CT Municipal Electric Energy Cooperative CMEEC

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE OF THE BOARDS OF DIECTORS OF CONNECTICUT MUNICIPAL ELECTRIC ENERGY COOPERATIVE AND CONNECTICUT TRANSMISSION MUNICIPAL ELECTRIC ENERGY COOPERATIVE December 2, 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” d/b/a “Transco”) was held via Zoom and telephonically on Thursday, December 2, 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 South Norwalk Electric and Water: David Westmoreland The following Non-Voting Members participated telephonically or via Zoom: Bozrah Light & Power: Scott Barber Bozrah Municipal Representative: Joseph Cirrito Jewett City Municipal Representative: George Kennedy South Norwalk Electric and Water: Alan Huth The following CMEEC Staff participated in person: Dave Meisinger, CMEEC CEO Robin Kipnis, Esquire, CMEEC General Counsel Margaret Job, CMEEC Paralegal and Compliance Specialist Others participated telephonically or via Zoom: Christopher Riley, Norwich Public Utilities Timothy Shea, Brown Rudnick David Silverstone, Esquire, Municipal Electric Consumer Advocate Others in Attendance: Trevor Ballantyne, Reporter, Norwich Bulletin Brendan Crowley, Reporter, Connecticut Examiner Ms. Job recorded. Committee Chair Louis Demicco called the meeting to order at 10:01 a.m. He explained that the meeting is being held via Zoom and telephonically. He asked that all participants’ devices 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 June 17, 2021 Regular Meeting of the Joint Legislative and Governmental Affairs Committee A motion was made by Committee Member Mark Oefinger, seconded by Committee Member Keith Hedrick to approve the Minutes of the June 17, 2021 Regular Meeting of the Joint Legislative and Governmental Affairs Committee. Motion passed unanimously. D 2022 State Energy Update: Timothy Shea, Brown Rudnick Timothy Shea, Brown Rudnick, provided a quick overview of the upcoming Legislative Session. He stated that the Legislature will be back in January with the 2022 Legislative Session beginning on February 9, 2022. He added that this a short session ending in May 2022. He explained that the primary energy focus in 2022 will be on the aspects of DEEP’s recently released final integrated resource plan. He further explained that PURA will focus on a two-year grid modernization docket which contains eleven sub-dockets.  Mr. Shea added that the state is reviewing the federal Infrastructure Bill which passed the House. Significant funding for improvements of Connecticut infrastructure is included in the Bill, including energy related infrastructure improvements. Discussions with the Connecticut DOT have begun related to the Bill which, he suggested, could impact CMEEC. He stated that more legislative topics will be known in January. Ms. Kipnis explained that CMEEC submitted its response to a letter received by DEEP related to how its conservation, load management and decarbonization activities will be reported, adding that CMEEC has hired a part time employee whose primary focus is on these matters and that the employee has been instrumental in CMEEC’s reporting activities. E Discussion of CMEEC Possible 2022 Legislative Agenda Topics Ms. Kipnis explained that while the 2022 Legislative Session will be short, she wanted to describe at a high level some potential areas to pursue. Discussion followed. F Regulatory Update: Federal Infrastructure Bills and High-Level Identification of Public Power Opportunities Ms. Kipnis walked the Committee through her summary of the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (“IIJA”) recently signed into law on November 15, 2021. She explained that CMEEC will continue to watch for upcoming opportunities. She then walked the Committee through major provisions of the IIJA highlighting funding for improvements to the electric transmission grid, healthy streets program, EV charging infrastructure, hydrogen and natural gas fueling infrastructure, electrification of buses, energy efficiency and hydroelectric production incentives. Ms. Kipnis explained that grant funding opportunities are connected with these provisions and that CMEEC will attempt to monitor and watch for when they become available. She added that there is no specific information as to when the grants will be available or the specifics about the grants, but CMEEC will watch for that. She further added that the Department of Energy is holding an informational hearing in December. She added that a notice will be provided related to the outcome of that hearing and any funding opportunities stemming from that hearing. Discussion followed. Ms. Kipnis then provided an update to the Build Back Better Act that she reported on at the June 17, 2021 meeting of this Committee. She stated that the Bill contains a high amount of climate related measures which is going before the Senate and changes are expected. Ms. Kipnis then explained that the Clean Electric Energy Payment, which came out of the Act, may be replaced with carbon free incentive tax incentives. This  bipartisan bill has more traditional approach to clean energy. The bill includes direct payments to electric cooperatives, allowing them to take advantage of the equivalent of tax incentives. Ms. Kipnis stated that CMEEC will continue to watch how this unfolds and what impact it may have. She stated an update on the Build Back Better Act will be provided at the January 2022 meeting of the Board. G New Business Legislative Rally – February 28 through March 2, 2022, The Mayflower Hotel, Washington, DC Ms. Kipnis explained that this topic is on the agenda for informational purposes. She opened the floor to the Committee to discuss participation at the meetings with the legislators and legislative staff in Washington, DC. She stated that the APPA intends for the meetings to be in person however CMEEC is considering hybrid or full Zoom meetings similar to last year’s meetings. The Committee agreed that last year’s Zoom meetings were very successful. Ms. Kipnis encouraged the Committee to consider participating this year and asked anyone interested to let her know. Brian Forshaw to Provide Update in ISO-NE Initiatives Ms. Kipnis informed the Committee that Mr. Forshaw, consultant with Energy Market Advisors, has been asked to provide an update to either this Committee or the Board or both. After discussion, the Committee agreed that Mr. Forshaw will provide the Update in the ISO-NE initiatives to the Board at its meeting in January 2022. H Adjourn A motion was made by Committee Chair Demicco, seconded by Committee Member Hedrick to adjourn. Motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 10:33 a.m.