HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024 12 19MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE ELECTRIC UTILITY OPERATIONS REVIEW & ADVISORY BOARD
(EUORAB)
DECEMBER 19, 2024
The regular meeting of EUORAB was called to order by Jeff Witt at 12:01 p.m. on
December 19, 2024. EUORAB Members present were Jeff Witt, Randy Larabee,
Jonathon Fleming, and Mariele Wagle. Mike Wilson was absent. Also present were
Electric Director Donald Kom, Assistant Electric Director Curtis Spence, and Energy
Services Coordinator Joel Zook.
Public Forum: James & Mary Bernau and Bob Haug were present.
See Attachment 1 for Mr. Haug’s statement and hand out.
Approval of Meeting Minutes from September 18, 2024; October 24, 2024; and
November 21, 2024: Moved by Larabee, seconded by Fleming, to approve the minutes
of September 18, 2024. Vote 4-0. Moved by Wagle, seconded by Larabee, to approve
the minutes of October 24, 2024. Vote 4-0. Moved by Fleming, seconded by Wagle to
approve the minutes of November 21, 2024. Vote 4-0. All motions passed.
Value of Solar: Joel shared with the Board that there are 211 customer owned solar
installations in Ames with a total capacity of 1,600 kWh. He suggested the cap for
customer owned solar be raised from 2 MW to 5 MW to which the Board agreed.
Joel then proceeded to share the two options EUORAB members requested to hear more
about for solar buyback. Option A would include a new solar buyback rate of 6.8 cents
per kilowatt-hour and keep the existing rebate of $100 per kW. The buyback rate for
Commercial and Industrial customers would be set at 6.53 and 6.42 cents per kilowatt-
hour respectively. Joel explained that Option A would not require any grandfathering of
existing customers, and the compensation rate would be the same year-round for both
residential and small commercial customers.
Joel shared that Option B would consist of a front-loaded rebate with an energy only
avoided cost buyback rate. He said the rebate would increase to $600 per kW and the
solar buyback rate would be set at 3.5 cents per kilowatt-hour. This would be a new rate
and rebate structure for new solar customers. Existing solar customers would likely not
want to opt in to this option, so two tariffs would need to be maintained for several years.
Joel explained that the existing program would have a sunset date for existing customers.
Customers who install solar systems prior to the sunset date should have the option of
using the old or the new program.
Moved by Larabee, seconded by Wagle to approve Option B and forward to City Council
for approval. Vote 3-0-1. Fleming abstained. Motion passed.
Capital Improvements Plan 2025-2030: Don presented the 2025-2030 CIP to EUORAB.
The CIP will be presented to Council Wednesday, February 5, for approval.
Adjourned at 2:12 p.m.
____________________________ _______________________________
Jeff Witt, Chairperson Jacque Higgins, Recording Secretary