CT Municipal Electric Energy Cooperative CMEEC

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE OF THE BOARDS OF DIRECTORS OF CONNECTICUT MUNICIPAL ELECTRIC ENERGY COOPERATIVE AND CONNECTICUT TRANSMISSION MUNICIPAL ELECTRIC ENERGY COOPERATIVE June 17, 2021 A Regular Meeting of the Joint Legislative and Governmental Affairs Committee of the Boards of Directors of Connecticut Municipal Electric Energy Cooperative (“CMEEC”) and Connecticut Transmission Municipal Electric Energy Cooperative (“CTMEEC” dba “Transco”) was held via Zoom and telephonically on Thursday, June 17, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. The meeting was legally noticed in compliance with Connecticut General Statutes and all proceedings, and all actions hereafter recorded occurred during the publicly open portions of the meeting. The following Committee Members participated telephonically or via Zoom: Groton Utilities: Keith Hedrick Groton Municipal Representative: Mark Oefinger Jewett City Department of Public Utilities: Louis Demicco Norwich Municipal Representative: David Eggleston Third Taxing District, East Norwalk: Michele Sweeney The following Non-Voting Members participated telephonically or via Zoom: Jewett City Department of Public Utilities: Richard Throwe Norwich Public Utilities: Christopher LaRose East Norwalk Municipal Representative: Pete Johnson The following CMEEC Staff participated telephonically or via Zoom: Dave Meisinger, CMEEC CEO Robin Kipnis, Esquire, CMEEC General Counsel Scott Whittier, CMEEC Director of Enabling Services Margaret Job, CMEEC Executive Assistant / Paralegal Others participated telephonically or via Zoom: Timothy Shea, Brown Rudnick David Silverstone, Esquire, Municipal Electric Consumer Advocate Ms. Job recorded. Committee Chair Louis Demicco called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. He explained that the meeting is being held via Zoom and telephonically. He asked that all participants’ devises remain on mute unless speaking to eliminate confusion and background noise. He requested that those speaking state their name before speaking for clarity of the record. Specific Action Item A Public Comment Period No public comment was made. B Roll Call Ms. Job conducted roll call with each participant responding individually as their names were called. Committee Chair Demicco confirmed a quorum was present. C Approve the Minutes of the March 11, 2021 Regular Meeting of the Joint Legislative and Governmental Affairs Committee A motion was made by Committee Member Michele Sweeney, seconded by Committee Member Keith Hedrick to Approve the Minutes of the March 11, 2021 Regular Meeting of the Joint Legislative and Governmental Affairs Committee. Motion passed unanimously. D Report on Connecticut General Assembly Legislation of Interest to CMEEC Timothy Shea of Brown Rudnick provided an update on the recently concluded state legislative session and reviewed legislation introduced by the Connecticut Energy & Technology Committee. He explained that Senate Bill 952 which addressed decarbonization goals as originally written would have required additional reporting requirements for municipal electric utilities on decarbonization efforts. He stated that testimony given by Mr. Meisinger and Kevin Barber at the legislative hearing did not oppose the additional reporting and explained that the Members currently have a similar requirement required by statute. He added that the reporting requirements have been removed from the bill and that Wallingford was instrumental in having the reporting requirement removed. Mr. Shea reported that the Legislature passed bills requiring integration of additional battery storage as well as legislation expanding broadband access. He added that the Senate will be meeting tonight to discuss the cannabis bill. He stated that Governor Lamont is prepared to sign this bill after Senate approval. Mr. Shea excused himself from the meeting at 10:10 a.m. E Report on Federal Legislation of Interest to CMEEC *Clean Energy for America Act *Clean Futures Act Ms. Kipnis provided a brief update on Federal legislation noting that neither of them have been passed as of today. She reported that a provision in the Clean Energy for America Act would allow public power utilities to receive refundable direct payments for clean energy investment on a scale similar to the existing investment and production tax credit. Ms. Kipnis explained that this bill will be brought up in the Senate with this provision in it. She added that if passed, this will be beneficial for public power consumers and clean energy projects. Ms. Kipnis next provided a brief overview of the Clean Futures Act stating it was introduced in the House in March. The bill establishes a federal clean energy standard of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Title 1 of the bill would decrease greenhouse emissions no less than 50% of the 2005 levels by 2030 and net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Title II of the bill addresses clean energy standards of 100% clean energy by 2035 by requiring retail electric suppliers to supply 80% clean energy by 2030 and 100% by 2035. She added that this is a comprehensive bill that covers transmission build-out, efficiency measures, transportation manufacturing and environmental justice measures. Ms. Kipnis explained that if this bill goes to budget reconciliation it is unlikely the clean energy standards will be passed. CMEEC will keep this Committee informed. F Other Business Ms. Kipnis updated the Committee stating that Mark Biron, a Groton Utilities employee, has been nominated for a seat on the NEPPA Board of Directors. The NEPPA Board will vote on the nomination at its business meeting scheduled for August. If elected, Mr. Biron will serve a term that will expire in August 2023, at which time his term may be renewed for a full three-year term. The Committee agreed that this nomination is a good thing for CMEEC and discussed a reporting mechanism to the Board on NEPPA Board activities. It was determined that Ms. Kipnis will consult with Mr. Biron on a regular basis and report back to the Board and if there is a matter of significance to the Board, she will invite Mr. Biron to participate at a Board meeting. Ms. Kipnis then updated the Committee on the report of the ISO Internal Market Monitor (“ISO-IMM”) in Spring of 2020 (the “Report”). That Report stated that certain behind the meter generation was being excluded from monthly load reporting in violation of the ISO-NE transmission tariff. She explained that ISO-NE will codify the activities being done related to behind the meter generation with a simple tariff change that will amend the definition of Regional Network Load to exclude behind the meter generation not participating in ISO-NE markets. . She stated that ISO-NE will file the tariff change with FERC at the end of June. Ms. Kipnis recommended that CMEEC file comments with FERC in favor of the tariff changes, noting that comments can be made jointly with other New England public power entities. G Adjourn A motion was made by Committee Member Mark Oefinger, seconded by Committee Member David Eggleston to adjourn. Motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 10:18 a.m.