**Utility Sounding Board (USB) Call Summary**

**September 13, 2006**

**USB members in attendance via phone:**

-   Van Ashton -- Idaho Falls Power/IDEA

-   Brent Barclay -- Columbia River PUD

-   Bruce Etzel -- Benton REA

-   Keith Lockhart -- Springfield Utility Board

-   Kathy Moore -- Umatilla Electric/PNGC

-   Tom Schumacher -- Benton PUD

-   Mary Smith -- Puget Sound Energy

    *Not present: Keith Lockhart -- Springfield Utility Board and Jay
    Himlie -- Mason Co. PUD #3*

    **BPA staff in attendance at various times:**

-   Becky Clark

-   Mark Johnson

-   Ken Keating

-   Karen Meadows

-   Ottie Nabors

-   Rosalie Nourse

-   Jean Oates

-   Jennifer Wood

    **[USB Accomplishments (Karen Meadows)]{.underline}**

Karen Meadows solicited USB input on what they feel the USB has
accomplished since its inception in July 2005. To get started in
providing that input, the USB might want to glance through the USB
meeting summaries on the BPA EE web site:
<http://www.bpa.gov/Energy/N/Utilities_Sharing_EE/Utility_Sounding_Board/Meet_Sum/>.

**[Circuit Rider (Rosalie Nourse)]{.underline}**

Rosalie Nourse is the Energy Efficiency Representative (EER) on BPA\'s
commercial sector team. The EE Circuit Rider (CR) approach is intended
to help BPA customers achieve kWh savings in commercial lighting
retrofits and new construction (when rolled out). The Needs Assessment
EERs conducted recently with their top five customers (in terms of
potential commercial lighting projects) indicates the areas where
utilities could use help.

-   Needs identified through that assessment include:

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-   On the job assistance and training marketing

-   Education /and training, e.g., \"Lighting 101\" workshops for
    utilities and vendors; assistance in product technology and
    recommending an appropriate replacement.

-   Marketing and marketing materials.

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-   The USB would like to see the Needs Assessment/survey results.

-   BPA plans to use the CR approach, but budget is limited. How to best
    use those funds for the CR is still under discussion.

-   The CR approach need not be all inclusive. Some things, like
    marketing could be done centrally or at a utility, but shared and
    used by all.

-   A subset of customers may need CR time and assistance, while other
    utilities will need something other than the CR.

-   There are other ways to meet utility needs than through just the CR.
    Perhaps create an implementation manual focused on lighting, i.e.,
    all of the steps for a successful lighting program. Materials could
    be generated that everyone could use if they want.

-   \[BPA: The CR could be targeted where needed and other materials
    developed separately.\]

    **[Big Box Statement of Work (Mark Johnson)]{.underline}**

    Mark Johnson is the Residential Sector lead for Energy Efficiency.
    Mark presented information on the \"Big Box\" (BB) campaign
    statement of work, which is a compact fluorescent lamp (CFL)
    promotion that will be offered through retail stores such as Costco,
    Home Depot, Lowe\'s, and Wal-Mart. The goal of the campaign is to
    promote CFLs and to drive the cost down. The contract for the Big
    Box promotion should be awarded in October, with work to begin in
    January 2007.

-   The BB promotion, unlike Savings with a Twist^®^ (SWAT), will
    promote specialty CFLs. Although the contractor selected to
    implement BB may recommend different products, BPA has proposed the
    following:

    1.  Recessed lighting ENERGY STAR^®^ high-heat CFL reflectors
        (unitary lamps, not reflectors in the can), and

    2.  Dimmable-CFL reflector (lamps).

    3.  Standard 18-24 Watt ENERGY STAR-qualified "twister" CFLs will
        supplement the specialty lights.

-   High-heat bulbs will require PEARL (Program for the Evaluation and
    Analysis of Residential Lighting) testing; the proposed induction
    bulbs have not yet gone through PEARL.

-   One USB member expressed concern that the BB promotion would not
    work, based on the SWAT campaign, which is not going well for her
    utility. The General Manager went to several stores and couldn\'t
    find SWAT anywhere, although it should have been in area stores in
    August.

-   Other USB members reported that SWAT is available in their areas.

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-   [Participation]{.underline}: Utilities will have the opportunity to
    participate in the program in one of two ways:

1.  A utility may participate through payment for the costs of the
    program in order to claim credit/reimbursement under the CRC or CAA.
    If the utility wants to participate in this way, they can contract
    directly with the contractor. Utilities that want to claim the
    savings will be credited/reimbursed under the CRC or CAA at \$2.50
    per purchased CFL.

2.  Some utilities may self-fund the program without receiving
    credit/reimbursement under the CRC or CAA, they too can contract
    directly with the contractor.

> BPA will pick up the cost (and claim the savings) for any bulbs not
> claimed and paid for by specific utilities regardless of which service
> territory they occur in.
>
> In addition, a utility also may support overall CFL sales by providing
> general ENERGY STAR lighting education to the consumers in their
> service territory. The contractor will provide informational templates
> for utility use in designing education materials.

**[PTCS™ Training (Ottie Nabors)]{.underline}**

Ottie Nabors updated the USB on PTCS training progress and plans.

-   As of September 13, 27 heat pump training sessions have been
    offered, and about 260 HVAC technicians are trained. This does not
    include another 20 with incomplete data; 30 more will be trained by
    October 31.

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-   Training has not been offered in all areas. In October, training
    will be offered for Tillamook, McMinnville, and Forest Grove. Lewis,
    Centralia, and Kootenai will also participate in training at a later
    date.

-   The original budget for training was \$25,000 for BPA fiscal
    year[^1] 2007. Several more utilities have an interest in training.
    Due to budget constraints, BPA may not be able to do all requested
    training. BPA is considering cost sharing where the utility pays a
    percentage of the training costs, or in the case of utilities that
    want multiple sessions, the utility would pick up the entire cost.

-   The biggest gap is in S. Idaho (IDEA) which will emphasize support
    in the coming year.

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-   For Oregon utilities, Proctor CheckMe! Training is acceptable under
    the PTCS. BPA is trying to work out something where this would be
    accepted.

-   The Ecos Certified Technician Registry
    (<http://www.ptcsnw.com/Technicians.aspx>) is up and running.

-   Certified Technicians will need to know how to fill out the forms.
    Summer peaking is higher than what\'s required for the Oregon Energy
    Tax Credit.

-   At least one USB member is concerned that utilities that still need
    training sessions are disadvantaged. Early start utilities were able
    to get the training, and now the funding is gone.

    **[PTR Training (Jennifer Wood)]{.underline}**

Jennifer Wood of BPA\'s Energy Efficiency office in Walla Walla,
Washington provided information on upcoming PTR system training for
utilities.

-   September 20, 1 -- 4:30 p.m.; September 21, 8:30 -- noon.

-   Utilities are invited to attend one of the video conference training
    sessions at one of four BPA offices with video equipment. (Utilities
    should talk to their EERs for more information.)

-   Jennifer will send the USB an overview of what Nora Miller will
    cover in the sessions. Key points of the training will include:

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-   Introduction

-   Review major changes from the C&RD system to the PTR system

-   Demonstrate the CAA/CRC tracking in PTR

-   Utility/admin function pages

-   Making and using \"Carts\"

-   Finding measures (this includes short cuts)

-   Overview and in-depth Custom Project Proposals

-   Commercial lighting calculator

-   Report features

-   Query function

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-   One USB member stated that out of the blue, PNGC utilities were
    informed that they will be limited to having a Guest Account in the
    PTR, even though individual utilities need to have full access to
    their data. Who made that decision? Why is it so hard to make
    changes? \[BPA: It will cost to change the program. PNGC was asked
    to pick up the cost, but they said no. This wasn't a quick decision,
    much discussion occurred between BPA and Eugene Rosolie.\]

-   Patricia Tawney is the technical point between BPA and Nora
    Miller\'s shop.

    **[Brown Bag Sessions (Becky Clark)]{.underline}**

Becky Clark announced upcoming Brown Bag Sessions. The sessions
generally are on Wednesdays, but the September 15 and September 29
sessions are on Fridays. The information for the sessions, usually a
PowerPoint presentation, is usually available on the web site several
days in advance of the sessions at:
[http://www.bpa.gov/Energy/N/Utilities%5FSharing%5FEE/Utility%5FBrown%5FBag/](http://www.bpa.gov/Energy/N/Utilities_Sharing_EE/Utility_Brown_Bag/).
*(Click on the archive link at the bottom of the page for past session
materials.)*

-   Upcoming sessions:

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-   Friday, September 15: PTR Software -- Reporting Lighting Retrofits

-   Friday, September 29: PTR Software -- Reporting Commercial &
    Industrial New Construction Lighting.

-   Wednesday, October 4: Understanding Total Resource Cost

-   Wednesday, October 25: Grocery Store Offerings

    **[Regional Dialogue/High Water Mark (Ken Keating)]{.underline}**

The USB and other utilities are concerned about the High Water Mark
(HWM), and many did not attend or listen in via telephone to the
Long-Term Regional Dialogue (LTRD) Policy Proposal September 11, 2006,
meeting. In that meeting the HWM that is associated with utility net
requirements now and in 2010 was discussed. Some USB members said they
were not aware of the meeting.

(In the August 9, 2006, USB meeting, Karen Meadows updated the USB about
Verification of Self-funded Conservation, the High Water Mark, and the
Long Term Regional Dialogue Policy Proposal. (See meeting notes at
<http://www.bpa.gov/Energy/N/Utilities_Sharing_EE/Utility_Sounding_Board/doc/080906_USB_Sum.doc>.
*Copy and paste the link into your browser address/URL line, if clicking
the link doesn\'t work.*)

Ken Keating led a discussion about the HWM and the September 11, 2006,
LTRD meeting. *(Ken is available to answer related questions: (503)
230-5857).*

The USB had several comments and/or questions:

-   Ken\'s spreadsheet with different HWM scenarios is helpful. (Click
    on this link to view:
    <http://www.bpa.gov/power/pl/regionaldialogue/LTRD_Conservation_at_50__090506.xls>

-   Why wouldn\'t it be beneficial to utilities to count 100 percent for
    BPA funded just like self-funded?

-   \[Ken: It would create cost shifts and disadvantage utilities
    without large conservation potential and large staffs.\]

-   The HWM appears as a disincentive to aggressive conservation. If we
    push forward now with conservation it will impact our HWM. We have
    to verify and report.

-   \[Ken: There\'s a fairly major incentive if the 50/100 percent split
    continues. In this way, in addition to credit for their own
    conservation, they will share some credit for the conservation done
    by others with their rate money. All this helps utilities avoid
    buying on the spot market.

    1.  Since the credit is based on the MWs achieved, not on the
        dollars spent. Utilities should do measures that provide more
        MWs for the dollars invested.\]

-   We have to match BPA dollars to get anything done. \[i.e., the BPA
    credits/reimbursements are too low.\]

-   \[Ken: Clark Public Utilities has a waiting list for a 20 percent
    commercial incentive.\]

-   That\'s not true for all utilities; we\'ve paid 50 mills/kWh to fund
    conservation across the region.

-   \[Ken: The purpose of the September 11 LTRD Policy Proposal meeting
    was to get the utility perspective. Utilities aren\'t prepared for
    Tier 2 rates. Conservation at 2‑3 mills/kWh is a much better deal
    than buying power on the spot market for \$70‑\$80/MW.\]

-   How will utilities doing self-funded conservation impact BPA
    targets?

-   \[Ken: We addressed some of these issues on September 11, and will
    have additional meetings to discuss them. Self-funded conservation
    will count toward the BPA targets, because BPA is providing a MW
    incentive instead of a cash incentive. Also BPA rates could go down
    if utilities do a lot of self-funded conservation.\]

-   The 50-100 percent add- back is just a proposal now, and BPA is
    looking for customer input.

-   Seattle City Light worked up several different scenarios that are
    posted on the LTRD web site at:
    <http://www.bpa.gov/power/pl/regionaldialogue/Seattle_analysis_of_bpa_funding.xls>.
    (Glen Atwood at SCL ran the numbers for the scenarios. His number
    is (206) 684-3763.)

-   \[Ken: the consensus BPA is looking for in the LTRD is not focused
    on conservation, but on IOU/public equity. BPA could fall back to
    the 1984 policy -- in which case, much of this is moot, your net
    requirements are your net requirements.\]

-   The challenge SCL has is that it is a fixed resource system; a
    utility may get 44‑45 percent, not 50 percent. With 100 percent, a
    utility may only get 95 percent. Is that BPA\'s understanding?

-   \[Ken: Yes. It\'s all relative to what everyone else is doing. Not
    everyone has the potential to achieve 100 percent.\]

-   Utilities need to know that if they do the conservation they won\'t
    be hurt.

-   \[Ken: BPA can\'t guarantee it; the intent is to make it attractive
    without shifting money from one utility to another.\]

-   This is what utilities need to hear.

-   How is it different for Slice, Full Requirements, and Slice/Block
    utilities? Will they have to buy on the market?

-   {Ken: The 20-year LTRD proposal basically will make everyone a
    partial requirements customer. Everyone faces marginal market
    prices.\]

-   \[Ken: Conservation is a much better deal than buying power on the
    spot market.\]

-   SCL questions whether to take a CAA, given the current situation.
    "We will do the CRC." We have to report the conservation, no matter
    who funds it, in order to get it added back to the HWM.

    **[Other Issues]{.underline}**

-   Matching up what vendors propose with the drop down menu in the
    Planning, Tracking, and Reporting System is hard.

    **[USB Rotation and Related Issues]{.underline}**

-   USB members aren\'t sure who\'s rotating in/off on what date, and
    what the transition coverage will be. \[BPA will re-send the
    rotation schedule to the USB.\]

-   The October 11 face-to-face meeting will be beneficial for new USB
    members.

-   The USB has lasting benefits for this group \[members rotating
    out?\].

Action Items

+------+---------------------------------------------------------------+
| BPA  | -   Rosalie to send the results of the Needs Assessment to    |
|      |     the USB.                                                  |
|      |                                                               |
|      | -   Re-send the USB rotation schedule to current and new      |
|      |     members.                                                  |
+------+---------------------------------------------------------------+
| USB  | -   USB to provide input to Karen Meadows on what they feel   |
|      |     the USB has accomplished since its inception in           |
|      |     July 2005. (USB meeting summaries are available at        |
|      |     http://www.bpa.gov/En                                     |
|      | ergy/N/Utilities_Sharing_EE/Utility_Sounding_Board/Meet_Sum/) |
+------+---------------------------------------------------------------+

Next Meetings

+------------------+---------------------------------------------------+
| -   October 11,  | Face-to-face meeting, 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.      |
|     2006:        |                                                   |
+------------------+---------------------------------------------------+
| -   November 8,  | Conference call, 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.          |
|     2006:        |                                                   |
+------------------+---------------------------------------------------+

**Potential Agenda Items for Next Meeting:**

-   USB Accomplishments

-   2007 Utility workshop

-   Grocery Store Program

[^1]: BPA\'s fiscal year runs from October 1 through September 30.