HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-12-03 RMLD Power Contracts Rate Settings and Customer Choice Committee MinutesReading Municipal Light Board of Commissioners
Power Contracts, Rate Settings, and Customer Choice Committee Mfnutas
December 3, 2008
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Start Time of Regular Session: 7:05 p.m. 20"
End Time of Regular Session: 9:27 p.m.
Attendees:
Committee Members: Mr. Hahn and Ms. O'Neill
Board Members: Ms. Kearns
Citizens' Advisory Board: Mr. Vale
RMLD Staff. Messrs. Cameron and Seldon
Ms. Parenteau
Mr. Hahn called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
Minutes
September 19, 2008
Ms. O'Neill made a motion seconded by Mr. Hahn to approve the Regular Session meeting minutes of
September 19, 2008 as presented.
Motion carried 2:0:0.
Conservation/Efficiency Dollars Collected/Expended
Mr. Cameron said that Ms. Parenteau and Mr. Seldon would give a presentation relative to the spending
other utilities expend on energy conservation measures, Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS), and
information on emissions in Massachusetts. Mr. Seldon pointed out that NSTAR spent $65 million and
National Grid spent $83 million in energy conservation measures in 2007.
Mr. Seldon went on to explain that the RPS standard in Massachusetts was 3% in 2007, 3.5% in 2008, 4% in
2009, and an additional 1% from 2010 through 2014. Presently, the compliance by generator type is 49%
from Biomass, 30% from Landfills Gas, 19% from wind, 2% from Anaerobic Digester, and less than 1%
from solar. Mr. Seldon then listed the emission limits for six power plants in New England
Mr. Hahn mentioned that the energy conservation charge of $.0025/kWh that the RMLD is charging its
customers produces an additional $1.8 million that is earmarked for such programs.
Ms. Parenteau pointed out that the RMLD has checked with other companies about Renewable Energy
Certificates (RECs) and found that the Braintree Electric Light Department did not receive RECs from a
wood burning project in Maine and Hull sells the RECs related to their wind turbines.
Discussion ensued concerning the data that was presented by Mr. Seldon.
Update on Energy Efficiency and Renewable and Alternative Energy Projects
Mr. Cameron then presented an update on the RMLD's activities in energy conservation as well as
renewable and alternative energy resource since the beginning of the fiscal year.
Mr. Cameron said that the RMLD is continuing with its Tier 1 and as part of the Tier 2 services the RMLD
has had fifty-five energy audits for residential customers.
Mr. Cameron pointed out that the RMLD has given out 605 appliance rebates for a total of $28,705. Mr.
Cameron reported that the RMLD has given out approximately three hundred compact fluorescent bulbs
at informational functions, the largest of which was the Friends and Family Day held in late June.