ENERGY SERVICES The energy and planning resource for WAPA utilities BulletinMay 2018 WESTERN AREA POWER ADMINISTRATION

Community Solar gets enthusiastic reception in Fremont, Neb.

The 1.5-megawatt Fremont Community Solar Farm unleashed a pent-up demand for options, selling out subscriptions in just seven weeks. (Photo by Fremont Utilities)

ometimes, you just don’t know what people inside want until you ask them, as the municipal utili- 3 Colton customer engagement ties board of directors in Fremont, Nebraska, learned when they set out to diversify their 5 Rural Development loans municipal power portfolio. 7 Window efficiency measures 8 Residential lighting programs SCity Administrator Brian Newton Consulting experts, customers recalled that one of his first projects His initial reaction was that the after joining the city staff three years customers would not be interested ago was to work with the board of in . After all, Fremont directors on a strategic plan for their residents enjoy a low residential rate power supply. At the time, the city of of just 8 cents per kWh, and no one around 27,000 was powered mainly had installed a privately owned solar by coal and natural gas. “The board system. decided it would be a good idea to So Newton took the prudent step Subscribe to Energy Services investigate adding other resources,” of consulting experts before rushing Bulletin at esnews.wapa.gov/ said Newton. wordpress/subscribe continued on Page 2

Access this publication at esnews.wapa.gov to take advantage of online resources and helpful links. Community Solar from Page 1

headlong into a project. After scoring to be sold in Fremont, they also wanted ers’ interest in solar, those were laid a Department of Energy Technical it built by local developers, financed to rest when the 1.5-megawatt solar Assistance Grant, the city teamed up by local money and under community farm sold out in seven weeks. Fremont with the National Renewable Energy control. promoted the project with customer Laboratory and the Smart Electric meetings, emails and bill stuffers, the Power Alliance to gauge customer Designed to sell usual avenues for getting the word out. interest in renewables and to explore To make participation easy, Fremont Newton noted that the 1.2-MW second financing options. phase of the solar farm is selling out by put together a unique package of That was a smart move, because word of mouth alone. options. Customers can choose SEPA research has shown that a Newton may have been surprised between purchasing panels, buying successful community solar project by customers’ eagerness to invest in one or more solar energy shares and starts with knowing your audience. renewables, but he told SEPA the rural subscribing to a combination of panels The survey SEPA conducted was an community’s latent environmentalism eye-opener for Newton. “More than and shares. shouldn’t be surprising. The com- 70 percent said they were interested Solar subscriptions can cover up to munity has always been firmly rooted in , and some said they’d 80 percent of residential customers’ to the land because agriculture is pay $10 more per month for it, which I annual kilowatt-hour consumption and central to the local economy, he said. doubted,” he said. 50 percent for commercial customers. “Damaging the land or air isn’t an Just to make sure the survey results One panel generates an average of 43 abstract idea. Fremonters can see the were on track, Newton held numerous kWh monthly, while one solar energy impact of environmental degradation public meetings to explain community share represents 150 kWh monthly. on their livelihoods.” solar to customers and get feedback Customers who purchase panels are Or, as one resident observed, from them. More than 500 people able to take advantage of the Federal Fremont’s support for solar power signed up to receive information about Solar Investment Tax Credit, making is not a surprise, as much as it is the solar energy and many were adamant participation even more attractive. natural progression of a long history about joining the community affair. If the utility board of directors had of civic involvement in environmental They not only wanted the solar power any remaining doubts about custom- stewardship. n

Energy Services Bulletin May 2018 2 Customer engagement comes first, energy savings follow n a state that many consider to be synonymous with of our customers a chance to save,” explained Environmental Conservation energy innovation, the City of Colton Electric Utility Supervisor, Jessica Sutorus. must balance two competing challenges that will Utility programs for saving energy sound all too familiar to rural power providers across often focus on big measures like entire home cooling system replacement the nation. On one hand, San Bernardino County, because those retrofits provide the ICalifornia’s oldest electric utility has a fierce summer best results, for both the customer and peak; on the other, a significant population of low- the power provider. However, low- income customers can rarely afford income customers struggles with each month’s electric major home improvements, even bill. In true public power spirit, Colton Electric’s “Spring though they need the savings as much into Summer” campaign seeks to manage its peak by as, or more than customers in other demographics. putting the needs of its ratepayers first. The campaign, which runs from Flyers are also placed in city hall, the Different demographic, March 20 to June 20, encourages electric office and community centers. different goals customers to upgrade certain items Customers can take advantage of Even so, the “Spring into Summer” in their homes to energy-efficient increased rebates for box fans, ceiling promotion is as much about cus- products prior to the start of summer. fans, swamp coolers, room air- tomer outreach as it is about energy The utility notifies customers about the conditioning units and air-conditioning efficiency. “You have different expecta- program on their utility bills, Facebook, system tune-ups, as well as whole- Instagram and the electric website. house systems. “We want to give all continued on Page 4

Artwork by City of Colton Electric Utility

Energy Services Bulletin May 2018 3 Customer engagement from Page 3 tions than when you are marketing gas emissions. to more affluent customers,” Sutorus This is where California’s progressive acknowledged. approach to climate change is helpful In that respect, “Spring into to the small “Inland Empire” city. The Summer” has been successful, increas- state’s Title 24 Building Standards ing participation in the cooling rebate Code requires developers to build program by 40 customers annually, a housing that is highly efficient and 43 percent increase in participation. solar- and electric vehicle-ready. This “Obviously those aren’t huge numbers, is good news for a city that is finally but we have only 16,000 residential beginning to feel the effects of the customers and most of the participants residential programs are about serving economic recovery. “We are expecting are investing in the smaller-ticket the community,” she explained. “We new residential development, but items,” said Sutorus. have other plans to meet state goals industry is our fastest growing load,” So while the savings to the custom- for energy savings.” Sutorus observed. ers may be meaningful, the program Colton Electric offers a menu has not made much of a dent in Part of bigger picture of commercial customer rebates, Colton Electric’s summer load. Many including automated online energy Colton has recently begun to Colton families pass their homes from monitoring analysis, lighting rebates install smart thermostats throughout generation to generation and don’t and time-of-use rates. Support for city facilities, and to replace old have the resources to make the kind commercial customers can help grow air-conditioning systems with Ice Bear of deep retrofits that are useful for local industry and bring more jobs to high-efficiency cooling equipment. You load shaping. A lot of those houses are the area. More jobs mean a stronger are leaving WAPA.gov. The measures several decades old and still have the economy, and that, too, will be good are part of the Climate Action Plan original windows, Sutorus noted. “Our for ratepayers. n the city adopted in 2015 to reduce

Energy Services Bulletin May 2018 4 WAPA customers receive USDA Rural Development loans

lectric cooperatives WAPA serves in Colorado, Improving transmission, more Iowa and Minnesota are among the utilities The transmission system of Minnesota Valley Cooperative Light receiving $276 million in guaranteed loans from & Power Association will get 52 miles the U.S. Department of Agriculture to improve of new lines, 14 miles of improve- system efficiency and reliability. Agriculture ments and $560,000 in smart grid Secretary Sonny Perdue announced the investments in upgrades as part of a $10,569,000 E Rural Development loan. The co-op a March 13 press release the day before appearing at a provides electric service to more than Senate hearing on rebuilding American infrastructure. 5,200 consumers over 3,273 miles of line in eight counties with primarily Loans are also going to utilities in Georgia, Indiana, agriculture-based economies. Small Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Missouri, North Dakota, commercial loads account for 10 Ohio and Virginia. percent of kilowatt-hour sales. Large commercial accounts, including an USDA Rural Development’s Electric services such as schools, public safety ethanol plant, cheese production Program provides loan guarantees to and health care; and high-speed facility and casino, account for the help expand economic opportunities internet access in rural areas. These remaining kWh sales and revenue. and create jobs in rural areas. Rural are the kinds of projects that could Southeast Colorado Power Development assistance supports make the areas more inviting to new Association will use $13,000,000 in infrastructure improvements; business businesses, the people the businesses Rural Development funds to build 72 development; housing; community would need to fill jobs. continued on Page 6

Energy Services Bulletin May 2018 5 USDA Rural Development loans from Page 5

miles of line, improve 125 miles and chose to put in its Rural Development follow-up questions is much quicker make other system improvements. A application came from its $11.4 million and easier,” Kinser observed. member of Tri-State Generation and construction work plan for 2017-2020. But a good working relationship Transmission, You are leaving WAPA. “We do a plan every four or five years with the local USDA field office still gov. the La Junta-based co-op serves to identify infrastructure needs like makes for a less-stressful application 7,688 residential, nearly 1,500 irrigation replacing lines or poles or expanding process. Kinser offered kudos to Pat and 1,100 commercial consumers the system where the population Bormann, General Field Representative across a 13,000-square-mile service is growing,” explained Phil Kinser, with the Rural Utilities Service – Electric territory that covers 11 Colorado Southwest Iowa REC chief executive Programs. “Pat did a great job of counties. officer. helping us to navigate the application “This funding will allow SECPA to A member of Central Iowa Power process,” Kinser recalled. “His assistance advance important infrastructure Cooperative, Southwest’s local was invaluable.” efforts and provide reliable, affordable economy relies heavily on agriculture. Applications for the Rural Energy electricity essential to sustaining the Like other recipients, the co-op’s for America Program Renewable economic well-being and quality of life service territory has steadily lost Energy Systems & Energy Efficiency for rural Coloradans,” said Sallie Clark, population over the last decade due to Improvement Loans & Grants are due USDA Rural Development Colorado younger residents leaving for metro- April 30. Contact your local field office state director. politan areas. for more information. Southwest Iowa Rural Electric WAPA congratulates Minnesota Cooperative You are leaving WAPA. Funding available Valley Cooperative Light & Power gov. will receive a $6,100,000 loan Applying for a Rural Development Association, Southeast Colorado Power to build 69 miles of line, upgrade 96 Loan is now more streamlined since Association and Southwest Iowa Rural miles and make other system improve- the USDA moved much of the ap- Electric Cooperative for taking the ments, including $775,000 for smart plication process online. “Providing initiative to improve their systems and grid projects. The projects the co-op additional information or answers to their communities. n

Energy Services Bulletin May 2018 6 More than one way to improve window efficiency indow replacement strictly for energy and commercial window attachment products. savings carries a big price tag that can be For an overview of AERC’s work, well out of range for many homeowners. download “Window Attachments: A Fortunately, there are several lower-cost Call to Action,” the Council’s updated brief. AERC is holding its annual options for reducing energy loss through meeting in Annapolis, Maryland, May windowsW that utility program managers might consider 22 to 24. adding to their incentive offerings. Efficient Window Coverings, a guide supported by DOE and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, is Reflecting on film Drawing on curtains, shades another valuable resource for evaluat- Window films help block against solar Carefully chosen window attach- ing different window products for heat gain and protect against glare and ments can also save homeowners energy efficiency. Website visitors will ultraviolet exposure. According to the energy for less than the cost of window find a calculator to help them choose International Window Film Association, replacements. The Attachments Energy the best covering for their circum- professionally installed window film can Rating Council You are leaving WAPA. stances and a comparison chart to see block 30-60 percent of all energy being gov. is a good place to begin exploring how coverings stack up against each lost through window glass throughout options. The two-year-old organization other. These functions can help utilities the heating and cooling seasons. IWFA is working with DOE to provide cred- identify a range of options to appeal to also claims that window film in commer- ible and accurate information about different customer segments. n cial buildings can deliver seven times the the energy performance of residential energy saving benefits per dollar spent compared with installing replacement windows. DOE’s Energy Saver blog explains that reflective films work best in climates with long cooling seasons, because they also block the ’s heat in the winter. Other factors that impact the effectiveness of window films include: ■■ Size of window glazing area ■■ Window orientation ■■ Building orientation ■■ Whether the window has interior insulation Incentives for professional installa- tion of window films could be a winner for utilities serving low-income areas in warmer climates. Homeowners and businesses in such regions might welcome an affordable alternative to window replacement. Check with your state energy office to see if it offers any Window coverings can offer surprising energy benefits at a lower cost than window tax incentives you can piggy-back on replacements, making them a good candidate for utility rebate programs. (Photo by DOE your program. Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy)

Energy Services Bulletin May 2018 7 Phase out residential lighting programs? Not so fast… ED, or light-emitting diode, bulbs have become a major market player in recent years and can be expected to grow when new lighting efficiency standards Lcome into effect in 2020. Utilities might be tempted to think that there is little of this “low-hanging fruit” left for residential efficiency programs to pluck. Before utility program planners sunset this portfolio mainstay, however, the American Council ■■ Underserved markets: Lighting programs can find additional savings by targeting rural, elderly and for an Energy-Efficient Economy suggests low-income market segments that have been slower you take a closer look at the particulars of to adopt LEDs. your program. ■■ Specialty lamps: LED versions of popular specialty lamp styles are now available, including decorative, Well-designed lighting programs will likely continue to candelabra, globe and reflector lamps. Yet these styles garner savings for utilities through 2019, but the outlook sell significantly fewer units than general-purpose gets more complicated on January 1, 2020. For one thing, LED lamps, suggesting that consumers need more regional differences play a role in how lighting programs education about the products. perform after the standards are raised. LED adoption varies ■■ High quality lamps: Programs should continue to from state to state and even within states. In most of WAPA’s promote high-performing ENERGY STAR-branded territory, LEDs are between 20 and 30 percent of the light products, rather than “value” LED lamps that do not bulbs purchased. That leaves plenty of room for an effective meet ENERGY STAR standards. program to grow the market. ■ Sales data indicates that lighting programs and retail ■ Controls: Dimming and occupancy controls offer support are strong drivers of LED adoption. Also, preliminary significant additional savings opportunities. Lighting evidence from New York and Massachusetts indicate that programs can help connect consumers to quality LED adoption drops when programs end. So utilities would control solutions that are easy to install and operate. be premature to start scaling back their lighting programs— While residential lighting efficiency programs still have certainly where LED sales are low, and even in states like plenty of savings left to tap, the technology’s increasing California where LEDs represent 40 percent of light bulb sales. efficiency will eventually end their usefulness. It is not too ACEEE identifies several program options that could soon for utilities to start considering the next opportunities continue the progress in lighting efficiency, even after the for helping customers control and reduce their energy use. n standards go into effect.

ENERGY SERVICES Western May 2018 Area Power Administration The Energy Services Bulletin is published by Western Area Power Administration for its power customers. The mailing address is Western Area Power Administration, P.O.Box 281213, Lakewood, CO 80228-8213; Energy Services telephone 720-962-7508. The mention of any service, product, or technology does not constitute an endorsement of same and Western, the Department of Energy, or the United States Government cannot be held responsible or liable for use thereof. Editor: Kevon Storie Designer: Grant Kuhn