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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-03-15 RMLD Board of Commissioners4949 r W yTown of Reading x: Meeting Minutes tea"°•.,aro„ �`�- Board - Committee - Commission - Council: RMLD Board of Commissioners Date: 2023-03-15 Time: 7:30 PM RECEIVED (OWN CLERK MM OCT —2 PM I: 49 Building: Reading Municipal Light Building Location: General Managers Conference Room Address: 230 Ash Street Session: Open Session Purpose: General Business Version: Final Attendees: Members - Present: Marlena Bita, Chair (Joined at 8:40 PM); Philip Pacino, Acting Chair (until 8:40 PM) & Vice Chair; John Stempeck, Commissioner; David Talbot, Commissioner: Robert Coulter. Commissioner. Members - Not Present: Others Present: Citizens' Advisory Board Representative: Ken Welter (Lynnfield). RMLD Staff: Gregory Phipps, General Manager; Erica Morse, Executive Assistant; Bill Bullock, Director of Integrated Resources; Hamid Jaffar, Director of Engineering and Operations. Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Philip B. Pacino, Secretary Pro Tem Topics of Discussion: Call Meeting to Order Acting Chair Pacino called the RMLD Board of Commissioner's (BoC) meeting to order at 7:34 PM and announced that the meeting would be held in person, remotely on Zoom, and streamed live on RCN and YouTube. Opening Remarks and Introductions Acting Chair Pacino read the RMLD BoC Code of Conduct and asked all remote attendees to identify themselves. • Vice Chair Pacino served as Secretary at the meeting. • Vice Chair Pacino served as Acting Chair until the arrival of Chair Bita. • Chair Bita joined the meeting remotely at 8:40 PM. Public Comment • There was no comment from the public at this meeting. • There was no comment from the Citizens' Advisory Board at this meeting. • There was no comment from the Town liaisons to the RMID at this meeting. Approval of Meeting Minutes Materials: October 20, 2022, Draft Meeting Minutes (attachment 1). The October 20, 2022, regular session minutes were approved as presented. Page 1 1 Commissioner Stempeck made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Coulter, that the RMLD Board of Commissioners approve the open session meeting minutes of the October 20, 2022, meeting, on the recommendation of the General Manager and the Board secretary. Motion Carried: 4:0:1 (4 in favor; 0 against; 1 absent) Roll Call Vote: Vice Chair Pacino, Aye; Commissioner Stempeck, Aye; Commissioner Talbot, Aye; Commissioner Coulter, Aye. Chair Bita was absent from the meeting. RMLD Procurement Reauests for Board Approval Materials: Procurement Requests for Board Approval (attachment 2) Hamid 3affari presented the procurement requests for approval to the BoC. IFB 2023-03 Mailing Services for Municipal Electric Bills Materials: Board Letter (attachment 2) RMLD went out to bid for these services in 2019 and the three-year contract was for — $104K. This time, bids are anticipated to come in at N $150K. The bid is structured to give the General Manager authorization not to exceed $150K. Commissioner Coulter asked about the option to extend the contract if bids are not received in time. Mr. 3affari responded that there is usually the option for a six-month extension. Commissioner Stempeck made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Talbot, that the RMLD Board of Commissioners authorize the General Manager to award the contract for IFB 2023- 03, Mailing Services for Municipal Electric Bills, to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, provided that the total price does not exceed $150,000 for the three-year contract. Motion Carried: 4:0:1 (4 in favor; 0 against; 1 absent) Roll Call Vote: Vice Chair Pactno, Aye; Commissioner Stempeck, Aye; Commissioner Talbot, Aye; Commissioner Coulter, Aye. Chair Bita was absent from the meeting. IFB 2023-25 — Grounds and Landscape Services Materials: Board Letter (attachment 2) RMLD went out to bid for these services in 2020 and the three-year contract was for N $452K. The bid was canceled because the bids received exceeded the funds available. This time, bids are anticipated to come in at - $150K, and there are 50 vendors interested in bidding. The bid is structured to give the general manager authorization not to exceed $150K. Commissioner Stempeck made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Talbot, that the RMLD Board of Commissioners authorize the General Manager to award the contract for IFB 2023- 25, Grounds and Landscape Services, to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder provided that the total price does not exceed $150,000 for three-year contract. Motion Carried: 4:0:1 (4 in favor; 0 against; 1 absent) Roll Call Vote: Vice Chair Pacino, Aye; Commissioner Stempeck, Aye; Commissioner Talbot, Aye; Commissioner Coulter, Aye. Chair Bita was absent fmm the meeting. IFP 2023-12 — Pole Mounted Transformers Materials: Board Letter (attachment 2) The bid for pole mounted transformers comes under the Chapter 164 award - it does not have to be awarded to the lowest bidder. The successful bidder was also the lowest bidder, MVA Power. The lead time is 28-30 weeks, as opposed to other bidders at 60-75 weeks. One of RMLD's engineers attended a conference last month and was introduced to MVA Power. MVA power is a legitimate company, who provided references. Vice Chair Pacino inquired about the company and if any issues were found. RMLD checked out MVA power, who seem to be a legitimate company. References were provided. Page 12 Commissioner Coulter raised concerns about the methodology for tracking returns, given that the company is relatively new in size and scope. Mr. Jaffan explained that the transformers will come with warranties and if anything is wrong with the product, defective units can be sent back and replaced with new ones. Commissioner Stempeck inquired about the company's revenues and if they are substantial enough to withstand returns. Mr. Jaffari did not have that information on hand but agreed to provide it later. Commissioner Stempeck moved to table the motion until additional information could be obtained. Commissioner Stempeck made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Coulter, to table the motion, that IFP 2023-12 for Pole Mounted Transformers be awarded to: MVA Power, Inc., for $581,061.72, Items 1-4 pursuant to M.G.L. c. 164 § 56D, on the recommendation of the General Manager. Motion Carried: 4:0:1 (4 in favor; 0 against; 1 absent) Rol/ Call Vote: Vire Chair Pacino, Aye; Commissioner Stempeck, Aye; Commissioner Talbot, Aye; Commissioner Coulter, Aye. Chair Bita was absent from the meeting. IFP 2023-13 — Pad Mounted Transformers Materials: Board Letter (attachment 2) The successful bidder was WESCO, who submitted two bids. The first had longer lead times and no quote for two of the transformers. The second scenario had shorter lead times but was substantially more expensive than the first batch. However, it met all the criteria requested without any exceptions. Commissioner Stempeck made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Coulter, that IFP 2023-13 for Pad Mounted Transformers be awarded to: WESCO Distribution, Inc., for $2,116,556.00, pursuant to M.G.L.c.164 § 56D, on the recommendation of the General Manager. Motion Carried: 4:0:1 (4 in favor; 0 against; 1 absent) Roll Call Vote: Vice Chair Pacino, Aye; Commissioner Stempeck, Aye; Commissioner Talbot, Aye; Commissioner Coulter, Aye. Chair Bita was absent from the meeting. Intearated Resources Department Report Materials: Integrated Resources Report (attachment 3). Bill Bullock presented the Integrated Resources Department (IRD) Report to the BOC. Mr. Bullock provided an overview of the Integrated Resources Department (IRD), discussing key drivers, organizational structure, and the planning process. Integrated Resource Division Key Drivers (slide 3) Reliable, low-cost, and non-carbon power are the overall objectives for RMLD. In order to achieve these goals, investments in infrastructure, data analytics, and customer engagement are necessary. The department is also focused on seeking low-cost sources of power, evaluating and structuring contracts, and managing the impact of customer electrification. IRD Organization (slide 4) Mr. Bullock discussed the IRD's organizational structure, as outlined on slide 4. Commissioner Coulter confirmed that all customer service roles already existed. Vice Chair Pacino asked about the open positions on the chart. Mr. Bullock confirmed that they have identified two candidates for the open positions and are waiting for their responses. Mr. Phipps added that a new IRD engineer will start next month, and the Department is working on filling the remaining positions. RMLD Integrated Resource Planning (slide 5) Mr. Bullock explained the continuous process in place for IRD, which involves forecasting Page 1 3 load, considering the impact of energy efficiency and electrification programs, and maintaining good customer engagement through rebate and incentive programs. The management of renewable energy certificates is important for compliance with greenhouse gas emissions standards and keeping rates low. Hydro Renewal — Gravity (slide 6) Mr. Bullock discussed the renewal of two hydro contracts with Gravity Renewables, which involves two facilities, Wyre Wynd and Connecticut #5. Mr. Bullock provided details on the environmental justice reports, FERC licensing, and the diversity of supply from the two separate watersheds. Commissioner Stempeck asked about Gravity Renewables' background and whether they are a private equity firm. Mr. Bullock clarified that Gravity Renewables is a private developer specializing in hydro facilities, and RMLD has been working with them for approximately 10 years. Mr. Phipps added that the contracts for both facilities are being combined for administrative efficiency and that Gravity Renewables has been reliable in the past. Commissioner Talbot inquired about the environmental review process for the facilities, which have been in operation since the late 1800s. Mr. Phipps explained that the review primarily focuses on the environmental aspect and involves examining any past protests or concerns from local agencies and residents. RMLD has been proactive in requesting such reviews and is ahead of the curve compared to other organizations. Commissioner Stempeck made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Talbot, that the RMLD Board of Commissioners, contingent on the recommendation of the Citizens' Advisory Board, vote to accept the General Manager's recommendation to execute a new contract for energy and associated certificates, from Gravity CT #5 and Gravity Aspinook Wyre Wynd hydro facilities, contingent on appropriate environmental due diligence. Motion Carried: 4:0:1 (4 in favor; 0 against; 1 absent) Roll Call Vote: Vice Chair Padno, Aye; Commissioner Stempeck, Aye; Commissioner Talbot, Aye; Commissioner Coulter, Aye. Chair Sita was absent from the meeting. 3Q 2022 Certificates- quarterly report (slide 7) RMLD retired 26% of certificates, aligning with the target of retiring 2.5% per year up to 2030. For 2023, the retirement rate will be increased to 29%, with plans to progressively increase it in the subsequent years. There was lower REC creation in Q3 due to dryer July, August, and September, resulting in lower hydro energy production during this period. 80% of certificates above the retirement threshold (26%) were sold. In Q4, RMLD expects increased RECs due to lowered load and higher percentage of generation with certificates, which will balance out the deficits from Q3. Mr. Phipps emphasized the significance of meeting state compliance requirements and noted that Policy 30 will continue to guide the retirement and sales percentages, with 26% for 2022 and 29% for 2023. Commissioner Coulter inquired about potential shifts in financial and energy outlooks, and asked if current strategies are relevant given global changes since the strategy's inception. Commissioner Coulter proposed considering a revised approach, potentially affecting current certificate holdings. Mr. Phipps clarified that certificates sales are applied against the fuel portion, directly linking certificate value with energy, where certificate sales reduce total energy costs. Pape 14 Mr. Phipps discussed relevant market stability observations for 2023 and noted that the volatility should not be as intense as 2022. Certificate value for the year, especially class ones, is around the $36-37 / Class 1 certificate range and is relatively stable. It was reiterated that actions for previous year's certificates need to be decided by June 15th of each year. No forfeits are desired due to the intrinsic value of certificates. Mr. Phipps suggested that RMLD conduct a re-evaluation of Policy 30, considering market stability for 2023 and potential adjustments at a future meeting. Approval of GM attendance at the 2023 Transmission & Distribution Summit Materials: T&D Summit Information (attachment 4). Mr. Phipps requested BoC approval for attendance at the 2023 Transmission & Distribution Summit. Mr. Phipps highlighted key conference agenda topics that are relevant to the RMLD: sustainability and building decarbonization plans, resiliency strategies, flexible load, transmission systems, and energy storage. Commissioner Stempeck made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Coulter, that the RMLD Board of Commissioners approve Greg Phipps's travel to, and attendance at, the Transmission & Distribution Summit to take place on May 1st -3rd 2023 at the Encore Boston Harbor, in Boston, Massachusetts. Motion Carried: 4:0:1 (4 in favor; 0 against; 1 absent) Roll Call Vote: Vice Chair Pacino, Aye; Commissioner Stempeck, Aye; Commissioner Talbot, Aye; Commissioner Coulter, Aye. Chair Bita was absent from the meeting. Approval of GM attendance at NEPPA's 2023 RodE&O Materials: NEPPA RodE&O Agenda (attachment 4). Mr. Phipps requested BoC approval for attendance at the 2023 NEPPA RodE&O. Mr. Phipps noted that this conference is more focused on engineering and operations. Commissioner Coulter asked if RMLD has a team going and Mr. Phipps responded no. Commissioner Stempeck made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Coulter, that the RMLD Board of Commissioners approve Greg Phipps's travel to, and attendance at, the Northeast Public Power Association's (NEPPA) 2023 RodE&O Conference and Expo to take place on May 9th -11th 2023 at the Common Man Inn, in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Motion Carried: 4:0:1 (4 in favor; 0 against; 1 absent) Roll Call Vote: Vice Chair Pacfno, Aye; Commissioner Stempeck, Aye; Commissioner Talbot, Aye; Commissioner Coulter, Aye. Chair Bita was absent from the meeting. Approval of GM attendance at the 2023 APPA National Conference Materials: APPA National Conference Agenda (attachment 4). Mr. Phipps requested BoC approval for attendance at the 2023 APPA National Conference. RMLD recently participated in the legislative rally in DC organized by APPA. The value and resources offered by APPA were discussed, with emphasis on training sessions and valuable resources they offer. Mr. Phipps emphasized that RMLD is already an APPA member. Plans are underway to further leverage the membership for more benefits. APPA, being a national organization, provides a unique platform for knowledge sharing. Vice Chair Pacino mentioned that in the past, RMLD commissioners attended this conference, and it was very beneficial. Commissioner Stempeck stressed the importance of networking and learning from peers in Page 1 5 the industry Mr. Phipps noted that RMLD sent two engineers to the DistribuTECH conference, highlighting the significance of understanding the rapidly changing industry. Commissioner Coulter inquired about the relationship between NEPPA and APPA. Mr. Phipps clarified that while NEPPA operates regionally, APPA has a national presence. Some leaders from NEPPA are part of APPA committees. NEPPA's primary focus is on operations and training, including hands-on training like apprentice and meter tech training. In contrast, APPA leans more towards classroom -based training. Commissioner Talbot noted that he didn't recall the GM attending the APPA conference in the past. Mr. Phipps responded that while the previous GM did not attend, General Managers from other MLP attend consistently. Commissioner Talbot raised concems regarding potential redundancy in training sessions. Mr. Phipps emphasized the Importance of time over financial costs in deciding conference attendance. Commissioner Stempeck made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Coulter Move that the RMLD Board of Commissioners approve Greg Phipps's travel to, and attendance at, the 2023 American Public Power Association (APPA) National Conference to take place on June 16th - 21st 2023, at the Seattle Convention Center, in Seattle, Washington. Motion Carried: 4:0:1 (4 in favor; 0 against; 1 absent) Roll Call Vote: Vice Chair Pacfno, Aye; Commissioner Stempeck, Aye; Commissioner Talbot, Aye; Commissioner Coulter, Aye. Chair Bita was absent from the meeting. General Manager's Report Materials: Grant letter of support (supplemental) Greg Phipps provided the General Manager's report to the BoC. Mr. Phipps intends to provide more regular email updates between meetings for better efficiency. Personnel Update Mr. Phipps emphasized the Importance of team morale from a leadership perspective. Mr. Phipps added that the team's mood seems strong. The staff is content, challenged, and engaged. During HR recruitment, RMLD is described as "energized" to indicate its active and vibrant nature. The goal is to shape the utility to ft the modem world's context. Mr. Phipps provided highlights related to HR recruitment and noted that the Director of Human Resources has shown vigor in the recruitment process. Mr. Phipps noted that the line team is fully staffed and functions well. Similarly, the IRD team is expanding. The Director of Finance and Accounting is working diligently, overseeing on-going grant initiatives and preparing the annual audit, set for next week. There are two key leadership positions under the E&O group that are challenging to fill, but efforts are in place to recruit for these roles. Mr. Phipps discussed the internship and co-op program, noting that efforts are in place to introduce a more consistent Co-op program. The summer intern program, reintroduced last year, is looking to onboard four interns with offers already extended to two candidates. Interns will be engaged at RMLD typically for 10 weeks. Connections have been re-established with various educational institutions like Northeastern, WPI, Merrimac, and UMass Lowell. Page 1 6 Historically, in the '80s and '90s, the Co-op program was strong, with some past participants later becoming long -tens employees. The program is a valuable talent source. Customer Survey The Initial surveying was completed and a presentation with results and analysis is currently being compiled. A more detailed examination has been requested. The Communications Manager is scheduled to present the findings at the April meeting. Internal discussions, with contributions from Commissioner Talbot, have been held regarding the survey questions. Preliminary discussions suggest better results than the previous survey, though not perfect. 2023 Rates Implementation The 2023 rates were successfully implemented on March 1st. The numbers show that these rates, largely influenced by power supply considerations, are lower, which is a positive development for RMLD customers. Green Communities and Billing System Upgrades Preparations are underway to implement a Green Community charge exclusively for Reading customers. Collaboration between the Commonwealth's Renewable Trust and the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) is essential for the program's implementation. If all the pieces align, the target for the program's administration is around May. RMLD's role is primarily administrative: collection and remittance of funds to the renewable trust. Coordination between the town of Reading and RMLD remains strong. Work is ongoing on the billing system to accommodate this charge and is expected to be resolved. The COGSDALE billing system is undergoing an upgrade. The system had lagged in updates, prompting the Director of IT to prioritize its modernization. The upgrade is expected to align with RMLD's billing cycles. Time of Use & EV3 A3 Rates Feedback from previous sessions is being considered in the ongoing exploration of ways to implement 'time -of use' rates. Collaborative work with the New Hampshire Electric Cooperative is in progress, which can support hourly rates. Consideration is ongoing on how to integrate this with the billing system. AMI MDM System Bids RMLD received the bids for the AMI MDM system and anticipates presenting the results at the April meeting. Given the limitations of the COGSDALE system, creative solutions may be needed to implement time -of use via the MDM system. The objective remains to have the MDM system in place by year end, with strong support for ensuring its effective implementation. Strategic Directions Mr. Phipps highlighted RMLD's Charter: reliable, low-cost, non -carbon electricity." Low-cost" is defined as competitively priced, not cheap. RMLD is engaging in continuous efforts on in -territory generation storage systems to ensure price stability and system reliability. The Department Is exploring partnerships for in - territory generation, including hydrogen -based solutions. Progress has been made via connections and ongoing discussions. Page 1 7 Bids for storage systems spread across the territory are under evaluation. The intent is to add more storage by end of 2024. Discussions with long -duration storage companies have accelerated, with the goal to implement a long term system by late 2024. Mr. Phipps mentioned concerns about the regional network's fragility, especially with the closure of the 1600 MW Mystic generation facility in Boston next May 2024. Mr. Phipps discussed the impact of the potential LNG port and terminal closures on the natural gas infrastructure, noting that 50% of regional wholesale energy via natural gas generators. Security Concerns Cybersecurity: RMLD has adopted multi -factor authentication for system logins and increased password length to 14 characters. Physical Security: RMLD has increased rounds and police awareness, especially around substations. Remote camera security system upgrades are in progress. Mr. Phipps highlighted considerations for physical screening, particularly at substation 4. Vice Chair Pacino raised concerns about potential effects on RMLD due to Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank collapses. Mr. Phipps responded that there have been no alerts or indications of any impact to RMLD. Commissioner Stempeck inquired about new or different cybersecurity measures. Mr. Phipps mentioned several measures have been adopted and introduced for both cybersecurity and physical security. Grants and Budget Discussion Mr. Welter inquired about the status of grants. Mr. Phipps responded that 3 conceptual papers approved, and RMLD was invited for a follow-up. This week, the first actual proposal for grid modernization will be submitted. The proposed budget is $20 with a potential $10m grant. Mr. Phipps presented a letter of support for elected commissioners to sign and noted that two senators and a congressman sent a letter of support. Mr. Phipps highlighted the importance of additional support, and the value in having support from elected officials. Investments and Return Commissioner Stempeck asked a question about investments vehicles of RMLD funds. Mr. Stempeck cited the example of an organization gaining significant interest through bond ladders in Fidelity Treasury bands. Mr. Phipps acknowledged the request for bond ladders and referenced the application for PTF reimbursement as another source of funds. RMLD's focus is on how to handle electrification costs and revenue from additional customers. The Department is exploring alternate funding methods for low-cost, non -carbon service. Metering Systems and Data Collection Commissioner Coulter asked a question on the new metering systems cost versus benefits, and cited concerns about data collection systems' efficiency. Mr. Jaffari emphasized that the new MDM system will be the housing for metering data, in support of data analytics by several teams within RMLD. Mr. Phipps emphasized the Importance of analyzing collected data. Forecasting is a critical management tool, particularly load growth and the behavior driving it. Mr. Phipps noted the challenge of matching intermittent power supply with load. The aim is to influence customer behavior using time of use rate. Commissioner Talbot noted concerns on real time data collection. There is a need for a cost - benefit analysis before implementing rates reliant on data RMLD may not have. Page 1 8 Mr. Phipps provided further insight into data collection. Currently, RMLD has interval data from meters. The data intervals vary; some are hourly, others 15 -minute, and the industrial ones are 5 -minute. The MOM system, which is a several hundred -thousand -dollar investments, was introduced to use this data. Mr. Jaffari reiterated the main functionalitles of the MOM system: Data analytics for forecasting and contract setup; VEE (Validation Estimation and Editing) for missing data prediction and demand response and DSM (demand side management) program implementation. The overall benefit is that the system saves money. RMLD's involvement in the Green Communities program Commissioner Talbot asked for clarity on RMLD's involvement in the Green Communities program and whether there was any action required from the BoC. Mr. Phipps clarified that the main responsibility of RMLD is to ensure that the billing system is prepared. The current delay in the process is between Renewable Trust and DOER, not RMLD. RMLD acts as a transaction manager, collecting and forwarding the funds. Commissioner Talbot asked about the financial implications for the Town of Reading. Mr. Phipps provided an estimate of $60K annually as the amount RMLD will collect from the RMLD customers with Rading addresses, based on current kWh usage. These funds will be forwarded to the Renewable Trust. Commissioner Talbot asked about potential inflows for the town from the program. Mr. Phipps elaborated that upon initiation of the program, the town is eligible for a initial grant, typically in the range of $250K. The Town needs to apply for this grant, and most towns that apply for it, receive it. Mr. Phipps noted the possibility of RMLD submitting joint grant applications with the Town of Reading. Such applications are more likely to be approved when multiple entities are involved. Scheduling The next BOC meeting will be held on April 1, 2023. Executive Session Commissioner Stempeck made a motion, that the RMLD Board of Commissioners go into Executive Session pursuant to Massachusetts G.L. c.164 section 47D, exemption from public records and open meeting requirements in certain instances, to consider the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property relative to Maple Meadow in Wilmington, if the chair declares that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the public body, to approve the March 24, 2022, April 29th, 2022, and May 3rd, 2022, executive session meeting minutes, to approve the release of the January 30, 2013, March 27, 2013, April 24, 2013, May 29, 2013, August 14, 2013, September 25, 2013, and December 12, 2013 executive session meeting minutes, and return to regular session, for the sole purpose of adjournment. Note: Roll call vote required. Motion Carried: 4:0:1 (4 in favor; 0 against; 1 absent) Roll Call Vote: Vice Chair Pacino, Aye; Commissioner Stempeck, Aye; Commissioner Talbot, Aye; Commissioner Coulter, Aye. Adiournment Vice Chair Pacino made a motion, seconded by Chair Bita, that the RMLD Board of Commissioners adjourn Regular Session. Motion Carried: 4:0:1 (4 in favor; 0 against; 1 absent) Roll Call Vote: Vice Chair Pacino, Aye; Commissioner Stempeck, Aye; Commissioner Talbot, Aye; Commissioner Coulter, Aye, Chair Bits, Aye. Regular Session adjourned at 9:24 PM Page 1 9 A true copy of the RMLD Board of Commissioners minutes As approved by a majority the Commission. Philip B. Pacino, Secretary Pro Tem RMLD Board of Commissioners As approved on September 28, 2023 pwO 110