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Resource plan discussed by energy panel

NEW ULM – The Energy Awareness Commission (EAC) received an update on the Integrated Resource Plan at its Tuesday meeting.

Energy Services Representative William Swanson explained that New Ulm Public Utilities receives a large portion of power from Heartland Consumer Power District. Within that allocation of power, some is generated from hydroelectric sources supplied through Western Power Administration. In order to receive New Ulm’s share of the hydroelectric power an Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) must be submitted.

The IRP includes a load history, load forecast, method of generation, summary of energy saving goals, and plans for future energy conservation goals.

Swanson brought the plan to the EAC meeting because it has a public comment requirement. The comment period is set to expire on Thursday, Feb. 12. As of Tuesday, no comments had been submitted from New Ulm or from any other community in the Heartland co-op.

Commission member Ricky Howk asked if Heartland was working with solar power or biomass energy.

Swanson replied that he was unaware of any solar or biomass power being generated by Heartland.

Howk asked if the New Ulm area was looking into a biomass plant similar to the one operated in Le Sueur. Howk said that current reports had the Le Sueur plant putting out energy at 10 percent less than Excel Energy.

Swanson informed the Commission that a biomass plant had been researched, but the pricing on the project could not be brought down to be economically feasible at this time.

The Commission also discussed involvement in the upcoming Home Show including an option to promote rebate programs.

Commissioner Sean Fingland said that it was the EAC’s responsibility to publicize the rebate programs.

Swanson also suggested the Home Show could be a chance to educate the public on utility billing.

Commissioners agreed the Home Show could hold a “Bill Checkup Clinic” to allow residents to bring questions and concerns to utility staff.

Swanson said that all billing questions could be brought to Utilities Office at any time. In addition the Commission was reminded that New Ulm Public Utilities is in the process of updating the billing software, and changes are expected by the end of the year.

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