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

**April 12, 2006**

**USB Members in attendance** (in person and via phone):

-   Brent Barclay -- Columbia River PUD

-   Keith Lockhart -- Springfield Utility Board

-   Tom Schumacher -- Benton Co. PUD

-   Bruce Etzel -- Benton REA

-   Mary Smith -- Puget Sound Energy

-   Kathy Moore -- Umatilla Electric/PNGC (via phone)

-   Mike Little - Seattle City Light (via phone)

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

-   Karen Meadows

-   Ken Keating (Energy with a Twist)

-   John Pyrch

-   Tim Scanlon (Commercial update, via phone)

-   Jennifer Eskil (Compressed Air update, via phone)

-   Rosalie Nourse (EER)

-   Mira Vowles

-   Krystal Villanueva

**Handouts:**

Agenda

Vendor Evaluation

PTCS Training Schedule

Training sign-up

PTCS Training Flyer

Brown Bag series agenda

Energy Star Brand Feedback

USB Roster & Proposed USB Term End Date

USB Membership

BPA Load Decrement Policy: post-2006

Savings with a Twist

Summary of 3/12/06 Conference Call

The following is a summary of the discussion on each of the meeting
agenda items:

[Utility Workshop Follow-up (Mira)]{.underline}

-   The vendor survey showed high ratings for the reception, with the
    exception of wireless service and "opportunity to learn about BPA
    programs". Mira asked for feedback on a draft the email reply to
    vendors; USB members suggested mentioning how much BPA spends on
    energy efficiency in the region, and explaining the difference
    between wholesale, retail and IOU utilities.

[PTCS Training (Mira)]{.underline}

-   ECOS has been hired to do 46 days of PTCS training in 2006 and 21
    days in 2007; as of April 3, 45 utilities had expressed an interest
    in training and 12 training sessions were scheduled.

-   BPA will try to overlap with the Alliance and state efforts.

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-   Kathy reported on the training she hosted. The training was going
    well but Kathy suggested not overlapping the duct sealing and heat
    pump commissioning, because some installers need both. Umatilla has
    16 installers in two heat pump commissioning sessions and 10
    installers in the duct sealing training.

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-   Kathy was able to get the discount for products available through
    the Energy Conservatory
    ([www.energyconservatory.com](http://www.energyconservatory.com/));
    they provide a 7.5 percent discount to utilities and PTCS certified
    contractors through the end of the year. Mira reported that the
    discount information was posted on the BPA moderated web-forum
    (<https://secure.bpa.gov/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=13&threadid=46>)
    on April 10.

\*E-mail updated PTCS training schedule to USB

\*Update the duct sealing document on the PTR. (All PTCS references
should be updated by May 15.)

[Brown Bag Series (Mira)]{.underline}

-   These "Brown Bag" conference calls will be mostly
    networking/sharing, very similar to the Utility Workshop.

-   BPA will provide either a toll free telephone bridge number. Mira
    will moderate.

-   The proposed dates and topics are May 17, 2006, on PTCS training,
    August 16, 2006, on CFL strategies, November 15, 2006, on commercial
    new construction and February 14, 2006, on commercial lighting. The
    quarterly calls are scheduled on third Wednesdays, from 11 am to
    noon.

-   The May 17 call on PTCS training will include overviews from Adam,
    Ottie and Kathy Moore. Kathy suggested that other utilities be
    invited to share their experiences on the PTR training.

-   EERs will send out the details.

[John Pyrch Updates]{.underline}

*PFR --* No change in conservation; no budget cuts.

*Rate Case --*

-   No questions about conservation in the cross exam or testimonials.

-   BPA received a recommendation letter from the PPC regarding High
    Water Marks.

-   BPA is drafting a response to the PPC letter.

-   BPA received a letter from the NWPPC expressing their concerns about
    long-term approach to conservation

\* Provide copy of PPC and NWPPC letters-- (hard copy provided later at
the meeting)

*RTF --*

-   The RTF has developed a long term business plan, and BPA has
    provided comments.

-   BPA is not willing to commit to a year to year plan; it's too hard
    for our planning.

-   BPA is doing another capital public review process this Spring.

-   A USB member requested RTF reevaluation of window cost effectiveness
    for low income.

-   A USB member requested RTF deeming of ENERGY STAR^®^ vending
    machines; BPA may want to consider an initiative for ENERGY STAR
    vending machines

*Decrement --*

-   No change through 2009; post-2009 is unknown.

-   One USB member expressed concern about post-2011. The post-2011
    policy is still being drafted.  No one at BPA can provide assurance
    one way or another about a single portion of the overall long term
    policy until we go through the public process. One objective in the
    preparation of the policy is to avoid creating disincentives for
    conservation. 

*Plan B --* BPA's goal is for everyone to be successful.

-   BPA may provide additional help to utilities if their CRC funds
    aren't being spent.

-   The USB could help with a brainstorming conference call, pulling
    from their knowledge and experience. Working together is the key.

-   One USB member asked about shifting money from one utility to
    another, similar to CARES or IDEA. BPA is looking at options.

-   Puget uses a competitive solicitation process to allocate funding in
    a large industrial customer program.

*3^rd^ Party --*

-   BPA will request Utility permission for 3^rd^ party work in the
    utility service territory.

-   Working on details for using rate credit and tracking through PTR.

*PTR System --* John asked for feedback on the PTR system.

-   One USB member noted that it's not harder to use, it's just
    different. Once people get used to the changes they'll be fine.

[ENERGY STAR Brand (John Pyrch)]{.underline}

-   John is on the CEE Board, which wants input on the ENERGY STAR
    brand.

-   Most USB members use ENERGY STAR in their programs.

-   There is confusion when the yellow energy label, which is mandatory,
    and the ENERGY STAR specs don't match.

-   Self certification for the ENERGY STAR label is not rigorous enough
    and can damage the ENERGY STAR reputation/name.

-   Need more alignment between BPA, EPA and RTF specs.

-   Promotions come and go; for example no one was sure whether
    programmable thermostats were still ENERGY STAR. Need to let
    consumers and utilities know when something changes.

-   ENERGY STAR standards are always higher than federal standards.

-   ENERGY STAR Homes aren't as popular in the PNW as they are in other
    parts of the country; National awards for ENERGY STAR builders --
    but none in PNW.

-   Puget works with builders for a "Built Green" label, which is more
    like LEEDs than ENERGY STAR. Puget gives rebates to builders,
    depending on which measures they install.

-   There are no multi-family ENERGY STAR specs.

[Commercial New Construction (Tim Scanlon)]{.underline}

-   Need to get in during the site review process to influence the
    building owner and designer as early as possible.

-   It's too late to try to influence anything except lighting during
    the energy code review process.

-   Modeling takes too long; need to streamline the requirements and
    approval process. Prescriptive path with menu options would be
    preferred.

-   Modeling would be required for high-rise buildings and custom
    projects; BPA should incent for modeling as part of the program
    infrastructure. Developing a Roadmap for new construction was
    suggested.

-   Local architects and builders -- need concrete options and
    incentives to influence their decisions quickly.

-   Need to agree on free riders so measures don't get disqualified
    later.

-   Shooting for late May for a regional collaborative meeting on
    Commercial New Construction; will send agenda out for comment soon.

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-   One USB member has established energy focus groups -- first focus
    will be lighting and vendors, then compressed air and new
    construction.

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-   Need fact sheets that compare lighting levels and light quality for
    different technologies; the Seattle Lighting Lab was mentioned as a
    possible resource.

[Compressed Air Roadmap]{.underline} [(Jennifer Eskil)]{.underline}

-   Which components of the roadmap are useful to any particular utility
    will vary with size and expertise of the utility

-   BPA will asses the usefulness of this type of material after
    utilities have had a chance to use the roadmap components

-   Final Compressed Air Roadmap documents should be posted to BPA's
    web-site by April 28; there won't be another interim draft to
    review.

-   Looking for one utility to work with BPA on a compressed air focus.

-   Utilities choosing the 15 cent Industrial option will no longer have
    access to BPA engineers, but they can definitely use any of the
    Compressed Air Roadmap documents.

-   Jennifer mentioned that she is requesting additional TSP providers
    for the east side, and with compressed air and CVR experience.

[Grocery Store Program Status (Karen Meadows)]{.underline}

-   Karen said the Grocery Store Program contract structure is in final
    review with BPA legal staff; she hopes it is ready to roll out
    before FY07.

-   One USB member expressed concern that PECI could pay grocery stores
    different amounts for the same measures.

-   Need to make sure end-user (grocery store) knows that the utility is
    paying for the incentive when PECI writes the checks.

-   Each utility would sign up to have PECI work in their territory.
    Need to specify that PECI tell utility ahead of time when they will
    be in their service territory, and give the utility the option to go
    with PECI to the grocery store.

-   Utilities need an estimate of the kWh potential in their service
    territory, so they can budget for this work.

-   PECI should not put out press releases about the grocery store
    program.

-   Springfield has not been able to crack the grocery store market even
    at 20 or 25¢.

[Savings with a Twist (Ken Keating)]{.underline}

-   In 2005, Savings with a Twist saved 4.35 aMW at \$0.3M/aMW; 1.15
    million bulbs sold through Savings with a Twist out of 7.5 million
    total CFL's sold in region. NEEA estimated that CFL's are now in 15
    percent of available sockets.

-   In 2006, the focus will be on small, rural markets (i.e., grocery
    stores, not big box stores). This will likely result in fewer bulbs
    sold.

-   CFL's will be between 18 and 23 watts. Estimated cost to utility or
    BPA is \$1.70 to \$1.80/bulb; cost to consumer will be 99¢, CRC
    credits \$2.50/bulb plus admin.

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-   Lessons learned: advertising created unrealized expectations in some
    markets.

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-   Utilities can decide if bulbs are put in stores in their service
    territory -- they can opt out.

-   Utility can take credit through either CRC or CAA, or BPA will take
    credit.

-   Utility can self-fund the program in agreement with PECI.

-   The RFP went out to manufacturers last week; should be notifying
    utilities in May about which stores are likely to be in the 2006
    Savings with a Twist.

-   Utility must pay 50 percent of bulb cost up front for bulbs -- with
    true-up when bulbs are sold.

-   Shipments are scheduled to start August 16, ending with sales Nov.
    30, 2006.

-   Need to educate users about where bulbs shouldn't be used.

[Jump Starting Notebook (Rosalie Nourse)]{.underline}

-   Rosalie is checking whether BPA can send one notebook to each
    utility.

-   The USB suggested that we leverage the work Rosalie did on the Jump
    Start Notebook and incorporate it in the Salmon Manual.

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-   The Notebook is more user friendly than the implementation manual.

[EE Newsletter]{.underline}

-   EE Newsletter is quarterly (January, April, July and October). Would
    like to include USB Q&A's, how the sounding board influences the key
    issues and any hot topics in a USB column.

-   The USB and BPA decided that BPA would draft an article and send to
    USB for input and review.

> \*Get all USB Members on the EE Newsletter distribution list - Done

[USB Proposed Terms]{.underline}

-   All three utilities leaving. The USB in April 2007 are from
    Washington; both Keith and Brent volunteered to change their terms
    to prevent this.

-   Van Ashton was selected as a replacement for Peter Anderson.

> \*BPA EER's will be asked to solicit interested parties to serve on
> the USB.

[USB Meetings]{.underline}

-   Frequency of meetings was discussed, and the USB decided to stay
    with bi-monthly face-to-face meetings.

-   The next meeting is a conference call on May 10.