HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-06-01 RMLD Citizens Advisory Board Minutes�s rx
Town of Reading
Meeting Minutes RECEIVED IN°spo- TOWN CLERK
READING. MASS.
Board - committee - commission - Council:
RMLD Citizens Advisory Board 161i NOV -� A I $
Date: 2016-06-01 Time: 6:30 PM
Building: Reading Municipal Light Building Location: Winfred Spurr Audio Visual Room
Address: 230 Ash Street
Purpose: General Business Session: General Session
Attendees: Members - Present:
Mr. George Hooper, Chair (Wilmington); Mr. Mark Chrisos (North Reading);
Mr. Dennis Kelley (Wilmington)
Members - Not Present:
Mr. David Nelson, Vice Chair (Lynnfield)
Others Present:
Mr. Phil Pacino, Board of Commissioners
Mr. David L. Williams, Reading Resident
Ms. Coleen O'Brien, Ms. Wendy Markiewicz, Mr. Tom 011ila, Ms. lane
Parenteau, Ms. Kathleen Rybak; Mr. Rahul Shah
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Mr. George Hooper, Chair Z
Topics of Discussion:
1. Call Meeting to Order - G. Hooper, Chair
Chair Hooper called the meeting of the Citizens' Advisory Board to order at 6:30 p.m.
and noted that the meeting was being audio recorded.
2. Financial Report: April - W. Markiewicz, Assistant Director of Business Finance
Materials: April Financial Report; Slide Presentation
Ms. Markiewicz presented the April financials. April shows a positive change in net
assets of $1.8m thereby increasing the YTD net income to $3.6m, which is over budget
by $1.1m or 45.2%. Year-to-date base revenues exceeded budget by $244k or 1.26%.
The YTD purchase power base (capacity and transmission) expense was over budget by
$Sm or 4.26%. Purchase power fuel expense was under budget by $1.1m. The
operating and maintenance expenses (combined) were under budget by approximately
$800k or 6.5%. The following programs represent that variance: energy conservation
($193k), tree trimming ($290k), hazardous waste ($207k), and maintenance and
garage, and stock room ($114k).
Overall cash is a healthy $35m,.as represented on Slide 6. Year-to-date kilowatt hour
sales were $569.7m, which is 10.9m kilowatt hours or 1.88% behind last year's actual
figure. Ms. O'Brien noted that revenue from kilowatt hour sales and the number of
kilowatt hours sold are not proportionate; if prices go up, we could sell less and it would
cost more. Chair Hooper asked if that was similar for purchase power fuel, and
capacity and transmission, which is over budget for one and under budget for the other.
Ms. Parenteau responded that those expenses are tracked on a monthly basis. For
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the fuel expenses, spot prices are coming in lower than anticipated. Therefore, we
have been lowering the fuel charge and depleting some of the deferred fuel reserve to
stabilize the pricing. For Capacity, MMWEC submitted a re -forecast budget in
December, which increased our fixed costs. We adjusted what we're collecting through
the PPCT in an effort to net out close to budget. There's not as much Fluctuation in
capacity and transmission.
3. Community Solar Update - T. 011ila, Integrated Resources Engineer
Materials: Solar Choice Overview
Mr. Olilla provided an update on the RMLD Solar Choice program. The Department of
Energy Resources has officially confirmed (via letter) that the RMLD program meets the
requirements of the State's Community Shared Solar designation. This designation
means any SREC's a project generates will be worth 10% more if they are roof -top
arrays. Mr. Olilla reviewed the role of the various stake -holders, including RMLD, the
site owner, the developer, the customers, and the town where a project may be
located. The first project, a one -megawatt facility, will be located on a commercial
roof -top at 326 Ballardvale Street in Wilmington. This project has already been
approved under the SREC's fI guideline. They expect to start installation of the arrays
in August/September or October at the latest. The developer will own and operate this
site, and will receive all of the federal and state tax incentives and SREC's (minus 5%
which will go to RMLD as part of the Community Solar designation). The developer
delivers not only the power generated, but also the performance data. RMLD will
purchase all of the generation, and allocate it according to the participants that sign up
for the Solar Choice Program.
The Solar Choice Program will replace RMLD's Green Choice Program, and will provide
customers an opportunity to participate In clean, renewable solar energy located within
the service territory. Customers will sign up for ten-year terms (the program will likely
last 20 years). This first phase will be limited to 500 residential customers, and shares
will be offered first to customers currently enrolled in the Green Choice Program. Mr.
011ila reviewed the details of the program and the anticipated cost/benefits to a typical
customer. Mr. 011ila noted that the participant economics are not guaranteed and are
based on our best (conservative) estimates.
The group discussed various aspects of the program. Mr. 011ila confirmed that the
developer is responsible to ensure the array is maintained and operating. The Purchase
Power Agreement Includes strong economic incentives for the developer to maintain the
hardware. There is a minimum generation requirement, and if they do not meet those
requirements, there is a financial penalty. Staff continue to work on the details of the
customer lease/share agreement. The agreement will be structured in a way that
addresses various customer scenarios such as, opting out of, or buying into the 10 -year
term.
4. RMLD Electric Service Policy and Requirements Handbook - R. Shah Integrated
Resources Engineer
Materials: Handbook Table of Contents, Presentation Slides
Mr. Shah reviewed the table of contents and presentation slides for the newly
developed Electric Service Polity and Requirements Handbook. The Handbook is a
collection of operating standards, which can be used as a reference tool for residential
and commercial customers, electricians, developers, wire Inspectors, and staff. DPU
filed Rates, including the newly revised Terms and Conditions, are included as part of
the Handbook. The final document is expected to be completed and effective July 1.
The Handbook will be posted to the RMLD website.
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S. NEPPA Annual Conference - C. O'Brien, General Manager
Ms. O'Brien noted that the 2016 NEPPA Annual Conference will be held at Lake Placid,
New York, August 21-24. CAB members should consider whether they are interested
and available to attend. CAB representation at the conference will be discussed at the
July CAB meeting.
6. Public Comment - G. Hooper, Chair
Mr. Chrisos presented a formal request to the CAB from the Town of North Reading for
paving upgrades to the access road leading from Chestnut Street, past the DPW and
up to the substation. The road is currently packed gravel. A portion of the road will
be dug up as part of the gas line upgrade for the generator project. Ms. O'Brien
asked Mr. 011ila to follow-up on this request with the Town engineer. The group
discussed the need for a public meeting regarding the distributed generator project.
Mr. Chrisos noted that the Town engineer had requested a design review meeting with
department heads and RMLD to discuss the project. At that time, they will determine
the need for a public forum.
7. Next Meeting - G. Hooper, Chair
The next meeting of the CAB was schedule for July 13, 2016, at 6:30 p.m.
8. Adjournment - G. Hooper, Chair
Mr. Chrisos made a motion to adjourn the Citizens' Advisory Board meeting, seconded
by Mr. Kelley. Hearing no further discussion, Motion carried 3:0:1 (3 In favor, 0
opposed, 1 absent).
The Citizens' Advisory Board Meeting adjourned at 7:32 p.m.
As approved on October 12, 2016.
Page 13
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