💡 RMLD Board of Commissioners 1-20-26 AI Recap

Below is a summarized version of the RMLD Board of Commissioners and the Citizens Advisory Board meeting, organized by timestamps and speakers, focusing on key points raised during the discussion in Reading, Massachusetts. This summary condenses the discussion into major themes, speaker contributions, and decisions, avoiding excessive detail while retaining the essence of the conversation. Timestamps correspond to the video linked at the bottom.

📝 RMLD Board of Commissioners & CAB Joint Meeting Summary

📅 Date: January 20, 2026
📍 Location: RMLD Office + Livestreamed on RCTV
⏰ Start Time: ~2:20
⏱️ End Time: ~1:54:10
👥 Attending: Board of Commissioners, Citizens Advisory Board, GM Jason Small, RMLD Staff
🎤 Public Commenters: Rebecca Liberman, Joseph White
🚫 Absent: No major absences noted

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🔹 Public Comment

🕒 3:13–5:08

Comments by Rebecca Liberman

• Urged the board to increase the percentage of retired non‑carbon certificates above the current 55%.
• Cited Attachment 2 showing only ~$0.20/month incremental cost to move from 55% → 60%.
• Suggested targeting $1/month in added customer cost to increase renewable retirement more aggressively.
• Advocated for:
  • Greater resilience against fossil‑fuel supply volatility (storms, refinery outages).
  • More ambitious climate action due to Reading’s high per‑capita emissions.
  • Enhanced incentives for Time-of-Use (TOU) participation and Shred the Peak.

Comments by Joseph White

• Asked what RMLD’s current renewable resource mix is.
• Asked for clarification on state non‑carbon mandates.
• RMLD responded:
  • Current mix includes hydro, wind, solar, and nuclear (largest share).
  • State decarbonization targets:
    • 50% by 2030
    • 75% by 2040
    • 100% by 2050

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🔹 Liaison Updates

🕒 7:08–8:27

• Town Charter: Formally approved; no further action expected for ~10 years.
• School & Senior Center Projects: In the engineering/design phase; future review of energy options expected.

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🔹 Marketing & Community Engagement Update

🕒 8:54–22:46

2025 Highlights

• Marketing team expanded from 1 → 2; new coordinator (Reading resident).
• Completed full brand rollout including logo update and website modernization.
• Increased social media and event engagement (“slow and steady” growth strategy).
• Major in-person programming increases:
  • Reading Fire Department safety training (all shifts).
  • Scout troop STEM events (now expanding into other towns).
  • North Reading and Wilmington events, including RiverFest and EV Showcase.
  • Workshops planned with all four-town senior centers.
• Customer Satisfaction: 98% positive trust & satisfaction (survey).
• Developed customer testimonials, including a new solar C\&I case study.

2026 Priorities

• Continue community presence across all four towns.
• Increased AMI customer education, including postcard mailers and newsletter growth.
• More segmented communications for older demographics (mail + email).
• Expand new-customer onboarding, potentially partnering with local realtors.
• Further clean-up of website structure, links, and rate explanations.

Board Feedback

• Some external links lead to incorrect resources (e.g., water utility pages).
• Rate pages need more user-friendly explanations; suggested side‑by‑side rate comparison tables.
• Praise for business outreach programs (e.g., Chamber of Commerce C\&I workshop).

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🔹 Energy Efficiency & Electrification Update

🕒 22:59–46:58

Program Performance

• Expanded heat pump & weatherization programs remain the top drivers of participation.
• 20+ programs across residential and C\&I sectors.
• Residential participation extremely strong → multiple years of negative net balance.
• Commercial participation remains limited due to:
  • Low electric rates, low prioritization in annual budgets.
  • Operational disruption concerns.
  • Long decision timelines.

New Initiatives Coming in 2026

• Two new programs in development (details forthcoming).
• New C\&I heat pump program for “small commercial” customers under design.

Surplus & Budget Discussion

• Efficiency/Electrification fund collects ~$3M/year.
• Current combined ending balance ~$5M (due to past operational transfers + uneven participation).
• Residential: ~$3M deficit over several years.
• Commercial: ~$2.5M surplus.

Board Discussion Highlights

• Should annual collections be reduced?
• Should surplus be used to:
  • Increase incentives (e.g., solar rebate expansion)?
  • Enhance new C\&I programs?
  • Support natural gas displacement via heat pumps?
• Recommendation: Staff to analyze scenarios (annual vs. multi-year, surplus targets, program expansions) and return with guidance.

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🔹 Certificate Retirement Discussion

🕒 46:58–1:06:10

Key Points from RMLD Staff

• REC minting has a 6-month lag, making January decisions risky.
• Hydro generation has been highly variable due to weather; 2024 was a “super-hydro” year.
• 2023 levels were insufficient to support even a 60% retirement.
• 2025 data still incomplete; Q4 not yet received.
• Increasing retirement % requires caution:
  • Supply variability
  • Weather impacts
  • Contract turnover (4 hydro contracts ending)
  • Growth in retail sales (population, EVs, heat pumps)

Scenario Analysis Presented

• 60% retirement estimated at ~$2/year added to average bill (800 kWh customer).
• 100% retirement would require expensive Class I MA certificates, costing ~$40/MWh.
• Renewable Choice Program retirees only pay costs associated with the REC type they select.

Board Direction

• Staff to provide at February meeting:
  • Actual cost impact of first year of 55% retirement (vs. projections).
  • Updated scenario tables (55→60→75→100%).
  • Policy language recommendations for:
    • Avoiding forced REC purchases
    • Handling insufficient certificate supply
    • Multi‑year planning instead of annual volatility.

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🔹 Union Agreements – MOA Approval

🕒 1:06:22–1:09:34

• Final supplemental MOA for IBEW Local 103 approved unanimously.
• Aligns contract terms with other unions; includes:
  • 1-year + 3-year structure alignment
  • Updated sick-time buyback rules
  • Updated FMLA language requiring use of accrued time
• Board praised collaborative negotiations and union engagement.

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🔹 Procurement Approval – Underground Construction Contract

🕒 1:09:45–1:17:14

• IFB 2025‑31 awarded to Powerline Contractors (lowest eligible bidder).
• 3-year master contract for hourly underground construction labor & equipment.
• No guaranteed work; used for as‑needed projects & emergencies.
• Expected annual spend: $300K–$500K+ depending on project load.
• Board requested clarity on:
  • Cable pulling equipment adders
  • Past usage patterns
  • Emergency mobilization rates
• Motion passed unanimously.

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🔹 2026 Operating Cadence Review

🕒 1:17:19–1:20:58

• Board reviewed annual cadence for:
  • Budget reviews
  • Certificate retirement decisions
  • GM goal‑setting
  • Policy updates
  • Annual report presentations
• Consensus: Continue cadence but expect adjustments after cost-of-service study.

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🔹 Meeting Minutes Approval

🕒 1:21:05–1:22:27

• December 17, 2025 meeting minutes approved by both CAB and BOC.

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🔹 Establishment of Committees

🕒 1:22:35–1:40:02

GM Goals & Review Committee

• Committee created but appointments deferred to October 2026 (to support end‑of‑year GM review cycle).

Policy Review Committee

• Created with:
  • Dave & Ray (BOC)
  • Bob Castle (CAB) as alternate
• First meeting scheduled for Feb 12, 2026 at 12 PM.
• Committee will:
  • Review outdated or contradictory policies
  • Examine policies dissolved into procedures
  • Recommend consolidated or modernized policy framework
  • Report progress quarterly

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🔹 ENE Board Appointment

🕒 1:40:07–1:41:01

• GM Jason Small appointed as Class B Director to ENE Board (3-year term).
• Appointment passed unanimously.

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🔹 Training & Travel Approvals

🕒 1:41:04–1:45:48

• Ray Porter and Dave Talbot approved to attend MMA/MLCA Connect (Jan 23–25, 2026).
• GM Jason Small approved to attend APPA Engineering & Operations Conference (Mar 29–Apr 1, Huntsville, AL).

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🔹 General Manager Update

🕒 1:45:55–1:48:41

• Transition from Interim GM Paul Heanue:
  • Jason affirmed a smooth and thorough handoff.
• AMI Rollout:
  • 40 test meters installed; billing integration issues nearly resolved.
  • Weekly vendor meetings continue; full deployment expected soon.
• Cost of Service Study:
  • Vendor outreach beginning; target to complete draft in 3–5 months.
  • Goal: Have results before next year’s budget cycle.

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🔹 Future Meeting Schedule

🕒 1:49:01–1:52:31

• February 17, 2026 – Regular meeting
• March 24, 2026 – Regular meeting (GM goals vote)
• December meeting load confirmed; August meeting canceled
• Policy Committee: Feb 12 at 12 PM

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🔹 Adjournment

🕒 1:53:26–1:54:10

• CAB and BOC adjourned to executive session and then closed the meeting.

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