HomeMy WebLinkAbout#7 Department updates AGENDA ITEM #7
Public Utility District m
MEETING DATE: December 4, 2024
TO: Board of Directors
FROM:
SUBJECT: This item provides time for each Department to update the Board of
D i recto rs.
APPROVED BY:
Brian C. Wright, General Manager
RECOMMENDATION:
BACKGROUND:
ANALYSIS AND BODY:
Public Information and Strategic Affairs:
Strategic Affairs
Staff attended the annual California Municipal Utilities Association's (CMUA's)
Legislative and Regulatory Planning Meeting on November 14th hosted by Roseville.
The annual meeting was well attended by CMUA's membership from across the state
and was led by CMUA's Danielle Blacet who is replacing Barry Moline as the new
Executive Director at the end of the year. Barry is retiring after a successful tenure and
we wish him all the best in retirement. Key topics of the meeting and priorities for 2025
included: recap of the election results; update on the California Air Resources Board's
(CARB's) effort to reauthorize the Cap and Trade program; presentation on the
progress and upcoming efforts for regionalization of electric markets (Pathways
Initiative); and discussion on the water side of a potential new Low Income Rate
Assistance (LIRA) program. Staff will continue to engage with CMUA and key players
in Sacramento now and into 2025.
Communication & Outreach
Staff have been busy communicating both internally and externally as we fully enter
winter and approach the end of the year. Key campaigns include: being prepared for
winter; rebates to save energy, water, and money; your money at work; and gratitude
for our customers and community. There was also a major communications effort in
response to NV Energy's potential Power Safety Outage Management (PSOM) power
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outage due to elevated fire risk in the Verdi, NV area that would have impacted
transmission to all District customers. NV Energy did implement PSOM to -15,000
customers along the Sierra front in Reno and to the south with some of their customers
out for more than a day. The District was fortunate not to lose power as the major
impact of the storm went just south of the Verdi area. The District conducted robust
communications with our customers, community, and public safety partners. District
staff have also been busy communicating with customers regarding recent power
outages that have bend caused by both transmission failures and damage to the
District's distribution system. All outages were resolved relatively quickly thanks to the
dedicated work of District electric crews in coordination with NV Energy and Liberty
Utilities.
Finance and Administration:
• Successfully completed interim audit 2024 fieldwork with Moss Adams.
• In early November, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) approved
amendments to the state's Low Carbon Fuel Standard, or LCFS, which aims to
shift California's fuel dependence away from gasoline and toward lower-carbon
fuels such as biodiesel, hydrogen and electricity. CARB staffers estimated last
year that the new rules could raise the price of a gallon of gas by as much as 47
cents next year. By 2040, the added cost to the price per gallon could be $1.80,
staff members estimated in their 2023 reports. Now, in November 2024, CARB
disputes the passed regulation's cost impact and cannot estimate the cost
impact of the legislation they passed. Various news articles' consensus is a
minimum $.47 cents per gallon impact in 2025.
• Last month's customer service survey scores:
Overall, }pow satisfied were you with the experience with our oust...
Answered:31 Skipped:0
1009G
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60%
50%
40%
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Extremely Very satisfied Somewhat Not so Not at all
satisfied satisfied satisfied satisfied
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Was your issue compLetely resolved?
Answered:30 Skipped:I
Yes
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•
PLease categorized the reason(s) for your service cal[
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100%
90%
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70%
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50%
40%
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095
Billing Payment New Service Power outage Water leak New
question question or Stop Commercial
Service to Servrce
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Information Technology:
Water Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) System Upgrade Project
A year long project to upgrade the centralized backend environment for the water AMI
system has been completed.
Technology Review
Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) refers to systems that measure, collect, and
analyze utility usage, including electricity, gas, and water. AMI integrates smart meters
with communication networks, allowing for two-way communication between utility
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companies and consumers. This technology enables the automatic, real-time collection
of consumption data, remote monitoring, and management of utilities, enhancing
operational efficiency and reducing the need for manual meter readings.
The importance of AMI lies in its ability to provide both utilities and consumers with
detailed information about energy and water usage, enabling more efficient resource
management. Utilities benefit from improved grid and water system reliability and
operational efficiency through better demand response and reduced peak loads.
Consumers can make more informed decisions about their resource use, potentially
leading to cost savings and more sustainable consumption. Additionally, AMI helps
detect water leaks by continuously monitoring water flow and identifying anomalies,
allowing for early intervention and preventing significant water loss. It also supports the
integration of renewable energy sources and fosters the development of smart grids
and water networks, contributing to the overall modernization of infrastructure.
Human Resources& Risk :
Staffing
Congratulations to Zach Meyers for completing the apprentice lineman program and becoming a
journeyman lineman!
Current Job Openings:
• Contract Administrator-Job offer in progress
• District Clerk/Executive Assistant-Final interview stage
Culture
12/03- Deck the District Hall's
12/04- Birthday&Anniversary Celebrations
12/19- Holiday Dessert Contest, Ugly Sweater and Workplace Decorating Contest
Recognition
Work-Life Balance-Haley Roblez
Accountability-Tige Burk
Safety& Risk
Anti-Harassment Training- rescheduled to 12/03
Events
12/06-Year End Award
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES:
District Code 1.05.020 Objectives:
1. Responsibly serve the public.
2. Provide a healthy and safe work environment for all District employees.
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3. Provide reliable and high quality water supply and distribution system to meet
current and future needs.
4. Provide reliable and high quality electric supply and distribution system to meet
current and future needs.
5. Manage the District in an environmentally sound manner.
6. Manage the District in an effective, efficient and fiscally responsible manner.
District Code 1.05.030 Goals:
1. Manage for Financial Stability and Resiliency
2. Environmental Stewardship: Create a sustainable resilient environment for all our
communities.
3. Engage with our customers and communities in a welcoming and transparent way to
identify opportunities.
4. Take the best of private sector thinking to modernize the utility and add value to our
communities.
5. Developing an inclusive culture drives organizational integration and success.
FISCAL IMPACT:
ATTACHMENTS:
None
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