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City Council Green Power Missoula Presentation June 28, 2010 Benjamin Schmidt City Greenhouse Gas Energy Conservation Team Member I would like to thanks the City Council for their time. I am here to give a brief history and explanation of the Green Power Missoula Campaign and I hope to drum up interest and participation in Green Power Missoula by individuals, businesses, non-profits and industry. In 2004 the city council adopted a Greenhouse Gas Energy Conservation Plan. As part of that plan a greenhouse gas energy conservation team was formed. Members of the team are appointed by the City Council and come from various sectors of the community. The Team is charged to aid in the community-wide education and communication of energy efficiency opportunities and renewable energy measures that minimize greenhouse gas generation and, to lead efficiency initiatives throughout the area. Team accomplishments can be found at the Greenhouse Gas Energy Conservation Team web site and include the grant which purchased the green recycling bins you can find downtown and at city pools. In February 2009, with Resolution # 7398, the city council approved the formation of a Renewable Energy Certificate program, which we call Green Power Missoula. [Show off Logo Shirt – The Green Power Missoula logo is on this T- shirt supplied by Brian Kerns and represents the latest in power point presentations. We hope to get other people to place the logo and links to Green Power Missoula on their website to help with marketing.] Renewable Energy Certificates represent electricity generated from renewable sources such as wind, geothermal or solar. One certificate equals one megawatt of electricity generated from a renewable source. These certificates represent real power that is generated and put onto the electrical grid. A typical home uses about 11 megawatts of electricity per year. Since 62% of the electricity used by Montanans comes from finite fossil fuels, a home owner could purchase 6 to 7 certificates and state that their house is 100% powered by renewable energy. A business could do the same and then use that fact for marketing purposes. There are several reasons for Missoulians to purchase Renewable Energy Certificates from Green Power Missoula. A purchase: 1. Creates demand for cleaner more sustainable energy sources, 2. Reduces greenhouse gas emissions from conventional electrical generation, 3. Allows people, organizations or businesses that cannot install their own renewable energy sources to support renewable energy, 4. Generates funds for Missoula that can be used for local renewable energy projects or energy efficiency efforts. 20% of all certificate purchases come back to the City for these purposes, ---PAGE BREAK--- 5. Purchase of Certificates can be used for “Green” marketing or advertising, and 6. Helps reduce carbon dioxide emissions. For these reasons, the Greenhouse Gas Energy Conservation Team is here to request that the City, area residents and businesses help promote the City’s Green Power Missoula Campaign and purchase certificates at the city web site. To purchase Green Power Missoula Certificates visit the city web page at www.ci.missoula.mt.us/greenpower or find the page by googling “Green Power Missoula”. Businesses or individuals who purchase a certificate by August 31 will be considered a founding member and designated a Green Power Pioneer. Links that explain Renewable Energy Certificates and the Green Power Missoula campaign in more detail are available at the web page. I also have a few handouts with me that further explain the Green Power Pioneer campaign. Again, thank you for your time and I am here to answer any questions that you may have.