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 15, 2023 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 15, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. The meeting was legally noticed in compliance with Connecticut General Statutes and all proceedings, and all actions thereafter recorded occurred during the publicly open portions of the meeting. The following Committee Members participated: Bozrah Light & Power: Scott Barber Groton Utilities: Jeffrey Godley Jewett City Department of Public Utilities: Louis Demicco Jewett City Municipal Representative: George Kennedy Norwich Public Utilities: Chris Riley (Non-Board Member) Norwich Municipal Representative: David Eggleston South Norwalk Electric & Water: Michele Sweeney The following Non-Voting Members participated: Bozrah Light & Power: William Ballinger Groton Municipal Representative: Mark Oefinger South Norwalk Electric & Water: Alan Huth The following CMEEC staff participated: Michael Rall, CMEEC Director of Asset Management Margaret Job, CMEEC Paralegal and Compliance Manager Heidi Winnick, CMEEC Financial & Treasury Analyst Others Participated: Timothy Shea, Brown Rudnick, Director of Government Relations David Silverstone, Esquire, Municipal Electric Consumer Advocate Ms. Job recorded. Specific Agenda Item A Public Comment Period No public comment was made. B Roll Call Ms. Job conducted roll call. Committee Chair Demicco confirmed a quorum of the Committee was present. C Approve the Minutes of the April 20, 2023 Regular Meeting of the CMEEC / CTMEEC Joint Legislative and Governmental Affairs Committee A motion was made by Committee Member Barber, seconded Committee Member Kennedy to Approve the Minutes of the April 20, 2023 Regular Meeting of the CMEEC / CTMEEC Joint Legislative and Governmental Affairs Committee. Motion passed unanimously. D Report on Connecticut General Assembly Legislation of Interest to CMEEC: Timothy Shea, Brown Rudnick Mr. Shea walked the Committee through the slide deck provided in advance of today’s meeting highlighting the results of the end of the Legislative session. He noted that the 2023 session of the Connecticut General Assembly closed on June 7, 2023. He stated that the session ended with an overwhelming sense of bi-partisanship with the adoption of a $51.1 biennial budget. He stated that the budget includes the largest income tax cut in Connecticut history. Mr. Shea also explained that legislation passed during this year’s session had little impact on CMEEC and the Member Utilities. In his overview of bills passed and not passed, Mr. Shea highlighted passed Substitute Senate Bill No. 7 – An Act Strengthening Protections for Connecticut’s Consumers of Energy. He noted that while provisions of this bill are focused on the “rate-Regulated” public service companies that come before PURA and do not focus on CMEEC, there is a provision around a Standard Service Procurement Study, required of PURA, that requires PURA to look at how the MEU’s procure electric generations, including practices “the EDC could adopt to lower rates for ratepayers.” He added that CMEEC might be called on to provide information. Mr. Rall explained that CMEEC had been called on and that a  group of staff are working on a response to topics posed by PURA. He added that the CMEEC response is due on June 26, 2023 and will present its response at a Technical Meeting on June 28, 2023. Discussion followed. E Report on Federal Legislation of Interest to CMEEC Ms. Job provided a high-level overview of the US Department of Energy’s Request for Information (RFI) in connection with the Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response’s (CESER) implementation of the Rural and Municipal Utility Advanced Cybersecurity Grant and Technical Assistance Program (RMUC). She explained that CMEEC responded to the RFI and made its filing on December 19, 2022. Ms. Job further explained the guidelines of the program and stated that a public announcement is anticipated to be made by CESER of its first competition this summer. F Other Business Mr. Rall explained that a funding opportunity for powering affordable clean energy (PACE) program became available which will provide loans to qualified PACE applicants to finance power generation projects for Renewal Energy Resource (RER) systems or energy storage systems that support RER projects. The program has $1 billion, with a minimum award of $1 million and a maximum award of $100 million available in appropriated funds under the Inflation Reduction Act. The goal of the PACE program is to support clean, affordable energy growth by providing loans to eligible entities with varying levels of loan forgiveness. Mr. Rall added that review of the program is being conducted to determine MEU eligibility. G Adjourn A motion was made by Committee Member Eggleston, seconded by Committee Member Godley to adjourn. Motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 1:23 p.m.