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Cape Light Compact to get paper makeover 

Among the most contentious adjustments to the plan are changes to language used to describe what compact officials should consider when buying power for their customers. The original language used the terms "best market rate for electricity supply and transparent pricing." Draft revised language states that the compact should "negotiate the best terms and conditions" for supply and pricing, and Chatham selectmen have asked that it read "best terms and conditions and the most competitive market rates available." Critics have argued that the use of best terms and conditions leaves the door open for compact officials to decide what that means without input from the public or local officials. "They should be looking for the best rates," said Lilli-Ann Green, a member of Windwise-Cape Cod from Wellfleet. Green said there is much in the aggregation plan that should be changed and more can be done locally rather than through the Cape and Vineyard Electric Cooperative to pursue appropriate renewable energy projects.

Credit:  By Patrick Cassidy | Cape Cod Times | March 12, 2014 | www.capecodonline.com ~~

BARNSTABLE – Cape Light Compact officials could vote as soon as today on revisions to the organization’s 14-year-old founding document.

The compact was formed in 1997 to buy power in bulk for electric customers on the Cape and Vineyard, provide energy-efficiency programs for local businesses and residents, and advocate for ratepayers. Its so-called aggregation plan was first approved by state regulators in 2000 to detail the compact’s structure, operations, services, funding and policies, according to the 19-page document.

While supporters contend the compact has saved customers money through its energy-efficiency programs and advocacy, critics argue that its power supply program has failed to remain competitive over the years. Critics also have focused on the compact’s support for the Cape and Vineyard Electric Cooperative and argue that the organizations have left the public in the dark on financial transactions involving ratepayer money.

In 2013, the state Department of Public Utilities asked the compact to review its aggregation plan to see if it should be changed, including to reflect an anticipated decision on an aggregation plan in Lowell.

Compact officials have since met with state energy officials and collected public comment on proposed revisions to the plan, according to compact Administrator Margaret Downey.

Compact officials also held information meetings for the public about the revisions and met with officials at local energy cooperative Cape & Islands Self-Reliance in January to discuss the plan.

A total of 79 letters were received during a two-month comment period, Downey said.

Of those, 65 were supportive of the compact, with about half of those specific to the proposed changes, she said. An additional 14 letters were not supportive of the proposed changes.

Among the most contentious adjustments to the plan are changes to language used to describe what compact officials should consider when buying power for their customers. The original language used the terms “best market rate for electricity supply and transparent pricing.”

Draft revised language states that the compact should “negotiate the best terms and conditions” for supply and pricing, and Chatham selectmen have asked that it read “best terms and conditions and the most competitive market rates available.”

Critics have argued that the use of best terms and conditions leaves the door open for compact officials to decide what that means without input from the public or local officials.

“They should be looking for the best rates,” said Lilli-Ann Green, a member of Windwise-Cape Cod from Wellfleet.

Green said there is much in the aggregation plan that should be changed and more can be done locally rather than through the Cape and Vineyard Electric Cooperative to pursue appropriate renewable energy projects.

Best terms and conditions reflects a host of different factors that could affect the value of a power supply contract, Downey said.

Self-Reliance officials have called for more wind energy, while Green and others have decried the use of wind turbines for energy when they are located in neighborhoods.

“Everything they are trying to institutionalize now I think is going to make it harder for towns to change things and make it harder for consumers to make sure they are adequately protected through the power supply program,” said Christopher Powicki, a longtime critic of the compact who is also a board member of Self-Reliance.

Powicki, who said he doesn’t speak for the Self-Reliance board, said the compact should include more renewable energy in its power supply, including from wind, and provide more opportunity for the public to have a say in its decisions.

During its existence, the compact has cost ratepayers tens of millions of dollars more than if they had all been purchasing their power directly from NStar, which is the region’s electricity distribution company, Powicki said.

Compact officials argue those costs are more than made up for by savings they’ve achieved for customers through the organization’s energy-efficiency programs and advocacy on distribution rates. In addition, the solar energy projects currently operating or being constructed by the cooperative with the compact’s financial support will save ratepayers at least $38 million in costs for transmission upgrades, Downey said, quoting a 2011 report prepared for the compact on the subject.

Self-Reliance President Richard Elrick said his organization’s board is most concerned with maximizing the amount of renewable energy generation and a focus on climate change.

The price of electricity is only one part of the bigger picture, he said.

DPU officials have asked that a revised plan be submitted to them by April 4.

The DPU will hold a public hearing on the plan at a future date, according to department spokeswoman Krista Selmi.

Source:  By Patrick Cassidy | Cape Cod Times | March 12, 2014 | www.capecodonline.com

This article is the work of the source indicated. Any opinions expressed in it are not necessarily those of National Wind Watch.

The copyright of this article resides with the author or publisher indicated. As part of its noncommercial educational effort to present the environmental, social, scientific, and economic issues of large-scale wind power development to a global audience seeking such information, National Wind Watch endeavors to observe “fair use” as provided for in section 107 of U.S. Copyright Law and similar “fair dealing” provisions of the copyright laws of other nations. Send requests to excerpt, general inquiries, and comments via e-mail.

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