HomeMy WebLinkAboutElectric Board - Minutes - 09/09/2003City Council Liaison
Ray Martinez
Staff Liaison
Leslie Mooney 416-2703
Fort Collins Utilities Electric Board Minutes
Tuesday, September 9, 2003
Electric Board Chairman Electric Board Vice Chairman
Alison Mason 493-1295 Jeff Lebesch 221-0543
Roll Call:
Board Present
Chairperson Alison Mason, Board members Tracy Babst-Wiedenbrug, Dan Bihn and
Jeff Lebesch
Absent:
Board members Barbara Rutstein and Lisa Skolds
Staff Present
Patty Bigner, Bill Bray, Leslie Mooney, John Phelan, Tom Rock, Suzanne Jarboe -Simpson and
Wendy Williams
Meetin¢ Convened
Chairperson Alison Mason called the meeting to order at 6:15 p.m. She stated that this meeting
was called in order to finalize the Board's recommendation to City Council regarding funding for
demand side management programs, to accomplish the goals contained in the Energy Supply
Policy.
Anuroval of Minutes
Chairperson Mason asked if there were any corrections to the minutes of August 25, 2003. The
Board discussed the second to the last paragraph on page 3, second sentence, and requested that
the word "consensus" be replaced with "discussion," and that "option B" and premium pricing be
mentioned in the minutes as important options. Board member Dan Bihn made a motion,
seconded by Board member Jeff Lebesch to approve the minutes as corrected. The motion
passed unanimously.
Renewables & Demand Side Management Recommendation
Wendy Williams, Deputy Utilities Manager, stated staff met with the City Attorney's office
regarding whether or not the Energy Supply Policy would allow greentags. She stated that City
Electric Board Meeting Minutes
September 9, 2003
Page 2
Attorney Steve Roy said that while the Policy can be changed to allow greentags, the Charter
does not. A Charter change requires a vote of the people. Charter provisions that Utilities
charges cover cost of operation and are of specific benefit to the ratepayers do not allow
greentags. She explained that while the cost of wind power can be included in the Utilities
operational costs, this is not the case with greentags. It may be an option to offer greentags at a
premium price to customers who want more wind than is provided by rate basing.
Board member Tracy Babst-Wiedenbrug suggested that the 2% rate increase be used to fund a
mix of option A (New Plant with Delivered Energy) and/or C (Short Term Energy Purchases)
and then offer Option D (Green Tags) to customers for a premium. There was considerable
discussion about the feasibility and desirability of providing a way to add green tags to the
renewables options.
Wendy reminded the Board that the only decision required at this time is how much of a rate
increase to recommend to fund demand side management (DSM). She clarified that the Board
already voted to support the Strategic Plan for DSM, the remaining issue was the level of
funding. The issue of greentags does not need to be resolved today.
Board member Dan Bihn stated that he was comfortable with recommending a 2% rate increase
to fund renewables and DSM programs. He stated he believed a 2% rate increase is conservative
and appropriate.
The Board discussed the feasibility of earmarking the revenue raised by the 2% rate increase and
carrying it over from one year to the next.
Chairperson Mason made a motion to recommend to City Council that they adopt the Strategic
Plan and approve the 2% rate increase to fund renewables and initiate the DSM programs.
Board member Dan Bihn adopted the motion as stated, seconded by Board member Tracy Babst-
Wiedenbrug. The motion passed unanimously.
Other Business
Chairperson Mason stated that since there are no ending business issues that need immediate
attention, the next meeting will be on October 159 at 5:00 p.m.
Adiournment
Dan Bihn made a motion, seconded by Jeff Lebesch to adjourn. The motion passed
unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
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DeEtta Carr, Electric Board Liaison
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