Key Accounts

[photo of Alison and Dave sitting socially distanced, wearing masks, as if they are in the same room as the viewer]

LOCAL. RELIABLE. EFFICIENT. ESSENTIAL.

Welcome!

Typically the annual Key Accounts meeting would bring us together this time of the year. As with most events in the wake of the pandemic, our plans had to be adjusted. We listened to your feedback and decided that easy access to valuable information specific to your needs as a key account would be more valuable than a virtual meeting or web based training. The result is this webpage, a knowledge resource designed specifically for you.

Holland Board of Public Works (HBPW) knows that understanding your utilities is pertinent to your business. Being informed helps you to take advantage of all the benefits that go along with having a community-owned board of public works.

Please take time to explore this page at your own pace. Queue into the latest news about HBPW electricity, water, wastewater and broadband. Also, learn about opportunities to lower costs and operate more efficiently.

As a local public utility, you are served at all levels by people who are devoted to our community. That means you have a real person to call. As a key account, Alison El Cassabgui is dedicated to providing resources to you when needed If you have any questions about this information or your service, feel free to reach out to her.

Thank you,

David Koster
General Manager

Power Quality

Energy Efficiency

Energy Waste Reduction (EWR)

HBPW recently completed an evaluation on how to proceed with implementing the Energy Waste Reduction program after the State mandate for municipals sunsets on December 31, 2021. Recommendations include continuing the EWR Program offerings beyond 2021 and increasing the kWh savings goal from 1% to 2% over a course of two years. The new program offerings will also give HBPW the opportunity to track carbon reduction, specifically how it ties into the Community Energy Plan.

GHG Results

HBPW will continue to work with our Key Accounts to further reduce energy waste throughout the future. We strive to continue to provide beneficial opportunities for our customers to both save energy, save money, and continue to be a good steward towards our environment and community.

The rebate program will continue for the foreseeable future. Some new additions throughout the past couple of years to the HBPW Commercial and Industrial rebate program include:

International Dark Sky Association (IDA) certified exterior lighting qualifies for an increase of 10% to the rebate dollar amount.
Electric Vehicle Charging Station rebates for both Residential and Commercial & Industrial customers.
Fiber Laser Cutters, replacing CO2 laser cutters, have been added to the prescriptive portion of the rebate application.
A second round of Strategic Energy Management (SEM) is set to kick off again this fall. If you're interested in hearing more about it, please don't hesitate to reach out and we can provide further details.

Is there anything you would like to see with the rebate program? Please, share your thoughts! (Option for Open Ended Suggestion Box?)

Elective Renewable Energy Rate

As more and more customers are becoming environmentally aware and active, many residents and companies are including a higher percentage of renewables for their energy purchases. To meet customer and corporate needs, HBPW offers an Elective Renewable Energy Rate and a Distributed Generation Program. Contact us to learn more about these ways to achieve your sustainability goals.

Cross Connection Regulation

ALISON MORSINK VIDEO

Holland BPW is required by Michigan Law to protect the drinking water system that serves our community from ALL cross connections with potential sources of contamination, and prevent future connections that may contaminate the drinking water system.

Cross Connection Programs exist around the United States to ensure that water provided by utilities remain safe throughout the distribution system. HBPW is no different and takes any potential backflow hazard created by a cross connection seriously.

Some of the most common cross connections that exist in Commercial and Industrial settings include:

• Irrigation Systems
• Fire Suppression Systems
• Piping connected to a Boiler or Heat Exchanger
• Piping connected to Manufacturing process involving water

Some of the most common devices and methods used for backflow prevention include the following:

• Reduced Pressure Principle Backflow Assemblies (RPZ)

These devices consist of two independently acting, spring loaded check valves with a relief valve placed in between to prevent backflow. The relief valve must open to discharge any potential backflow due to high pressure, specifically if the pressure in the second zone is higher than the first zone.

• Vacuum Breakers

Vacuum Breakers are one of the simplest types of backflow prevention and are typically used for individual toilets, urinals, lab sinks and irrigation systems. Vacuum breakers are great at protecting from backflow, but do not protect against backpressure.

• Air Gap Separation

Typically found in common household installations such as sinks, bathtubs, washers, water softeners and certain industrial applications. Air gaps are typically not practical in most commercial and industrial settings since high water pressure is required with no splashing.

The full list of approved backflow prevention devices can be found through the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) or by contacting our Water/Wastewater Services Supervisor, Alison Morsink.

All customers with a cross connection in their facility must complete a yearly inspection by a Certified Backflow Device Tester and be submitted to HBPW.

Sources: https://www.michigan.gov/documents/deq/CrossConnectionManual_251521_7.pdf

Anaerobic Digester

Broadband

Fiber Experts

HPBW began building a fiberoptic network in 1992 to support communications that monitor and control systems in the field. At that time, excess capacity was built into the network, which allowed HBPW to create an open access network for broadband services. HBPW Broadband Services continues to grow throughout the City of Holland and surrounding areas. These areas cover over 200 miles of fiber, including spurs extending to Saugatuck, Hamilton and Jenison.

HBPW provides three broadband service options: Dark Fiber, Active Ethernet and Shared Gigabit. All HPBW Broadband Services use ultra fast fiber optic cable, delivering simetric upload and download speeds up to 1,000 mbps.

Learn more: https://hollandbpw.com/en/broadband

Broadband Taskforce

Broadband development is a key priority in the City of Holland's strategic plan. In 2015, the city challenged HBPW to provide more broadband services, asking "how can the fiber infrastructure be used to provide better, faster and more reliable internet service for our community?" The result was the Downtown Shared Gigabit pilot project that launched in 2018. The Downtown project serves over 130 customers plus partner ISPs. HBPW fiber delivers quality internet service that surpasses speeds and reliability of other ISPs in the area.

Key learnings from Downtown project:

• Great internet service attracts and retains businesses.
• Choice is good for customers; competition drives incumbant ISPs to improve and maintain their service networks.

What is next?

Deeming the first year of the Downtown Shared Gigabit project a success, City Council asked HPBW "what else can you do with the fiber infrastructure to bring access to more people?" So, HBPW and the City of Holland formed a Broadband Taskforce that is lead by Dave Koster, HBPW General Manager, and Keith Van Beek, City Manager of the City of Holland. HBPW staff, city staff, and community stakeholders are working together to explore expansion opportunities for fiber infrastructure through community-based decision making.

Holland utilized the community-based decision making process for the P21 Decision, which resulted in Holland Energy Park, and Waterfront Holland. As we look into broadband development on a greater scale, the same framework for community engagement is being followed. The taskforce is underway and results are expected to be announced later this year.