Peter Sandberg, Director of Facilities and Special
Assistant to President, St. Olaf College
Interview - May 7, 2003
Economic Considerations
- St. Olaf College is not currently willing to borrow from the institution's
endowment in order to invest in the current wind project.
- Mr. Sandberg believes that, without the state incentive payment (continuation
subject to increasing statewide cap), the project would be an investment loss
for the college.
- St. Olaf College consumes more energy than Carleton (17.7 million
kWh annually vs 12 million kWh annually), due to its larger size.
- As an interruptable user of the energy grid, St. Olaf pays a lower
rate to Xcel Energy. The college is an interruptable user because, at
peak energy demands or during special situations, the institution can disconnect
from the grid and still run its facilities. The college receives a monetary
credit from Xcel for this backup capacity.
- Mr. Sandberg believes that, because St. Olaf consumes more electricity
than Carleton at a lower price, the current wind project offers fewer avoided
costs to St. Olaf than to Carleton.
Relationship to Northfield
- St. Olaf is a "community member," connected to the city through issues
of land use and development. An example is the creation of the hospital, for
which St. Olaf annexed to the city 60 acres of undeveloped land now designated
for development.
- The college was on the task force that created the city's comprehensive
plan.
- A mutual concern of the college and the city is distributing development
around Northfield's core, rather than allowing continued sprawl down Highway
3 and in other areas.
Future Possibilities
- Although not an investor in the current wind project, the college
is interested in wind energy.
- The college is currently researching local wind sites capable of supporting
four turbines, which would generate all of St. Olaf's energy demand.