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need for investment in this project and that the timing is right. We have been collecting letters <br />of support for the project. <br /> <br />Ms. Mitchell stated while the House and Senate Capital Investment committees have been <br />meeting, they have not been hearing individual bills. They have been taking presentations from <br />the various agencies, essentially the Governor’s recommendations which did not contain any <br />local projects. They have also spent committee time taking up lots of technical and clarifying <br />changes related to the 2023 bonding/cash bills. The general thought this year is that if you <br />received a tour stop on the bonding tours, which Rice Creek Commons did on both the Senate <br />and House side, then you do not get a bill hearing. We do not expect a hearing in either body, <br />which again is expected. It makes the need for individual conversations all the more important. <br /> <br />Commissioner Reinhardt thanked Commissioner Frethem for her incredible advocacy work. <br /> <br />Commissioner Frethem discussed how she has been working to gain letters of support for this <br />new development. <br /> <br />Commissioner Monson commented on how she has been working to build support for the <br />project and why now was a good time to offer bonding for Rice Creek Commons. She hoped to <br />gain additional letters of support for this project. <br /> <br />c. Update from Energy Advisory Committee <br /> <br />Ms. Mitchell provided the JDA with an update from the Energy Advisory Committee. She <br />explained she has been working with green energy consultants. She noted LHB and Ever-Green <br />Energy were part of the green energy team. She stated analysis was being completed on how <br />much energy will be needed to meet the demands on the site. She indicated the Energy <br />Advisory Committee would be meeting next on May 2 where sustainable building design <br />guidelines would be discussed. She stated on Friday she met with Ryan Companies, LHB and <br />Ever-Green Energy to discuss the green energy scope for Outlot A. She indicated the US Green <br />Building Council reached out to Alatus regarding Rice Creek Commons. She reported LHB would <br />be hosting a meeting with Alatus and US Green Building Council to discuss the LEED options for <br />the site. <br /> <br />Commissioner Monson explained the Energy Advisory Committee would be coming back to the <br />JDA with clear goals for the project. She stated the implementation of the vision for the project <br />would then have to be considered. She discussed how Xcel Energy was pursuing a goal to have <br />the gas side of their business be net zero and how they wanted to pursue a geothermal facility. <br />She reported she spoke with them and would continue to work with them to understand the <br />full scope of their project. She indicated this would be a $10 million geothermal pilot project <br />opportunity that the Energy Advisory Committee would continue to pursue. <br />