OPALCO Members Wanted to Build New Green Power Program

More than 60 members are generating their own renewable energy and interconnecting to the OPALCO grid. OPALCO was one of the first utilities to establish an interconnect program and interest is growing to the point that it’s time to revamp the program. The number of members wanting to take advantage of OPALCO’s incentives for renewable energy interconnection has tripled from about 20 in the first five years of the program (2000-2005), to 59 members at the end of 2009.  Since the beginning of the green power program in 2000, OPALCO has paid members a total of $174,134 for installation incentives—and $113,055 (65%) of that was paid out in 2009 alone.

Originally, the green power program was set up to fund interconnect incentives. For several years, the green power program did create some revenue for the incentives and, in addition, Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) provided Conservation Rebate Credits (CRCs) to help fund the incentive. Over time, the wholesale costs of green power went up, BPA’s CRCs went down and so the funding stream for the incentives dried up.  With an unfunded budget liability of more than $100,000 in 2009 for incentive payouts, the OPALCO Board voted to cap incentive payouts for 2010 at $25,000 and asked staff to find a new revenue source for the incentives going forward.

OPALCO’s Energy Services staff has been “on tour” this month talking to members on San Juan, Lopez, Orcas and Shaw Islands about OPALCO’s BPA-funded energy efficiency and conservation programs with the Treasure Chest of Energy Savings.  At these public meetings, OPALCO extended an invitation for members to nominate themselves or other members to a Steering Committee that will lead a public process to build a new green power program (you can download the presentation at www.opalco.com). Energy Services is calling the new program MORE (Member Owned Renewable Energy) – although it may also include some additional conservation measures above and beyond what OPALCO can currently offer through its BPA-funded program.

OPALCO members who are interested in this new program and in leading a public process may apply to join the MORE Steering Committee, which will work through the summer to come up with a proposal. The MORE Steering Committee will publish meeting notices and keep all meetings open to the public. Meetings will be held in venues that rotate around the islands. Work includes active discussions and presentations and discussion to better understand OPALCO’s existing programs and parameters; the creation of a new green power program including criteria, scope, structure and funding mechanisms; and the presentation of a proposal to OPALCO staff who can bring it before the OPALCO Board for approval and policy making.

The MORE Steering Committee will have representation from each ferry-served island, the outer islands, one or more “at will” members and will be chaired by an OPALCO board member. For a complete description of the mission, roles and timeline of the Steering Committee, go to https://www.opalco.com/energy-services/renewable-generation.

To apply, please send the following documents to Anne Bertino, Assistant Manager of Energy Services (abertino@opalco.com):

1)   Professional Resume

2)   A one-page document describing why you want to be on the Steering Committee, how you can be of a benefit to the Committee and what knowledge/experience you will bring to the table.

The deadline to apply is FRIDAY, JUNE 25^th at 4:30 p.m.

OPALCO is a member-owned cooperative electrical utility serving more than 11,000 members on 20 islands in San Juan County.  OPALCO provides electricity that is 95% greenhouse-gas free and is predominately generated by hydro-electric plants. OPALCO was founded in 1937 to bring electricity to rural islanders.