HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-09-13 RMLD Power and Rate Committee MinutesReading Municipal ght Department (RMLD) Board of Commissioners
Power and Rate Committee
Regular Session
September 13, 2010
Start Time: 7:10 p.m.
End Time: 8:40 p.m.
Attendees:
Committee Members: Messrs. Hahn, Soli and Ms. O'Neill
RMLD Commissioner: Ms. Snyder
RMLD Staff: Mr. Cameron, Ms. Parenteau and Mr. Seldon
Citizens' Advisory Board Member: Mr. Quincy Vale
Mr. Hahn called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. Mr. Hahn said that the Committee would take up
Items 3 and 4 because Mr. Soli was not yet present at the meeting.
Concord Steam Project
Ms. Parenteau updated the Committee on the Concord Steam Project. Ms Parenteau stated that the
project is still not fully subscribed which is holding back progress on the project. The RMLD has had no
activity on this project recently.
Discussion ensued.
Green House Gas Emissions
Mr. Seldon explained that the RMLD was required to file its non emitting power supply resources to the
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MDEP). Mr. Seldon went onto explain that the
non emitting resources include the RMLD's entitlements to the Millstone and Seabrook Nuclear power
plants and the hydro power provided by the Power Authority of the State of New York. The energy
provided by the non emitting resources makes approximately 17.0% of the RMLD's total energy
requirements for the calendar year 2008.
Mr. Soli arrived at this point in the meeting.
Mr. Hahn updated Mr. Soli about what had been discussed prior to his arrival.
Discussion ensued.
Cost of Service Study - School Rate
Mr. Hahn asked Mr. Soli to present and explain his concerns about the Cost of Service Study, which was
circulated at the July RMLD Board Meeting.
Mr. Soli explained that the ISO-NE capacity charges should have been allocated in the most recent Cost of
Service Study based on a one coincident peak demand allocator. Mr. Soli believes this to be true because
Mr. Cameron had explained to him that the RMLD's Installed Capability Responsibility (ICR) is based on
the RMLD portion of the ISO-NE annual peak demand. Mr. Soli went on to say that because all capacity
and transmission charges are allocated using a twelve coincident peak allocator the school rate is 68.86%
too high.
Discussion ensued.
Mr. Soli would like to see a complete explanation of each power supply resource included in the next
budget. Mr. Cameron said that information would be provided with the next budget.
Power & Rate Committee Meeting Minutes
September 13, 2010
Ms. O'Neill said that it would be a good idea for the Power and Rate Committee to meet six months prior
to the next Cost of Service Study so the General Manager can present what would be included in the
study. The Committee agreed.
Cost of Study Review of the Residential Time of Use Rate and Streetlight Rate
Mr. Cameron updated the committee about the need to revise the Residential Time of Use Rate and to
increase the pricing differential between the Off-Peak and On-Peak periods. Ms. O'Neill asked if the
Department was going to change the applicable hours associated with the periods. Mr. Cameron replied,
no. Ms. O'Neill asked if the Department could look at the number of holidays that was associated with
off-peak.
Mr. Cameron also informed the committee that he was going to examine the fixed costs associated with
the street lights.
Motion to Adjourn
At 8:40 p.m. Ms. O'Neill made a motion seconded by Mr. Hahn to adjourn the meeting.
Mr. Hahn, Aye; Ms. O'Neill, Aye, Mr. Soli, Aye.
Motion carried 3:0:0.