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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2009 (45) Resolution Approving the Strategic Energy Plan Resolution No. 456:RO6cd St. Croix County, Wisconsin WHEREAS, the Energy Committee has met to develop a plan for providing information and education to reduce county energy use, improve conservation, and increase efficiency; and WHEREAS, the plan is intended to be interrelated with individual Department efforts, overall County operations and the County Board's 2009 strategic initiatives; and WHEREAS, the strategic energy plan is attached to this resolution; and WHEREAS, it is the consensus of the members of the Energy Committee that the strategic energy plan be approved. THEREFORE, be it resolved by the St. Croix County Board of Supervisors that the attached strategic energy plan is adopted. Offered by the Energy Committee: Daryl Standafer, Chair Fred Horne Jerry Van Someren Dennis Horner Bill Lawton This Resolution was adopted by the St. Croix County Board Reviewed as to form on Gez , (4 ) U of Supervisors on /q - / 5 <i 4 fi n , Greg Ti erman, Corporation Counsel Cindy Campbell, County Clerk St. Croix County Energy Committee Strategic Plan December, 2009 Introduction by Committee The St. Croix County Energy Committee in cooperation with the County Board Chair, and county staff presents this initial energy planning document. The purpose of the document is to improve county energy use, conservation, and efficiency by assessing energy use and providing information and education. This plan is intended to be interrelated with individual Departmental efforts and overall County operations including the 2009 Strategic Initiatives. The strategic plan identifies annual goals with a 2 -year time horizon. This plan will outline the vision, mission and values; the history and profile; the strategic issues and initiatives of the St. Croix County Energy Committee. Mission /Vision/Values Mission Statement Improve the efficiency of county operations by integrating energy reduction and education strategies while maintaining employee productivity and reducing energy costs. St. Croix County Government will be an energy conservation and efficiency example for the residents of St. Croix County Vision Statement St. Croix County Government, in its efforts to lead by example, is mindful of energy use and associated costs and is efficient and effective at delivering services. Values Efficient (environment and operations) Capable of achieving the desired result with the minimum use of resources time and effort Stewardship (taxpayer dollars) Deliberate /mindful management of resources, time and effort Proactive (forward thinking) Active rather than reactive Communication (with employees and citizens) Exchange of information to establish mutual understanding Collaboration (across departments) Working together to achieve a common objective Organizational History and Profile Increasing population and demand for services is placing pressure on local government to supply additional services in a time of decreasing tax revenues. In addition, increasing energy costs and the threat of decreasing state shared revenue is placing constraints on the county budget. All point to developing creative ways to save money and if possible generate economic activity. Energy efficiency and the development of renewable energy have the potential to achieve both. In 2007, UWEX began bioenergy and renewable energy programming by hosting a renewable energy tour and holding a bioenergy forum where St. Croix Co board members interacted with members from Polk Co. Energy committee. The St. Croix County Board established the energy committee by resolution 22 (2008) on July 15, 2008. The purpose of the Energy Committee is to gain knowledge and understand county energy use, implement energy efficiencies where applicable, utilize alternative forms of energy, and provide the public and county staff with energy related information and education. In 2008 and again in 2009 the County Board established a strategic initiative to reduce county energy use by 10% by 2013, and increase the use and encourage the development of renewable energy. Strategic Issues and Initiatives A strategic issue is a fundamental policy challenge choice or challen a affecting an organization's mandates, mission, product, or service level and mix, clients or users, costs, financing, structure, process, or management. The identification of strategic issues is the heart of the strategic planning process. Its purpose is to identify a set of strategic issues facing the organization and to frame them as questions, concerns, or needs the organization can do something about. Strategic issues address the "what" of planning not "the- how ". Their consideration shapes the organization's action agenda — its goals, change initiatives, and supporting action plans. A strategic initiative is a goal or objective that spells out the specific parameters for a particular change or course of action. It's important to set robust goals that meet the SMART criteria: S= Specific M= Measurable A= Action - oriented R= Realistic T= Time -bound Framing up goals that call out specific results, deliverables and metrics with deadlines drives greater accountability and makes it easier to assess progress. Robust goals use strong action verbs, identify barriers/benefits, have a deadline, and have a supporting action plan. (Source: Creating and Implementing your Strategic Plan: A Workbook for Public and Nonprofit Organizations by Bryson and Alston) Energy Committee Strategic Issue Identification These issues were identified by the committee during a 3/25/09 strategic planning meeting. 1) We must quantify and understand the overall energy use in the county 2) We must complete a comprehensive energy audit 3) We should look at purchasing Kilowatt measuring Machines. 4) How can we better coordinate /implement county -wide energy efficiency policies? 5) How can we assure that the county is able to deal with a local disaster? (from an energy standpoint) 6) How can we develop and implement a common energy reduction goal for all St. Croix County employees? 7) How can we communicate our lessons learned/findings to St. Croix County Residents? The committee was asked to rank the above issues which resulted in the identification of the three strategic issues below. St. Croix Energy Committee Strategic Issues 1. Quantify and understand 2. Increase St. Croix County employees' overall energy used by St. Croix awareness of energy conservation and County Government. efficiency practices. Strategic Initiatives Strategic Initiative A. Complete a A. Develop an energy information and education program comprehensive energy for St. Croix County employees by 3Q10. assessment using 2008 as a baseline by 3Q10 B. Develop a County Energy Plan by 1Q11 C. Implement the County Energy Plan by 3Q11 Strategic Initiative Action Plans Action Plan for Strategic Initiative 1A Strategic Issue: Quantify and understand overall energy used by St. Croix County Government. Strategic Initiative: Complete a comprehensive energy assessment using 2008 as a baseline by 3Q10 Initiative Owners: Energy Committee, Building Services Director, Administrative Coordinator, County Board, Energy Planning Team Key Contributors: Recycling Specialist, county departments, UWEX, Focus on Energy, UWRF, Xcel, Dairy land Power, St. Croix Electric Cooperative, New Richmond Municipal Electric, River Falls Public Utilities. From (Current situation) To (Desired situation) We lack a comprehensive understanding of Quantify overall energy use and associated costs government energy use and associated costs Deliverable(s): 2008 St. Croix County Energy Use Baseline Report Process /technique /system to measure on -going county energy use General Approach: Work with utility providers, Department Heads, and the Building Services Department to ass ess energy used by county. Assemble a County Energy Planning Team to engage county staff. Results (Measurement) Energy use and associated costs for all county operations. Improve understanding of where energy is being used Increase communication and cooperation between county departments Major Actions Timeline 2009 2010 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q 1. Share results of the energy survey. (Intranet) X 2. Contact Focus on Energy and establish energy X assessment protocol 3. Assemble resources to begin assessment (staff /Energy Planning Team, budget, materials, X plan) 4. Conduct assessment X X 5. Complete assessment report X 6. Present to Energy Committee X 7. Present to County Board X Action Plan for Strategic Initiative 1B Strategic Issue: Quantify and understand overall energy used by St. Croix County Government. Strategic Initiative: Develop an Energy Plan by 1Q11 Initiative Owners: County Board, Energy Committee, Building Services Department, Administrative Coordinator, Energy Planning Team Key Contributors: All county departments, Recycling Specialist, UWEX, Focus on Energy, UWRF, Xcel, Dairy land Power, St. Croix Electric Cooperative, New Richmond Municipal Electric, River Falls Public Utilities. From (Current situation) To (Desired situation) Lack of coordination for prioritizing Coordinate implementation of energy conservation and and implementing energy efficiency practices conservation and efficiency practices Deliverable(s): St. Croix County Government Energy Plan General Approach: Coordinated by Energy Planning Team. Results (Measurement) Reduce energy used Increase energy conservation and efficiency Increase cost savings Increase collaboration between county departments and other units of local government Major Actions Timeline 2010 2011 3Q 2Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q 1. Use results of energy assessment to begin energy planning. X 2. Establish Energy Planning Team and schedule X 3. Develop Energy Plan ( generate information, organize X X issues, and select practices) 4. Present to departments and county board 5. Finalize and approve plan Action Plan for Strategic Initiative 'IC Strategic Issue: Quantify and understand overall energy used by St. Croix County Government. Strategic Initiative: Implement the county energy plan by 3Q11 Initiative Owners: County Board, Energy Committee, Building Services Department, Administrative Coordinator, staff energy planning team. Key Contributors: Recycling Specialist, All county departments, UWEX, Focus on Energy, UWRF, Xcel, Dairy land Power, St. Croix Electric Cooperative, New Richmond Municipal Electric, River Falls Public Utilities. From (Current situation) To (Desired situation) Not assured of resources to Strategic approach to identifying internal and external implement the energy plan resources for implementing energy reduction strategies Deliverable(s): Grant dollars received Energy conservation and efficiency practices installed or implemented General Approach: Coordinated by Energy Planning Team. Results (Measurement) Reduction in energy used Increased cost savings Increase collaboration between county departments and other units of local government Major Actions Timeline 2011 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q 1. Identify leadership for plan implementation. X 2. Identify resources needed for plan implementation X (people, budget, etc) 3. Use energy plan to apply for energy conservation and X efficiency grants Action Plan for Strategic Initiative 2A Strategic Issue: Increase the awareness of St. Croix County Employees about energy conservation and efficiency practices. Strategic Initiative: Develop an energy information and education program for St. Croix County employees by 3Q10 Initiative Owners: Energy Committee, County Board, Administrative Coordinator, Building Services, staff ad -hoc committee Key Contributors: Energy Planning Team, Recycling Specialist, UWEX, utilities, From (Current situation) To (Desired situation) Lack of awareness for energy conservation Employees are knowledgeable and efficiency about energy conservation and efficiency and are empowered to change behaviors accordingly Deliverable(s): St. Croix County Energy Information and Education Program General Approach: Coordinated by Energy Planning Team Results (Measurement) Increase awareness about energy efficiency Implementation of energy efficiency practices Cost savings Major Actions Timeline 2009 2010 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q 1. Establish support for program X X 2. Establish Energy Planning Team in X relation to 1B (made up of county staff) 3. Develop energy Information and X X Education plan 4. Allocate resources for plan X 5. Implement plan X 6. Open house /kickoff event X