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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-12-05 RMLD Power and Rate Committee MinutesReading Municival Light Department (RMLD) Board of Commissioners Power & Rate Committee Meeting Regular Session RECEIVED December 5, 2011 TOWN C l E Rid READING. MASS. Start Time: 7.05 p.m. End Time: 8:28 p.m. jQ11 ,lAN -3 P lb 31' Attendees: Committee Members: Messrs. Hahn and Soli and Ms. Snyder RMLD Staff: Mr. Cameron, Ms. Parenteau, and Mr. Seldon Chairman Hahn called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. At 7:06 p.m. Ms. Snyder made a motion seconded by Mr. Soli to Chapter 164, Seciton 47D exemption from the public records and certain circumstances and return to Regular Session. Chairman Hahn called for a poll of the vote: Mr. Hahn, Aye; Ms. Snyder, Aye; Mr. Soli, Aye. Motion passed 3:0:0. The Power & Rate Committee reentered Regular Session at 7:28 p.m. go into Executive Session based on open meeting law requirements in Swift River LLC - Renewable Energy Certificates Chairman Hahn said that the committee would be taking up the issue of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) the RMLD receives from the Swift River hydroelectric projects. Mr. Cameron said that Ms. Parenteau would be presenting this issue to the Board. Ms. Parenteau stated that the Power & Rate Committee has taken up this issue at a prior meeting. The RMLD is receiving RECs from the Swift River Hydroelectric project and these RECs have a value of approximately $400,000 based on the REC market presently. Ms. Parenteau said that selling the RECs is the right thing to do because the RMLD is not under a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) and it will lower the costs to the RMLD customers. Mr. Cameron said that that if RMLD comes under a RPS they will have to meet certain renewable energy percentage in its power supply portfolio. Mr. Cameron also believes that the RMLD should be buying some renewable power at competitive costs so that if the RMLD comes under a RPS then the RMLD will stop selling the RECS and be positioned to meet the requirements of the RPS. Discussion followed. The committee felt that they should take up the Sustainable Energy Policy at this time since it is related to the REC issue they are discussing. Sustainable Energy Policy Mr. Seldon explained that the RMLD had made changes to the Sustainable Energy Policy that was brought to the committee in prior meetings. Mr. Seldon said that the policy now includes a target date for the RMLD achieve certain levels of renewable energy in its power supply portfolio. Ms. Parenteau also said that the policy includes the RMLD reassessing whether the REC should be sold or not. Discussion ensued. Chairman Hahn said that it was his intention when the RMLD started purchasing renewable energy that the REC not be sold. Mr. Soli reiterated that the Sift River RECs were worth approximately $400,000. Mr. Soli made a motion seconded by Ms. Snyder that the Reading Municipal Light Department (RMLD) Power & Rate Committee recommend to the RMLD Board of Commissioners to authorize the General Manager to sell the Renewable Energy Certificates associated with the output of the four hydroelectric plants owned by Swift River LLC that the RMLD presently has entitlement to. Power & Rate Regular Session Minutes December 5, 2011 Discussion followed. 2 1�I c% ia �t1A'Winitgn seconded by Mr. Soli to add to the motion on the table the words "and to be reconsidered annually by the RMLD Board." Discussion followed. Chairman Hahn called for a vote on the amended motion. Motion failed 1:2:0. (Hahn and Soli voted against.) Discussion followed. Chairman Hahn then asked for a vote on the original motion made Mr. Soli. Motion failed 1:2:0. (Hahn and Snyder voted against.) Net Metering Rate Mr. Cameron pointed out that this rate had been brought to the Power & Rate Committee prior to this meeting. Mr. Cameron said that has incorporated the comments from the previous the Net Meeting was discussed and they have been incorporated into the Residential and Commercial Net Metering rates. Chairman Hahn said that he had a question as to the metering scheme the RMLD was proposing in the Net Metering Rate and his questions were answered by Mr. Cameron. Mr. Soli said that he had several questions on the rates. Mr. Soli said that it looks like the usage and the energy being sent to the RMLD's system was being netted out. Mr. Cameron said that is not what is proposed. Mr. Cameron said that he will take his comments and make revisions and get it back to the committee quickly. Ms. Snyder made a motion seconded by Mr. Soli for the Reading the Reading Municipal Light Department (RMLD) Power &Rate Committee recommend to the RMLD Board of Commissioners to accept the Residential and Commercial Net Metering Policies, with edits, to the RMLD Board of Commissioners. Motion passed 3:0:0. At 8:28 p.m. Mr. Soli made a motion seconded by Ms. Snyder to adjourn. Motion carried 3:0:0.