1. Renewable Energy Finance Program “Save Some Green”
River Falls Municipal Utilities
Mike Noreen
Conservation and Efficiency Coordinator
April 7, 2010

2. Who We Are
Non profit and locally owned and operated electric, water/sewer, and wastewater utility.
Serves around 5,800 customers in River Falls, WI.
WPPI Energy is wholesale power provider.
Community ownership and control is the hallmark of public power — local people working together to meet local needs.
Mixture of agricultural, university and bedroom community with a progressive spirit.

3. Our Challenge
Selected by WPPI Energy to “Lead By Example” and become one of four “model communities”.
Committee was established to help River Falls become a model in the state and region for implementing community-wide sustainability initiatives.
Comprised a group of concerned citizens representing the university, hospital, public school, private sector, city government, and utilities.

4. POWERful Choices!
Mission Statement: A community-wide effort to install a strong local conservation ethic while demonstrating the effectiveness of energy efficiency, conservation and renewable resources

5. “Lead by Example” Locally
LEED Silver Certified City Hall
Hired Conservation and Efficiency Coordinator
Formed employee “Green Teams” to reduce energy in municipal facilities by 10%
Performing Energy Audit on all municipal facilities
Installed Wind Test Tower
Purchased Plug-in Electric Hybrid Vehicle

6. The BIG Picture
Governor Doyle selected University of WI-River Falls 1 of 4 campuses to be “off the grid” by 2012.
EPA Green Power Community and Top 10 List for green power usage - first community in Wisconsin and the Midwest.
U.S. DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory Top 10 List for green power sales.
Full participation in the WPPI Energy, Solar Buy Back Tariff.
First new construction LEED Silver City Hall in Wisconsin!
Selected to be 1 of 4 Midwest Efficiency Cities.
NREL - # 9 for customer participation rate and #3 for green power sales as a percentage of total retail electricity sales
Midwest Efficiency Cities
At a glance, it might seem like the cities of Milwaukee, Apple Valley, MN, Grand Rapids, MI and River Falls, WI have little in common. But scratch the surface and you will find that they share a goal—they are all on the way to becoming models of community-wide energy efficiency.
Community demand.

7. Our Latest Project
Innovative Renewable Energy Finance Program called “Save Some Green”.
Install renewable energy system on home.
Solar photovoltaic panel system
Solar hot water
Solar thermal heating
Geothermal heating and cooling system
Wind turbines
Major energy efficiency projects (in conjunction with renewable energy project)
Repay on property taxes.

8. Program Details Residential customers within city limits.
Funding and administration through the utility.
4% loan ranging from 5-20 years.
$2,500 - $50,000 range.
Loan paid back as a “special charge” on city property taxes.

9. Renewable Energy in 10 Easy Steps
Review program guidelines.
Complete Focus on Energy Home Performance with ENERGY STAR evaluation.
Obtain bid proposals.
Pay application fee ($25-100).
Utility internal review of application.
Utility customer.
Project to be put on residential dwelling.
Home within the city limits.
Utility payment history.
To be reviewed by Utility General Manager, Utility Commissioner, and Conservation and Efficiency Coordinator.
Utility Commission updated quarterly.
Public Service Commission approved.

10. 10 Easy Steps Continued…
6. Sign required documentation including: Loan Agreement, Promissory Note, Mortgage document, Standard Distribution Generation Application, and Distributed Generation Interconnection Agreement.
7. Proceed with installation.
8. Conduct final inspection and submit copy of final bill for payment.
9. Process payment directly to installer, record mortgage and submit info to the city for collection on property taxes.
10. Pay “special charge” on city property taxes.
Request submitted to Public Service Commission to have loan paid back on monthly utility bill.

11. Funding Source Electric revenue funded.
$500,000* utility commitment for “Save Some Green” program in 2010.
Funding sources for 2011 yet to be secured.
* An additional 1.7% of revenue has been dedicated for additional conservation programs and services, as approved through the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin.
Uc reviews program to determine future funding.

12. Why Program Was Created
Eliminate “cost first” barrier when considering renewable energy installation.
Offer additional low interest funding options.
Increase the proliferation of renewable energy systems into residential market.
Help customer through the complex web of city codes, financial rebates, renewable energy options and deadlines.

13. Program Uniqueness
No improvement district formed or municipal bonds sold.
Funding acquired from utility revenue.
Commitment to energy efficiency required.
Not tax deductible.
Homeowner signs mortgage document and owns the renewable energy system.
Incentives are not required to be repaid immediately.
Loan to be paid off at the sale of the property.

14. Potential Concerns Limited pool of funding.
Trailblazers and program guidelines may change.
Attempt to have all projects with energy savings of at least 75% of the cost of the loan.
Is the renewable energy technology ready?

15. Project Timeline
April—Approved "Leading By Example” participation
2007
November—Started following Berkley model
February—First met with City staff
2008
March—Subcommittee formed
November—Presented program concept to governing bodies
2009
04/07 - City Council and Utility Commission approved resolution to participate in "Leading By Example” initiative
11/07 - PC started following Berkley model
02/08 - PC first met with City staff regarding property taxes
03/08 - Subcommittee formed to research and develop conceptual model
11/09 - Presented program concept to Utility Commission and City Council at Joint Workshop and made recommended modifications.
11/09 - City Council approved Resolution authorizing collection on property taxes
03/10 - Utility Commission approved Resolution authorizing use of funds
03/10 - Press release and mass marketing
03/10 - First customer application
November—Approved collection on property taxes
March—Approved funding allocation
2010
March—Mass marketing
March—First customer application!!

16. "Our goal is not to take over the market for financing solar and energy efficiency," says Francisco DeVries.
"It's to provide a financing mechanism for people who otherwise could not or would not get solar and energy efficiency.”
[DeVries is a confessed save-the-climate junkie and chief of staff for Berkeley, California, that was in charge of implementing an ambitious new measure to cut the city's greenhouse gas emissions 80% by 2050.]
Gather support: Mayor (maybe signed mayoral pact), utility general manager,
Look to other communities that have a program or wholesale energy provider

17. Questions and Comments?
Mike Noreen, Conservation and Efficiency Coordinator River Falls Municipal Utilities 222 Lewis Street, Suite 228 River Falls, WI