HomeMy WebLinkAbout6.n. Letter of Support for the Minnesota Department of Commerce's Application to the U.S. Department of Energy's Solar Market Place Project RosEmoUNT� EXECUTI VE SUMMARY
CITY COUNCIL
City Council Meeting Date: July 1 2014
AGENDA ITEM: Letter of Support for the Minnesota
Department of Commerce's Application AGENDA SECTION:
to the U.S. Department of Energy's Consent
Solar Market Place Project
PREPARED BY: Jason Lindahl, AICP AGENDA NO.
Planner (p.I'1,
ATTACHMENTS: Letter of Support, Minnesota Solar APPROVED BY:
Challenge Program Flier
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Motion to authorize the Mayor to execute the attached
letter of support for the Minnesota Department of Commerce's application to the U.S.
Department of Energy's Solar Market Place Project
SUMMARY
Staff recommends the Mayor execute the attached letter of support for the Minnesota Department of
Commerce's application to the U.S. Department of Energy's Solar Market Place Project. Should the
Minnesota Department of Commerce receive this grant,it intends to use these funds to continue its
Minnesota Solar Challenge Program to assist local governments with establishing best practices for
developing solar resources. It should be noted that this letter only supports the Department of
Commerce's grant application and does not commit the City to future participation in the Minnesota
Solar Challenge.
BACKGROUND
Rosemount participated in the Minnesota Department of Commerce's Solar Challenge programs as
part of the GreenSteps Cities program. As part of participating in the Solar Challenge program the
City received at no cost assistance a local solar energy workshop and consultant services that helped
developed new zoning regulations for solar energy systems. This program is consistent with the
City's sustainability goals and could serve as a resource for the STAR Communities, GreenSteps Cities
and Resilient Communities programs.
CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Mayor execute the attached letter of support for the Minnesota Department
of Commerce's application to the U.S. Department of Energy's Solar Market Place Project.
July 1,2014
US Department of Energy
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Solar Market Pathways FOA DE-FOA-0001071
Control number 1071-1528
Re: Letter of Support for the Department of Commerce's "Toward 10%: A Minnesota Road
Map for Local Solar Action" project
To Whom it May Concern:
The City of Rosemount submitting this letter of support for the Minnesota Department of
Commerce, Division of Energy Resources' application for the U.S. Department of Energy's Solar
Market Pathways project.
The State of Minnesota has been a key resource for the City of Rosemount in its sustainability
efforts. The Minnesota Solar Challenge program assisted our community with developing its solar
resources by providing consultant services that helped the City establish best practices and update its
zoning regulations for solar energy system.
The "Toward 10%" project, and the funding from the DOE Solar Market Pathways grant will help
Minnesota cities streamline processes, reduce regulatory barriers, create tools and programs to
attract capital solar development. With assistance from the U.S. Department of Energy, Minnesota
can continue to break new ground in enabling solar photovoltaic deployment and become a
Midwestern hub for solar business development and investment.
On behalf of the Rosemount City Council, I am pleased to submit this letter of support. We look
forward to working with the Department of Commerce and its partners in strong support of this
initiative.
If you have any questions,please feel free to contact me at mayor(a,rosemount.mn.us or by phone at
651-322-2050.
Sincerely,
William H. Droste, Mayor
City of Rosemount,Minnesota