Xcel Energy Commun ity Collaboration Stillwater Energy Action Plan 1 How We Are Going to Get There The City of Still w ater and its partners , community members , and volunteers w ill take actions identified in this plan to help us achieve our goal. We developed actionable strategies to reach all residents and businesses w ithin four focus areas . • Residential Energy Efficiency • Business Energy Efficiency • Reducing Energy Burden • Renewable Energy Actions 1. Continuously design and implement communication and outreach campaigns based on energy goals, including increasing renewable energy, sharing income-qualified assistance, and supporting business energy efficiency. 2. Create a volunteer group of energy ambassadors to support the distribution of energy opportunities to residents. 3. Explore the feasibility of on-site solar for Stillwater municipal infrastructure. 4. Provide resources and education to support residents who want to install solar on their properties. 5. Share funding opportunities to defray energy costs for residents . 6. Collaborate with organizations to incorporate energy efficiency into business programs. 7. Increase energy efficiency in Stillwater municipal buildings and community institutions. Get Involved Visit stillwatermn.gov to read more about the Energy Action Plan and find ways you can be part of it. To learn how to help Still w ater achieve our energy goals, please contact Council Member Larry Odebrecht at lodebrecht@stillwatermn.gov. Stillwater Energy Action Plan 2 INTRODUCTION Situated on the banks of the historic St Croix River, the city of Stillwater, Minnesota, shares a profound and symbiotic relationship with the Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway. This riverway, renowned for its breathtaking scenery and diverse recreational opportunities, forms a natural boundary and a scenic backdrop for Stillwater. From the early days of Joseph R. Brown's warehouse, which marked the beginning of Stillwater's journey as a county seat, to its transformation into a bustling lumber town, Stillwater has consistently adapted to changing times and needs. The spirit of innovation and adaptability that drove Stillwater's growth in the lumber era, particularly during the golden age marked by technological advancements such as gas lights, telephone service, and electric lights, is the same spirit fueling our Energy Action Plan. The development of this Energy Action Plan is a story of collaboration, diversity, and shared commitment. A dedicated group of citizens from all corners of our community came together to shape this vital initiative. Young advocates passionate about efficient resource use sat alongside seasoned professionals with years of practical experience. Business owners, residents, and representatives from various community sectors formed a “purple team,” representing a wide range of political perspectives from the right and the left. This group contributed their insights, ensuring that every angle was considered. We sought practical, actionable solutions that would benefit our city as a whole. It was a process that highlighted the power of unity and the importance of incorporating a diverse array of ideas and viewpoints. This extensive collaboration results in an Energy Action Plan that demonstrates what we can achieve when we work together, regardless of political affiliation or personal beliefs. It’s a plan born from a shared love for our city and a common desire to make Stillwater a better place for all. This plan is not just a document; it’s a blueprint for action, reflecting our community's collective will and wisdom. Why We Want an Energy Action Plan In the spirit of Stillwater's innovative history, our approach to this Energy Action Plan is straightforward, action-oriented, and offers practical solutions. This plan is about managing Photo: Greg Shulz Stillwater Energy Action Plan 3 energy, and it's also about being wise with our resources for the betterment of everyone in Stillwater. Here are some highlights of our journey so far, reflecting our city’s approach to finding practical solutions: • The installation of LED streetlights in 2016 was both an upgrade and a significant step toward more efficient energy use. • The restoration of Lily Lake (once a main destination in the city) is a success story marked by decades of community effort, collaboration with government bodies, and innovative environmental solutions. Our involvement in initiatives like the Minnesota GreenStep Cities program from the League of Minnesota Cities reflects our commitment to exploring practical and effective energy solutions. The Energy Action Plan builds on these efforts, focusing on strategies that are economically sensible and beneficial for our city. We aim to enhance energy use to reduce costs and improve our city’s operations and residents' lives. The plan strongly emphasizes pragmatic measures that can be quickly adopted and have a tangible impact. In crafting this plan, we focused on our diverse community's collective wisdom and input. Historically, our city has been a hub of diverse industries, from lumber and shingles to farm machinery and steam engines, demonstrating our ability to harness varied resources and opportunities. This collaboration has yielded innovative and grounded strategies that apply to the real world. We are looking at immediate solutions and laying the groundwork for long-term, sustainable energy improvements. By implementing these strategies, we aim to reduce the financial burden on our residents and businesses, making Stillwater an even more attractive place to live, work, and visit. It’s about creating a balance where both our current needs and future aspirations are met through thoughtful and practical energy use. This plan is a collaborative achievement, reflecting the best of our community’s spirit and a shared commitment to a thriving, efficient Stillwater. Our Engagement & Outreach Process The creation of this Energy Action Plan was an eight-month process to help support our community in characterizing its energy use, identifying our energy-related goals, and developing engaging strategies to guide change toward our energy future. Starting in July 2023, the Energy Action Plan was driven by a series of planning workshops held in the community with a planning team committed to representing local energy priorities in collaboration with the City of Stillwater and Xcel Energy Partners in Energy. By the numbers, we held 3 surveys, 5 workshops, and engaged 20 participants who represented residents, businesses, the City of Stillwater, Washington County, and all sides of the political spectrum. See Appendix 4: Xcel Energy’s Partners in Energy Process for more information about the planning process and Xcel Energy Partners in Energy. Stillwater Energy Action Plan 4 WHERE WE ARE NOW An integral part of the Partners in Energy planning process is reviewing historic energy data that informs our community’s energy baseline. Xcel Energy provided data on energy use, energy conservation program participation and savings, and renewable energy participation and generation for Stillwater, as detailed in the following sections. See Appendix 2: Baseline Energy Analysis for a comprehensive picture of Stillwater’s baseline energy data. Community Demographics Population As of 2021, Stillwater’s population of almost 20,000 residents lived in approximately 8,000 housing units. With relatively low diversity, 6% of residents speak a language other than English, and 88% of residents identify as white. A poverty rate of 5.4% and a median household income of $98,000 make them a wealthier community compared to some of their peer cities. With 78% of its housing built before 2000, most Stillwater residents live in housing stock with significant opportunity for energy efficiency improvements because of age. Additionally, 24% of units in Stillwater are renter-occupied, presenting unique opportunities for energy efficiency measures targeted at renter-occupied units. Figure 1 shares the community demographic profile. Photo: Greg Shulz Stillwater Energy Action Plan 5 Figure 1. Overview of Stillwater's community demographics1 Energy Use and Savings Premises Xcel Energy provides electricity and natural gas to Stillwater residents and businesses. In 2022, Stillwater consisted of 9,569 distinct utility premises, which are a unique combination of service address and meter. For residential customers, this is equivalent to an individual house or dwelling unit in a multi-tenant building. For business customers, it is either an individual businessor a separately metered portion of the business (which may be at the same address). Most Stillwater premises are residential, with a small number of commercial and industrial premises and a smaller portion of municipal premises rounding out the total (Figure 2). 1 Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2021 five-year estimates STILLWATER COMMUNITY DEMOGRAPHIC SNAPSHOT nn • • POPULATION MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD HOUSING UNITS 19,243 IN COME 8,005 $98,000 MEDIAN AGE HOUSING BUILT BEFORE 42 POV ERTY RATE 2000 5.4% 78% RACE 88% White MEDIAN HOUSING VALUE SINGLE-FAMILY HO MES 6% Two+ Races $325,400 84% LANGUAGE OTHER THAN RENTER-OCCUPIED ENGLISH UNITS 6% 24% 21 SOURCE: American Community Survey, 2021 5-year estimates Stillwater Energy Action Plan 6 Figure 2. Total premises by sector, 2022 Grid Energy Use On average over the baseline period (2020–2022), the Stillwater community consumes 152 million kWh of electricity and 10.4 million therms of natural gas across all sectors per year. To compare electricity and natural gas consumption on a common measure of energy savings potential, total energy consumption was calculated using both electricity and natural gas consumption converted into British thermal units. Although the commercial and industrial sector only makes up 11% of premises, it accounts for over a third of total energy consumption. Commercial and industrial premises use significantly more energy on average per premise than residential premises, a typical pattern for cities like Stillwater. Figure 3. Average annual energy consumption by sector, 2020–2022 Municipal 4% Municipal 1% Commercial and Industrial 11% Electricity Consumption 152 million kWh Municipal 2% Premise Count 9 ,569 Natural Gas Consumption 10.4 million therms Residential 88% Municipal 3% Total Energy Consumption 1.6 million MMBtu Stillwater Energy Action Plan 7 During the three-year baseline period (2020–2022), Stillwater’s overall electricity consumption increased 1.8%. Electricity consumption in the residential sector decreased slightly by 0.8% during the three-year baseline, while commercial consumption increased by 4.1%, driving the overall increase (Figure 4). Stillwater’s natural gas consumption increased across all sectors during the baseline period, with a total increase from 2020 of 13% (Figure 5). This correlates with an increase in heating degree days in 2022, indicating a colder winter and an increased demand for natural gas for space heating. Figure 4. Electricity consumption by sector, 2020–2022 Figure 5. Natural gas consumption by sector, 2020–2022 Electricity Consumption I" 180 1200 ~ 160 ::;: 140 1100 120 0 0 100 ~ .c VJ :s: 1000 >, "' -"' 80 0 Q) ~ 60 Cl Q) 0 900 Cl 40 _,:: 0 0 20 u 800 2020 2021 2022 -Residential -commercial and I ndustrial =Mu nicipal -coo Natural Gas Consumption VJ 12 11 8 ,000 C ~ [ill ~ 7 ,750 10 7 ,500 0 0 8 3 ~ 7 ,250 VJ >, VJ "' E 0 :;; 6 7 ,000 Q) £ ~ Cl 6 ,750 Q) 0 4 Cl 7 C 8 8 6 ,500 ~ Q) I 2 6 ,250 6 ,000 2020 2021 2022 =Residential =commercial and Industrial =Municipal -HOD Stillwater Energy Action Plan 8 Energy Costs and Energy Burden During an average year, Stillwater spends an estimated $26 million on energy for both electricity and natural gas (Figure 6 ). More than half of these costs are paid by residents, with total annual average energy costs at $14.6 million. A residential premise spends an average of almost $1,800 annually on electricity and natural gas. The commercial and industrial sector averages $10.9 million annually in energy costs. While costs fluctuate greatly for commercial and industrial premises based on size and industry, on average these premises spend just over $10,000 annually. Figure 6. Total average annual energy costs by sector, 2020–2022 Municipal 3% Munic ipal 3% Commercial and Industrial 4 1% Commercial and Industrial 41% Residential 56% Residential 56% Stillwater Energy Action Plan 9 Table 1. Average annual energy costs by sector and fuel, 2020–2022 Sector Annual Electricity Costs Annual Natural Gas Costs Annual Cost per Premise Residential $9.5 million $5.1 million $1,800 Commercial & Industrial $8.5 million $2.4 million $10,100 Municipal $626,000 $162,000 $9,500 Energy burden is the percentage of income that residents spend on energy. A high energy burden is defined as greater than 6% of income, while a severe energy burden is greater than 10% of income.2 The Stillwater residents with the largest energy burden are those who own their homes and make 30% or less of the median income. This group spends up to 15% of their income on energy costs. The household data on the right side of Figure 7 shows that 3% of residents fall in this category, while 47% of residents are homeowners who make more than the area median income, a group with a 1% energy burden. Figure 7. Energy burden and household count by income and owner status 3 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Greenhouse gas emissions are calculated for both electricity and natural gas consumption for all sectors in Stillwater (Figure 8).4 Stillwater’s energy-related greenhouse gas emissions in 2022 amount to almost 102,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2e). Like total energy consumption, Stillwater’s residential sector accounts for almost 60% of energy-related 2 APPRISE (Applied Public Policy Research Institute for Study and Evaluation). 2005. LIHEAP Energy Burden Evaluation Study. Washington, DC: HHS (Department of Health and Human Services). www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/ocs/comm_liheap_ energyburdenstudy_apprise.pdf. 3 Source: Department of Energy Low-Income Energy Affordability Data Tool. 4 Electricity emissions are calculated using Xcel Energy’s preliminary and certified emissions factors for their Upper Midwest Fuel Mix for 2020, 2021, and 2022. Emissions factors used during the planning process may change as Xcel Energy completes third-party verification for its emissions intensities. See Table 12 for the emissions factors used to calculate Stillwater’s energy-related emissions. Average Energy Burden As Percent of Income 16% 15% 14% C: 12% (I) "E ::, ro 10% >, E" (I) C: 8% w 6% 5% 4 % 3% 3% 2 % Ii Ii 0% 0-30% 30-60% 60-80% 80-100% Area Median Income ■ Owner Occup ied ■ Renter Occu pi ed 1% 1% 100%+ 3500 3000 "' cl ~ 2500 :l: ~ 2000 0 I :, z 1500 1000 500 0 Number and Percent of Stillwater Households by Income and Owner Status 47%, 3125 8%, 51 1 12%, 782 4%, 296 6%, 395 3--- 0-30% 30-60% 60-80% 80-100% 100%+ Area Median Income ■ Owner Occupied ■ Renter Occupied Stillwater Energy Action Plan 10 greenhouse gas emissions. Emissions have risen by 9% between 2020 and 2022, with increases in every sector. Figure 9 breaks out the 2022 energy-related emissions by sector and fuel type. The largest proportion of emissions (37%) comes from natural gas in the residential sector, and in total, the residential sector generated 56% of Stillwater’s energy-related greenhouse emissions while the commercial sector generated 41% of emissions. Natural gas consumption made up the largest proportion of total emissions, adding up to 58% of all energy- related emissions. Figure 8. Energy-related greenhouse gas emissions, 2020–2022 Greenhouse Gas Emissions "' 120 -0 C: «I "' :::, 0 100 .s::: 93 ' 98 102 I-' ' 80 Q) 40 41 37 N 0 60 () f- ~ 40 53 55 58 20 2020 2021 2022 ■Residential □Commercial and Industrial □Municipal Stillwater Energy Action Plan 11 Figure 9. Energy-related greenhouse gas emissions by sector and fuel type, 2022 Renewable Energy Opportunities Stillwater residents and businesses use subscription programs and on-site options to support renewable energy (Table 2 and Table 3). In Stillwater, most renewable energy support is in the residential sector, where 677 residents receive renewable energy through subscription programs, equivalent to taking 313 gas-powered cars off the road for a year.5 One hundred and fourteen residents have on-site solar installations. Fewer commercial and industrial customers participate in renewable energy offerings, with 13 renewable energy program subscribers and 11 on-site installations. However, commercial and industrial customers have larger subscriptions and installations per premise. As a result, commercial and industrial customers source more electricity from subscription renewable energy offerings, totaling 9.3% of sector electricity use, compared to 4.6% for the residential sector. Overall, there is potential to increase renewable energy use in Stillwater, with only about 7% of the community’s electricity coming from renewable energy programs. The total excludes generation from on-site solar because those installations are behind the meter — that is, Xcel Energy is not able to track how much solar energy a household receives. 5 https://www.epa.gov/energy/greenhouse-gas-equivalencies-calculator 2022 Greenhouse Gas Emissions (MTCO2e) Municipal Electric 2% Commerical and Industrial Gas 20% Commerical and Industrial Electric 21% Total Emissions 101,931 Municipal Gas 1% -==~ Residential Electric 19% Residential Gas 37% Stillwater Energy Action Plan 12 Table 2. Xcel Energy subscription renewable energy program support, 2022 Residential Commercial & Industrial Windsource® & Renewable*Connect® Subscriber Count 548 1 Total Annual Electricity Subscribed (kWh) 2,119,000 4,900 Community Solar Gardens – Solar*Rewards® Community Subscriber Count 128 12 Total Annual Electricity Subscribed (kWh) 1,131,000 7,038,000 Total Xcel Energy Subscription Renewable Energy Support Subscriber Count 677 13 Total Annual Electricity Subscribed (kWh) 3,250,000 7,043,000 Table 3. Xcel Energy on-site solar program support, 20226 Residential Commercial & Industrial On-site Solar – Solar*Rewards® and Net- Metering7 Participant Count 66 7 Total Electricity Capacity (kW) 530 775 Energy Efficiency Program Participation and Savings Both residents and commercial and industrial premises participate in Xcel Energy’s efficiency programs through which they can receive rebates for upgrading equipment and a building audit to understand their efficiency opportunities or manage their demand through rate savings programs. Participation in these programs results in energy savings for participants. Stillwater’s residents and commercial and industrial premises saved an annual average of 1.2 million kWh and 72,700 therms during the baseline period by participating in Xcel Energy’s efficiency programs (Table 4). Table 4. Average annual program participation and energy savings, 2020–2022 Program Sector Average Annual Participation Average Electricity Savings (kWh) Average Natural Gas Savings (therms) Residential 798 231,957 65,197 Commercial & Industrial 50 968,012 7,534 Total 848 1,199,969 72,730 Stillwater residents and businesses rely on a few key programs from Xcel Energy to help them improve efficiency (Table 5). The Residential Heating and Cooling rebate program, for which residents receive rebates for upgrading to more efficient equipment, had the most participants and resulted in the most savings, but programs like Refrigerator Recycling, a recycling rebate 6 Source: Xcel Energy Community Energy Report for Stillwater, 2022. 7 Excludes on-site solar due to behind the meter electricity generation. Stillwater Energy Action Plan 13 program, and Efficient New Home Construction, an incentive program for builders to exceed local energy efficiency codes, also resulted in significant savings. In the commercial and industrial sector, the Lighting Efficiency and Small Business Lighting programs that offer audits and rebates for businesses to upgrade to more energy efficient lighting had the most participants and highest savings (Table 6). Table 5. Average annual participation in top residential programs, 2020–2022 Residential Program Average Annual Participation Average Electricity Savings (kWh) Average Natural Gas Savings (therms) Residential HVAC 415 142,079 50,133 Refrigerator Recycling 42 31,318 - Efficient New Home Construction 17 25,542 5,479 Home Energy Squad 18 16,814 612 Home Energy Savings Program 7 3,991 543 Table 6. Average annual participation in top commercial and industrial programs, 2020–2022 Commercial Program Average Annual Participation Average Electricity Savings (kWh) Average Natural Gas Savings (therms) HVAC+R Efficiency 14 81,121 7,034 Lighting Efficiency 15 449,353 - Small Business Lighting 13 431,022 77 Stillwater Energy Action Plan 14 WHERE WE ARE GOING Energy Vision Statement During the planning process, the Energy Action Team created a vision statement for this Energy Action Plan. This statement guided the planning process and reflects the intention of the community. VISION Stillwater’s Energy Action Plan educates and inspires residents and businesses to engage in energy action. With a focus on saving energy, the plan aims to save the community money, reduce emissions, and increase energy resiliency while embracing Stillwater’s historic character and preserving it for future generations. Focus Areas To achieve a community-wide commitment to energy stewardship, the Energy Action Team identified the following focus areas to prioritize strategies and resources. These focus areas were chosen to provide a holistic approach to energy stewardship, while also heeding the need to conserve energy, switch to electricity when possible, and power the energy we use with renewables. Many of the strategies advance Demand Side Management (DSM) programs, Residential Energy Efficiency Business Energy Efficiency Reducing Energy Burden Renewable Energy Opportunities Photo: Greg Shulz Stillwater Energy Action Plan 15 which are voluntary modifications of consumer demand for energy through various methods, including education and financial incentives. It was important to the Energy Action Team to educate the community about not only increasing energy efficiency, but also conserving energy. With new incentives coming to communities from the federal Inflation Reduction Act, and new utility programs delivered as part of the state of Minnesota’s Energy Conservation and Optimization Act (ECO), the future of electrification will be more affordable and available to residents and businesses looking to make the switch. Tactics will include education and recommendations for switching to electrified appliances. Powering homes and businesses in Stillwater with renewable energy is the next crucial step to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Residential Energy Efficiency • This focus area will support residents to conserve energy through energy efficiency projects, behavior change, and Demand Side Management (DSM) program participation. • The residential sector consists of living quarters for private households in dwellings from one to four units. Business Energy Efficiency • This focus area will support businesses to conserve energy through weatherization of their buildings and DSM program participation. • The commercial and industrial sector consists of service-providing facilities; Federal, State, and local governments; some multi-family housing; and other private and public organizations like schools or medical facilities. Reducing Energy Burden • This focus area will support income-qualified residents by offering information about energy assistance programs, and help them save energy and money through energy efficiency programs and behavior changes. • Energy burden is the percentage of gross household income spent on energy costs. High energy burden is defined by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE)8 as spending more than 6% of your income on energy. Renewable Energy Opportunities • This focus area will help increase renewable energy support in Stillwater, with access to both wind and solar energy to power homes and businesses. • Renewable energy can be accessed through utility subscription programs, community solar gardens, or on-site solar. 8 https://www.aceee.org/energy-burden Stillwater Energy Action Plan 16 Community-wide Goals The Energy Action Team set goals during the planning process by deciding which metrics were important to measure, reviewing the community’s energy baseline data to discuss ambition and feasibility, and constructing a timeline to achieve these goals. Goals are measured against the 2020–2022 baseline period. The impact of our community-wide goal will help Stillwater reduce an additional 900 MTCO2e by the end of 2025 compared to business-as-usual. The energy-related greenhouse gas emissions are from electricity and natural gas. It includes the greenhouse gas emissions avoided from both energy efficiency and renewable energy program participation in Stillwater and grid decarbonization by the utility. Stillwater’s greenhouse gas avoidance is equivalent to removing 205 passenger vehicles from the road for a year.9 Five-year Goal The Energy Action Team wanted to include another goal that set a more distant timeline of five years. We will use the following targets to measure success through the end of 2028, which will be measured against the 2020–2022 baseline. The impact of the five-year goal will help Stillwater achieve a reduction of an additional 2,219 MTCO2e by the end of 2028 compared to business-as-usual. The five-year goal savings are cumulative, meaning they include the savings from the two-year goal. The percentage of avoided emissions is at 58% for the two-year goal and 54% when extended to five years. The 9 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator, https://www.epa.gov/energy/greenhouse-gas-equivalencies-calculator Our Goal By implementing this plan, Stillwater will save 198,000 therms of natural gas and 3.8 million kWh of electricity by the end of 2025. This will avoid an additional 58% of energy-related greenhouse gas emissions and save the community $450,000. Five-year Goal Stillwater will save 600,000 therms of natural gas and 8.9 million kWh of electricity by the end of 2028. This will avoid an additional 54% of energy-related greenhouse gas emissions and save the community $1.1 million. Stillwater Energy Action Plan 17 energy saved will stay the same year over year, but the energy grid is getting cleaner every year, which results in avoided emissions. Stillwater’s greenhouse gas avoidance is equivalent to removing 494 passenger vehicles from the road for a year. Energy Action Plan Impact To visualize the electricity and natural gas savings from the goals, Figure 10 and Figure 11 show the business-as-usual scenario with the goal impact. The business-as-usual scenario shows what will happen in Stillwater if we continue to operate the same as in years past. We would still see savings from program participation based on historic data. The navy blue wedge shows the impact the Energy Action Plan will have on electricity and natural savings in the community. Figure 10. Electricity savings from Energy Action Plan impact through 2025 0 500,000 1,000,000 1,500,000 2,000,000 2,500,000 3,000,000 3,500,000 4,000,000 4,500,000 6/2024 12/2024 6/2025 12/2025 kW h Cumulative Electricity Savings Stillwater Goal Business as Usual■ ■ Stillwater Energy Action Plan 18 Figure 11. Natural gas savings from Energy Action Plan impact through 2025 Stillwater’s goals will also impact the energy-related greenhouse gas emissions, as shown in Figure 12. The plan will avoid an additional 58% of greenhouse gas emissions by the end of 2025, which includes savings from electricity, natural gas, and renewable energy. Looking ahead to the end of 2028, we see even more avoided greenhouse gas emissions from grid decarbonization and plan impact. (In a quirk of the data, the percent avoided is slightly lower [54% vs. 58%], but the overall savings are greater.) Figure 12. Stillwater’s avoided greenhouse gas emissions based on community-wide goal, 2024–2025 0 50,000 100,000 150,000 200,000 250,000 6/2024 12/2024 6/2025 12/2025 th e r m s Cumulative Natural Gas Savings Stillwater Goal Business as Usual 0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 3,000 6/2024 12/2024 6/2025 12/2025 MT C O 2 e Cumulative Greenhouse Gas Emissions Avoided Stillwater Goal Business as Usual 58% increase over BAU ■ ■ ■ ■ Stillwater Energy Action Plan 19 Figure 13. Stillwater’s avoided greenhouse gas emissions, 2024–2028 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 MT C O 2 e Cumulative Greenhouse Gas Emissions Savings Stillwater Goal Business as Usual 2025 Target-- Stillwater Energy Action Plan 20 HOW WE ARE GOING TO GET THERE The following section outlines the implementation work plan, including focus areas, strategies, and tactics to help achieve Stillwater’s goals. These initiatives will be a collaboration between the City of Stillwater and Partners in Energy, Xcel Energy, and the Energy Action Team. Each focus area has background information, three to four strategies, and specific tactics describing the actions we will take. Additionally, the Energy Action Team identified resources to support our work are listed at the end of this section. For a more detailed work plan with a timeline and responsibilities, see Appendix 1: Implementation Work Plans. The Energy Action Team, composed of volunteers, developed these strategies by considering the unique strengths and abilities of the Stillwater community. Taken as a whole, these strategies represent an effort to use energy more efficiently, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and support renewable sources of energy (including electrifying equipment when possible), while heeding the cost of energy and its impact on low-income members of the Stillwater community. Strategies Overview Core Strategies: Communications 1. Add a page to the City of Stillwater website with comprehensive information on Energy Action Stillwater’s plan. 2. Create and implement communication plans tailored to individual strategies and focus areas. Focus Areas Residential Energy Efficiency 3. Create a volunteer group of energy ambassadors that can support the distribution of energy opportunities to residents. 4. Share energy resources at community events in Stillwater. 5. Design and implement energy efficiency outreach and education campaigns for homeowners. Photo: Dale Peterson Stillwater Energy Action Plan 21 6. Design and implement energy efficiency outreach and education campaigns for renters in multi-family buildings and property owners. Business Energy Efficiency 7. Design and implement a multi-pronged outreach campaign to businesses to increase energy efficiency, with one prong tailored to building owners and another tailored to businesses that rent. 8. Collaborate with community organizations to incorporate energy efficiency into business programs. 9. Review, analyze, and possibly implement energy efficiency practices in Stillwater municipal buildings and community institutions. Reducing Energy Burden 10. Design and implement a campaign to connect residents with income-qualified programs to increase their energy efficiency and save money. 11. Share funding opportunities to defray energy costs for residents. 12. Partner with community leaders, organizations, and schools to reach people who need support. Renewable Energy Opportunities 13. Design and implement renewable energy outreach campaigns for residents to increase renewable energy support. 14. Explore the feasibility of on-site solar for Stillwater municipal infrastructure. 15. Provide resources and education to help residents install on-site solar on their properties. Core Strategies: Communications The Energy Action Team identified communicating with Stillwater residents and businesses as the foundation of the Energy Action Plan. Many programs and opportunities already exist for Stillwater community members to take action, and to communicate these opportunities. Communications Strategy 1: Develop communications strategies and materials for all focus areas: Residential Energy Efficiency, Business Energy Efficiency, Reducing Energy Burden, and Renewable Energy. We will create targeted outreach campaigns to audiences across relevant platforms. These will include outreach on renewable energy opportunities, access to income-qualified energy programs, business energy efficiency programs, and more. Energy Action Team member volunteers with specific expertise in communications (the communications team), will lead these efforts. Communications Strategy 2: Develop an Energy Action Hub page on the City of Stillwater’s website. We will consolidate the information and opportunities to take energy action in a single place on the City of Stillwater’s website. Creating a central resource will make it easier and more straightforward for Stillwater community members to learn about and access this info. The content will be developed primarily by Partners in Energy, with oversight by Council Member Odebrecht and City of Stillwater staff. Stillwater Energy Action Plan 22 Communication Channels & Trusted Messengers The Energy Action Team identified these communications channels and trusted messengers in Stillwater that can be leveraged throughout implementation. • Newsletters: Washington County Newsletter, church newsletters, City of Stillwater email bulletin • Local Media: Gazette, Pony Express • Social Media: Facebook (City of Stillwater, various groups) • City Events: Summer Tuesdays, Winterfest, Lumberjack Days, Night to Unite, Harvest Fest, Chalk Downtown, Art Alley, Da Vinci Fest • Sustainable Stillwater • Public library • HOAs • Chamber of Commerce • Leadership in the Valley • Rotary Club • Stillwater Police Department and Stillwater Fire Department • Churches and faith communities • Local business owners • Valley Outreach Focus Area: Residential Energy Efficiency The Energy Action Team identified residential energy efficiency as a main priority of the plan. They liked that it represented the interests of many different community members. Whether a resident wants to manage their energy costs or avoid greenhouse gas emissions, energy efficiency can be a point of access for them. Residential energy use comprises 58% of Stillwater’s total energy consumption, so residents have a role to play in using energy more efficiently (Figure 14). Figure 14: Stillwater total energy consumption Residents will have different needs and challenges around this issue, so strategies are tailored to homeowners and renters. All these strategies are designed to minimally impact Stillwater staff Municipal 3% Total Energy Consumption 1.6 million MMBtu Stillwater Energy Action Plan 23 capacity and the City coffers, prioritizing volunteer and Partners in Energy resources when possible. Strategy 1: Create a volunteer group of energy ambassadors that can support distribution of energy opportunities to residents. We will tap into the clear excitement for energy action in the Stillwater community by forming a volunteer group of people who want to learn more about energy programs and spread these programs to their peers. This effort will be led by Energy Action Team members, with support from Partners in Energy. Our goal is to inspire energy action without adding to the City of Stillwater staff’s considerable workloads. Tactics 1A: Create a contact list and outreach efforts to invite people to volunteer. 1B: Partner with Community Threads, Valley Outreach, business groups, and faith organizations to perform outreach to the community for volunteers. 1C: Create the structure for the volunteer group and levels of engagement. 1D: Create a toolkit for volunteers to use at events and share with neighbors and friends. Strategy 2: Share energy resources at community events in Stillwater. Stillwater has an abundance of in-person events, each of which is an opportunity to connect directly with residents. This strategy intends to inform residents of the many opportunities they have to save energy (often with little or no expense). Outreach will include printed materials developed with support from Partners in Energy, and volunteers from the Energy Action Team will be present at the events. Tactics 2A: Create a list of potential organizations to connect with and table at their events. 2B: Review City, Chamber of Commerce, and neighborhood event schedules for the year and decide which events to attend with an energy resource table. 2C: Create flyers, posters, and talking points for the community to engage in energy efficiency. 2D: Share incentives and giveaways to make energy efficiency fun. Strategy 3: Design and implement energy efficiency outreach and education campaigns for homeowners. To connect Stillwater residents to utility and other energy efficiency programs, we will design an outreach campaign tailored to Stillwater homeowners. Designed in concert with other relevant actions, this strategy will meet homeowners where they are to inspire them to take energy action. An Energy Action Team member with communications expertise will lead this strategy with support from Partners in Energy. Tactics 3A: Add residential energy efficiency information to the City website. Present a range of options, from quick wins to large projects and funding resources. Stillwater Energy Action Plan 24 3B: Use different forms of communication to reach all demographics, including printed letters, postcards, and newsletters, and digital outreach via social media, e-newsletters, and website. 3C: Create a guide for neighborhoods that might have similar housing stock using examples of common problems and energy efficiency projects. Strategy 4: Design and implement energy efficiency outreach and education campaigns for renters in multi-family buildings and property owners. Renters have different opportunities for and challenges with implementing energy efficiency measures than homeowners. We will design an outreach and education campaign tailored specifically to renters to connect them to relevant programs. Like the homeowner outreach campaign, this effort will be led by an Energy Action Team member with communications expertise and will be supported by Partners in Energy. Tactics 4A: Use different forms of communication to reach property owners including printed letters and postcards, and digital outreach. 4B: Create outreach materials that detail behavior changes for renters to save energy and opportunities for programs in which renters can participate. Focus Area: Business Energy Efficiency Stillwater has a robust business community with an interest in energy efficiency and sustainability, as evidenced by the Stillwater Green Business Directory. Team members from the business community indicated that outreach to businesses tailored to their needs could impact their energy use while improving businesses’ energy bills. While businesses make up only 11% of premises in Stillwater, they use 39% of the energy consumed in Stillwater. This disproportionate rate of consumption is typical of cities like Stillwater, and it represents a significant opportunity for energy savings in the business community. This focus area also includes municipal operations. City of Stillwater facilities make up 3% of total energy used in the community. Team members encouraged the City to lead by example and take energy action in its own infrastructure. Strategy 5: Design and implement a multi-pronged outreach campaign to businesses to increase energy efficiency, with one prong tailored to building owners and another tailored to businesses that rent. Businesses of all sizes have distinct challenges and opportunities to access energy efficiency programs. This strategy will connect with businesses at whatever level of engagement works for them to inform them of the ways energy efficiency can benefit them. Partners in Energy will drive the content, while Energy Action Team members with Communications will drive the outreach with support from the City Lead. As with all outreach, no communications will go out without review and approval by Xcel Energy. Tactics 5A: Create outreach materials and language that educate businesses about the benefits of improving energy efficiency. 5B: Join business meetings and gatherings to share information in person. (Green Business Council, Chamber of Commerce) Stillwater Energy Action Plan 25 5C: Find champions in the business community and highlight successful business stories as examples in marketing. 5D: Go door-to-door to businesses to educate them about energy efficiency audits and offer recommendations for projects. 5E: Create a friendly competition to engage in energy efficiency through recognition of businesses that complete projects. Strategy 6: Collaborate with organizations to incorporate energy efficiency into business programs. Stillwater has a robust ecosystem of organizations that are invested in energy, sustainability, and/or town character. This strategy leverages these dedicated organizations to connect businesses with resources that can save them energy and money. This effort will be led by Partners in Energy and Energy Action Team members, with support from the City Lead. Tactics 6A: Explore incorporating energy efficiency measures into the Green Business Directory. 6B: Connect with the Heritage Preservation Commission to build buy-in for acceptable energy efficiency upgrades and share case studies of successful projects. 6C: Present to Downtown Business Forum about energy efficiency programs and opportunities to save energy and money. 6D: Partner with the Chamber of Commerce to share information about funding and incentives for businesses to complete energy efficiency projects. Strategy 7: Review, analyze, and possibly implement energy efficiency practices in Stillwater municipal buildings and community institutions. The City of Stillwater can lead by example by exploring and implementing energy efficiency programs in its own buildings. This approach focuses on programs that are affordable and easy to implement and that will reduce energy use and costs for the City. The City Lead will head up this strategy with support from Partners in Energy and City staff. Tactics 7A: Review existing energy efficiency reports from energy audits of municipal buildings. 7B: Recommend building energy audits to assess opportunities for increasing energy efficiency in schools, churches, and municipal buildings. 7C: Communicate funding opportunities for nonprofits and public buildings to support projects. 7D: Once projects are complete, share successes with the community to act as a leader on energy. Focus Area: Reducing Energy Burden There are families and individuals in Stillwater who have a high energy burden (that is, who spend more than 6% of their income on utility bills). We want to connect them with programs that can defray their energy costs while increasing energy efficiency for our community. Energy burden in Stillwater is higher for homeowners than for renters (Figure 15). Focusing on energy burden may also help Stillwater access state and federal funding for energy efficiency upgrades. Stillwater Energy Action Plan 26 Figure 15: Average energy burden in Stillwater as a percent of income10 Strategy 8: Design and implement a campaign to connect residents with income-qualified programs to increase their energy efficiency and save money. Energy burdened residents have a unique set of challenges, and some programs can improve their situations. This strategy will help residents access those programs with targeted outreach. Partners in Energy will lead this strategy with outreach support from the communications team. Tactics 9A: Use data mapping to identify renters and income-qualified households that are more likely to require assistance. 9B: Create postcards and flyers that share information that emphasizes how to take the first step and make it easy to access. 9C: Translate relevant materials into multiple languages to include all residents. Strategy 9: Share funding opportunities to defray energy costs for residents. While programs exist to support income-qualified residents facing high energy burden, they aren’t always well known. This strategy raises awareness of non-utility funded resources. Partners in Energy will create content for this campaign, while the communications team implements the campaign. Organizations from Strategy 10 will also play a role. Tactics 9A: Create a resource hub on the City website that includes information on federal and state incentives, tax credits, and rebates for energy efficiency projects. Include up-to-date information on the Inflation Reduction Act funds and how to access them. 10 Low-Income Energy Affordability Data (LEAD) Tool, energy.gov 16% 14% C a, 12% "E :::, 'e, 10% e> Q) Jj 8% 6% 4% 2% 0% 0-30% Average Energy Burden Percent of Income I ■ I ■ 30-60% 60-80% 80-100% Area Median Income ■ Owner Occupied ■ Renter Occupied 1111111 1111111 100%+ Stillwater Energy Action Plan 27 9B: Create materials to distribute at community events that share how to lower energy bills. Strategy 10: Partner with community leaders, organizations, and schools to reach people who need support. We recognize that other organizations have expertise in reaching residents who may qualify for low-income energy support programs. This strategy leverages that expertise by finding and connecting with organizations that may have goals that overlap with or sit adjacent to ours. The Energy Action Team will lead in identifying these groups, with support from Partners in Energy. Tactics 10A: Identify food shelves, nonprofits, and schools as possible partners. 10B: Use joint communication channels and events to share resources. 10C: Remove barriers to attend events like providing childcare, meals, and transportation. Focus Area: Renewable Energy Opportunities The Energy Action Team felt there was significant interest among Stillwater community members to support renewable sources of energy. Table 7 shows only 3% of Stillwater’s residential electricity and 0.01% of commercial electricity is sourced through subscription programs. There is a massive opportunity for Stillwater community members who want to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to do so. In addition to Xcel Energy’s goal to reduce carbon emissions from electricity by 80% on the way to delivering 100% carbon-free electricity by 2050, Stillwater residents, businesses, and City facilities can explore ways to access renewable energy that suits their resources, capacity, and goals. Stillwater Energy Action Plan 28 Table 7: Utility renewable energy program participation in Stillwater11 Xcel Energy Residential Commercial & Industrial Subscription Programs – Windsource® & Renewable*Connect® Subscriber Count 554 1 Total Annual Electricity Subscribed (kWh) 2,221,000 4,875 Percent of Sector Xcel Energy Electricity Use 3% 0.01% Community Solar Gardens – Solar*Rewards® Community Subscriber Count 128 12 Total Annual Electricity Subscribed (kWh) 1,132,300 8,844,200 On-site Solar – Solar*Rewards® and Net-Metering Participant Count 114 11 Total Electric Capacity (kW) 968 283 Strategy 11: Design and implement renewable energy outreach campaigns to residents to increase renewable energy support. Numerous utility programs exist to support residents receiving their energy from renewable sources, both in on- and off-site arrangements. This strategy raises awareness of these programs while meeting residents at their level of need and interest. This strategy will be led by Partners in Energy and the communications team, with support from the Energy Action Team. Tactics 11A: Educate about utility subscription programs via local media, social media, and City communication channels and the upsides of not having the physical infrastructure on site. 11B: Account for the wide range of renewable energy products to help residents make an informed choice. Strategy 12: Explore the feasibility of on-site solar for Stillwater municipal infrastructure. With state and federal incentives coming online, there is potential for cities to access funding for solar infrastructure in their facilities. This strategy will explore the funding opportunities and suitability for Stillwater to place cost-effective solar arrays on its buildings. Partners in Energy will lead on this strategy to identify accessible options, with support from the City Lead and Energy Action Team members and input from City staff. 11 Xcel Energy Partners in Energy 2022, Xcel Energy Stillwater Community Energy Report 2021 Stillwater Energy Action Plan 29 Tactics 12A: Work with a third party to assess physical infrastructure to identify buildings that could support solar arrays and conduct solar suitability analysis. 12B: Issue RFP or other process to identify solar installers and costs for capital planning. Strategy 13: Provide resources and education to support residents to install on-site solar on their properties. Our workshop process uncovered significant interest in installing on-site solar among Stillwater residents, and expertise from residents who already installed it. This strategy will connect that expertise and interest. An Energy Action Team member and Partners in Energy will lead this strategy, with support from the Energy Action Team and the communications team. Tactics 13A: Use solar suitability applications and mapping to determine if certain areas of the city are ready for solar. 13B: Review Stillwater codes that impact on-site solar. 13C: Create materials (both digital and print) that raise awareness of homes suitable for solar and the steps to installation. 13D: Share the funding and incentives available to lower the cost of on-site solar. Stillwater Energy Action Plan 30 HOW WE STAY ON COURSE This Energy Action Plan is a living document. Goals and strategies will be assessed and refined as needed based on data and community staff capacity. Data and Reporting Partners in Energy will provide biannual progress reports with metrics of success and overall progress toward goals for Xcel Energy rebates and programs. These reports will be available publicly and shared with both the community and Energy Action Team. If available, ad-hoc participation reports for specific Xcel Energy programs (e.g., Home Energy Squad) can be provided to measure success of campaigns and to determine if we need to change course. Project Management and Tracking Partners in Energy will host regular project management check-in calls with the City Lead to ensure we stay on course to achieve our strategies. If necessary, an implementation check-in meeting with the Energy Action Team or relevant members can be convened to assess progress toward goals and discuss strategy refinement. Figure 16. Actions and Tracking Energy Action Plan Implementation Measurement & Reporting Strategy Development & Refinement Stillwater Energy Action Plan 31 Energy Action Team Commitment Implementing the strategies outlined in this plan will require leadership and collaboration among the City of Stillwater, members of the Energy Action Team, community representatives, and Xcel Energy. City of Stillwater The City of Stillwater will provide a primary point of contact for implementation. Throughout the planning phase that point person has been City Council Member Larry Odebrecht, and he will continue to serve as the point person as long as he is willing. In the event that council member Odebrecht cannot continue as the community lead, a City staff member will take on that role. The City commits to leveraging existing communications channels and community connections to promote the Energy Action Plan. In addition, the City of Stillwater will lead strategies specific to City-owned buildings. Energy Action Team The Energy Action Team formed to create this plan will support implementation by serving as community connectors to their networks, promoting Stillwater’s energy vision, encouraging participation in programs and outreach campaigns, and sharing success stories. When relevant, members will serve as partners and leaders in strategies targeting residents and businesses. Energy Action Team members may be invited to project management calls or other check-in meetings to ensure strategies are implemented successfully. Xcel Energy In addition to data reporting, project management and implementation tracking, Xcel Energy commits to supporting the first 18 months of implementation, including marketing and communications support and program expertise. Xcel Energy will also provide a dedicated community facilitator to serve as a primary point of contact. Partners in Energy digital resources, including webinars, community online portal, and events, will be available to the Stillwater team. After the first 18 months of implementation, Xcel Energy will continue to provide ad-hoc support and data to Stillwater. Stillwater Energy Action Plan 32 APPENDIX 1: IMPLEMENTATION WORK PLANS This appendix will serve as a draft work plan for the City of Stillwater and Partners in Energy. It provides additional details for each strategy: who will be primary implementer, who will support, and the specific tactics and timelines. All communications will be reviewed and approved by Xcel Energy before being circulated. Abbreviations used in this plan: City: City of Stillwater Council Member Larry Odebrecht, City Administrator Joe Kohlmann, or officials designated by them Comms: Communications Team (a set of volunteers from the Energy Action Team) Team: Energy Action Team volunteers who participated in the Partners in Energy planning process PiE: Partners in Energy Core Strategies: Communications Strategy Tactic Primary Support Q2 ’24 Q3 ’24 Q4 ’24 Q1 ’25 Q2 ’25 Q3 ’25 Strategy 1: Develop communications strategies and materials for all focus areas: Residential Energy Efficiency, Business Energy Efficiency, Reducing Energy Burden, Renewable Energy. Xcel Energy will review and approve all communications before they are circulated. See other focus areas Comms PiE Strategy 2: Develop an Energy Action Hub page on the City of Stillwater’s website. See other focus areas PiE City Stillwater Energy Action Plan 33 Focus Area: Residential Energy Efficiency Strategy Tactic Primary Support Q2 ’24 Q3 ’24 Q4 ’24 Q1 ’25 Q2 ’25 Q3 ’25 Strategy 3: Create a volunteer group of energy ambassadors that can support distribution of energy opportunities to residents. 3A: Create a contact list and outreach efforts to invite volunteers. (Xcel Energy will review and approve all outreach materials before they are circulated). PiE Team & City 3B: Partner with Community Threads, Valley Outreach, business groups, and faith organizations to perform outreach to community for volunteers. PiE Team 3C: Create structure of volunteer group and levels of engagement. Team PiE 3D: Create a toolkit for volunteers to use at events and share with neighbors and friends. PiE Team, City Strategy 4: Share energy resources at community events in Stillwater. 4A: Create a list of potential organizations to connect with and table at their events. Team City, PiE 4B: Review City, Chamber of Commerce, and Neighborhood event schedules for the year and decide which events to attend with an energy resource table. Team PiE, City 4C: Create flyers, posters, and talking points for the community to engage in energy efficiency. PiE Comms, Team Stillwater Energy Action Plan 34 4D: Share incentives and giveaways to make energy fun. Team PiE, City Strategy 5: Design and implement energy efficiency outreach and education campaigns for homeowners. 5A: Add residential energy efficiency information to City website. Present range of options, from quick wins to large projects and funding resources. PiE City 5B: Use different forms of communication to reach all demographics, including printed letters, postcards, and newsletters, and digital outreach via social media, e-newsletters, and website. Comms PiE 5C: Create a guide for certain neighborhoods that might have similar housing stock that feature examples of common problems and energy efficiency projects. PiE Comms, City Strategy 6: Design and implement energy efficiency outreach and education campaigns for renters in multi-family buildings and property owners. 6A: Use different forms of communication to reach property owners including printed letters and postcards, and digital outreach. Comms PiE, City 6B: Create outreach materials that share behavior changes for renters to save energy and opportunities for programs in which renters can participate. PiE Comms, City Stillwater Energy Action Plan 35 Focus Area: Business Energy Efficiency Strategy Tactic Primary Support Q2 ’24 Q3 ’24 Q4 ’24 Q1 ’25 Q2 ’25 Q3 ’25 Strategy 7: Design and implement a multi-pronged outreach campaign to businesses to increase energy efficiency, with one prong tailored to building owners and another tailored to business that rent. 7A: Create outreach materials and language that educates about the benefits of making improvements that could be a selling point in the future. Comms PiE 7B: Join business meetings and gatherings to share information in person. (Green Business Council, Chamber of Commerce) Team PiE 7C: Find champions in the business community and highlight successful business stories as examples in marketing. City, Team, Comms PiE 7D: Go door-to-door to businesses to share about energy efficiency audits and recommendations for projects. Teams PiE, City 7E: Create a friendly competition to engage in energy efficiency by recognizing businesses that complete projects. City PiE, Teams Strategy 8: Collaborate with organizations to incorporate energy efficiency into business programs. 8A: Explore incorporating energy efficiency measures into Green Business Directory. City PiE Stillwater Energy Action Plan 36 8B: Connect with Heritage Preservation Commission to build buy-in for acceptable energy efficiency upgrades and share case studies of success stories. City PiE 8C: Present details about energy efficiency programs and opportunities to save energy and money to Downtown Business Forum. Team PiE 8D: Partner with the Chamber of Commerce to share information about funding and incentives for businesses to complete energy efficiency projects. City PiE Strategy 9: Review, analyze, and possibly implement energy efficiency practices in Stillwater municipal buildings and community institutions. 9A: Review existing energy efficiency reports from energy audits of municipal buildings. City PiE 9B: Recommend building energy audits to assess opportunities for increasing energy efficiency in schools, churches, and municipal buildings. City PiE 9C: Communicate funding opportunities for nonprofits and public buildings to support projects. PiE City, Team 9D: Once projects are complete, share successes with community to act as a leader on energy. Comms PiE Stillwater Energy Action Plan 37 Focus Area: Reducing Energy Burden Strategy Tactic Primary Support Q2 ’24 Q3 ’24 Q4 ’24 Q1 ’25 Q2 ’25 Q3 ’25 Strategy 10: Design and implement a campaign to connect residents with income-qualified programs to increase their energy efficiency and save money. 10A: Use mapping to identify renters and income- qualified households that are more likely to require assistance. PiE City 10B: Create postcards and flyers that explain how to take the first step and make it easy-to-access. PiE Comms 10C: Translate materials into multiple languages to include all residents. PiE Comms Strategy 11: Share funding opportunities to defray energy costs for residents. 11A: Create a resource hub on City website that includes information on federal and state incentives, tax credits, and rebates for energy efficiency projects. Include up-to-date information on the Inflation Reduction Act funds and how to access them. PiE City, Comms 11B: Create materials to distribute at community events that share how to lower energy bills. PiE Team Strategy 12: Partner with community leaders, organizations, and schools to reach people who need support. 12A: Research food shelves, nonprofits, and schools as possible partners. Team City, PiE 12B: Use joint communication channels and events to share resources. Comms PiE, City Stillwater Energy Action Plan 38 Focus Area: Renewable Energy Opportunities Strategy Tactic Primary Support Q2 ’24 Q3 ’24 Q4 ’24 Q1 ’25 Q2 ’25 Q3 ’25 Strategy 13: Design and implement renewable energy outreach campaigns to residents to increase renewable energy support. 13A: Share details about utility subscription programs and the benefits of not having the physical infrastructure on site via local media, social media, and City communication channels. Comms, PiE City 13B: Account for the wide range of renewable energy products and their effectiveness to help residents make an informed choice. Comms, PiE City Strategy 14: Explore feasibility of on- site solar for Stillwater municipal infrastructure. 14A: Work with a third party to assess physical infrastructure to identify buildings that could support solar arrays and conduct solar suitability analysis. PiE, City Team 14B: Issue RFP or other process to identify solar installers and costs for capital planning. City PiE Strategy 15: Provide resources and education to support residents to install on-site solar on their properties. 15A: Use solar suitability applications and mapping to determine if certain areas of the city are ready for solar. PiE Comms, Team 15B: Review Stillwater codes that impact on- site solar. City PiE 15C: Create materials (both digital and print) that raise awareness of homes suitable for solar and the steps for installation. PiE Comms, City 15:D: Share the funding and incentives available to reduce the cost of on-site solar. PiE City, Comms Stillwater Energy Action Plan 39 APPENDIX 2: BASELINE ENERGY ANALYSIS Data was provided by Xcel Energy for all Stillwater premises for 2020–2022. Xcel Energy provides electric and natural gas service to the community. The data helped the Energy Action Team understand Stillwater’s energy use and opportunities for energy conservation and renewable energy. Data included in this section establishes a baseline against which progress toward goals will be compared in the future. Electricity and Natural Gas Premises Most Stillwater premises are residential. Of the 9,569 distinct premises in Stillwater in 2022, 88% (8,393) are residential, 11% (1,092) are commercial and industrial, and the remaining 1% are municipal buildings (84). Table 8. Premise counts by sector, 2020–2022 Sector 2020 2021 2022 Average Residential 8,272 8,355 8,393 8,340 Commercial & Industrial 1,078 1,085 1,092 1,085 Municipal 82 82 84 83 Total 9,432 9,522 9,569 9,508 Electricity and Natural Gas Consumption and Trends by Sector On average, the Stillwater community consumes 152 million kWh of electricity and 10.4 million therms of natural gas across all sectors per year. Total energy consumption increased by 9.4% over the baseline period, which can be attributed to a large 13.3% increase in natural gas consumption and more modest increase in electric consumption. Sparkline Charts line Chart Easy Pie Charts Stillwater Energy Action Plan 40 Table 9. Annual energy consumption by sector by fuel type, 20 20–2022 Fuel Type Sector 2020 2021 2022 Average Electricity (kWh) Residential 70,906,564 73,030,775 70,351,917 71,429,752 Commercial & Industrial 73,079,255 76,319,790 76,040,120 75,146,388 Municipal 5,659,811 5,681,245 5,855,840 5,732,299 Total 149,645,630 155,031,810 152,247,877 152,308,439 Natural Gas (therm) Residential 6,431,308 6,407,075 7,162,291 6,666,891 Commercial & Industrial 3,291,834 3,375,488 3,808,475 3,491,932 Municipal 198,482 229,820 271,432 233,245 Total 9,921,624 10,012,383 11,242,198 10,392,068 Total (MMBtu) Residential 885,064 889,889 956,270 910,407 Commercial & Industrial 578,530 597,952 640,296 605,593 Municipal 39,159 42,366 47,123 42,883 Total 1,502,753 1,530,207 1,643,690 1,558,883 Total energy consumption during the baseline period varied in each sector consistent with variation in weather. Hotter summers (those with more cooling degree days) and colder winters (those with more heating degree days) had higher energy consumption. For example, of the three years considered, Stillwater’s natural gas consumption was at its highest level in 2022, which was the coldest year with the most heating degree days. Table 10. Cooling degree and heating degree days, 2020–2022 2020 2021 2022 Cooling Degree Days 950 1,184 1,049 Heating Degree Days 7,128 6,678 7,812 Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Trends Stillwater’s overall greenhouse gas emissions increased from 2020–2022, growing by over 4% each year. To calculate Stillwater’s energy-related emissions, preliminary and certified emissions factors from Xcel Energy’s Upper Midwest Fuel Mix, and a standard emissions factor for natural gas emissions, were used. As Xcel Energy completes third-party verification, the emissions factors used during the planning process to estimate greenhouse gas emissions (Table 12) may change slightly. Stillwater Energy Action Plan 41 Table 11. Energy-related greenhouse gas emissions in MTCO2e, 2020–2022 Fuel Type Sector 2020 2021 2022 Average Electricity Residential 19,362 20,903 19,530 19,932 Commercial & Industrial 19,955 21,844 21,109 20,969 Municipal 1,545 1,626 1,626 1,599 Total 40,863 44,373 42,264 42,500 Natural Gas Residential 34,132 34,003 38,011 35,382 Commercial & Industrial 17,470 17,914 20,212 18,532 Municipal 1,053 1,220 1,441 1,238 Total 52,655 53,137 59,663 55,152 Total Residential 53,494 54,906 57,541 55,313 Commercial & Industrial 37,426 39,758 41,321 39,502 Municipal 2,599 2,846 3,066 2,837 Total 93,518 97,510 101,928 97,652 Table 12. Emissions factors used to calculate energy-related greenhouse gas emissions, 2020–202212 Fuel Type 2020 2021 2022 Electricity Emissions Factor (lbs/MWh) 602 631 612 Natural Gas Emissions Factor (MTCO2e/Dth) 0.05307 0.05307 0.05307 Energy Costs In total, Stillwater premises spent an annual average of $26.3 million on energy during the baseline period. Stillwater residential premises made up over half that spending ($26.3 million or 56%), while commercial and industrial premises made up most of the other half. Municipal premises contributed a small fraction of the spending. Residential premises spent an annual average of $1,753 per premise on energy. Commercial premises spent much more per premise on energy with an annual average of $10,060 per premise. 12 Xcel Energy 2022. Carbon Dioxide Emission Intensities. Stillwater Energy Action Plan 42 Table 13. Annual energy costs by sector and fuel type, 2020 –2022 Fuel Type Sector 2020 2021 2022 Average Average Annual Cost Per Premise Electricity Residential $9,040,685 $9,351,886 $10,045,660 $9,479,410 $1,137 Commercial & Industrial $7,400,234 $8,477,476 $9,747,044 $8,541,585 $7,872 Municipal $545,667 $619,700 $712,569 $625,979 $7,542 Total $16,986,586 $18,449,062 $20,505,273 $18,646,974 Natural Gas Residential $3,595,796 $4,460,158 $7,372,501 $5,142,818 $617 Commercial & Industrial $1,495,519 $1,984,535 $3,640,119 $2,373,391 $2,187 Municipal $83,116 $147,945 $253,887 $161,649 $1,948 Total $5,174,431 $6,592,638 $11,266,507 $7,677,859 Total Residential $12,636,481 $13,812,044 $17,418,161 $14,622,229 $1,753 Commercial & Industrial $8,895,753 $10,462,011 $13,387,163 $10,914,976 $10,060 Municipal $628,783 $767,645 $966,456 $787,628 $9,489 Total $22,161,017 $25,041,700 $31,771,780 $26,324,832 Energy Burden Energy burden is the percentage of income that residents spend on energy. Stillwater residents who own their homes and make 30% or less of the median area income spend up to 15% of their income on energy costs. This group makes up 222 households, 3% of the total households. Notably, energy burden is higher across every income group for homeowners than for renters. Table 14. Energy burden by unit occupancy and median income13 Energy Burden Household Count Percent of Area Median Income Own Rent Own Rent 0-30% 15% 4% 222 296 30-60% 5% 4% 511 457 60-80% 3% 2% 431 236 80-100% 3% 2% 782 232 100% + 1% 1% 3125 395 Total 2.5% 2.7% 5,071 1,616 13 Source: Department of Energy Low-Income Energy Affordability Data Tool Stillwater Energy Action Plan 43 Program Participation and Savings Stillwater already has a significant number of participants in energy efficiency programs from Xcel Energy, resulting in energy savings for residents and commercial customers. While fewer commercial and industrial premises participated during the baseline period, their participation resulted in larger electricity savings per premise; residential premises accrued more natural gas savings over this time. In total, participation in these commercial programs saved an annual average of 968,012 kWh and 7,534 therms, while participation in residential programs saved an annual average of 231,957 kWh and 65,197 therms. Table 15. Annual residential sector efficiency program participation and savings, 2020–2022 Residential Sector Programs 2020 2021 2022 Count Savings (kWh) Savings (therms) Count Savings (kWh) Savings (therms) Count Savings (kWh) Savings (therms) Efficient New Home Construction 18 27,556 5,649 18 29,210 5,454 14 19,860 5,334 Home Energy Audit 8 - - 20 - - 34 - - Home Energy Savings Program 4 4,120 0 12 2,051 1,321 6 5,803 308 Home Energy Squad 13 15,606 550 17 11,488 627 25 23,348 660 Insulation Rebate 37 5,307 10,512 12 1,345 2,978 10 1,755 4,401 Low-Income Home Energy Squad 2 1,109 225 3 2,485 62 2 1,304 225 Refrigerator Recycling 43 27,269 - 51 35,285 - 32 31,400 - Residential HVAC 447 217,968 37,366 456 134,229 59,483 342 74,040 53,550 Residential Saver's Switch 144 294 - 270 279 - 71 76 - Smart Thermostat 9 933 560 127 7,858 4,305 129 2,940 1,155 Water Heater Rebate 17 8,516 755 0 0 0 0 0 0 Whole Home Efficiency 0 0 0 1 2,438 110 0 0 0 Total 742 308,678 55,617 987 226,668 74,340 665 160,526 65,633 Stillwater Energy Action Plan 44 Table 16. Annual commercial/industrial sector efficiency program participation and savings, 2020–2022 Commercial Sector Programs 2020 2021 2022 Count Savings (kWh) Savings (therms) Count Savings (kWh) Savings (therms) Count Savings (kWh) Savings (therms) Electric Rate Savings 0 0 - 6 -4,266 - 0 0 - Fluid System Optimization 0 0 - 1 14,784 - 0 0 - Foodservice Equipment 0 0 0 1 8,982 1,270 0 0 0 HVAC+R Efficiency 15 39,516 550 17 179,541 942 10 24,307 19,609 Lighting Efficiency 7 224,364 - 19 348,238 - 18 775,456 - Multi-Family Building Efficiency 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Saver's Switch for Business 1 18 - 8 20 - 4 9 - Small Business Lighting 10 427,893 0 17 316,238 230 11 548,936 0 Turn Key Services 0 - - 3 - - 1 - - Total 34 691,791 550 72 863,537 2,442 44 1,348,708 19,609 Renewable Energy Support There is support for renewable energy in Stillwater with 677 residential premises and 13 commercial/industrial premises subscribing to Xcel Energy renewable programs. These premises respectively receive a total of 3.25 and 7.0 million kWh of their electricity from renewable sources. While the commercial/industrial sector has fewer subscribers to renewable programs, these customers receive a larger amount of electricity from renewables due to larger subscriptions per premise. Furthermore, 114 residential premises and 11 commercial premises have on-site solar generation. Table 17. Xcel Energy subscription renewable energy program support, 2022 Residential Commercial & Industrial Windsource® & Renewable*Connect Flex® Subscriber Count 548 1 Total Annual Electricity Subscribed (kWh) 2,119,471 4,875 Community Solar Gardens – Solar*Rewards® Community Subscriber Count 128 12 Total Annual Electricity Subscribed (kWh) 1,130,717 7,037,917 Total Xcel Energy Subscription Renewable Energy Support Subscriber Count 677 13 Total Annual Electricity Subscribed (kWh) 3,250,188 7,042,792 Percent of Sector Xcel Energy Electricity Use 4.6% 9.3% Stillwater Energy Action Plan 45 Table 18. Xcel Energy on-site solar program support, 202214 Residential Commercial & Industrial On-site Solar – Solar*Rewards® and Net- Metering Participant Count 66 7 Total Electricity Capacity (kW) 530 775 14 Source: Xcel Energy Community Energy Report for Stillwater 2022 Stillwater Energy Action Plan 46 APPENDIX 3: METHODOLOGY FOR MEASURING SUCCESS As part of implementation support, Partners in Energy will provide biannual progress reports for Xcel Energy participation and savings data for Stillwater. All goals will be measured against Stillwater’s three-year baseline of 2020–2022 data unless otherwise noted. The following section defines the three-year baseline against which progress is measured, including the Xcel Energy program(s) included in the baseline. Community-wide Goals • Stillwater will save 198,000 therms of natural gas and 3.8 million kWh of electricity by the end of 2025. o This will avoid an additional 58% of energy-related greenhouse gas emissions and save the community $450,000. • Stillwater will save 600,000 therms of natural gas and 8.9 million kWh of electricity by the end of 2028. o This will avoid an additional 54% of energy-related greenhouse gas emissions and save the community $1.1 million. These goals assume a business-as-usual (BAU) savings scenarios based on the three-year baseline. The community-wide goal will be measured comparing cumulative greenhouse gas emissions, estimated dollars saved and energy savings equivalencies for electricity and natural gas savings for all sectors between 2024 and 2028 against the estimated BAU value for the same time period. This goal includes current and future Xcel Energy efficiency programs and measures the first-year savings data the utility provides. Photo: Kelsey Depew Stillwater Energy Action Plan 47 Table 19. Cumulative savings for Stillwater’s goals BAU 2025 Goal 2028 Goal Natural Gas Savings (therms) 108,406 198,241 594,494 Electricity Savings (kWh) 1,794,244 3,860,466 8,940,274 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Savings (MTC02e) 1,586 2,508 6,464 Cost Savings $242,711 $ 452,625 $ 1,127,961 To calculate energy savings, Partners in Energy will analyze data provided by Xcel Energy that summarizes the energy savings by program participant. To calculate greenhouse gas emissions, Partners in Energy will use preliminary and certified emissions factors from Xcel Energy’s Upper Midwest Fuel Mix. Partners in Energy will use energy savings by sector and fuel type to calculate estimated dollars saved in the community. To meet Stillwater’s 2025 and 2028 goals, the community will need to save more electricity and natural gas annually than the BAU scenario. Table 20 identifies the annual energy savings targets needed to stay on track to meet the 2025 and 2028 goals, and the assumption of annual BAU savings. Table 20. Annual energy savings targets BAU Annual Target Through 2028 kWh savings 1,196,163 2,573,644 therm savings 72,270 132,161 MMBtu savings 11,308 21,997 Focus Area Goals Residential Energy Efficiency Goal • Save 507,000 kWh and 145,000 therms by 2025. • Save 350,000 kWh and 98,000 therms annually through 2028. • Engage 1,091 residents annually. This goal will be measured by comparing actual program participation against the BAU scenario. Progress will be measured from April 2024 through December 2028. Table 21 identifies annual program participation targets for select programs to meet this goal. These targets are based on select Xcel Energy programs. If Xcel Energy offers new residential efficiency rebate programs, they will be included in this calculation at the discretion of the Stillwater team and Partners in Energy. All low-income program offerings will be excluded from this calculation to avoid double counting toward the Reducing Energy Burden focus area goal. Stillwater Energy Action Plan 48 Table 21. Residential energy efficiency focus area annual participation targets by program BAU Annual Participation 2025 Goal Annual Target Through 2028 Xcel Energy Programs Total 788 1637 1091 Efficient New Home Construction 17 38 25 Home Energy Audit 21 32 21 Home Energy Squad 18 42 28 Insulation Rebate 20 45 30 Residential HVAC 421 947 631 Refrigerator Recycling 42 95 63 Residential Saver’s Switch 162 243 162 Smart Thermostat 88 200 133 Business Energy Efficiency Goal • Save 3.3 million kWh and 52,000 therms by 2025. • Save 2.2 million kWh and 34,000 therms annually through 2028. • Engage 94 businesses annually. This goal will be measured by comparing actual program participation against the BAU scenario. Progress will be measured from April 2024 through December 2028. Table 22 identifies annual program participation targets for select programs to meet this goal. These targets are based on select Xcel Energy programs. If Xcel Energy offers new commercial and industrial efficiency rebate programs, they will be included in this calculation at the discretion of the Stillwater team and Partners in Energy. Stillwater Energy Action Plan 49 Table 22. Business energy efficiency focus area annual participation targets by program BAU Annual Participation 2025 Goal Annual Target Through 2028 Xcel Energy Programs Total 51 141 94 Business Energy Assessments 1 3 2 Business New Construction 1 2 1 Electric Rate Savings 2 3 2 HVAC +R Efficiency Rollup 14 42 28 Lighting Efficiency15 15 44 29 Saver’s Switch for Business 4 6 4 Small Business Lighting16 13 38 25 Turn Key Services 1 2 1 Renewable Energy Goals • Replace 3.4 million kWh of grid electricity with renewable energy by 2025. • Replace 10.4 million kWh of grid electricity with renewable energy by 2028. • Reach 584 residential subscribers in Renewable*Connect Flex® by 2025. • Reach 4 business subscribers in Renewable*Connect Flex® by 2025. This goal will measure program participation by sector in Xcel Energy’s utility subscription programs. The program currently offered by Xcel Energy is Renewable*Connect Flex® (formerly Windsource® and Renewable*Connect Flex®). If Xcel Energy offers a new subscription program where customers retain the Renewable Energy Credit, this program will be added to the annual goal calculation. Table 23 identifies the total participation targets for Renewable*Connect Flex® by sector for 2025 and 2028. Table 23. Renewable energy focus area participation targets by sector Renewable*Connect Flex® BAU Annual Participation 2025 Goal 2028 Goal Residential 554 584 644 Commercial/Industrial 1 4 10 Reducing Energy Burden Goals • Save 13,000 kWh and 1,600 therms by 2025. • Save 8,650 kWh and 1,100 therms annually through 2028. • Reach 16 residents annually. 15 Modeled participation for Lighting Efficiency declines from 29 to 15 in 2026 to account for market saturation. 16 Modeled participation for Small Business Lighting declines from 25 to 13 in 2026 to account for market saturation. Stillwater Energy Action Plan 50 This goal will be measured by comparing actual program participation against the BAU scenario. Progress will be measured from April 2024 through December 2028. Table 24 identifies annual program participation targets to meet this goal. These targets are based on current Xcel Energy programs. If Xcel Energy offers new low-income programs or programs to address energy burden, they will be included in this calculation at the discretion of the Stillwater team and Partners in Energy. Table 24. Energy burden focus area annual participation targets by program BAU Annual Participation 2025 Goal Annual Target Xcel Energy Programs Totals 10 24 16 Home Energy Savings Program 7 17 11 Low-Income Home Energy Squad 2 6 4 Multi-Family Energy Savings Program 1 1 1 Stillwater Energy Action Plan 51 APPENDIX 4: XCEL ENERGY’S PARTNERS IN ENERGY PLANNING PROCESS About Xcel Energy’s Partners in Energy Xcel Energy is an electric and natural gas utility that provides the energy that powers millions of homes and businesses across eight Western and Midwestern states. Each community Xcel Energy serves has its own unique priorities and vision for its energy future. The energy landscape is dynamically changing with communities leading the way in setting energy and sustainability goals. To continue to innovatively support their communities, Xcel Energy launched Partners in Energy in the summer of 2014 as a collaborative resource with tailored services to complement each community’s vision. The program offerings include support to develop an energy action plan or electric vehicle plan, tools to help implement the plan and deliver results, and resources designed to help each community stay informed and achieve their outlined goals. Partners in Energy Process for Success Resources from Xcel Energy for Implementation Project Management Communication Assistance and Resources Tracking and Measurement Celebration and Recognition of Successes Compile Plan Docu•ent ldentily Strategies to Achieve Goal s Establish Energy Vision Map . Community Set Energy Goal s Profile Stillwater Energy Action Plan 52 Plan Development Process The content of this plan is derived from a series of five planning workshops held in Stillwater with a planning team committed to representing local energy priorities and implementing plan strategies. The engagement process took place from July 2023 through December 2023. Figure 17. Stillwater Energy Action Team members Workshop 1: What should Stillwater’s energy future look like? July 2023 The Energy Action Team learned about Partners in Energy and got acquainted with other team members. Energy data from Xcel Energy was shared to help the team understand Stillwater’s baseline energy use. After brainstorming what the future of energy action could look like in Stillwater, the team considered a vision for the Energy Action Plan. Figure 18. Team members learn about utility programs Stillwater Energy Action Plan 53 Workshop 2: How will we focus our efforts to achieve our vision? August 2023 The Energy Action Team discussed what focus areas they would like to pursue in Stillwater and the themes included in each. They learned about utility programs for residents and businesses and how historic participation in these programs could help model their goals. They learned about the different elements of goal setting and finalized the vision. Figure 19. Brainstorming places, groups, and resources unique to Stillwater Workshop 3: How will we measure success? September 2023 The Energy Action Team finalized the elements of the goal, noting metrics, timeline, ambition, and approach. They defined the language and priorities of the focus areas. Team members then brainstormed community assets and communication resources that could support energy initiatives in Stillwater. Figure 20. Developing strategies to engage the Stillwater community M-.,.tpi<ftS(X11¼f'"'''+" )h\\'AA~(M,.,,~.,skd b'j t.011\11\WIL-h:,,nc"'Mn' s,.~ ... ,Mi 'l,'IJJD!n ~\)I>"'<''\' ' "',h\twct\-t.f\t1.Rtkt'- Sr\,c<I'• Stillwater Energy Action Plan 54 Workshop 4: What are we going to do? October 2023 The Energy Action Team confirmed the ambition level of the goal based on a few scenarios and how that could lead to energy savings and greenhouse gas emissions reductions. They learned about the Stillwater City staff structure and how the team will interact with them during implementation. They brainstormed barriers and benefits to engage in energy efficiency and renewable energy, which helped develop the first strategies for the plan. Figure 21. Team members discuss ideas for implementation support Workshop 5: How are we going to do the work? December 2023 The goal language and metrics were presented and finalized. The Energy Action Team reviewed the draft strategies for each focus area and planned who would be responsible for leading and supporting them. They learned about the components of the Energy Action Plan and completed an activity that allowed for small-group brainstorming around the best way to launch the plan to the community. Figure 22. Brainstorming how to launch the plan to the community . ---- Stillwater Energy Action Plan 55 APPENDIX 5: GLOSSARY OF TERMS 4 x 50: Xcel Energy’s privacy rule, which requires all data summary statistics to contain at least four premises, with no single premise responsible for more than 50% of the total. Following these rules, if a premise(s) is responsible for more than 50% of the total for that data set, it is/they are removed from the summary. British Thermal Unit (BTU): the amount of heat needed to raise one pound of water at maximum density through one degree Fahrenheit Carbon-free: Carbon-free refers to sources of energy that will not emit additional carbon dioxide into the air. Wind, solar and nuclear energy are all carbon free sources but only wind and solar are renewable. Carbon-neutral: Carbon-neutral, also described as “net zero”, could include carbon-free sources but is broader and refers to energy that removes or avoids as much carbon dioxide as is released over a set period of time. Carbon-neutral is sometimes used to describe a site that produces an excess amount of electricity from a renewable energy source, such as solar, compared to what it consumes. That excess energy is put back into the grid in an amount that offsets the carbon dioxide produced from the electricity it draws from the grid when it is not producing renewable energy. Community Data Mapping: A baseline analysis of energy data in a geospatial (map) format across the community. Conservation Improvement Programs (CIP): Portfolio of approved utility energy efficiency and demand management programs. Minnesota electric utilities have a goal of saving 1.5% of their total energy sales each year via customer conservation efforts. Minnesota natural gas utilities have a goal of saving 0.5% of their total energy sales each year via customer conservation efforts. Stillwater Energy Action Plan 56 Demand Side Management (DSM): Modification of consumer demand for energy through various methods, including education and financial incentives. DSM aims to encourage consumers to decrease energy consumption, especially during peak hours, or to shift time-of- energy use to off-peak periods such as nighttime and weekends. Direct Installation: Free energy-saving equipment installed by Xcel Energy or other organization, for program participants, that produces immediate energy savings. Energy Burden: Percentage of gross household income spent on energy costs. Energy Reduction: The result of behavior changes that cause less energy to be used. For example, setting the thermostat to a lower temperature reduces the energy used in your home during the winter. Since energy reductions can be easily reversed, they are not accounted for when calculating changes in energy usage. Energy Savings: Comes from a permanent change that results in using less energy to achieve the same results. A new furnace uses X% less energy to keep your home at the same temperature (all things being equal), resulting in energy savings of X%. For accounting purposes, energy savings are only counted in the year the new equipment is installed. Greenhouse Gases (GHG): Gases in the atmosphere that absorb and emit radiation and significantly contribute to climate change. The primary greenhouse gases in the earth's atmosphere are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone. Grid Decarbonization: The current planned reduction in the carbon intensity of electricity provided by electric utilities through the addition of low- or no-carbon energy sources to the electricity grid. Kilowatt-hour (kWh): A unit of electricity consumption. Million British Thermal Units (MMBtu): A unit of energy consumption that allows electricity and natural gas consumption to be combined. Metric Tons of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent (MTCO2e): A unit of measure for greenhouse gas emissions. The unit "CO2e" represents an amount of a greenhouse gas whose atmospheric impact has been standardized to that of one unit mass of carbon dioxide (CO2), based on the global warming potential (GWP) of the gas. Megawatt (MW): A unit of electric power equal to 1 million watts. Premise: A unique combination of service address and meter. For residential customers, this is the equivalent of an individual house or dwelling unit in a multi-tenant building. For business customers, it is an individual business, or for a larger business, a separately metered portion of the business’s load at that address. Renewable Energy Certificate (REC): For every megawatt-hour of clean, renewable electricity generation, a renewable energy certificate (REC) is created. A REC embodies all the environmental attributes of the generation and can be tracked and traded separately from the underlying electricity. Also known as a Renewable Energy Credit. Stillwater Energy Action Plan 57 Resilience: The ability to prepare for and adapt to changing conditions and withstand and recover rapidly from disruptions. Resilience includes the ability to withstand and recover from deliberate attacks, accidents, or naturally occurring threats or incidents. Recommissioning: An energy efficiency service focused on identifying ways that existing building systems can be tuned up to run as efficiently as possible. Solar Garden: Shared solar array with grid-connected subscribers who receive bill credits for their subscriptions. Solar Photovoltaic (PV): Solar cells/panels that convert sunlight into electricity (convert light, or photons, into electricity, or voltage). Subscription: An agreement to purchase a certain amount of something in regular intervals. Therm (thm or therm): A unit of natural gas consumption. Trade Partner: Trade Partners, also known as Trade Allies or Business Trade Partners, are vendors and contractors who work with business and residential customers servicing, installing, and providing consulting services regarding the equipment associated with utility rebate programs. Their support for utility programs can range from providing equipment and assisting with rebate paperwork, to receiving rebates for equipment sold. Stillwater Energy Action Plan 58 APPENDIX 6: IMPLEMENTATION MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING 1 Excerpt: Stillwater Energy Action Plan, Partners in Energy STILLWATER ENERGY ACTION PLAN IMPLEMENTATION WORK PLAN This appendix serves as a draft work plan for the City of Stillwater and Partners in Energy. It provides additional details for each strategy: who will be primary implementer, who will support, and the specific tactics and timelines. All communications will be reviewed and approved by Xcel Energy before being circulated. Abbreviations used in this plan: City: City of Stillwater Council Member Larry Odebrecht, City Administrator Joe Kohlmann, or officials designated by them Comms: Communications Team (a set of volunteers from the Energy Action Team) Team: Energy Action Team volunteers who participated in the Partners in Energy planning process PiE: Partners in Energy Core Strategies: Communications Strategy Tactic Primary Support Q2 ’24 Q3 ’24 Q4 ’24 Q1 ’25 Q2 ’25 Q3 ’25 Strategy 1: Develop communications strategies and materials for all focus areas: Residential Energy Efficiency, Business Energy Efficiency, Reducing Energy Burden, Renewable Energy. Xcel Energy will review and approve all communications before they are circulated. See other focus areas Comms PiE Strategy 2: Develop an Energy Action Hub page on the City of Stillwater’s website. See other focus areas PiE City 2 Excerpt: Stillwater Energy Action Plan, Partners in Energy Focus Area: Residential Energy Efficiency Strategy Tactic Primary Support Q2 ’24 Q3 ’24 Q4 ’24 Q1 ’25 Q2 ’25 Q3 ’25 Strategy 3: Create a volunteer group of energy ambassadors that can support distribution of energy opportunities to residents. 3A: Create a contact list and outreach efforts to invite volunteers. (Xcel Energy will review and approve all outreach materials before they are circulated). PiE Team & City 3B: Partner with Community Threads, Valley Outreach, business groups, and faith organizations to perform outreach to community for volunteers. PiE Team 3C: Create structure of volunteer group and levels of engagement. Team PiE 3D: Create a toolkit for volunteers to use at events and share with neighbors and friends. PiE Team, City Strategy 4: Share energy resources at community events in Stillwater. 4A: Create a list of potential organizations to connect with and table at their events. Team City, PiE 4B: Review City, Chamber of Commerce, and Neighborhood event schedules for the year and decide which events to attend with an energy resource table. Team PiE, City 4C: Create flyers, posters, and talking points for the community to engage in energy efficiency. PiE Comms, Team 3 Excerpt: Stillwater Energy Action Plan, Partners in Energy 4D: Share incentives and giveaways to make energy fun. Team PiE, City Strategy 5: Design and implement energy efficiency outreach and education campaigns for homeowners. 5A: Add residential energy efficiency information to City website. Present range of options, from quick wins to large projects and funding resources. PiE City 5B: Use different forms of communication to reach all demographics, including printed letters, postcards, and newsletters, and digital outreach via social media, e-newsletters, and website. Comms PiE 5C: Create a guide for certain neighborhoods that might have similar housing stock that feature examples of common problems and energy efficiency projects. PiE Comms, City Strategy 6: Design and implement energy efficiency outreach and education campaigns for renters in multi-family buildings and property owners. 6A: Use different forms of communication to reach property owners including printed letters and postcards, and digital outreach. Comms PiE, City 6B: Create outreach materials that share behavior changes for renters to save energy and opportunities for programs in which renters can participate. PiE Comms, City 4 Excerpt: Stillwater Energy Action Plan, Partners in Energy Focus Area: Business Energy Efficiency Strategy Tactic Primary Support Q2 ’24 Q3 ’24 Q4 ’24 Q1 ’25 Q2 ’25 Q3 ’25 Strategy 7: Design and implement a multi-pronged outreach campaign to businesses to increase energy efficiency, with one prong tailored to building owners and another tailored to business that rent. 7A: Create outreach materials and language that educates about the benefits of making improvements that could be a selling point in the future. Comms PiE 7B: Join business meetings and gatherings to share information in person. (Green Business Council, Chamber of Commerce) Team PiE 7C: Find champions in the business community and highlight successful business stories as examples in marketing. City, Team, Comms PiE 7D: Go door-to-door to businesses to share about energy efficiency audits and recommendations for projects. Teams PiE, City 7E: Create a friendly competition to engage in energy efficiency by recognizing businesses that complete projects. City PiE, Teams Strategy 8: Collaborate with organizations to incorporate energy efficiency into business programs. 8A: Explore incorporating energy efficiency measures into Green Business Directory. City PiE 5 Excerpt: Stillwater Energy Action Plan, Partners in Energy 8B: Connect with Heritage Preservation Commission to build buy-in for acceptable energy efficiency upgrades and share case studies of success stories. City PiE 8C: Present details about energy efficiency programs and opportunities to save energy and money to Downtown Business Forum. Team PiE 8D: Partner with the Chamber of Commerce to share information about funding and incentives for businesses to complete energy efficiency projects. City PiE Strategy 9: Review, analyze, and possibly implement energy efficiency practices in Stillwater municipal buildings and community institutions. 9A: Review existing energy efficiency reports from energy audits of municipal buildings. City PiE 9B: Recommend building energy audits to assess opportunities for increasing energy efficiency in schools, churches, and municipal buildings. City PiE 9C: Communicate funding opportunities for nonprofits and public buildings to support projects. PiE City, Team 9D: Once projects are complete, share successes with community to act as a leader on energy. Comms PiE 6 Excerpt: Stillwater Energy Action Plan, Partners in Energy Focus Area: Reducing Energy Burden Strategy Tactic Primary Support Q2 ’24 Q3 ’24 Q4 ’24 Q1 ’25 Q2 ’25 Q3 ’25 Strategy 10: Design and implement a campaign to connect residents with income-qualified programs to increase their energy efficiency and save money. 10A: Use mapping to identify renters and income- qualified households that are more likely to require assistance. PiE City 10B: Create postcards and flyers that explain how to take the first step and make it easy-to-access. PiE Comms 10C: Translate materials into multiple languages to include all residents. PiE Comms Strategy 11: Share funding opportunities to defray energy costs for residents. 11A: Create a resource hub on City website that includes information on federal and state incentives, tax credits, and rebates for energy efficiency projects. Include up-to-date information on the Inflation Reduction Act funds and how to access them. PiE City, Comms 11B: Create materials to distribute at community events that share how to lower energy bills. PiE Team Strategy 12: Partner with community leaders, organizations, and schools to reach people who need support. 12A: Research food shelves, nonprofits, and schools as possible partners. Team City, PiE 12B: Use joint communication channels and events to share resources. Comms PiE, City 7 Excerpt: Stillwater Energy Action Plan, Partners in Energy Focus Area: Renewable Energy Opportunities Strategy Tactic Primary Support Q2 ’24 Q3 ’24 Q4 ’24 Q1 ’25 Q2 ’25 Q3 ’25 Strategy 13: Design and implement renewable energy outreach campaigns to residents to increase renewable energy support. 13A: Share details about utility subscription programs and the benefits of not having the physical infrastructure on site via local media, social media, and City communication channels. Comms, PiE City 13B: Account for the wide range of renewable energy products and their effectiveness to help residents make an informed choice. Comms, PiE City Strategy 14: Explore feasibility of on- site solar for Stillwater municipal infrastructure. 14A: Work with a third party to assess physical infrastructure to identify buildings that could support solar arrays and conduct solar suitability analysis. PiE, City Team 14B: Issue RFP or other process to identify solar installers and costs for capital planning. City PiE Strategy 15: Provide resources and education to support residents to install on-site solar on their properties. 15A: Use solar suitability applications and mapping to determine if certain areas of the city are ready for solar. PiE Comms, Team 15B: Review Stillwater codes that impact on- site solar. City PiE 15C: Create materials (both digital and print) that raise awareness of homes suitable for solar and the steps for installation. PiE Comms, City 15:D: Share the funding and incentives available to reduce the cost of on-site solar. PiE City, Comms