Regular HEA/AEEC Meetings
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
10:00 AM -- Operations and Special Projects
1:00 PM -- Finance Committee
3:00 PM -- AEEC Board Meeting
5:30 PM -- HEA Board Meeting
Location: Meetings take place in the Homer Offices at 3977 Lake Street, 907-235-8551. Video conferencing is available in the Kenai Offices at 280 Airport Way. Draft agendas should available at least a day before meetings on the HEA website athttp://www.homerelectric.com/BoardofDirectorsElections/BoardMeetingInformation/Agendas/tabid/220/Default.aspx. There are sometimes last minute changes in scheduling, so check the website.
Rate Reduction
As of July 1 HEA's Cost of Power Adjustment (COPA) fell from $0.04997 to $0.03603 per kWh. This lowered your "blended rate" (COPA plus energy rate) from $0.17756 to $0.16362 per kWh. That's a $0.0139 per kWh reduction -- savings of $8.78 for a 630 kilowatt hour month.
What's In a Name?
After all the heartburn caused by adoption of the 150 kWh "minimum energy charge" HEA got the Regulatory Commission of Alaska to allow the name to be changed to "system delivery charge (SDC)." Either way it's all the same -- part of the real expense HEA incurs in maintaining all the equipment and facilities required to keep power flowing to your meter. You pay some more toward this expense through the monthly $15.00 customer charge. Since the amount of SDC can rise with your per kWh charge, the RCA limits the combined SDC and customer charge to $38.00 per month. While the minimum energy charge was formerly printed on every bill, even if zero kWh was billed, after August 1st. the SDC will print only on consumers’ bills that are eligible to receive the charge. Most HEA members will not see the SDC on their bill.
Net metering customers have been exempt from the minimum energy charge and will continue to be exempt from the SDC.
Line Extension Policy Change
Review of the present line extension charges show that during the past six years, HEA invested over $2.6 million in developer projects resulting in zero kilowatt hour sales. Since these projects are not generating any revenue for our cooperative, the costs must be recovered through all HEA member rates. Earlier this year a new line extension policy designed to address the problem was sent to the Regulatory Commission of Alaska. If added to the HEA tariff the new policy would increase charges for putting in electric service, especially for real estate developers. In the face of opposition from some developers the proposal has been withdrawn until next fall to allow HEA and RCA staff to look at ways to address those concerns.
Grass Roots Clean Energy Agenda
WASHINGTON, D.C. – June 27, 2012 – Fed up with the undue influence of the energy companies, utilities, lobbyists and other interests that are making it impossible for Washington to move forward decisively in achieving America’s clean energy future, 36 citizen organizations with more than 1.1 million combined members are joining forces to advance a nine-point “American Clean Energy Agenda” and to push for a serious renewable energy agenda no matter who is the next President or which party controls Congress.
Check out this interesting article forwarded to us by HEA Board of Directors Deputy Secretary, Jim Levine.
http://www.homerelectric.com/BoardofDirectorsElections/MeettheBoardofDirectors/tabid/254/Default.aspx
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Special Alaska Electric & Energy Cooperative Board Meeting
Special Alaska Electric & Energy Cooperative Board Meeting
9:00 AM
Friday, June 29, 2012
Kenai HEA Board Room (video conferencing from Homer offices)
This special meeting of HEA's generation and transmission arm was called to discuss and vote on approval of a contract for the Soldotna power plant construction, Phase 3 (Combustion Turbine Installation). The meeting is expected to last 30-45 minutes with the bulk of it in Executive Session.
9:00 AM
Friday, June 29, 2012
Kenai HEA Board Room (video conferencing from Homer offices)
This special meeting of HEA's generation and transmission arm was called to discuss and vote on approval of a contract for the Soldotna power plant construction, Phase 3 (Combustion Turbine Installation). The meeting is expected to last 30-45 minutes with the bulk of it in Executive Session.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Have You Voted That HEA Election Ballot?
If so, give yourself a pat on the back.
If not, you still have time.
Mail-in ballots must be received by HEA no later than May 2.
Elect capable, responsible, Directors to the Homer Electric Association Board.
David Thomas (District 1) Ed Oberts (District 2) Jim Levine (District 3)
HEA Members may also vote in person at the Annual Meeting on May 3 at Homer High School.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Regular HEA/AEEC Meetings
Regular HEA/AEEC Meetings
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
10:00 AM -- Operations and Special Projects
1:00 PM -- Finance Committee
3:00 PM -- AEEC Board Meeting
5:30 PM -- HEA Board Meeting
Warning: On the meeting calendar page of the HEA website when you "hover" the cursor over a meeting title an incorrect time is displayed. For example, 9:00 AM will be shown as the Operations Committee starting time. Click on the meeting title to get the right time.
Location: Meetings take place in the Kenai Offices at 280
Airport Way. Video conferencing is available in the Homer Offices at
3977 Lake Street, 907-235-8551. Draft agendas are available on the
HEA website at http://www.homerelectric.com/
Electronic Voting
Resolution 45.2012.02, proposing an amendment to HEA bylaws to allow electronic voting in annual elections is on the January 10 Operations Committee and HEA Board meeting agendas. If passed, an electronic voting option would not eliminate traditional paper ballots. At the October meeting, Operations Committee Chairman Jim Levine reported members' concerns about potential vote tampering. Hopefully, if electronic voting is approved, effective protection against hacking and vote manipulation will be incorporated into the system. If you are interested in this topic you should attend the 10:00 AM Operations Committee Meeting.
Energy from Garbage (thanks to Sustainable Homer for this reminder)
Wednesday the 11th: REAP Forum: Anchorage Landfill Methane Power Plant Get the live podcast online at: https://www1.gotomeeting.
New HEA Rate Structure
If you received your January HEA bill you probably noticed the new rate structure. The components of residential electric bills include:
New customer charge -- $15.00
New Blended energy charge -- 16.917 cents per kWh (HEA base rate + Cost of Power Adjustment)
Regulatory charge
Sales tax
The $15.00 customer charge is a bit low. It covers less than half the amount the RCA allows a utility to charge for its fixed costs (basically, everything needed to provide service to a customer except the electricity). This leaves HEA still recovering a large part of those fixed costs through the per kWh energy charge. That's why the monthly 150 kWh minimum energy charge was added. The minimum is really just an additional, but variable, customer charge disguised as an energy charge. That's why the RAPA and the RCA were reticent to approve it. When they finally did, the RCA capped the combined minimum energy charge and customer service charge at $38.38. HEA can't exceed that amount no matter how much the per kWh energy rate increases without going back to the RCA.
According to HEA the typical residential member uses an average 630 kWh a month and will see a 7.2% decrease in their bill under the new plan. The lowest consumption members will see an increase in their rates, however. See the news story at http://homernews.com/stories/
Renewable Energy Money for HEA Members
HEA has offered relatively low interest loans (up to $5,000) through its "Line of Credit Program" for a number of years. These are designed to help members upgrade to more efficient appliances, improved electrical and plumbing systems and much more. At the December Board meeting, small scale renewable generation equipment and services were added to the list of acceptable uses for the loans. Learn more about the program at http://www.homerelectric.com/
Heating with Lower Cost Off-peak Electricity
HEA General Manager Brad Janorschke has proposed investigating an Electronic Thermal Storage (EST) pilot program for 2012. It would enable members to offset higher cost propane and fuel oil with lower cost off-peak electricity. Off-peak energy sales allow dispatchers greater flexibility in maximizing system efficiency. For example, shifting demand from peak use hours to lower demand times can avoid the need to fire up additional generation or purchase power from other producers -- both expensive options. This strategy was not a practical option under HEA's present power purchase agreement with Chugach Electric Association, however. Once HEA is generating most of our power, reduced off-peak electric rates become a real possibility.
ETS units are designed to be used as energy storage devices that can help us incorporate fluctuating renewable energy resources like wind power by evening out and balancing energy demand. An out-of-budget expenditure will be presented to the HEA Board for approval prior to proceeding with the project. If you are interested in this kind of project you should attend the 5:30 PM HEA Board meeting to ask questions and tell the Board what you think.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
10:00 AM -- Operations and Special Projects
1:00 PM -- Finance Committee
3:00 PM -- AEEC Board Meeting
5:30 PM -- HEA Board Meeting
Warning: On the meeting calendar page of the HEA website when you "hover" the cursor over a meeting title an incorrect time is displayed. For example, 9:00 AM will be shown as the Operations Committee starting time. Click on the meeting title to get the right time.
Electronic Voting
Resolution 45.2012.02, proposing an amendment to HEA bylaws to allow electronic voting in annual elections is on the January 10 Operations Committee and HEA Board meeting agendas. If passed, an electronic voting option would not eliminate traditional paper ballots. At the October meeting, Operations Committee Chairman Jim Levine reported members' concerns about potential vote tampering. Hopefully, if electronic voting is approved, effective protection against hacking and vote manipulation will be incorporated into the system. If you are interested in this topic you should attend the 10:00 AM Operations Committee Meeting.
Energy from Garbage (thanks to Sustainable Homer for this reminder)
Wednesday the 11th: REAP Forum: Anchorage Landfill Methane Power Plant Get the live podcast online at: https://www1.gotomeeting.
If you received your January HEA bill you probably noticed the new rate structure. The components of residential electric bills include:
New customer charge -- $15.00
New Blended energy charge -- 16.917 cents per kWh (HEA base rate + Cost of Power Adjustment)
Regulatory charge
Sales tax
The $15.00 customer charge is a bit low. It covers less than half the amount the RCA allows a utility to charge for its fixed costs (basically, everything needed to provide service to a customer except the electricity). This leaves HEA still recovering a large part of those fixed costs through the per kWh energy charge. That's why the monthly 150 kWh minimum energy charge was added. The minimum is really just an additional, but variable, customer charge disguised as an energy charge. That's why the RAPA and the RCA were reticent to approve it. When they finally did, the RCA capped the combined minimum energy charge and customer service charge at $38.38. HEA can't exceed that amount no matter how much the per kWh energy rate increases without going back to the RCA.
According to HEA the typical residential member uses an average 630 kWh a month and will see a 7.2% decrease in their bill under the new plan. The lowest consumption members will see an increase in their rates, however. See the news story at http://homernews.com/stories/
Renewable Energy Money for HEA Members
HEA has offered relatively low interest loans (up to $5,000) through its "Line of Credit Program" for a number of years. These are designed to help members upgrade to more efficient appliances, improved electrical and plumbing systems and much more. At the December Board meeting, small scale renewable generation equipment and services were added to the list of acceptable uses for the loans. Learn more about the program at http://www.homerelectric.com/
Heating with Lower Cost Off-peak Electricity
HEA General Manager Brad Janorschke has proposed investigating an Electronic Thermal Storage (EST) pilot program for 2012. It would enable members to offset higher cost propane and fuel oil with lower cost off-peak electricity. Off-peak energy sales allow dispatchers greater flexibility in maximizing system efficiency. For example, shifting demand from peak use hours to lower demand times can avoid the need to fire up additional generation or purchase power from other producers -- both expensive options. This strategy was not a practical option under HEA's present power purchase agreement with Chugach Electric Association, however. Once HEA is generating most of our power, reduced off-peak electric rates become a real possibility.
ETS units are designed to be used as energy storage devices that can help us incorporate fluctuating renewable energy resources like wind power by evening out and balancing energy demand. An out-of-budget expenditure will be presented to the HEA Board for approval prior to proceeding with the project. If you are interested in this kind of project you should attend the 5:30 PM HEA Board meeting to ask questions and tell the Board what you think.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
HEA/AEEC Meetings Tuesday, December 13, 2011
10:00 AM -- Operations and Special Projects
1:00 PM -- Finance Committee
3:00 PM -- AEEC Board Meeting
5:30 PM -- HEA Board Meeting
Warning: On the meeting calendar page of the HEA
website when you "hover" the cursor over a meeting title an
incorrect time is displayed. For example, 9:00 AM will be shown as
the Operations Committee starting time. Click on the meeting title
to get the right time.1:00 PM -- Finance Committee
3:00 PM -- AEEC Board Meeting
5:30 PM -- HEA Board Meeting
Location: Meetings take place in the Kenai Offices at 280 Airport Way. Video conferencing is available in the Homer Offices at 3977 Lake Street, 907-235-8551. Draft agendas should be available prior to meetings on the HEA website at http://www.homerelectric.com/
Your HEA Account Number is Being Changed
To accommodate the growing number of HEA members all account numbers will gain an additional digit. For example, if your account number was 12345-01 it will now be 12345-001. Check your next HEA statement for your new number and be sure to use it when referring to your account. Don't forget to notify your bank or other bill pay service of the change too. Contact HEA Member Services if you have questions (907-283-5831, 907-235-8551, 800-478-8551).
AEEC Meeting Minutes Now Available
The Alaska Electric & Energy Cooperative, Inc. is HEA's generation and transmission arm. HEA and AEEC Directors are the same people. Most of the major expenses for the Independent Light project have been incurred in the name of AEEC. While HEA Board meeting minutes have been posted for some time, AEEC meeting minutes were not available until now. HEA Members Forum has encouraged HEA staff and Board to post these and other information about AEEC for at least two years. Unfortunately, the minutes do not reflect how individual Directors have voted on various resolutions or include copies of those documents. Without such it is difficult for HEA members to evaluate Director performance but one can at lease get a sense of what transpired and when specific decisions were made. So, Kudos to Directors Debbie Debnam and Jim Levine for helping HEA take this step toward somewhat greater transparency. Go to http://www.homerelectric.com/
Monthly HEA Manager's Reports
Remember that you can download copies of Brad Janorschke's short monthly summary of recent coop developments and actions. Each report serves as the core of an update presented to Directors at the monthly HEA/AEEC meetings. While not as detailed as the in-person reports, website versions provide some useful information for any HEA member interested in tracking what management has to say about the coop. Go to http://www.homerelectric.com/
New HEA Rate Plan Coming January 1
There will be a single energy rate for all residential members with a new 150 kWh minimum charge and the present $11 per month customer charge will increase to $15. The HEA billing system may not be ready by then to accommodate the new minimum energy charge. In that case HEA will request a waiver from the Regulatory Commission of Alaska to postpone adding the energy minimum until billing software upgrades are completed.
Grant Lake/ Grant Creek Hydroelectric Project
Over the last four years HEA members have been pressing the coop to add renewable technology options to our energy "portfolio." HEA management and engineers have not appeared overly eager, however, dragging their feet particularly hard with respect to wind power. The controversial Grant Lake/Grant Creek small hydro project is HEA's first serious effort to respond to member desire for renewable energy. The project has been in the news quite a bit -- especially in recent months. Field studies must continue through 2012 and until they are completed a construction license application can't be submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Nonetheless, Kenai Hydro (HEA) recently submitted a grant request to the Alaska Energy Authority for construction money. That strikes some HEA members as proof that management plans to proceed with the project regardless of what the study data indicates. General Manager Brad Janorschke claims that nothing could be farther from the truth. In a September newspaper opinion piece he stated that, "If the studies show that there would be a serious impact to the overall health of the Kenai River watershed, HEA will not proceed with the project." Critics of the project find that difficult to believe, given the request to AEA for construction funds. And many feel the FERC permitting process is more about enabling projects than actually evaluating them on their merits.
While HEA members seem to want our coop to embrace renewable technology it's probably not just for the bragging rights. Most likely they want to see renewable projects make economic, social, and environmental sense. If built, will the Grant Lake project ultimately prove harmful to the Kenai River watershed ecosystem and the economy of the surrounding area? Or can the project be designed, built, and operated so it doesn't cause undue harm? And either way, will the ultimate cost per kWh be competitive with other options? If you don't know enough about this project to have an opinion why not do a little reading? Then let your HEA Board know how you feel.
Get information and the HEA management perspective.
http://www.kenaihydro.com/
Learn about the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
(it's mission, and the licensing process)
http://www.ferc.gov/
Get more information and the skeptics' perspective.
Resurrection Bay Conservation Alliance
http://www.rbca-alaska.org/
Alaska Center For the Environment
http://akcenter.org/forests-
Hydropower Reform Coalition
http://www.hydroreform.org/
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Dec. 7 Wind Power in AK Forum
Fire Island, Kodiak & More
|
6-8pm * Anchorage Museum * 625 C Street * FREE
Live Podcast: www1.gotomeeting.com/
Presenters:
Darron Scott, CEO of Kodiak Electric Association
Suzanne Gibson, CIRI Sr. Energy Development Director
Rich Stromberg, Alaska Energy Authority Wind Program Manager
More info: www.REalaska.org, 907.929.7770
|
Thursday, August 18, 2011
HEA Members Forum Update
THERE WILL BE A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE HEA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011 at 10:00 a.m.
Notice is hereby given that a Special Meeting of the Board of Directors of Homer Electric Association, Inc., pursuant to Article V, Sections 2, 3, and 6 of the Homer Electric bylaws, will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 25, 2011 at 280 Airport Way, Kenai, Alaska. The purpose of the meeting is to consider authorizing the General Manager to proceed in the application process to seek grant funding for the Kenai Hydro, LLC Hydroelectric Dam Project.
Video conferencing will be available in the Homer Offices at 3977 Lake Street, 907-235-8551.
http://www.kenaihydro.com/
http://akcenter.org/forests-
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