HomeMy WebLinkAbout9 Renewable Portfolio Agenda Item #
DistrictPublic Utility
Memorandum
To: Board of Directors
From: Peter Holzmeister
Date: March 2, 2007
Subject: Renewable Portfolio Standard
Why this matter is before the Board: This matter involves review and possible
amendment of the District's Renewable Portfolio Standard, as suggested
recent Board meetings, as part of the foundation for active pursuit of renewable
energy sources.
History: During recent public meetings that discussed power supply options,
many citizens of the community call attention to the need for the District to be far
more proactive in securing a power supply mix that includes a significant portion
of renewable power. It was suggested at that time, and several times since
those meetings, that the District's Renewable Portfolio Standard should be
revisited. The Board reviewed a draft revision to the RPS at the February
you at
2007 meeting. No changes were suggested so it is being presented
this meeting for adoption.
New information: A copy of the suggested amendments is attached.
Recommendation: I recommend that the Board adopt the revised Renewable
Portfolio Standard.
Truckee Donner Public Utility District Renewable Portfolio Standard(RPS)(Mar 07) Page 1
TRUCKEE DONNER
Public Utility District
Truckee Donner PUD Renewable Portfolio Standard
PURPOSE:
Truckee Donner Public Utility District's policy regarding SB1078—Renewable Portfolio Standard(RPS).
This RPS will replace and update the RPS approved by the Board in 2003.
BACKGROUND:
State Senate Bill 1078 (SB1078)was signed into law on September 12, 2002 and was effective January 1,
2003. The SB1078 legislation modifies the California Public Utilities Code to include a specific
renewable resource requirement for investor owned utilities (IOUs). SB1078 required IOU's to maintain
a minimum of 20% of their power from eligible renewable resources by 2017. SB 107 (Simitan) was
passed in 2006 and accelerates the IOU target to 20% by 2010.The legislation (SB1078) also includes
provisions that apply to publicly owned utilities. These provisions would include:
• Requirement that the governing body implement and enforce a renewable portfolio standard to
encourage renewable resources
• Each public utility governing board must define the terms of its RPS. The terms would include:
o What qualifies as a renewable resource (i.e. whether or not to count large hydroelectric
projects (in excess of 30MW)
o The percentage of the total energy resources that are to be renewable
o The time frame in which to meet the"goal" of the defined standard
Discussion points:
1. Although excluded for the purposes of the IOU's requirements under SB1078, TDPUD's future
critical component of the energy needs of
share in"large"hydroelectric projects is a valuable and
the community. TDPUD's allocation of the Western Area Power Administration(WAPA) started
on January 1, 2005. This power is under a long term contract with the Department of Energy's
Western Area Power Administration (WAPA). Truckee Donner Public Utility District believes
that a separation of large and small hydroelectric projects at a 30MW level is arbitrary and
ignores the unique nature of the resources provided by WAPA and the Department of Interior's
Bureau of Reclamation. Truckee Donner Public Utility District will include all hydroelectric
regardless of size and location as meeting the District's renewable portfolio standard.
2. The District's location in the Sierra Pacific Power transmission control area differs from all of the
other publically-owned utilities in California. TDPUD is a transmission dependent utility (TDU)
electrically internal to Sierra Pacific Power's control area. The interconnection points to Sierra
Pacific Power's control area are Summit Intertie(to CAISO),Alturas Line(to near COB),Gonder
Substation near Utah (this is the current location of our existing contract deliveries and includes
the Pacific Corp and LADWP control areas), and Midpoint Substation (to Idaho Power). This
transmission configuration must be taken into account when trying to identify future renewable
resources.
Truckee Donner Public Utili District-Renewable Portfolio Standard RPS Mar.07 Pa e 2
POLICY:
Truckee Donner Public Utility district It Objectives
• Meet the intent of SB 1078 to encourage renewable resources.
• Maintain reliable overall energy supply portfolio.
• Minimize adverse impact of acquiring new renewable energy resources on customer electric
rates.
Truckee Donner Public Utili District Electric Qualified RPS Resources
Renewable resources are defined as non-fossil fueled electric generating resources, including
hydroelectric. These would include but may not be limited( )any resource that meets the
definition of "Eligible renewables" pursuant to section 398.4 h)(1 of the California SB 1305,
which sets forth the requirements for power content labels:
o Geothermal (including low-temperature geothermal heat pumps)
o Hydroelectric
o Solar
o Wind
o Biomass and waste
o Fuel cells
RPS Target:
exceed projected demand, TDPUD will strive to
At such time that projected resources do not
include qualifying resources to meet projected demand.
le
Truckee Donner Public Utility District resource a ee l defined d as non-fossil fueled electric generating
resources by 2010. Renewable resources
resources, including hydroelectric.
Strate ies for meeting RPS objectives:
• Public benefit funds may be used to implement projects and may be used to supplement the
production projects.
• TDPUD's allocation of the Western Are
pncludedn the RPS obJ'ectower Administration �ive.)TDPUD will str started on ave to
2005 is a non-fossil fuel resource will
acquire small hydro electric from WAPA within the Sierra Pacific control area.
In the future, TDPUD may contract for geothermal generation in Northern Nevada and Wind
generation backed by Natural Gas.
Onp_oin2 Review of Truckee Donner Public Utility District RPS
An ongoing five-year review standard of the RPS will address changes in the Truckee Donner
Public Utility District power portfolio including market power purchases, entitlement shares of
projects and potential changes in the renewable energy technologies.