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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-07-21 RMLD Power and Rate Committee MinutesReading Municipal Light Department (RMLD) Board of Commissioners Power & Rate Committee Regular Session RECEIVED July 21, 2011 TOWN CLERK READING. MASS. Start Time: 7-00 p.m. End Time: 9:00 p.m. loll JAN — 3P2%31' Attendees: Committee Members: Messrs. Hahn and Soli and Ms. Snyder RMLD Staff: Mr. Cameron, Ms. Parenteau, and Mr. Seldon Commissioners: Ms. O'Neill Mr. Hahn called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Renewable Energy Policy Mr. Hahn asked Mr. Soli to present his request concerning a Renewable Energy Policy for the RMLD. Mr. Soli said that he thought the RMLD needed both a Renewable Energy Policy as guide for the RMLD purchasing renewable energy. Discussion followed. Mr. Hahn asked the General Manager and Staff to come up with initial language for a Renewable Energy Policy. Direction Regarding Renewable Power Mr. Soli thought that the RMLD was also in need of a direction in purchasing customer owned generation. Mr. Cameron said that legal counsel is reviewing the customer owned generation guidelines as requested by the Power & Rate Committee. Discussion followed. Energy Environmental Policy Concepts Ms. Snyder said that she cut these concepts from articles and other things she found on the Internet that were related to Environmental Policies. Discussion ensued. Ms. Snyder said that she would like to look these over and get back to the committee with a formalized draft policy. Article Relative to - Greater Reliance on Efficiency, wind and Long Term Contracts Reduces Risks and Ratepayer Costs Ms. Snyder said that she sent this to the General Manager and thought it would be helpful for the RMLD. Mr. Cameron said that he downloaded the report, which he had with him. Mr. Cameron said that the report analyzes power supply planning from regions such as vagueness, ignorance, uncertainty, and risk. Mr. Cameron said that the conclusions are that central station power projects are not the most favored and that companies should be looking at renewable energy projects in small to medium sizes. Concepts for Possible RMLB Environmental Policy Ms. Snyder said that this information was from submitted. Discussion followed. her and that it is somewhat related to the article Power & Rate Committee Meeting July 21, 2011 2 Other Discussion Mr. Hahn said that he had a discussion with the General Manager recently about the RMLD's ability to use the Renieidable gnggy , 'Geriyigates (RECs) from the Swift River project to cover the RMLD requirement for RECs in the Gree" Choice program. Mr. Hahn said he agreed with that concept. Ms O'Neill said that she disagreed and that the Green Choice Program should be discontinued. Ms. O'Neill believed that the Green Choice program had outlived its usefulness and that since the RMLD is receiving RECs with the Swift River power purchase the RMLD should consider going in another direction. Discussion followed. Mr. Hahn asked the General Manager and Staff to come back to the committee with more detail about the Green Choice Program. Motion to Adjourn At 9:00 p.m. Mr. Soli made a motion seconded by Ms. Snyder to adjourn. Mr. Hahn, Aye; Ms. Snyder, Aye, Mr. Soli, Aye. Motion carried 3:0:0.