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Home My WebLink About2023 - Energy Board - Annual Report ENERGY BOARD 2023 Annual Report January 11, 2024 2022 ANNUAL REPORT Page 1 ENERGY BOARD MEMBERS The following Fort Collins residents served on the board in 2023: 1. Bill Althouse 2. William Becker (Vice Chairperson January-July 2023) 3. Alan Braslau 4. Jeremy Giovando 5. Thomas Loran 6. Marge Moore 7. Vanessa Paul (Vice Chairperson, elected in July 2023) 8. Brian Smith 9. Steve Tenbrink (Chairperson, elected in January 2023) ACTIVITY The Energy Board held: • 12 Regular Meetings • 5 Work Sessions • 1 Memo to City Council FORMAL ACTIONS The Board took the following actions in 2023 at the meetings noted: • The Energy Board supported the appropriation of these funds from the respective utility’s reserves to support the next phase of the modernization of the utilities customer information system. (March 9) • The Energy Board supported bringing an appropriation ordinance forward for the consideration of the full City Council to support the licensing and full implementation of the modernization of the Utilities Customer Information System – Customer Self Service Portal. (July 13) • The Energy Board supported the issuance of $40 million in revenue bonds from the Electric and Telecommunications Enterprise Fund to support Light & Power capital improvement needs, which supports existing and new customers, but the Board did not feel they had enough information or the purview to support the funding for the completion of the Connexion build out. (August 10) • The Energy Board supported the proposed changes to 2024 Electric Utility rates and fees. (October 12) • The Energy Board Supported the proposed 2024 budget changes for grid flexibility programs by redeploying the funding for the budget offer originally intended to support IEEE’s 2030.5 Grid Flexibility Protocol. (October 12) • The Energy Board recommend that City Council adopt by resolution the staff recommendations ENERGY BOARD 2022 Annual Report 2023 ANNUAL REPORT Page 2 that: 1. Recognize past actions related to PURPA Article 1, Section 111 Subsection (d) standards; 2. Recognize the value of these PURPA standards (paragraphs 20 and 21 of section 111) of the EPAct standards for demand response and electric vehicle charging; 3. Separate formal adoption of the EPAct standards does not provide additional benefit to city electric utility rate payers based on current operations; 4. Council should keep in mind that ongoing consideration of policies and regulation will be necessary in order for the electric rate provisions to have their intended outcomes. (December 14) GENERAL COMMENT: The Energy Board, while involved in many discussions over items presented to us by city utility staff, has some concerns about the usefulness of the Board with respect to its role and responsibilities. The general consensus of board members is that the board should be more proactive and focused on issues relating to meeting the goals set in the Our Climate Future document that Council approved last year and should encourage Council to address such issues when the Board perceives a problem with meeting those goals. This issue was discussed at length during our May 11th and July 13th meetings. One outcome is that we have requested that all presentations carry a component, if applicable, that reflects how well the effort presented will promote the climate goals set for the city and how well it is doing in this regard. 2023 WORK PLAN OBJECTIVES and RELATED ACTIVITIES In addition to the highlighted issues and the formal actions taken, the Board received and discussed presentations on topics related to the work plan objectives and related issues. Listed below are the activities for 2023 under each of the six work plan objectives. 1. Climate Emergency a. Discussion how the Board can prioritize their impact and actions as related to the Our Climate Future Plan and Climate Emergency (May 11) b. Platte River’s exploration of an aeroderivative gas turbine (December 14). There is concern by some Board members about PRPA’s plans to build a natural gas plant which is seen as counter to the climate goals set for the city. A memo to Council is proposed for early 2024. c. This objective is directly related to the following objective, Implementing Our Climate Future 2. Implementing Our Climate Future a. Our Climate Future Updates & Next Moves (February 9, August 10) b. Efficiency Works Homes Rebate Relaunch (March 9) c. Our Climate Future Metrics Summary & Definitions (March 9, September 14) ENERGY BOARD 2022 Annual Report 2023 ANNUAL REPORT Page 3 d. 2022 Energy Services Results (May 11) e. Building Energy Scoring Impact Study & Building Performance Standards Planning (May 11, September 14) f. Discussion how the Board can prioritize their impact and actions as related to the Our Climate Future Plan and Climate Emergency (May 11) g. Building Energy Code Strategy Development Update (June 8) h. Community Wide Solar Visualization Tool (September 14) 3. Cost of Service and Rate Structures a. 2022 Year End Budget Recap (March 9) b. 2024 Rates & Fees (October 12) c. Demand Response Business Unit 2024 Budget Revision (October 12) 4. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion a. 2024 Rates & Fees (October 12) 5. Engaging Beyond the Energy Board on Related Topics a. PRPA initiatives: i. Platte River’s Integrated Resource Plan (August 10) ii. Platte River’s exploration of an aeroderivative gas turbine (December 14) b. Discussion of other City Boards & Commissions and how the Energy Board could attend and keep informed of crossover discussions (April 13). Some Board members have attended and reported back on other city board and commission meetings, and we hope to continue and expand on this effort in the future.as these relate to our role. 6. Protecting Light & Power Assets & Customers a. Operational Updates (February 9, May 11, June 8, November 9) b. New equipment purchases, implication of long lead times in a rising-cost environment (transformers, etc.) (February 9) c. Discussed reserve funding management and raised concerns about using reserves for loans for non-L&P needs (Connexion). The Board drafted a memo to City Council about this matter in August (March 9, August 10) d. Customer Information System (CIS) Off Cycle Appropriation Request (March 9, July 13) e. Federal & State Funding Update (April 13) f. Transformer Load Shaping Analysis (April 13) g. Capital Improvement Debt Issuance (August 10) 7. Ongoing Responsibilities ENERGY BOARD 2022 Annual Report 2023 ANNUAL REPORT Page 4 a. Discussion of the Energy Boards Objectives/Duties and how they can best utilize their time and resources, as well as staff’s (July 13) b. Ongoing discussions and motions regarding electrification including Electric Vehicle (EV) charging, Residential Solar Panel size limitations (120% rule), Epic Homes Program c. Engaged with Platte River Power Authority for continuing advancement of the City’s energy, climate, and air pollution goals, including a 100% renewable resource mix by 2030. i. Platte River’s Integrated Resources Plan (August 10) ii. Platte River’s exploration of an aeroderivative gas turbine (December 14) d. Other items that are brought before the board. 8. Occasional or Impromptu Discussions: a. Electrification b. Platte River’s plan to join a regional Market and its local impact c. Riverside Community Solar Garden issue (November 9, December 14) d. Equity issues involving IQAP and other initiatives (October 12) e. Reviewed process of the “shall consider” requirements of PURPA under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (December 14)