Meeting Minutes

Yellowstone-Teton Clean Energy Coalition

January 28, 2009

Idaho Falls City Council Chambers 
 

9:30 a.m. BOARD MEETING 
 

Present:  President Basil Barna, Vice President/Secretary Tim Young, Treasurer Jan Bown, George Erb, Gina Macilwraith, Executive Coordinator Sandy Shuptrine, (and via speaker phone) Lisa Ballard and Beth Pratt. 
 

Basil welcomed all to Idaho Falls and noted the City’s hospitality in providing good meeting space. 
 

I. George Erb moved acceptance of the minutes of the annual meeting on June 5, 2008 with two minor corrections.  Motion seconded and carried unanimously. 
 

II.  Jan Brown gave the treasurer’s report, providing a current balance sheet showing $3,698.05 in the coalition account.  In addition, there were  “profit and loss by class” sheets and a “profit and loss budget performance” sheet which reflected the activity associated with the Big Sky CC Retreat.  Jan proposed revising the current fiscal year budget to reflect the revenue and expense activity associated with Big Sky that were mostly recorded in this fiscal year.  After discussion, it was agreed to send the newest revised budget recommendation to the full board for polling in regard to acceptance.

(after number checking, the total budget proposed is $105,900.00). 
 
 

III. Sandy Shuptrine gave the Coordinator’s report and an update on the Clean Cities program.  She reported on recent coalition activities including the Big Sky Conference , a September 23^rd alternative fuels workshop led by Jake Lodato in collaboration with the Teton Conservation District, recent presentations to civic groups, newspaper ad campaign, articles written and information booklet update, scholarship awards for 2009 (Jim Earl of Park Co. Biodiesel Co-op and Grand Targhee fleet/David Carter), informal conversations regarding potential staff additions; meetings with INL representatives, equipment reps and distributors; regular Clean Cities conference calls and web casts, an ongoing collaboration for a current grant solicitation for fueling infrastructure, working with YBP on the Transportation Co-op concept and more.  YTCEC is leading the grant proposal collaboration with a deadline of February 27^th.  We are working with other coalitions throughout the northwest to develop an initial plan for fueling infrastructure along scenic corridors, center pieced by the loop made by I-15, I-90, I-5 and I-84.  Partners are being sought with three from our area expressing willingness. Lisa Ballard noted that Gallatin Co., MT was investigating capturing and using methane from the county landfill.  Jim Evanoff or Bill Murdock may have more information.

IV. Old Business

1. Discussion of staffing needs and coordinator requests;

Several board members offered creative ideas that would help to both develop (strengthen) the organization and to complete the work opportunities that present themselves.  Tim Young noted that this time is a cross-roads for the coalition.  It is a strategic opportunity to reach the next level of effectiveness with a presence needed in all three states. 
 

After more discussion, there was general agreement to strive for hiring a full-time director by October 1^st, the beginning of a new fiscal year (the current coordinator is a contract worker and not an employee of the coalition).  This segued into new business and review/update of the coalition strategic goals.

V. New Business

    President Basil Barna opened the discussion with a hand-out that he and Sandy had prepared that indicated progress on strategies identified in October 2004.  Many had been met, some only partially or not at all, and a few seemed no longer pertinent.  It was noted that there were no organizational development goals set in 2004.  Basil proposed dropping unaddressed items (such as a ‘tour district’ which has been supplanted by efforts to create a Transportation Co-op that targets local populations vs. tourists) and putting outreach, which has been quite thoroughly addressed, into ‘maintenance’ mode. 

It was agreed to add a new “I.  Organizational Development” with the number one strategy being to recruit a full time executive director with attendant tasks to accomplish it.  George Erb also noted that a fundraising plan, which includes all three states and major stakeholders, in order to implement such action was essential. Many suggestions were made and the coordinator will provide a draft, incorporating the sense of the group for board review as soon as possible. 

It was agreed to retain most mid-range objectives.   

Some stumbling blocks were noted-such as car dealer support and maintenance of advanced vehicles with the need for mechanic training identified. 

Beth Pratt said that she hoped the strategies would not be too narrow and hoped the coalition could attain a “ready” position to respond to rapidly changing conditions and opportunities.  She suggested that the coalition mission might need re-visiting.  Board members were invited to make suggestions of their own after considering the current mission statement.  The mission is currently imbedded in “Article II. Purpose” in our articles of incorporation which state, “….This will be accomplished primarily through the promotion of alternative fuels and vehicles, integrated transportation systems, and related energy conservation technologies that benefit the public interest by reducing energy consumption, particularly petroleum based fuels.” 

The board meeting adjourned at approximately 12:15 P.M. 
 
 

1:30 P.M. STAKEHOLDER’S MEETING 
 

Present;  Board members; Ken Taylor, City of Idaho Falls Councilman; Dave Nelson, CIF Shop Supervisor, Deborah Tate, INL Division Director of R & D Support Services and Richard Hess, Ph. D. INL plant scientist and biomass/biofuels researcher. 
 

Ken Taylor welcomed all on behalf of the City of Idaho Falls.  Basil invited those present to introduce themselves to each other and noted that both Idaho Falls and the INL were initial founders of the coalition. 
 

Deborah described INL interest in sustainability and goals they have set to achieve it.  She said they are revamping their bus model and working to increase alternative fuel use.  There are several LEED buildings at the site.  They also have a pilot study using B10 with additives underway in the bus fleet.  They are also implementing a park’n ride system, facilitating ‘ride link’ and incentivizing ‘right’ behavior regarding fuel use and vehicle choice with bonuses on health care contributions.   
 

Questions and answers related to her presentation and how to support each other’s efforts, especially with the Transportation Co-op model, ensued, including possibilities for the CNG dispenser near the airport (update-new owners Salt Lake Express have indicated they will partner on the current infrastructure grant proposal).  City of IF has 10-12 CNG bi-fuel vehicles and quite a few flex fuel vehicles that could all benefit, along with INL with public access to E85 and CNG. 
 

Richard Hess then described the Biomass for Biofuel research program.  He explained the importance of limiting the corn stover harvest in relation to ethanol production.  Leaving much of the stover in the field helps:

1. reduce the loss of soil carbon.
2. control soil erosion 
3. management of plant nutrients
4. soil water and temperature dynamics
5. reduce soil compaction
6. reduce environmental degradation.

Richard highlighted sorghum as a very promising source of cellulosic feedstock, with pre-processing being key to a good result.  It creates downstream uniformity.  Methods of harvesting, collection and storage are also key. 

He is excited about bio-crude and synthetic fuels and said southeast Idaho can produce and ship some of the best feedstock in the U.S.  INL is charged with being ‘industrial enablers’ and promoting sound practices. 

After more discussion, the meeting adjourned at approximately 4:15 P.M.