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NCPA awarded grant from APPA’s DEED program for hydrogen-related study

December 4, 2020

by Paul Ciampoli
APPA News Director
December 4, 2020

Northern California Power Agency (NCPA) has been awarded a $48,500 grant through the American Public Power Association’s (APPA) Demonstration of Energy and Efficiency Developments (DEED) program to study the feasibility of developing a renewable hydrogen production facility at a site near NCPA’s Lodi Energy Center natural gas power plant.

The grant provides 50% of the funding needed to complete the study, with the remaining 50% funded by the 13 Lodi Energy Center project participants.

Operating since 2012, the Lodi Energy Center is a 306-megawatt combined-cycle natural gas power plant located in Lodi, Calif. The plant was the first in the nation to utilize “fast-start” gas-turbine technology to substantially reduce emissions and provide needed support for the integration of the growing California renewable energy market. The plant provides power to 13 public entities, including nine NCPA members, as well as the state of California.

Earlier this year, NCPA announced upgrades to equip the Lodi Energy Center with state-of-the-art technologies capable of integrating a gas blend of up to 45% hydrogen.

This first-of-its-kind application would pave the way for significantly reducing the plant’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and keep the project environmentally viable as the project participants look towards decarbonizing their energy supply, NCPA said.

The presence of a renewable hydrogen production facility near the Lodi Energy Center, located near two major transportation corridors, could offer a dual benefit of providing hydrogen supply for the power plant’s operations as well as fuel for transportation sector needs.

Pending the outcome of the study, NCPA may seek to partner with a third party or parties to construct and operate a hydrogen electrolyzer facility serving both energy and transportation needs. 

NCPA’s feasibility study will analyze several areas related to the potential development of a hydrogen production facility near the Lodi Energy Center, including analysis of safety considerations, community impacts, permitting needs, hydrogen storage capabilities, and available grants/subsidies for developing the hydrogen production facility.

The study results will be shared with APPA and its members, as well as others throughout the industry and academia, to advance technical and policy discussions on the role hydrogen can play in decarbonizing the electricity sector. The study will be completed by the end of the year.

NCPA’s work to prepare the LEC for hydrogen integration consists of two phases. The first phase was completed this past summer with the installation of a hydrogen-capable turbine at the facility.

The second phase, which is expected to be complete by 2023, will include the installation of new, hydrogen-capable combustors within the turbine.

“It’s important to evaluate new options for electricity production that move us toward a greener generation footprint,” said Michele Suddleson, DEED Program Director at APPA.

“This project highlights public power generation innovation and showcases our key strengths of cooperation, joint action, and cost-effective problem solving,” she said.

Headquartered in Roseville, Calif., NCPA is a nonprofit California joint powers agency established in 1968 to construct and operate renewable and low emitting generating facilities and assist in meeting the wholesale energy needs of its 16 members.

Additional information about APPA’s DEED program is available here.

Growth in front-of-the-meter storage drives dramatic increase in Q3 storage deployment

December 3, 2020

by Paul Ciampoli
APPA News Director
December 3, 2020

A total of 476 megawatts of storage were deployed in the third quarter of 2020, an increase of 240% over the previous high set last quarter, According to a new report from Wood Mackenzie and the U.S. Energy Storage Association (ESA).

The new record for storage ”is not an anomaly but rather a sign of things to come as front-of-the-meter (FTM) storage procurements, particularly in California, grow dramatically in number and size,” the ESA said in a Dec. 2 news release related to the report.

While the residential segment grew as well, the major growth was in the FTM market segment. Nearly 400 MW and 578 MWh were deployed in the third quarter, surpassing previous records of 133 MW and 296 MWh for this sector.  More FTM storage was installed in the third quarter than was installed across all segments during any other quarter over the past 7 years. 

Despite relatively low durations for systems deployed this quarter, FTM megawatt hour (MWh) deployments beat the previous record set in the third quarter of 2017 by nearly 200%. 

Key findings from the report included:

The report said that U.S. battery energy storage market is set to grow from 1.2 gigawatts (GW) in 2020 to nearly 7.5 GW (and 26.5 GWh) in in 2025, driven primarily by large-scale utility procurements.

Solar-paired storage will account for a large majority of these installations, and potentially the vast majority, as developers aim to capture value from the federal investment tax credit.

The American Public Power Association this year launched a Public Power Energy Storage Tracker, which is a resource for association members that summarizes energy storage projects undertaken by members that are currently online.

Public power utilities extend disconnect moratoriums, offer payment options to customers

December 3, 2020

by Paul Ciampoli
APPA News Director
December 3, 2020

Public power utilities across the country are helping customers facing financial hardships due to the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic through the extension of disconnection moratoriums and the development of plans aimed at giving customers a variety of options to pay their bills.

Salt River Project

Arizona public power utility Salt River Project (SRP) implemented a moratorium on power disconnections starting in March. In July, SRP announced it was extending its suspension of disconnects until October. Throughout the summer, SRP accelerated its outreach programs to find financial support for customers and develop customized payment arrangements.

In late September, SRP said that as part of its customer support efforts, it would extend its disconnect moratorium for customers on its limited income program, the Economy Price Plan (EPP), until early January.

Additionally, beginning in October, SRP is automatically placing its non-EPP customers with $80 or more of debt on eight-month payment plans if they have not already called SRP to set up personalized payment arrangements. Non-EPP customers on SRP’s prepay program, the M-Power Price plan, will have any accumulated debt placed in a paydown account, and a percentage of every future energy purchase will be applied to this account so they can pay off the debt over time.

SRP said that it would put standard payment policies, including disconnects for non-payment, back in place on Oct. 1 for non-EPP customers, and SRP customer service representatives will continue to work with all customers to set up payment plans, share referrals to community action agencies with available COVID-19 relief funds, help customers switch price plans and receive payment extensions and discounts.

Any of these support activities can help reduce debt and help customers with past-due balances avoid potential disconnection this fall, SRP noted.

In addition, SRP will not charge EPP customers any late payment fees through early January. SRP customer service “will also continue to work with EPP customers to develop repayment plans and identify available bill assistance through community partners so these customers do not face unsustainable debt at the start of 2021,” it noted in a news release.

In late October, SRP reported that the utility and an anti-poverty group, Wildfire, have been working with community members who have accrued unsustainable debt during the pandemic by connecting them with community action agencies offering utility assistance through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and additional COVID-19 relief funds.

SRP noted that the goal is to help these residents receive assistance now, including on rent and essential needs, before the holidays, and before funds run low and more financial-support requests come streaming in at the end of the year.

Since the beginning of October 2020, to date, nearly 3,000 SRP customers have received over 3,000 assistance payments from SRP and its community partners totaling nearly $2 million, SRP said on Oct. 29.

Eugene Water & Electric Board

Oregon public power utility Eugene Water & Electric Board (EWEB) on Oct. 29 reported that some EWEB residential customers would soon see a $250 bill credit on their EWEB accounts, while nonprofit agencies and childcare providers can apply for a new utility grant program.

EWEB and the City of Eugene are teaming up to distribute $250,000 in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds that have been allocated to the city to help Eugene utility customers impacted by the pandemic.

To qualify for the CARES bill credit, EWEB customers need to live in Eugene and be pre-approved for Energy Assistance Stability CORONAVIRUS Relief Program (EASCR), a federal program administered by Lane County that provides financial assistance to income-qualifying households for home heating and energy bills. Once they are qualified for EASCR, the $250 CARES credit will be automatically applied to the EWEB bill; there’s no additional application process. For EWEB customers that already received EASCR, the $250 credit will be applied retroactively.

A second program offered by the EWEB and City partnership focuses on licensed childcare providers and nonprofit agencies providing direct services to clients impacted by COVID-19. Those organizations can apply for a utility grant equal to the lesser of $4,000 or their average monthly EWEB bill.

Total funding for the joint EWEB-city program is $150,000 for residential assistance and $100,000 for nonprofit and childcare providers and will be made available until funds have been fully allocated.

LADWP

Low-income Los Angeles City residents who have been financially impacted through the loss of their job or who have otherwise experienced income loss in their household due to the COVID-19 pandemic are encouraged to apply for a one-time $500 grant to help pay their utility bills, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) noted on Oct. 27. The program is being championed by Los Angeles City Council President Nury Martinez.

In a related action, the Los Angeles Board of Water and Power Commissioners approved allocating resources to support the grant program which will provide assistance to up to 100,000 low-income Angelenos impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The LADWP noted that the City of Los Angeles–LADWP CARES Utility Grant Program was made possible through federal CARES Act funding received by the city to assist struggling low-income city residents with utility costs.

Sacramento Municipal Utility District

California public power utility Sacramento Municipal Utility District on Nov. 16 announced its annual Shine community award recipients totaling $199,894. SMUD’s Shine program supports projects that improve and revitalize neighborhoods in the Sacramento region. Shine awards are funded for projects that address neighborhood revitalization, STEM education, environment and energy efficiency and workforce development.

Round one of the Shine awards is focused on getting immediate help to communities that have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In July, SMUD announced that in response to the devastating impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on local small businesses and nonprofits, it created a COVID-19 Relief: Nonprofit Microloan Program “for those who serve Sacramento’s most vulnerable communities and who may not have qualified for the federal, state and local loan offerings.”

Snohomish County PUD

In Washington State, Snohomish County PUD in October said that it was reaching out to customers who have fallen behind on their bills to ensure their past-due balances are addressed prior to the utility resuming disconnections for nonpayment.

PUD customers began receiving letters in October encouraging them to make payment arrangements to keep their account balance manageable, as well as giving them options for financial assistance.

Snohomish encouraged customers with a past-due balance to make partial payments when unable to pay the full amount or call the PUD about options available to assist them with their bill. The PUD has flexible short-term payment arrangements, long-term monthly payment plans and other assistance plans that can help customers, it noted.

The PUD also has a robust income-qualified assistance program that provides relief to customers in need, it said. Recent changes to the program have expanded eligibility and increased discount amounts for most customers in the program.

Benton PUD

Washington State’s Benton PUD commissioners have approved an extension to temporarily suspend the following customer billing practices through December 31 for residential and general service rate classes: assessment of the 1% late fee on past due balances, disconnects for non-payment and urgent Notices regarding past due balances.

Benton PUD noted that the temporary extension was consistent with a proclamation from Washington Gov. Jay Inslee. The proclamation banned energy, water, and telecommunication companies from disconnecting customers due to nonpayment, refusing to reconnect residential customers who were disconnected for nonpayment, and charging late fees or reconnection fees. 

Benton PUD has set up a webpage that includes resources for COVID-19 customer assistance.

Franklin PUD

Franklin PUD, another Washington State-based PUD, provides details on its website on ways that the PUD can help its customers facing financial hardships as a result of COVID-19, as well as a list of organizations that can also provide assistance.

Chelan PUD

Washington State’s Chelan PUD notes on its website that in order to protect the health and well-being of its communities and families, customers with past-due accounts (electric, water and wastewater) will not be facing disconnection or late fees through December 31, 2020.

“This pause in shut-offs and late fees does not relieve customers from the obligation to pay for utility services though. We ask that you contact us if you may have problems paying your bills so that we can work together to development repayment solutions,” Chelan noted.

Additional details on Chelan’s response to the pandemic are available here.

CPS Energy

In Texas, San Antonio-based public power utility CPS Energy said that it stands ready to help any customer in need. “Our People First philosophy led us to suspend disconnects while our community bands together during this challenging time,” it notes on its website.

CPS Energy said that customers experiencing financial hardship and needing payment assistance should call CPS Energy to set up a payment plan. Late fees are waived for customers who make timely payments as part of a payment plan established during the period of suspended disconnects that is currently in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it said.

“Our team of energy experts can explain our helpful payment plan options and assist you with a strategy to catch up on missed payments and bring your account current if you fall behind. We can also help you determine if you qualify for assistance programs that are available to supplement utility bill payments for qualified participants.”

Austin Energy/City of Austin Utilities

In recognition of the impact of COVID-19 on the Austin community, the Austin, Texas, City Council approved emergency utility bill relief efforts in April 2020.

This included temporary reductions in electric and water rates through October 31, 2020, more flexible payment arrangements, and increased customer assistance funds available so long as funds remain. These measures will collectively provide approximately $46 million in utility bill relief.

City of Austin Utilities is offering extended payment arrangement agreements, as well as increasing the discount for the Customer Assistance Programs (CAP), which provide help to utility customers who face temporary and long-term financial difficulties, as well as those with serious medical problems.

City of Austin Utilities is also offering a new, more flexible payment option that allows customers to pay outstanding balances over a longer time. Customers who have been financially impacted by COVID-19 can spread their payments over 36 months, instead of the standard 24-month payment arrangement.

Austin Energy and Austin Water will each contribute an additional $5 million, a combined $10 million, to the Plus 1 financial support program. 

Customers who experience financial hardship due to the effects of COVID-19 are now eligible for the Plus 1 Program. The utilities are also making programmatic changes, focusing on responsiveness and flexibility for quickly verifying eligibility and enrolling customers with a financial hardship.

Lincoln Electric System

Nebraska-based Lincoln Electric System noted in June that it continued to monitor pandemic developments in the Lincoln area, “providing solutions to customers struggling to pay their electric bill due to the disruption COVID-19 has caused. These solutions have included temporarily suspending disconnections due to nonpayment, modifying qualifications for LES’ Energy Assistance Program and developing individualized repayment plans to fit customer needs.”

During a June 19 LES Administrative Board meeting, it was determined that the assessment of late payment charges would resume beginning July 1, 2020.

“LES will continue to work with customers’ specific circumstances and develop flexible repayment plans to suit those circumstances while helping them to get current with their bill,” it noted.

“Customers who have been working with LES to develop a plan regarding their current financial situation are advised to stay the course and contact LES again if circumstances change. Anyone struggling to pay their electric bill at this time who has not contacted LES is urged to do so immediately. There are customer service representatives ready to help develop a repayment plan or connect customers in need with resources for financial assistance.

Nebraska Public Power District

During Nebraska Public Power District’s Board of Directors July meeting, it was determined that the assessment of late payment charges would resume beginning Aug. 1, 2020. Disconnections for nonpayment were scheduled to begin at the same time.

“NPPD will continue to work with each customer on their individual situation, including developing a repayment plan to suit them while helping to get current with their bill,” it noted at the time.

NPPD offers financial assistance to customers in a number of ways including its Pennies for Power energy assistance program established to help disadvantaged families pay energy-related expenses.

Customers can also reach out to NPPD to arrange a customized payment plan and get connected with additional resources.

OPPD

Starting in September, all residential customers in the Omaha Public Power District (OPPD) service territory can apply for Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act Utility Assistance funds.

An article in OPPD’s The Wire newsletter notes that this summer, the Douglas County Board of Commissioners voted to allocate $4 million in funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act for utility assistance. But those funds were only available to residents of Douglas County.

In September, additional funds were made available to residents in all of OPPD 13-county service territory. The assistance was made possible through an agreement with the state of Nebraska and Dollar Energy Fund, the article noted.

Dollar Energy Fund manages OPPD’s energy assistance program (EAP) as well as a network of community organizations across the utility’s service territory. These organizations can access the CARES utility assistance in addition to OPPD’s EAP funds to help customers experiencing financial hardship due to the pandemic, the story said.

Cleveland Public Power

In Ohio, Cleveland Public Power notes on its website that as part of the CARES Act financial package that Ohio Governor Mike Dewine’s administration introduced in October, $50 million from the Corona Relief Fund was allocated to 47 community action agencies.

The available funds will assist Ohioans who have fallen behind on their water, electric, and sewer bill payments.

Cuyahoga County CARES funding is being made available through CHN Housing Partners to Cleveland Water, Cleveland Public Power, and Water Pollution Control qualifying customers who acquired past due balances after March 1, 2020, and who are at or below 120 percent of median household income and have been affected by COVID-19, including through income loss.

The City of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County residents are encouraged to contact CHN Housing Partners and apply while funds are available. The deadline to apply is December 31.

City of Columbus, Ohio

The City of Columbus, Ohio, is making additional funding from the 2020 federal CARES Act available for utility assistance grants to Columbus residents. These funds will be distributed to help families who have been unable to pay for utilities because of issues related to the Coronavirus pandemic.

The Department of Public Utilities’ CARES Act Assistance Program offers one-time payment aid of up to $750 toward an eligible Columbus water/sewer/stormwater bill, and/or up to $500 toward an eligible power bill. Residents who qualify can receive financial help for unpaid or overdue utility charges that are at a point of service disruption.

Lakeland Electric

Joel Ivy, general manager of Florida public power utility Lakeland Electric, notes in a message on the utility’s website that “We know many of our customers are experiencing financial hardships because of the disruptions caused by the pandemic. That is why we have introduced the Coronavirus Payment Plan to give our customers who need it, time to get back on their feet.”

As a public power utility, “we are always focused on how we can support our community, particularly during difficult times. While life as we know it has temporarily changed, we’re here to help you get through this. We took the unprecedented step of temporarily reducing the fuel rate by 26% on your bills through June. We are giving customers who call us to set-up a plan extra time to make your bill current. We are here to serve you, our valued customers, and thank you for the privilege of allowing us to do it,” Ivy said in his message.

Orlando Utilities Commission

In August, Florida public power utility Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) noted that it was offering immediate electric and water bill relief to residential customers who are eligible for Project CARE, the utility’s bill-payment assistance fund supported by OUC, its employees and customers.

Earlier this year, OUC’s Board of Commissioners approved a $12.1 million COVID-19-related relief package, which included a $2.6 million grant to Project CARE.

Since April, OUC has helped nearly 24,000 customers through payment options and financial assistance – yet nearly $1.5 million still remains available for those in need, the utility noted in August.

In addition to Project CARE, OUC offers several payment options, including OUC Power Pass, which is a pay-as-you-go option for customers. The utility said it would waive the first month’s customer charge for new Power Pass enrollees and apply existing deposits to outstanding balances. Payment arrangements have been extended up to 12 months in some cases.

The $12.1 million relief package approved in April also included $7.5 million to lower electric fuel rates for May bills; $1.5 million for utility bill-payment assistance to qualified small businesses; and $500,000 toward the first month’s customer charge for new OUC Power Pass customers.

Clark Public Utilities commission approves budgets for electric, generating and water systems

December 2, 2020

by Paul Ciampoli
APPA News Director
December 2, 2020

The Clark Public Utilities commission on Dec. 1 voted to approve annual budgets for the electric, generating and water systems. Rate increases are not required to fund the approved electric and water utility budgets, the Washington State public power utility noted.

The 2021 operating revenue budget for the electric system is $384.8 million, compared to $382.5 million in 2020. As in years past, power supply remains the majority of the budget at $225 million — down from $230 million in the 2020 budget — and the operating and maintenance budget is $62 million.

The remainder is comprised of taxes, debt service, rate-funded capital and energy efficiency program funding, Clark Public Utilities noted in a news release.

The 2021 generating system operating revenue budget is $68.9 million, compared to the 2020 budget of $76.3 million.

Commissioners also approved a $21.6 million water system operating revenue budget for 2021, compared to $20.3 million in 2020.

Capital budgets for the electric, water and generating system all allocate funds for system maintenance and improvements.

For the electric and generating systems, projects planned for the combined $50.5 million capital investment include ongoing treatment and replacement of aging underground cable, substation, transmission and distribution line construction and upgrades.

The $10.9 million water system capital budget allocates funds for main extensions and upgrades and automatic meter reading equipment, among other improvements.

“This budget demonstrates our utility’s commitment to providing our customers with outstanding customer service and reliability while going to great lengths to control costs and be good stewards of our customers’ resources,” said Jane Van Dyke, president of the Clark Public Utilities Board of Commissioners.

Clark Public Utilities is a customer-owned public utility that provides electric service to more than 210,000 customers throughout Clark County, Wash. The utility also provides water service to about 37,000 homes and businesses.

Clark Public Utilities has been ranked highest in customer satisfaction among midsize utilities in the west by J.D. Power twelve years in a row.

Redwood Coast Energy Authority launches public rebate for electric vehicles

December 2, 2020

by Paul Ciampoli
APPA News Director
December 2, 2020

The Redwood Coast Energy Authority, a California community choice aggregator, launched a public rebate for electric vehicles on December 1.

The rebate, funded by RCEA’s community choice energy program, aims to encourage the purchase of electric vehicles in Humboldt County, Calif., and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

The program will incentivize community members to purchase EVs by adding an additional rebate to the state Clean Vehicle Rebate Project (CVRP) as a limited time offer.

RCEA customers are eligible for a rebate totaling 50% of whatever incentive amount they received from the CVRP. Applicants can only apply for RCEA’s rebate if they have already been approved by the CVRP.  CVRP applications dated Sept. 1, 2020 or later will be accepted.  

RCEA said that $50,000 in funding is initially available for the program. The rebate program, which is the first of its kind in the county, will run until the funding has run out. Applications will be accepted on a first come, first served basis for vehicles registered in Humboldt County.

N.Y. governor unveils adoption of regulations to cut RGGI cap by 30 percent

December 2, 2020

by Paul Ciampoli
APPA News Director
December 2, 2020

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Dec. 1 announced the adoption of new regulations to strengthen the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).

The regulations, which have been adopted by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), advance New York’s portion of the 30 percent regional cap reduction from 2021 to 2030, ensuring that regional emissions are 65 percent below the starting cap level by 2030, and will align New York’s cap with the other participating RGGI states.

The emissions reductions support Cuomo’s requirements under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 85 percent by 2050, Cuomo’s office noted.

With this update, the regional cap in 2030 will be 65 percent below the 2009 starting level. In addition, New York is going beyond many of its RGGI partner states by adding smaller peaking units to the program, “recognizing that most of these smaller sources are located in proximity to New York’s Environmental Justice communities, communities of color and low-income communities that disproportionately bear an undue, unjust and historic burden of air pollution,” Cuomo’s office said in a news release.

Revisions to NYSERDA’s regulations will also ensure that the investment of proceeds from allowance auctions provide equitable benefits to disadvantaged communities, in accordance with the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.

The New York Power Authority recently said that it will explore transitioning its natural gas-fired peaking power plants in New York City and Long Island to clean energy technologies, such as battery storage and low to zero carbon emission resources and technologies, under an agreement with a coalition of environmental justice groups. In an agreement with the PEAK Coalition, a coalition of advocacy groups, NYPA agreed to hire a consultant to explore cleaner options for its fleet of city-wide, peaking power plants, which total 461 megawatts.

Cuomo’s office said that another key change to the RGGI program is the creation of the Emissions Containment Reserve. This is a new feature designed to ensure additional carbon dioxide emissions reductions by auctioning fewer allowances in the event the cost of such reductions is less than anticipated. The regulations also simplify the program and ensure that reductions from power plants continue by removing all offset categories except for emissions from livestock operations.   

RGGI is the first mandatory market-based program in the U.S. to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. RGGI is a cooperative effort among the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont to cap and reduce carbon dioxide emissions from the power sector.

The DEC’s proposed RGGI regulation was published in the State Register in late April and the public comment period closed on June 29, 2020.

NYSERDA’s proposed regulations were published in the State Register on May 13 and the public comment period closed on July 13.

The DEC’s final regulation will be published in the State Register on Dec. 16 and will be effective on Dec. 31, 2020. The DEC’s final regulations and supporting materials are available here. 

NYSERDA’s regulations were approved at a special board meeting on Dec. 1 and will be published in the State Register on Dec. 30.

NYSERDA’s final regulations and supporting materials are available here.

Cybersecurity in and for Large Energy Transmission Projects

December 1, 2020

by Nina Terp
POWER Magazine
December 1, 2020

Read story here: https://view.imirus.com/427/document/13466/page/29

 

Senate confirms FERC nominees Clements and Christie

December 1, 2020

by Paul Ciampoli
APPA News Director
December 1, 2020

The U.S. Senate on Nov. 30 confirmed by voice vote the nominations of Allison Clements and Mark Christie to be members of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Clements, a Democrat, will serve a term expiring June 30, 2024, while Christie, a Republican, will serve a term expiring June 30, 2025.

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on Nov. 18 favorably reported the nomination of Clements and Christie to be members of FERC.

President Donald Trump on Nov. 5 named James Danly as Chairman of FERC. He will replace Neil Chatterjee as head of the agency.

Danly has served as a Commissioner since March 2020. Prior to that he served as general counsel to the Commission since joining FERC in 2017.

Chatterjee, who joined the Commission in 2017 and served as Chairman from August to December 2017 and since October 2018, congratulated Danly on his appointment and said the Commission will be well-served by Danly’s leadership.

Chatterjee will remain a FERC Commissioner, along with Commissioner Richard Glick.

Public power utilities earn high scores for business customer satisfaction

November 30, 2020

by Paul Ciampoli
APPA News Director
November 30, 2020

A new J.D. Power study shows that public power utilities in several parts of the U.S. are among the leading utilities to earn high marks for business customer satisfaction.

J.D. Power on Nov. 18 released its 2020 Electric Utility Business Customer Satisfaction Study.

Within each of the four U.S. geographic regions included in the study, utility providers are classified into one of two segments: large (serving 85,000 or more business customers) and midsize (serving 40,000-84,999 business customers).

The 2020 Electric Utility Business Customer Satisfaction Study, now in its 22nd year, measures satisfaction among business customers of 88 targeted U.S. electric utilities, each of which serves more than 40,000 business customers.

Overall satisfaction is examined across six factors (listed in order of importance): power quality and reliability; corporate citizenship; price; billing and payment; communications; and customer contact.

The index ranking is based on a 1,000-point scale and also included customers of investor-owned utilities.

In the midsize segment for the Midwest Region, Nebraska’s Omaha Public Power District ranked third with a score of 789.

In the South region’s midsize segment, five of the 12 listed utilities were public power utilities. Fourth place Texas public power utility Austin Energy earned a score of 808. Nashville Electric Service (ranked sixth) posted a score of 792, followed by Florida’s JEA in seventh place (score of 787) and eighth place Texas public power utility CPS Energy (score of 781).

Memphis Light, Gas and Water in Tennessee came in 12th in with a score of 736 in the region’s midsize segment.

In the West region’s large segment, Arizona public power utility Salt River Project earned second place out of 12 utilities with a score of 809.

In the West region’s midsize segment the top three utilities were public power utilities: Seattle City Light (number one spot, 822 score); California’s SMUD (number two spot, 813 score); and Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (third spot, 804 score). There were a total of six utilities ranked in the West region’s midsize segment.

The study was based on responses from 18,457 online interviews of business customers in decision-making roles related to their utility company. The study was fielded from February through October 2020.

J.D. Power reported that overall business customer satisfaction with electric utilities was 793, up 14 points from 2019, driven largely by improvements in customer contact and power quality and reliability. Nearly one-third (31%) of business customers said they received perfect power throughout 2020, up from 29% in 2019. Among those businesses that did experience an outage, 61% said they received some form of proactive communication from their utility.

Overall satisfaction among large businesses has increased eight points during the COVID-19 pandemic, while satisfaction among small and medium-sized businesses has declined during the same period. Small businesses posted the largest decline (-11 points) from the pre-pandemic period of Feb. 12-March 11 through the end of fielding in October. Small businesses in the study also cited increased financial stress during the pandemic, with 27% saying they are financially worse off now than before the pandemic.

Overall customer satisfaction was significantly higher (73 points) among the 64% of businesses that are aware of COVID-19-related relief efforts, such as late payment forgiveness, waived charges and fees and community support initiatives. However, 36% of business customers say they are unaware of these efforts.

Belmont Light rolls out program to help customers adopt air source heating systems

November 30, 2020

by Paul Ciampoli
APPA News Director
November 30, 2020

Belmont Light in Massachusetts has launched an education and marketing program aimed at providing customers with the information they need to install air-source heat pumps.

Belmont Light’s CleanComfort program, which is being administered by Adobe Energy Management, connects customers with expert research and guidance throughout the installation process, as well as available rebates.

“Our overall goal is strategic electrification,” Ben Thivierge, energy specialist at the public power utility, said. The town of Belmont adopted a climate action plan last year that calls for an 80% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2050. Belmont Light was involved with that plan and as part of it, “we need to do electrification and fuel switching. A lot of customers felt that heat pumps would be a good way to do that,” Thivierge said.

“Air-source heat pumps play an integral role in our plan to help the Town of Belmont reduce its carbon emissions,” Craig Spinale, Belmont Light’s general manager, said in a statement. “The CleanComfort program gives us an incredibly useful way to move toward those goals while also being able to offer cost savings and increased comfort to our customers.”

Belmont Light offers customers rebates of between $650 and $2,000, depending on size of the heat pump system they install. Rebates of up to $1,500 are also available for homeowners who completely replace fossil fuel systems with heat pumps.

Air-source heat pumps are ducted or ductless systems – sometimes referred to as mini-splits systems – that are able to heat and cool homes more efficiently than systems that use fuel oil. According to the Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships, homeowners can save up to $948 per year when replacing an existing fuel oil system with an air-source heat pump.

About 75% of Belmont Light’s customers use natural gas for heating. For them, the cost of switching to an air source heat pump would save them a little bit of money or be about equal in costs, while customers who use fuel oil or propane for heating would likely see lower costs, Thivierge said. However, customer feedback indicates that about half the customers who switch to air source heating do so for environmental reasons more than monetary reasons, he said.

Through the CleanComfort program, Abode Energy Management will provide a heat pump specialist to talk directly with Belmont Light customers. “Because the systems are highly customizable, it can be difficult to compare quotes and system designs,” Travis Estes, COO of Abode, said in a statement. “The heat pump specialist will help Belmont Light customers navigate the entire process and ensure installations are completed with the utmost quality at a fair price.”

Belmont Light sees the CleanComfort program as a follow up to its HeatSmart Belmont program, a similar education campaign that resulted in the installation of over 40 air source heat pump systems in Belmont homes in 2019.

The new program is also slightly different than the previous program in that customers have the opportunity to work with an expert energy consultant to verify that air source systems are sized correctly. “It helps us make sure the money is well spent and customers will not see their electric bills skyrocket,” Thivierge said.

The HeatSmart program had support of a state grant. For the new program, Belmont Light is bearing the costs by tapping the utility’s energy efficiency funds. “We view the program as a net benefit,” Thivierge said. The education piece of the program is important because “we want to be sure customers are comfortable with the changes in the technology, and we want customers to view us as a trusted energy adviser.”

Air source heat pumps have been around for a long time, but recent changes, particularly to some control components, have made the systems more efficient and reliable and better suited for colder climates.

In setting up the CleanComfort program, Belmont Light also met with other public power utilities – knowns as municipal light plants in Massachusetts – to come up with unified branding for the program. Thivierge said he knows of four other utilities that are using the program and have rolled it out in the past month or so.

Looking forward, Belmont Light is considering expanding its heat pump program. Based on customer feedback, Thivierge said the utility is looking at setting up rebates for customers who already have installed air source heat pumps and want to expand their systems to replace their existing fossil fuel heating systems.