Electric City Power, Incorporated (The Corporation): Regular meeting of the Board of Directors
Great Falls Civic Center, Gibson Room
CALL TO ORDER: 5:35 PM
ROLL CALL: Directors present: Bob Pancich, Randy Gray, Bill Ryan and Dawn Willey. Also present were the ECPI Executive Director and City Administrative Officer.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT
Executive Director Coleen Balzarini gave her report. Balzarini gave a summary of the progress of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) over the past couple of months. There were two public hearings on the DEIS: one in Great Falls on July 27th and one in Havre, Montana on August 12th. City staff provided comments on the purpose of the City’s energy activities, the mechanics of the City’s share of financing for the proposed Highwood Generating Station (HGS), and the City’s public process. The public comment period for the DEIS closed on August 30th.
Chairman Bob Pancich asked about the State and Federal EIS procedures. Balzarini explained that the two have followed a concurrent track and will likely reach decisions at approximately similar times.
Randy Gray asked about the Lewis and Clark Corridor issue vis a vis the DEIS. Balzarini explained that this was one of the impacts identified in the DEIS.
Balzarini then updated the Board on the City’s plans to supply raw water to the proposed Highwood Station. PPL Montana has objected to the City’s application to change its point of diversion of an existing water reservation to service HGS. The City’s water rights attorney and water rights consultant are working on this issue and have produced a chart which shows a net benefit to PPL Montana’s generating facilities along the Missouri River resulting from the change application.
The Executive Director then reported on the progress of LC 170 and its recent progress through the Energy and Telecommunications Interim Committee (ETIC). On September 7th, the ETIC recommended its version of LC 170 for consideration by the 2007 Legislature. The current draft does not specifically contemplate the City’s energy supply function.
Balzarini also gave an operational update to the Board. The City continues to see interest from large customers and will be discussing supplying electricity to other Montana municipalities and school districts in the near future.
Randy Gray asked how the City’s current supply obligations compared to the City’s share of output from HGS. Balzarini explained that the City is currently supplying 25 megawatts and could be up to 50 in the upcoming months.
Bill Ryan asked whether or not it was the City’s intention to pursue expanding its customer base irrespective of its participation in the HGS project. Balzarini stated that the City’s main focus is supplying stable, affordable electricity to its customers and that this will happen regardless of HGS.
Public Comment
Rich Liebert asked several questions of the board relating to its service territory, possible affect on other systems, and whether or not rural customers could purchase electricity from ECPI. He also asked about possible dividends from ECPI. Bill Ryan responded to Mr. Liebert’s questions by stating that these questions depended on both territorial integrity issues and current state statute. Ryan also noted that public utilities do not provide dividends as there is no margin.
Ken Thorton said he was concerned that the City is opposing the proposed efforts to re-regulate Montana’s electricity industry and connected electric cooperatives particular consideration under the law to higher electric rates paid by other customers. Mr. Thorton also expressed concerns about a possible carbon tax and its effect on HGS. Bill Ryan then noted that neither the City nor ECPI is opposed to the re-regulation of Montana’s electrical energy industry.
Bill Zuconi asked the Board if the EIS had done a sufficient job in considering all alternatives, including integrated gasification combined cycle electrical generation technology.
Stewart Lewin noted that he was concerned about HGS. He also stated he did not receive information he requested from City Staff. Lewin also noted that this meeting was not posted on the City’s web site. Mr. Lewin informed the board that there are many IGCC plants on the drawing board and questioned the developers’ assumption that IGCC is not financable. Mr. Lewin also noted that contact information on the DEIS is not correct. He also wanted to see what ECPI had submitted for comments on the DEIS.
Chairman Bob Pancich adjourned the meeting at 6:38PM
Agenda Packet (175K scanned PDF)
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