MIDDLEBOROUGH GAS & ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT M.D.P.U. No. 184 MGED Solar Community and Solar Community Business MGED SC and MGED SCB

Transcription

1

2

3

4 MIDDLEBOROUGH GAS & ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT M.D.P.U. No. 184 MGED Solar Community and Solar Community Business MGED SC and MGED SCB The MGED Solar Community Program is Middleborough Gas & Electric Department s (MGED) implementation of a Community Shared Solar model which meets Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (Mass DOER) eligibility criteria to qualify as a Community Shared Solar Generation Unit as defined under 225 CMR The MGED Solar Community (MGED SC) Rate is available to all customers of good credit standing receiving service under any MGED rate schedule, subject to availability of the MGED SC Program capacity. This rate will be an additional charge to the existing MGED rate. The MGED Solar Community Business Rate (MGED SCB) is available to all commercial, industrial and municipal customers of good credit standing, subject to availability of MGED SC/SCB Program capacity. The initial MGED SC Rate shall be $5.00/month and the initial MGED SCB Rate shall be $25.00/month. The MGED SC and SCB Rate will be adjusted every six months based on the actual project performance. The MGED SC/SCB Rate will be the net total of MGED SC/SCB Component Charges and Credits calculated prior to each six-month period based on budgeted expenses/savings from the MGED SC/SCB Programs and will be trued up to actual expenses/savings, with any adjustment being carried forward to the next six-month period using the formulas defined below. MGED SC/SCB Energy Component Charge: MGED SC/SCB Energy Component, in $/kwh/month = (MGED SC/SCB Project PPA Rate) (Fuel Charge Rate) Monthly MGED SC/SCB Project Solar Production per MGED SC/SCB share = (the total monthly solar production, in kwh, produced by the MGED SC/SCB Project)/(Total number of MGED SC/SCB shares for that MGED SC/SCB Project) MGED SC/SCB Energy Component Charge, in $/Month = (MGED SC/SCB and MGED SC Business Energy Component) x (Monthly MGED SC/SCB Project Solar Production per MGED SC/SCB share) Note: For any month where the Fuel Charge Rate is greater than or equal to the MGED SC/SCB Project PPA Rate, the MGED SC/SCB Energy Component Charge will be a credit for that month. DATE FILED: February 21, 2018 EFFECTIVE DATE: March 1, 2018 FILED BY: Jacqueline L. Crowley, General Manager

5 MGED SC/SCB Capacity Component Credit: For each six-month period, the MGED SC/SCB Capacity Component Credit will be calculated based on the actual solar production output of the MGED SC/SCB Project for that period and will be paid out as credits during the following six-month period. The MGED SC/SCB Capacity Component Credit will be calculated as follows: MGED SC/SCB Capacity Component Credit per MGED SC/SCB share, in $ = (The total Capacity Payment or other Program savings, in $ earned for that period as a result of the solar power produced by the MGED SC/SCB Project during ISO-NE s Annual Capacity Peak Hour)/(Total number of MGED SC/SCB shares for that MGED SC/SCB Project) MGED SC/SCB Transmission Component Credit: For each six-month period, the MGED SC/SCB Transmission Component Credit will be calculated based on the actual solar production output of the MGED SC/SCB Project for the completed six-month period and will be paid out as credits during the following six-month period. The MGED SC/SCB Transmission Component Credit will be calculated as follows: MGED SC/SCB Transmission Component Credit per MGED SC/SCB share, in $ = (The total Transmission Payment savings, in $, earned for that period as a result of the solar power produced by the MGED SC/SCB Project during Monthly Regional Transmission Peak Hours)/(Total number of MGED SC/SCB shares for that MGED SC/SCB Project) MGED SC/SCB Rate: The MGED SC/SCB Rate will be the total MGED SC/SCB Charge/Credit, calculated as shown below. This Charge or Credit will be added to each participating customer s monthly bill. MGED SC/SCB Rate = (MGED SC/SCB Energy Component Charge in $) (MGED SC/SCB Capacity Component Credit, in $) (MGED SC/SCB Transmission Component Credit, in $) Note: For any specific month, this total bill adjustment may be positive (cost to the customer) or negative (savings to the customer). DATE FILED: February 21, 2018 EFFECTIVE DATE: March 1, 2018 FILED BY: Jacqueline L. Crowley, General Manager

6 Terms: A customer electing to be billed under this rate shall remain on said rate for a minimum of ten (10) years. Since the number of participants/mged SC/SCB shares are limited for each MGED SC/SCB Project, shares will be issued on a first come/first served basis and/or through a lottery system at the discretion of MGED. MGED will maintain a waiting list which will be used to replace any customers who must leave the program and/or for new MGED SC/SCB Projects as they become available. Any customers signing up for the MGED SC/SCB Rate after the initial twelve months are subject to a one-time enrollment fee equal to the total first year payments made by the initial participants. After that enrollment fee has been paid, they will then begin receiving the current monthly MGED SC/SCB Rate program billing adjustment. This rate will be subject to termination in the event that MGED is unable to procure power from the MGED SC/SCB Project, or if costs become prohibitive. General Terms and Conditions: Service hereunder is subject to the General Terms and Conditions which are incorporated herein and are a part of this rate schedule. DATE FILED: February 21, 2018 EFFECTIVE DATE: March 1, 2018 FILED BY: Jacqueline L. Crowley, General Manager

7 CRITICAL CONDITIONS RESPONSE POLICY POLICY NUMBER XXX The Middleborough Gas and Electric Department (MGED) is in the business of supplying essential utility services to its customers. As a part of that service, MGED is committed to responding to critical conditions and restoring gas and electric utility service as soon as possible following either a gas or electric utility service outage, or to address a time sensitive condition that could compromise the reliability or safety of the gas or electric distribution system. All MGED employees must be available to respond to calls from authorized MGED employees to report to work and assist in restoring either gas or electric utility service or addressing a time sensitive condition, as deemed necessary by MGED. As part of a condition of employment with MGED, all operational personnel shall be required to supply MGED with a contact phone number that they can be reached at, after normal work hours and on weekends, in case of an after-hours emergency, and employees are required to update this contact number for any changes. Employees are responsible for keeping that phone with them on all non-vacation or other authorized time off periods. MGED considers the need to restore gas and electric utility service following an outage or address critical conditions as top priorities. In support of this policy, operational employees are required to answer their phones when MGED calls after-hours. Employees who violate this policy by refusing, without proper justification, to answer phone calls or to respond to a request to come in during an emergency outage or to address a critical condition, may be subject to disciplinary action. In addition, employees who violate this policy shall also be subject to removal from the On-Call rotation list, at the sole discretion of the Gas or Electric Division Manager. Employees will be permitted two unexcused violations of this policy each year before an employee is removed from the On- Call list, and before disciplinary action will be instituted. MGED will utilize its positive discipline process when disciplining employees for violations of this policy.

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16 Draft February 2018 Middleborough Gas & Electric Commission Meeting Middleborough Town Hall, Selectmen Meeting Room Wednesday, January 31, 2018 In attendance: Chairman Dan Farley, Commissioner John Healey, Commissioner Lincoln Andrews, Commissioner Tom Murphy, Commissioner Ellen Farley and General Manager Jacqueline Crowley. Others present: Dave Shaw, Gas Division Manager-Operations, William Taylor, Electric Division Manager, and Jeannette Mello, Secretary. Chair Farley opened the meeting at 6:00 PM with a welcome and the Pledge of Allegiance. Chairman Dan Farley announced that the Gas & Electric Commission Meeting of January 31, 2018 is being recorded by Middleborough Community Cable Access Media (MCCAM), Verizon and Comcast. Announcements and Recognitions A. Natural Gas Safety Public Awareness Survey Sandy Richter, Public Communications Manager, announced that a regional telephone survey is being conducted which includes Lakeville and Middleborough residents, public officials and emergency responders. This survey is performed every four years and will provide information on how well MGED customers are being informed through information they receive from MGED on natural gas safety procedures. This survey will provide important feedback for MGED on the materials that are being used. Sandy Richter thanked the customers who responded. Comm. Healey stated that he had received a call for the survey. B. Seth Pickering of DOER Announcement of Green Community designation for the Town of Middleborough Seth Pickering, regional coordinator for the Green Communities Division of the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) and a resident of Middleborough thanked MGED for their contributions to the Green Communities Program in Lakeville and Middleborough. MGED provided essential components for becoming a green community. The Town of Lakeville has received $546,568 in Green Community grant awards for improving lighting, ventilation, heat and hot water systems in Town buildings and schools. The Town of Middleborough was designated a Green Community on December 29, 2017, and is scheduled to receive $197,655 for energy efficiency projects. Sandy Richter provided the municipal history for all electric and gas accounts for the towns of Middleborough and Lakeville to Mass Energy Insight available through DOER. This is an essential to establish an energy base line for the Green Community process. Seth Pickering recognized Sandy Richter for her commitment to provide this information accurately and in a timely manner every month. Mr. Pickering mentioned MGED s involvement in energy audits for municipal schools and buildings to help identify how each Town can reduce their usage by 20%. He noted that the Green Communities grant money should help with saving energy to support future energy cost reductions for both Towns. The grant money can be used on projects that can help with their budgets and capital planning, an essential part of what DOER does for the Towns. In 2017 MGED received a grant for $103,705 designated for LED street light replacements throughout the Towns and will help in reducing usage by 50% along with lower maintenance costs. In 2014, with the help of Sandy Richter s input in applying for the grant, a funding grant was awarded to the Town of Middleborough to help with energy efficiency at the Waste Water Treatment Plant and the infrastructure of the water supply. Seth Pickering thanked MGED for the partnership and for supporting applications for future grant money available for energy efficiency measures.

17 Draft February 2018 Comm. Andrews, a member of the Capital Planning Committee said that the Green Communities grant money for the Town of Middleborough is very much appreciated and will be put to good use. Comm. Healey recognized resident Jeff Stevens a member and spokesperson of the Green Energy Committee who has worked very hard throughout the Green Community application process. Seth Pickering stated that the Green Energy Committee was very instrumental in the Town moving towards the designation and it is very much appreciated. Unanticipated GM Crowley briefed the Board on developments with the Municipal Electric Association of Massachusetts (MEAM), group in discussions with DOER to develop a Municipal Light Program that will run parallel to the Smart Program (replacing SRECS in investor-owned territories later in the year). A proposal is in development with DOER to provide matching funds for rebates for greenhouse gas initiative programs that have not been available to the municipals in the past. GM Crowley proposes that MGED provide a solar program that would start this summer, for matching rebates for up to 100 KW (total), the equivalent of 20 10kW residential solar arrays, and possibly available to small commercial customers. An amount of $75,000, (based on.75 cents per watt), would come from MGED s 2018 capital budget for solar resources. GM Crowley wanted a sense that the Board was comfortable with this direction so that she could continue talking to MEAM and to DOER. This program would provide benefits to all rate payers by increasing solar resources in the region, would provide access to RGGI dollars and would have some cost benefits with some reduction of monthly/annual peak demand. Comm. Andrews felt that a motion was not necessary but offered on the support the GM s discussions with MEAM and DOER. Comm. Andrews made a motion for the General Manager to continue discussions with DOER. Comm. Healey second the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Comm. Andrews asked Bill Taylor, Electric Division Manager, to discuss the Tree Wire Program. Mr. Taylor explained the top wires on the poles are high voltage wires known as primary, single phase or three phase throughout the Town. The next wire down is called the system neutral or secondary cable, where it feeds through a transformer, drops the amperage and services the house known as the service drop. Communications cable (not MGED) is the third set of wires, and on the bottom would be the telephone (Verizon) wire. The poles are jointly-owned with a maintenance agreement involving the Town of Middleborough covering half of the Town and Verizon covering North and East Middleboro. In 2007, after a storm having widespread outages it was decided that insulated conductors would replace bare, non-insulated conductors on primaries. Between 2010 and 2017 approximately 115 miles of roads with insulated Tree Wire was replaced in Lakeville and Middleborough that was single phase. Public Comment There was no public comment. Comm. Healey and Comm. Andrews left the meeting at 6.32 PM to attend a DPW Town meeting. Old Business: A. Discussion and Possible Vote on Revision of Net Metering Tariff, M.D.P.U. No 178 GM Crowley discussed the revision of the net metering rate M.D.P.U. 178 for residential and small commercial solar arrays. Existing customers on this rate will be grandfathered. When the array produces more than what was used monthly on that account the remainder of the usage will be credited only with the energy charge. This new rate M.D.P.U. No. 183 is in effect on February 1, Comm. Ellen Farley made a motion to approve the Net Metering Tariff Rate M.D.P.U Comm. Murphy seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 2

18 Draft February 2018 During this vote, Commissioners Healey and Andrews were detained at another meeting. Comm. Murphy stated that Commissioners Healey and Andrews stated that they were in favor of the Net Metering Rate Tariff M.D.P.U B. Community Solar Program Update: MGED Solar Community GM Crowley announced the debut of the Community Shared Solar Program which is under the Smart Energy Community Program. GM Crowley announced the first Solar Community Project, No. 1 is located at 204 Everett Street, Middleborough. MGED residential and commercial customers will be able to purchase the kilowatt hours produced from a solar array. Participation in the program for the first year will cost $5 a month. The program will track the value of the kilowatt hours generated compared to MGED s market portfolio and credit or debit the difference between the PPA rate with the solar array owner and the average energy cost in MGED s portfolio. Later in 2018, customers could see a transmission credit and in 2019 a capacity credit will show if there was a beneficial reduction in peak demand. The solar array peak output is between 14-25% in the summer. The net credits are estimate to be as much as $300 over a 10 year period. For the first project, there will be a 1 share limit, with 110 shares available. Interested customers can sign up through and click on solar community. GM Crowley said that the DOER s review of this program confirms that the structure is consistent with other municipal light plant community solar programs. Sandy Richter, Public Communications Manager, said that she has been in contact with the schools to make them aware that there is a solar drawings contest available for students, grades 3-8. Their illustrations will be set up in the Main Office lobby. There will be three prizes. The illustrations will be featured in the solar Community promotional materials. The deadline for submissions is March 15, 2018 and the Board of Commissioners will be the judges at their meeting in March. C. Update on A Metering Technology Bid The staff, working along with consultants, are reviewing and ranking bid responses. There was four solid bid proposals received. Presentations from the vendors may be requested for the March meeting. Review and Possible Vote to Accept and Release Open Session Minutes: a. December 20, 2017, Open Session Minutes Comm. Murphy did not attend the December 2017 meeting and abstained. Due to the lack of quorum, the minutes will be reviewed and possibly voted on at the next meeting. New Business: A. Electric Division Storm Update Bill Taylor, Electric Division Manager, reviewed the following storms: Christmas Day, January 4, and January 13, Mr. Taylor displayed pictures of crews working on repairs and service restoration during and after the storms. He also presented photographs of contractors engaged in E-1 transmission line pole replacement work at the KOA. B. Bid Award for 2018 Pick-Up Truck Bill Taylor, stated that he received one response from Liberty Chevrolet at the bid opening on January 25, 2018 for one new 4-wheel drive Double Cab short Box pick-up truck. This pick-up truck replaces a 2007, 2-wheel drive compact truck with approximately 137,000 miles. Six to eight packages of specifications were sent out. Mr. Taylor recommended awarding the bid to Liberty Chevrolet in the amount of $30,488 with a delivery time of 8-10 weeks. 3

19 Draft February 2018 Comm. Murphy made a motion to accept the bid from Liberty Chevrolet in the amount of $30,488 with a delivery time of 8-10 weeks. Comm. Ellen Farley seconded the motion. The motion passed. During this vote, Commissioners Healey and Andrews were detained at another meeting. C. Gas Division Designation of Vehicle as Surplus Dave Shaw, Gas Division Manager of Operations, stated that the Gas Division has a 1999 Chevy Tahoe with 181,368 miles and would like to declare it as surplus. This vehicle has been off the road for a few months and needs major repairs. Comm. Ellen Farley made a motion to designate the 1999 Chevy Tahoe as surplus. Comm. Murphy seconded the motion. The motion passed. During this vote Commissioners Healey and Andrews were detained at another meeting. D. Discussion on Revision and Possible Vote on MGED CDL Drug Policy new DOT Guidelines GM Crowley explained that the Department of Transportation updates drug and alcohol testing policy guidelines periodically for a Commercial Drivers License and Pipeline (PHMSA) workers. The MGED CDL Drug Policy was revised and streamlined to meet the new Federal regulations. She thanked Jeannette Mello for working with Chris Kile, RN, of Drug Testing Consultants, to make sure that all the required Federal standards were up to date. E. Discussion on Revision and Possible Vote on MGED PHMSA/Pipeline Drug Policy new DOT Guidelines The MGED PHMSA/Pipeline Drug Policy was revised and streamlined to meet the new Federal regulations. F. Discussion on Revision and Possible Vote on MGED/PERS-5 Alcohol and Substance Abuse Policy new DOT Guidelines The MGED/PERS-5 Alcohol and Substance Abuse Policy was revised to meet the new Federal regulations. Comm. Murphy made a motion to accept the adjustments to the DOT guidelines for all three policies: MGED CDL Drug Policy, MGED PHMSA/Pipeline Drug Policy and MGED/PERS-5 Alcohol and Substance Abuse Policy. Comm. Ellen Farley seconded the motion. The motion passed. During this vote Commissioners Healey and Andrews were detained at another meeting. General Manager s Report A. Financials The draft November financials are consistent and the Rate Stabilization Account will be drawn down. B. Rate Comparisons The electric rate comparison chart shows on the over view that MGED to be a little above Mansfield but consistent with Taunton and Braintree. There is a significant savings compared to Investor Owned Utilities in the area, National Grid and Eversource. The average rate for MGED is 13.9 cents based on 839 kwhs. 4

20 Draft February 2018 The gas rate comparison chart shows the average rate is $1.27 per ccf, based on the use of 115 ccfs. This shows a significant savings over the other community utilities. The combined MGED electric and gas bill is among the lowest in the area. The average bill at MGED is $264. Bridgewater is $372. There is a savings of $79 from customers who live in Wareham, Carver and Plymouth. On a combined bill comparison, Middleborough s costs are lower than the costs for residents in Braintree, Mansfield, and Taunton Statistics: GM Crowley noted that MGED had its highest send out (7,174 MCF at 336 MCF an hour) for natural gas on January 6, 2018 with a 60 degree heating day with an average temperature for 24 hours 10 AM to 10 AM next day of 5 degrees. Customer growth has been 1-2% a year for the past two years. Northeast Gas Association said that the last week of December and the first week of January was 36% colder than the typical requirements for the same period in prior years. In 2017 GM Crowley explained the heating degree days were average (5,242) and below the 5 year and 7 year average. On the cooling degree days side 2017 was milder year than the 5 and 7 year average. It was warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. GM Crowley updated the Board on working with the other Municipals to change Federal regulations with respect to ISO and CASPR (Competitive Auctions with Sponsored Policy Resources). In the past, MGED could use their contracted resources for power and reduce the costs incurred through capacity auctions by citing long-term contracted resources for self-supply. ISO had made changes years ago preventing Municipals right to continue self-supply. MGED and other light plants are working to restore the right to self-supply. The neighboring region, PJM (includes Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland), restored the right to self-supply. Correspondence There was no correspondence. Adjourn Comm. Murphy made a motion to adjourn the January 31, 2018 Meeting of the Middleborough Gas & Electric Board of Commissioners. Comm. Ellen Farley seconded the motion. The motion passed. Commissioners Healey and Andrews did not return back to the meeting. Open session adjourned at 7:10 PM. The next scheduled meeting of the Middleborough Board of Gas & Electric Commissioners will be on Wednesday, February 21, 2018, at 6:00 PM, Selectmen Meeting Room, 10 Nickerson Avenue, in Middleborough. The Gas & Electric Commission Meeting of Wednesday, January 31, 2018 was videotaped and broadcast by Middleborough Community Cable Access Media (Comcast and Verizon) and recorded by the Secretary. Respectfully submitted, Jeannette Mello Secretary 5

21 Draft January 23, 2017 Middleborough Gas & Electric Commission Meeting Middleborough Town Hall, Selectmen Meeting Room Wednesday, December 20, 2017 In attendance: Chairman Dan Farley, Commissioner John Healey, Commissioner Lincoln Andrews, Commissioner Ellen Farley and General Manager Jacqueline Crowley. Absent: Commissioner Tom Murphy Others present: Dave Shaw, Gas Division Manager-Operations, William Taylor, Electric Division Manager, and Jeannette Mello, Secretary. Chair Farley opened the meeting at 6:00 PM with a welcome and the Pledge of Allegiance. Chairman Dan Farley announced that the Gas & Electric Commission Meeting of December 20, 2017, is being recorded by Middleborough Community Cable Access Media (MCCAM), Verizon and Comcast. Old Business: A. Discussion and Vote on 2018 Budget The 2018 Budget was presented in detail at a prior Commission meeting on December 6, 2017 by the Division Managers. GM Crowley discussed an additional amount that was added to the Forecast on the electric side to update expenses for changing out a pole at the KOA on the E1 transmission line. The cost will be accounted for as transmission expense and recovered with a rate of return over time. Comm. Healey made a motion to approve the Budget 2018 in its final form. Comm. Ellen Farley seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Chair Farley noted that Comm. Murphy had expressed his prior approval with the 2018 Budget. Announcements and Recognitions Dave Shaw, Gas Division Manager of Operations, briefed the Board on an incident that occurred in a section of the mall located near the Ocean State Job Lot. The original call was received as a gas main break. Dave Shaw responded along with the Fire Department and the Gas Department s call man who determined that it was not a gas main break. A vacant business near Ocean State Job Lot was being renovated by workers who cut an active gas line inside the building. The manager of Ocean State Job Lot could smell gas in the area and called 911. The Gas Division shut the gas off and disconnected the service. The building was ventilated and Jay Catalano, Plumbing Inspector, was called in to do a pressure test. The gas lines were marked. The gas was turned on the next day. The section near Ocean State Job Lot was built prior to Code specifying that all gas lines are to be marked. MGED followed regulations and the DPU was called immediately. GM Crowley said she would discuss with Ms. Richter, Public Communications Manager, about notifying natural gas customers that they are to be compliant with the Plumbing Inspections standards. Related to another matter at the same mall, Mr. Stephen McKinnon, resident and Vice-Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, noted that it was discussed at a Board of Selectmen s meeting that the mall entrance was considered a hazardous area due to poor lighting. He stated that there was one light pole out front that did not have a streetlight on it. Two days later, he noticed that there was a light installed which provides light on the crosswalk out front. He thanked the Electric Division for the quick work.

22 Draft January 23, 2017 Unanticipated There was nothing unanticipated. Public Comment There was no public comment. Old Business: B. Community Solar Program Update GM Crowley gave an update with slides of the Community Solar Program at 204 Everett Street Storage. The panels are being installed. MGED will be offering KW shares. A line on the bill will reflect three different revenue items. The first will likely be a debit for 2 years at approximately $5 a month. In July 2019, savings will start to show for the transmission and capacity costs. An additional 1 MW Community Solar project is proposed for Chestnut Street in Middleborough. New Business: A. Discussion on Revision of Net Metering Tariff, M.D.P.U. No Possible Vote on January 17, GM Crowley reviewed the revisions in the Net Metering Tariff. M.D.P.U. No A public notice was posted in the Middleborough Gazette. This is a residential rate with a solar array that is 10 KW or smaller. Currently, this rate gives credits at the full retail rate to customers for the entire kilowatt-hours generated by their solar array which can exceed their monthly usage. When the generated amount exceeds the monthly usage and the credit includes distribution, capacity, and transmission, these costs are shifted to other customers. The new proposed residential Net Metering Rate for 10 KW or less will credit the customer with the full retail rate for the actual consumption if the solar array generates the amount. If the solar array generates more than the actual consumption, the resident will be credited only on the PPA (Purchase Power Adjustment) and PPC (Purchase Power Charge). The distribution charge which maintains the distribution wires will not be credited. The new rate will ensure that customers who do not have a solar array are not subsidizing the costs for customers that do. A new Net Metering Rate schedule will be presented at the January meeting for vote by the Board of Commissioners. B. Vote on Dates and Times of 2018 G&E Commission Meetings The schedule for the dates and times of the 2018 Board of Commissioners meetings was presented. They are held on the third Wednesday of the month in the Board of Selectmen s Room at 6 PM. Comm. Andrews made a motion to approve the dates and times of the 2018 G&E Commission Meetings. Comm. Healey seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously. Comm. Andrews said that he will not be available on January 17, C. Review, Approve, and Vote GM Vehicle Use Form for 2017 GM Crowley asked the Commissioners for their approval on the annual Vehicle Use Form for 2017 that is used in reporting the company vehicle s usage to drive home. 2

23 Draft January 23, 2017 Comm. Healey made a motion authorizing Chair Farley to sign GM Crowley s Vehicle Use Form as referenced prior to submitting the form. Comm. Andrews seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. D. Review, Approve and Vote GM Vacation Rollover for GM Crowley asked the Commissioners for their approval of her vacation hours that were not used for She asked the Board for approval to carry over 160 hours into Comm. Andrews made a motion to approve the General Manager s vacation rollover of 160 hours. Comm. Healey seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. E. Review, Approve and Vote GM Workplace Productivity Incentive Form for 2017 GM Crowley asked the Commissioners for their approval on an MGED employees benefit that encourages attendance for all if they use 4 or fewer sick days within a year to receive an additional one week s pay. Five days of sick leave are deducted from the accrued sick hours. Comm. Andrews made a motion to approve GM Crowley s Workplace Productivity Incentive Form for Comm. Ellen Farley seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. General Manager s Report A. Financials Luis Chukiu, Business Manager, reviewed MGED s draft financials for the month of October using the following slide show: 1. Operating Cash - Approximately $23 million and $8 million in Depreciation Cash Cash Comparison 3. Net Income Monthly Expenses and Revenue shown monthly with a loss in October for Net Income 4. Net Income Y-T-D (Year To Date) Expenses and Revenue shown monthly with Net Income decreasing in October 5. Monthly RSA (Rate Stabilization Account) Showing the RSA was reduced by approximately $750,000 in October and will continue using the RSA through December for an approximate $1,000,000 withdrawal on the year Mr. Chukiu said that the financials are in line with the Budget projections. B. Rate Comparisons The residential natural gas rates chart, based on the average use (80 ccf) in December show MGED to have the lowest rates in the region at $1.29 per ccf (one hundred cubic feet). The residential electric rates chart, based on the average use in (750 kwh) in December, shows MGED to be among the lowest in the region. The municipal rates are dramatically lower than the IOUs (Investor Owned Utilities) in the area. The combined natural gas and electric rate bill shows MGED to be the lowest in the region. An MGED customer saved $94 compared to Bridgewater, $71 a month compared to Wareham, Carver and Plymouth, $25 compared to Taunton, $35 compared to Braintree and $2 in Mansfield. GM Crowley added that due to the increases in the transmission and capacity costs for the next two years, an increase in the electric PPA (Purchase Power Adjustment) of one cent has been planned for January This 3

24 Draft January 23, 2017 would increase the average electric bill from $97 to $104 monthly and the annual increase for the year would be approximately $90. With the PPA increase, MGED will still be lower than Braintree, Taunton, Eversource and National Grid. A recent analysis by APPA (American Public Power Association) of electric rates reported to the U.S. Energy Information Administration for 2016 across the nation showed MGED s average rate was the 7 th lowest in the state of Massachusetts, 12.5 cents a kwh. Correspondence A. Memo from Evan Melillo, Assistant to Town Manager, Invitation to join Chestnut Solar Array RFP Selection Committee dated December 12, 2017 GM Crowley read a memo that was addressed to the Gas & Electric Commission from Evan Melillo, Assistant to the Town Manager. The memo stated that on December 11, 2017, the Board of Selectmen voted to appoint a five member selection committee to evaluate proposals for the Community Chestnut Solar Array project. Mr. Melillo noted that the Board of Commissioners could appoint a member to be on the selection committee. Following the Board s discussion, it was mostly agreed that concerns about conflict of interest since MGED s power purchase from the solar array presents a potential conflict of negotiation of a Town lease. Comm. Healey made a motion that MGED Commissioners not participate on the selection committee. Comm. Ellen Farley seconded the motion. The motion passed. Comm. Andrews abstained. GM Crowley will relay their vote to Evan Melillo. Comm. Andrews left the meeting to attend another meeting at 6:43 PM. Review and Possible Vote to Accept and Release Open Session Minutes: a. November 15, 2017, Open Session Minutes Comm. Healey made a motion to accept and release the November 15, 2017 open session minutes. Comm. Ellen Farley seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. b. December 6, 2017, Open Session Minutes Adjourn Comm. Healey made a motion to accept and release the December 6, 2017 open session minutes. Comm. Ellen Farley seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Comm. Healey made a motion to adjourn the December 20, 2017 Meeting of the Middleborough Gas & Electric Board of Commissioners. Comm. Ellen Farley seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Open session adjourned at 6:45 PM. The next scheduled meeting of the Middleborough Board of Gas & Electric Commissioners will be on Wednesday, January 17, 2017, at 6:00 PM, Selectmen Meeting Room, 10 Nickerson Avenue, in Middleborough. The Gas & Electric Commission Meeting of Wednesday, December 20, 2017 was videotaped and broadcast by Middleborough Community Cable Access Media (Comcast and Verizon) and recorded by the Secretary. Respectfully submitted, Jeannette Mello Secretary 4