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HomeMy WebLinkAboutChugach Electric Watt Buster ApdxA 2010 Watt Buster Final Report A-1 Appendix A: Residential Component Communications A.1 Effectiveness of BEMs: Solicitation Topic Page Recruitment email to residential customers for whom Chugach had email addresses (sent 1/22/2010) A-3 Solicitation posted on SmartPowerAK website A-4 Watt Buster application posted on SmartPowerAK website A-5 Follow up email to applicants with additional questions (sent 1/27/2010) A-7 Watt Buster project information in February Outlet A-8 Notification to selected customers (sent 2/9/2010) A-10 “Regrets” email to customers not selected (sent 2/18/2010) A-11 A.2 Effectiveness of BEMs: General and Study Communications Topic Page Welcome email to selected participants (sent 2/19/2010) A-12 Email to participants: Reminder email to pick up equipment (sent 2/26/2010) A-14 Email to participants: baseline survey and thermostat offer (sent 3/3/2010) A-15 Watt Buster Press Release (issued 3/8/2010) A-16 Display Ad in Anchorage Daily News A-18 Email to non-responders: reminder to install device and take baseline survey (sent 3/12/2010) A-19 Email to participants: thermostat offer and baseline survey reminder (sent 3/31/2010) A-20 SmartPower update in March 2010 Outlet A-21 Email to participants: final offer of free thermostat (sent 4/16/2010) A-23 Email to participants: link to mid-study survey (sent 5/14/2010) A-24 Email to participants: notification of update to Vantage Web Portal (sent 5/6/2010) A-25 Email to participants: closing survey and returning equipment (sent 7/1/2010) A-26 Email to participants: closing survey and equipment return (sent 7/9/2010) A-27 Email to non-responders: complete survey (sent 7/19/2010) A-28 A.3 Comparison/Assessment of BEMs: Solicitation and Communications Topic Page Email soliciting comparison volunteers (sent 6/22/2010) A-29 Email notifying continuing participants (sent 6/28/2010) A-30 Email notifying volunteers not selected (sent 6/30/2010) A-31 Email about EnergyHub delay (sent 8/13/201) A-32 Email about EnergyHub available for pick-up (sent 9/2/2010) A-33 Email with link to comparison survey (sent 9/24/2010) A-34 Watt Buster Final Report A-2 A.4 Appliance Power Meters: Solicitations Topic Page Appliance Power Meters in April 2010 Outlet A-35 Email to residential customers /FINAL  Watt Buster Recruitment Email      Subject line: Volunteers needed for ‘Watt Buster’ energy efficiency research     Text:    Chugach Electric is recruiting volunteers for “Watt Buster,” a research project to test  whether on‐site energy monitors help people reduce their energy consumption.  Participant requirements:  1. Are you willing to use the monitor as directed and participate in surveys?  2. Will you be living at this home through April?    If you answered yes to both questions, click on this link to apply.    Background  Chugach Electric Association has received a research grant from the Alaska Energy  Authority to test the effectiveness of building energy monitors to reduce electrical  energy consumption.    A building energy monitor is an electronic device that displays and records energy  usage. It may also display cost information and recent historical energy usage data.  The energy monitor will be in place three to four months.    If you are selected for the study, Chugach will train you how to use the monitor and  instruct you in energy efficiency practices. There’s no cost to you and you will gain  information that could help you reduce energy consumption and cut your electric  bill.      A-3 WB on SP Web site  FINAL  Watt Buster (for Smart Power AK Web site)      Headline: Volunteers needed for “Watt Buster” energy efficiency research     Text:    Chugach Electric is recruiting volunteers for “Watt Buster,” a research project to test  whether on‐site energy monitors help people reduce their energy consumption.    1. Have you been a Chugach residential customer for at least three years?  2. Are you willing to use the monitor as directed and participate in surveys?  3. Will you be living at this home through April?    If you answered yes to all three questions and you want to be part of this research,  click here to apply.    Background  Chugach Electric Association has received a research grant from the Alaska Energy  Authority to test the effectiveness of building energy monitors to reduce electrical  energy consumption.    A building energy monitor is an electronic device that displays and records energy  usage. It may also display cost information and recent historical energy usage data.  The energy monitor will be in place three to four months.    If you are selected for the study, Chugach will train you how to use the monitor and  instruct you in energy efficiency practices. There’s no cost to you and you will gain  information that could help you reduce energy consumption and cut your electric  bill.      A-4 Watt Buster Volunteer Application     Chugach Electric is recruiting volunteers for “Watt Buster,” a research project to test  whether on‐site energy monitors help people reduce their energy consumption.  Participant requirements:     1. Are you willing to use the monitor as directed and participate in surveys?   2. Will you be living at this home through April?   3. Have you been a Chugach residential customer for at least three years?    If you answered yes to all questions, please continue:    Your name: _________________________    Service address: ___________________________    Contact: _____________(day) ____________ (evening)    Computer and internet at home:  yes ___ no ____     Email address: _______________    Chugach account number ___________________    Approximate home size in square feet: _____________    Primary heat source (check one):    Gas___     Electric ____     Wood _____    Other ____    Building type:     Single‐family ____   Mobile home ____   Condo/townhouse _____   Duplex/zero lot‐line ____    “I have already done just about everything I can to make my home energy  efficient.”   Yes ____   No _____    Background  Chugach Electric Association has received a research grant from the Alaska Energy  Authority to test the effectiveness of building energy monitors to reduce electrical  energy consumption.    A-5 A building energy monitor is an electronic device that displays and records energy  usage. It may also display cost information and recent historical energy usage data.  The energy monitor will be in place three to four months.    Approximately 90 residential customers are needed for the research project. If you  are selected, Chugach will train you how to use the monitor and instruct you in  energy efficiency practices. There’s no cost to you and you will gain information that  could help you reduce energy consumption and cut your electric bill. You can expect  to hear by mid‐February if you have been selected for the project.      A-6 wattbuster@chugachelectric.com <wattbuster@chugachelectric.com> Wed, Jan 27, 2010 at 11:52 AM To: Your Name: Account Number: Service Address: Thanks for your application to participate in the Watt Buster research project. Since our original e-mail, we have learned of two more requirements. 1. Do you have a broadband connection? Yes/No 2. Is there a port available on your router? Yes/No Please reply to this e-mail. Find us on Facebook You are receiving this because you are a Chugach Electric member. To unsubscribe, please click here . Copyright © 2010 Chugach Electric Association, Inc., Anchorage, Alaska. All rights reserved. A-7 Outlet Number 264 February 2010 Chugach Electric Association’s w w w. c h u g a c h e l e c t r i c. c o m Legislative agenda update Energy issues are getting lots of attention with the legis- lature back in session. Both the House and Senate have versions of omnibus energy bills under consideration, as well as a number of individual bills dealing with a variety of energy topics. Here is an update on items of interest to Chugach and its 2010 legisla- tive agenda. GRETC Last year the Administration introduced legislation to cre- ate GRETC – the Greater Rail- belt Electric and Transmission Cooperative. GRETC would be a new regional organization to help the distribution utilities meet their future generation and transmission needs. The goal of GRETC is to provide a single organization to coor- dinate regional planning and develop future generation and transmission projects at lower costs than could be achieved by individual utilities acting alone. An AEA study funded by the legislature and com- pleted in 2008 determined that creating an organization like GRETC would lead to savings for Railbelt electric customers. The original bills were held in the respective energy commit- tees of the House and Senate while the utilities worked as a group with the Administration and Alaska Energy Authority to resolve sticking points and come to agreement on a version they could all endorse. Months of work by the GRETC Task Force culminated in late January with a revised draft bill, which the Chugach board voted to sup- port at its Jan. 27 meeting. The proposed committee substitute will be submitted by the AEA to chairs of the energy committees for consideration, with the goal of passing legisla- tion in 2010. Omnibus energy bills Both the House and Senate have in committee omnibus en- ergy bills that contain a variety of proposals on various energy- related topics. These bills attempt to bundle into a single piece of legislation a number of topics previously addressed in individual bills introduced over the past year. Electronic voting Chugach and other utilities sup- port a change to the state stat- ute on electric and telephone cooperatives that would make it possible for members to vote electronically rather than cast- ing a ballot in-person or by mail. Chugach would like to enable member voting via the Internet, after ensuring the progress was safe and secure. A number of legislators have expressed inter- est and support, and it is likely that a bill to amend the co-op statute will soon be introduced. Following a bill The Web site of the Alaska State Legislature contains features for following the progress of bills through a program called Basis. To get started, go to http:// w3.legis.state.ak.us/index.php and type a bill number or key words into the search field on the home page. Here are the bill numbers for some key pieces of energy legislation: • HB 182 and SB 143 The House and Senate versions of the GRETC legislation • HB 305 The House omnibus energy bill • HB 306 The House bill on state energy policy • SB 220 The Senate omnibus energy bill The Southcentral Power Proj- ect (SPP) will be built on about 12 acres of land at Chugach's headquarters complex now used for material storage. SPP is a joint venture between Chugach (70%) and Municipal Light & Power (30%). The new Site of a new power plant 200-megawatt plant will have three natural gas turbine-genera- tors and one steam turbine-generator. The units will run in combined-cycle mode most of the time, with the hot exhaust from the gas turbines being used to power the steam turbine. The SPP units will be much more efficient that those currently in use. The new plant will make a kilowatt-hour of power for about three-fourths of the gas used by the most efficient units on the Chugach system today, saving customers millions of dollars in fuel costs each year. Chugach and ML&P are expect- ing responses {292596} by mid- March from the three compa- nies selected as potential EPC (engineer, procure, construct) contractors for the project. The project has been underway for some years. Construction is expected to begin in early 2011, with commissioning and start- up in 2013. More information about SPP can be found at the project link at www.chugachelectric.com. A December evening outage that affected thousands of South Anchor- age customers was traced to a piece of equipment on a 34.5-kilovolt subtransmission line just outside Chugach’s Retherford Substation near 94th Avenue and the Old Seward Highway. The equipment makes the connection between the overhead and underground sections of the line. Chugach crews removed the faulted termination, which was sent to a testing lab to determine the cause of the failure . Based on the results of the analysis, crews swapped out two similar terminators and mounting hardware on the other lines on the structure. A-8 Personnel policy “It is a policy of Chugach Electric Association, Inc., to recruit, hire, train, compensate and promote persons without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, disability, veterans status, age or any other classification protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.” Chugach is also an affirmative action employer.” Contact us Main number 563-7494 Toll free (800) 478-7494 Member Services 563-7366 Member Services fax 762-4678 24-hour payment line 762-7803 Credit 563-5060 Power theft hotline 762-4731 Danger tree hotline 762-7227 Street light hotline 762-7676 Underground locates 278-3121 Regulatory Commission of AK (800) 390-2782 or 276-6222 To report a power outage In Anchorage 762-7888 Outside Anchorage (800) 478-7494 Monthly residential service costs (based on 700 kwh) Corporate Mission: Through superior service, safely provide reliable and competitively priced energy. Corporate vision: Powering Alaska’s future Member Services lobby: 5601 Electron Drive Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Member Services phone: Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Hours Main office: Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. The Chugach Outlet A Publication of Chugach Electric Association, Inc. 5601 Electron Drive P.O. Box 196300 Anchorage, Alaska 99519-6300 Customer charge/month $ 8.00 Energy charge $0.07181 x kwh =$50.27 Fuel $0.04231 x kwh = Purchased power $0.00463 x kwh = $29.62 $ 3.24 (Fuel & purchased power adjustments effective 1/1/10 – 3/31/10) Subtotal $ 91.13 2% MOA Underground Charge = $ 1.82 RCC charge $0.000432 x kwh =$ 0.30 Total bill $93.25 Member number hide-n-seek Find your member number in the Outlet and get a $100 credit on your electric bill. Call Chugach’s service center at 563-7366 to claim your prize. ‘Watt Busters’ program coming Two directors will be elected to the Chugach board in the upcoming 2010 election, with Feb. 5th as the deadline for submitting applications to the nominating committee. Petition applications may be still be submitted through Friday, Feb. 26. Forms can be found on Chugach’s Web site at www. chugachelectric.com. The March 17 record date estab- lishes the members eligible to vote. Members may check the authorized signer for their ballot envelopes by calling Member Services at 563-7366. Mail-voting packets will be mailed to Chugach members of record the week of March 29. Call 762-4736 for more informa- tion. Electronic annual report A 7-mile-long snow & ice road will allow crews to transport equip- ment to Chugach’s Point MacKenzie Substation this winter for upcoming projects. Temporary ice roads provide a means to periodically move large or heavy objects to the substation site that is normally only accessible by helicopter. Substation ice road Volunteers to test usage monitors Election notes Date of meeting: Thursday, April 29 Place: Egan Civic & Convention Center Record date: March 17 In 2010 Chugach will use the In- ternet as the primary means to distribute annual reports to its members. The move will both save money and comply with member wishes. Historically Chugach has mailed every member a printed copy, but over the years more and more members expressed a desire to view a copy on the Web site and print it if de - sired. To investigate the issue, Chugach included questions on electronic distribution in a 2009 member attitude survey. About 84 percent of the members surveyed favored putting the report on the Web site (where they said they could download it) and sending a printed copy only to members requesting one. About 16 percent of the members indicated they’d prob- ably request a report. The annual report is expected to be available and posted by early April. Members will be able to request a printed copy over the phone or at the Web site. Printed copies will also be avail- able in the member services lobby and at the April 29 annual meeting. A printed copy of the 2009 audited financial statements will be included this year with the election materials. Chugach recently recruited volunteers among its residential customers to participate in an energy efficiency research proj- ect. Dubbed “Watt Busters,” the project will test whether on-site energy monitors help customers reduce their energy consump- tion. Watt Busters is funded in part by a grant from the Alaska Energy Authority. Approximately 90 residential customers will have a Watt Buster energy monitor placed in their homes that will display and record energy usage. The monitor will also display cost in- formation and recent historical energy usage data. This same data will be available online. The monitor will be in place three to four months. It will be installed and removed at no cost to the customer. Participants will be trained in using the monitor. There is no cost to participate and vol- unteers will gain information to help them reduce energy consumption. The Watt Busters research proj- ect is designed to determine how building energy monitors impact customers’ energy use, their perceptions of energy use, and their knowledge and understanding of electric usage and energy efficiency Chugach and IBEW reach agreement on contract extension Chugach and IBEW Local 1547 have agreed to extend the col- lective bargaining agreements for the Generation, Outside Plant and Office and Engineer- ing bargaining units. The board will take action at its Feb. 24 meeting. The agreements can be reviewed on Chugach’s Web site at http://www.chugach- electric.com/news/pr2010-01- 28.html. A-9 Subject: Watt Busters Dear Chugach member: Congratulations! You have been selected to participate in the Watt Busters research project. Within the next couple of weeks, we will contact you about installing your home energy monitor and training in its use. If for any reason, you cannot participate in the project, please let me know as soon as possible. Thanks so much for your interest. We'll be in touch soon with the details. Patty Ginsburg Buster Consulting & Communications A-10 From: wattbuster@chugachelectric.com [mailto:wattbuster@chugachelectric.com] Subject: Energy Efficiency Research Project Account Number: Dear: Thank you for your application to participate in our Watt Buster research project. We've had three times more volunteers than we could use. I regret to inform you that you were not selected for the project. You can follow Watt Buster progress on www.smartpowerak.com and in the Chugach Outlet. Thanks for your interest. Sincerely, Patty Ginsburg
 Chugach Electric Find us on Facebook You are receiving this because you are a Chugach Electric member. To unsubscribe, please click here. Copyright © 2010 Chugach Electric Association, Inc., Anchorage, Alaska. All rights reserved.         A-11 From: wattbuster@chugachelectric.com [mailto:wattbuster@chugachelectric.com] Sent: Friday, February 19, 2010 2:22 PM Subject: Energy Efficiency Research Project - Welcome Account Number: Dear : Welcome to Watt Buster, a research project that will give you an unprecedented opportunity to learn more about your household electrical energy costs and reduce your electric bills. Your energy monitor system will be in place through June. You may pick up your monitoring equipment at Chugach Electric's Customer Service department during normal hours (8:00 AM – 6:00 PM), beginning Monday, February 22. The deadline for pick up is Friday, March 5. Full instructions for installing the devices are included; most people are able to install the devices in about 20 minutes. For this project we are using the Tendril Residential Energy Ecosystem (TREE), which consists of the following components: • Tendril Translate – Receives energy consumption information from your electric meter and communicates it to other TREE devices in your home. • Tendril Transport – Plugs into your router or modem; can receive and send energy related data, including pricing and energy consumption data, via the internet. • Tendril Insight – Provides near real-time information on your energy consumption, including your projected billing amount and cost per hour. It also allows you to receive messages from Chugach Electric. • Tendril Vantage Web Portal – Provides current and historical data about your energy consumption and other information in a website. When you pick up your TREE devices, you will also receive an antenna for the Transport, ethernet and power cables, and a card with your user name (your email address), password, and the Web address for the Vantage Web Portal. The portal has current and historical data about your energy consumption and other information. A-12 A few important points to keep in mind: • Username and password are case sensitive. You can change your password within the ser Profile tab on the Vantage portal. • Install your TREE devices as soon as possible. If you install them within 5 days of pick up, you will receive a $5 credit on your next electric bill. • Your billing cycle won't change. • Once your devices are operating, your monitor will indicate a billing projection, based on current energy use. This projection is only approximate, and does not include the normal monthly customer charge. • The TREE devices must be returned to Chugach Electric when the project ends. Your participation in Watt Busters constitutes your agreement with this requirement. If you have questions, feel free to contact Chugach Electric by e-mail at wattbuster@chugachelectric.com or call 563-7494. Go to SmartPowerAK.com for additional information about Watt Buster and TREE. After you have installed your TREE, we will ask you to complete the first of three Watt Buster surveys. This survey is a critical element of the research so please answer all the questions and return it promptly. Chugach Electric appreciates your willingness to help us all become more energy efficient.

 Sincerely,


 Patty Ginsburg
 Chugach Electric Find us on Facebook Copyright © 2010 Chugach Electric Association, Inc., Anchorage, Alaska. All rights reserved.     A-13 From: wattbuster@chugachelectric.com [mailto:wattbuster@chugachelectric.com] Sent: Friday, February 26, 2010 3:10 PM Subject: Energy Efficiency Research Project - Reminder Account Number: Dear : You can pick up your Watt Buster equipment at Chugach Electric, 5601 Electron Drive (off International Airport Road), during normal business hours, 8 am to 6 pm, Monday through Friday. The deadline for pick-up is March 5. Need to make special arrangements? Call 563-7494 or e-mail wattbuster@chugachelectric.com.

 Sincerely,


 Patty Ginsburg
 Chugach Electric Find us on Facebook Copyright © 2010 Chugach Electric Association, Inc., Anchorage, Alaska. All rights reserved.         A-14 From: wattbuster@chugachelectric.com Date: March 3, 2010 10:04:10 AM AKST Subject: Survey and thermostats Dear , Congratulations! Now that you have installed your Tendril home energy monitoring system, please go to http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=MJm_2fIum8Z9aZey1QDdA72D7sfTZYd6JX TozSoShUwYk_3d to complete the first survey. This link is uniquely tied to this survey and your email address. Please do not forward this message. Interested in a "smart" thermostat to go with your Tendril Home Area Network? Chugach has just 22 available, free of charge. One per household. E-mail us at wattbuster@chugachelectric.com or call (907) 563-7494. Sincerely, Patty Ginsburg for Chugach Electric Please note: If you do not wish to receive further emails from us, please click the link below, and you will be automatically removed from our mailing list. http://www.surveymonkey.com/optout.aspx  A-15 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT March 8, 2010 Patti Bogan: 762-4736, cell 242-0704 Chugach Electric researching energy efficiency monitors Project to test impact of technology on behavior using on-site monitors Chugach Electric Association and Tendril, Inc., an energy management technology provider, have teamed up with 90 Chugach residential customers to determine whether on-site energy monitors help consumers use energy more efficiently and lower their electric bills. The research project, dubbed “Watt Buster,” is funded by Chugach and a matching grant from the Alaska Energy Authority. Watt Buster also has a commercial component, which is monitoring electric, gas and air quality systems at 30 commercial buildings. The residential component of Watt Buster uses the Tendril platform. Each home receives a monitor that records energy use and displays near real-time feedback on energy consumption. Through a Web portal and a small counter-top display device, participants see how much power they are using, the cost, and compare energy consumption with their historical consumption. After the trial period, data about participants’ energy use will be compiled and compared to the same months in previous years. “Chugach is committed to energy efficiency efforts that save members money on their electric bills and reduce their carbon footprint,” CEO Brad Evans said. Chugach Board President Rebecca Logan said “Watt Buster is part of SmartPower, Chugach’s long-term initiative to work with our members, utility partners and other energy-related entities to use our resources wisely. We’re very excited about Watt Buster and its potential to help members use energy in their homes more efficiently.” “The Watt Buster program will demonstrate what a powerful motivational tool a monitor can be, and the huge benefits that both Chugach and its customers can realize very quickly,” Tendril CEO Adrian Tuck said. A-16 Chugach is the largest electric utility in Alaska, providing power for Alaskans throughout the Railbelt through retail, wholesale and economy energy sales. About Tendril Tendril is a leading energy management technology provider that brings unprecedented insight and control to the Smart Grid. The Tendril platform provides an open, secure and scalable end-to-end solution that creates a dynamic dialogue between energy providers and their customers. The Tendril platform includes both utility and in-home products and applications, and integrates seamlessly with existing back office applications and network infrastructure. Tendril Media contact: Sarah Blanchard Parsons Public Relations sarah@parsonspr.com 206-789-5668 NOTE: Monitor demonstrations are set up for 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Tuesday, March 9, at Chugach Electric Headquarters, 5601 Electron Drive. Call 762-4736 for more information. A-17 Watt Buster If consumers can see how much electricity they’re using and how much it costs at any given time, will they use less power? That’s the question being tested by Chugach Electric and some of its members in Watt Buster, a research proj- ect using building energy monitors. Watt Buster is funded in part by a grant from the Alaska Energy Authority. s aving energy, one watt at a time. For more information go to www.smartpowerak.comA-18 Subject line: Watt Buster     Dear [customer name]:    Now that you have your energy monitoring equipment, please install the devices as  soon as possible. If you need assistance or have questions, email  wattbuster@chugachelectric.com or call 563‐7494.    Another critical element of the Watt Buster project is the survey. Once you have  installed the system, please take the baseline survey at [surveymonkey url].    Thank you for participating in Watt Buster!    Patty Ginsburg for Chugach Electric  A-19 From: wattbuster@chugachelectric.com (wattbuster@chugachelectric.com) To: ; Date: Wed, March 31, 2010 1:24:42 PM Cc: Subject: Smart Thermostats Available Dear , Chugach still has several smart thermostats available to Watt Buster participants. The "Set Point" thermostat is a Tendril device that works with your home area network. The Set Point must be installed by a professional electrician, but there is no cost to you. If you're interested, contact Chugach Electric by e-mail at wattbuster@chugachelectric.com or call 563- 7494 for more information. Sincerely, Patty Ginsburg for Chugach Electric p.s. If you haven't completed your survey yet, click on http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx? sm=_2f6tH_2bN8iTL3O4Ptdplco8g_3d_3d . Please note: If you do not wish to receive further emails from us, please click the link below, and you will be automatically removed from our mailing list. http://www.surveymonkey.com/optout.aspx? sm=_2f6tH_2bN8iTL3O4Ptdplco8g_3d_3d Page 1 of 1Print 10/26/2010http://us.mg5.mail.yahoo.com/dc/launch?.gx=1&.rand=8gcnpmsje3rlo A-20 Outlet Number 265 March 2010 Chugach Electric Association’s w w w. c h u g a c h e l e c t r i c. c o m SmartPower update Legislative update The second half of the 26th Legislature is well underway. As predicted, energy issues are getting a great deal of attention this year. As of late February, more than 50 of the approxi- mately 700 bills introduced this Legislature had something to do with energy. GRETC The effort to create an organiza- tion to develop generation and transmission projects for Railbelt utilities took another step forward when draft language for a com- mittee substitute bill was sent to Gov.Parnell’s staff. Last year Gov. Palin sponsored legislation to create the Greater Railbelt Energy & Transmission Corporation, or GRETC. The leg- islature adjourned with the bills (HB 182 and SB 143) before the energy committees of both the House and Senate. The governing bodies of the six Railbelt electric utilities have been working with the Adminis- tration for months to modify the original bills to create a com- mittee substitute that all could support. By mid-February the substitute language had been endorsed by five of the six utilities, with Anchorage Municipal Light & Power agreeing to continue to work with the other utili- ties on the bill. The new draft was sent to the Administration, with the expectation it would be forwarded to the House and Sen- ate energy committee chairs for consideration. Electronic voting There has been significant legisla- tive progress in the effort to make it possible for cooperative mem- bers to vote via the Internet or other electronic means in utility elections. Sen. Linda Menard and Rep. Bob Lynn, chairs of the Sen- ate and House State Affairs com- mittees, both agreed to sponsor enabling legislation (SB 260 and HB 336) as committee bills. The legislation would amend existing state law (AS 10.25) to provide electric and telephone coop- eratives the option of allowing members to vote by “. . . electronic transmission, as specified by the cooperative” as an alternative to voting in-person or by mail. As with mail-voting, co-op members would need to vote to amend the bylaws to allow electronic voting before it could be offered. Chugach members already voted to change the bylaws in 2001 to allow electronic voting if state law permits it. SB 260 passed out of Senate State Affairs after its first hearing. The packet contained letters of support from the Alaska Power Association, Alaska Village Elec- tric Cooperative, Golden Valley Electric Association, Matanuska Electric Association, Matanuska Telephone Association and Chugach. As the Outlet went to press there were as yet no other hearings cal- endared for either bill, although it was hoped both could be heard in early March. How to follow a bill The legislature’s Web site provides tools to allow the public to search for bills, follow their progress and contact legislators. To get started, go to http://w3/legis.state.ak.us/ index.php and type a bill number or key word(s) into the search box. Alaska State capital building, Juneau See Consumers, page 2) Statistics indicate the average Chugach residential customer is finding ways to use energy wisely. Sales information shows that the monthly per-customer usage fell about 3 percent from 685 kilowatt-hours in 2006 to 662 kwh in 2009. Total 2009 residential kwh sales were down just under 1 percent from 2008. In a January 2009 survey, 89 percent of Chugach members reported they had taken steps to “conserve or otherwise lower” their use of electricity, with lighting being the most Residential consumers using power more efficiently commonly targeted area for reductions. Several factors likely have contrib- uted to the trend. Efficiency and conservation is now the norm; more and better information is available from myriad sources. New technology is making it easier to be energy efficient, with appliances and lights that use less power along with more opportunities to improve heating efficiency. While Chugach can’t take all the credit for changes in customer habits, its SmartPower initiative The Watt Buster monitor shows easy to read information on a variety of screens A-21 Personnel policy “It is a policy of Chugach Electric Association, Inc., to recruit, hire, train, compensate and promote persons without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, disability, veterans status, age or any other classification protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.” Chugach is also an affirmative action employer.” Contact us Main number 563-7494 Toll free (800) 478-7494 Member Services 563-7366 Member Services fax 762-4678 24-hour payment line 762-7803 Credit 563-5060 Power theft hotline 762-4731 Danger tree hotline 762-7227 Street light hotline 762-7676 Underground locates 278-3121 Regulatory Commission of AK (800) 390-2782 or 276-6222 To report a power outage In Anchorage 762-7888 Outside Anchorage (800) 478-7494 Monthly residential service costs (based on 700 kwh) Corporate Mission: Through superior service, safely provide reliable and competitively priced energy. Corporate vision: Powering Alaska’s future Member Services lobby: 5601 Electron Drive Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Member Services phone: Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Hours Main office: Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. The Chugach Outlet A Publication of Chugach Electric Association, Inc. 5601 Electron Drive P.O. Box 196300 Anchorage, Alaska 99519-6300 Customer charge/month $ 8.00 Energy charge $0.07181 x kwh =$50.27 Fuel $0.04231 x kwh = Purchased power $0.00463 x kwh = $29.62 $ 3.24 (Fuel & purchased power adjustments effective 1/1/10 – 3/31/10) Subtotal $ 91.13 2% MOA Underground Charge = $ 1.82 RCC charge $0.000432 x kwh =$ 0.30 Total bill $93.25 Member number hide-n-seek Find your member number in the Outlet and get a $100 credit on your electric bill. Call Chugach’s service center at 563-7366 to claim your prize. is clearly part of the movement. Chugach began offering monthly energy tips in 2006 and formally launched SmartPower (www. SmartPowerAk.com), the member efficiency program, in 2008. SmartPower is now pushing even further, with Watt Buster, a research project now underway to test the impact of building energy monitors on customers’ energy consumption. Watt Buster is funded in part by a grant from the Alaska Energy Authority. The commercial component is monitoring electric, gas and air quality systems at 30 commercial buildings. The residential component of Watt Buster uses the Tendril platform. Each home receives a monitor that records use and displays near real-time feedback on energy consumption. With the Tendril residential sys- tem installed, Watt Buster partici- pants can see how much power they are using and how much it costs, and compare their current energy use with previous years. The system also enables custom- ers to compare their own energy use {12966 } with others in similar households. The devices will be in place through June. The Watt Buster research project is designed to determine how building energy monitors impact customers’ energy use, their per- ceptions of energy use, and their knowledge and understanding of electric usage and energy ef- ficiency. The basic question being tested is whether greater knowl- edge of energy use leads people to use less energy. Chugach will look at how and to what extent members respond to real-time information about electricity consumption. At the end of the trial period, data about residents’ energy use will be compiled and compared to the same months in previous years. The demand-side conserva- tion and efficiency steps taken by customers and promoted by SmartPower, coupled with supply-side improvements – like the new, efficient Southcentral Power Project – will lead to wiser use of the natural gas in the Cook Inlet Basin. More information about Watt Buster and the Tendril system is available on www.smartpowerak. com Two director seats that are up for election and proposed bylaw amendments will be on the bal- lot in the cooperative’s spring election. Mail-voting packets will be mailed to Chugach members of record the week of March 29. Mail ballots must be in the election post office box by noon, Monday, April 26. Members may also vote in person at the meet- ing April 29. Information about the candidates and proposed bylaw changes will be in the election booklet and April issue of the Outlet. A candidate forum will be held from 6 - 8 p.m., March 18, at Chugach headquarters. Call 762-4736 for more informa- tion. Electronic annual report Election and annual meeting notes Meeting date: Thursday, April 29 Place: Egan Civic & Convention Center Record date: March 17 Chugach is using the Internet as the primary means to distribute annual reports to its members in 2010. It is expected to be avail- able and posted by early April. Members will be able to request a printed copy over the phone or at the Web site. Printed cop- ies will also be available in the member services lobby and at the April 29 annual meeting. A printed copy of the 2009 audited financial statements will be included this year with the election materials. Work safe around electrical facilities If you’re not sure, about the rules of working safely around electrical equipment, call Chugach at 762-4545. Ask for a free briefing on electri- cal safety before starting projects. And if you’re going to be digging, don’t forget to call 811 to get underground utility lines marked. Callers will be routed to their local one call center that will arrange to mark all underground utility lines for free. Remember to call two business days prior to digging. Chugach filed a request with the Regulatory Commission of Alaska to increase its fuel and purchased power rates for the second quarter of 2010. If approved, the total monthly bill for a Chugach residential customer using 700 kilowatt-hours of electricity will increase about 3.6 percent, from $91.43 to $94.74, excluding the 2 percent Municipality of Anchorage underground charge. Commercial customers will see similar increases. Fuel adjustment increases Consumers (cont’d from page 1) A-22 From: wa ttbuster@chugachelectric.com Sent: Friday, April 16, 2010 10:27 AM To: Subject: Last chance for free 'smart' thermostat 5/19/2010 For our Watt Buster participants: Chugach Electric has a handful of 'smart' thermostats available at no cost. Be warned, they don't work with all home heating systems, but all you risk is disappointment. The thermostat connects with your Tendril Home Area Network and it can be controlled remotely. The thermostats must be professionally installed; the electrician will determine whether it will work with your system. This is a stand-alone, fully-functional, programmable thermostat. You won't have to return it and there is no problem if you stop using the Tendril system once Watt Busters is concluded. Please let Chugach know as soon as possible if you are interested in this smart thermostat. Need to make special arrangements? Call 563-7494 or e-mail wattbuster@chugachelectric.com. Sincerely, Patty Ginsburg Chugach Electric Find us on Facebook Copyright © 2010 Chugach Electric Association, Inc., Anchorage, Alaska. All rights reserved. A-23 wattbuster@chugachelectric.com <wattbuster@chugachelectric.com> Fri, May 14, 2010 at 3:34 PM Reply-To: wattbuster@chugachelectric.com To: Dear , We had a great response to the baseline survey and the information provided was very valuable. Chugach appreciates your continued participation. Please click on the link provided below to take the second survey. Here is a link to the survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=QmM5D2j4jhklzz9Vq28zdWOBazrk_ 2fZFAaGh_2b9cRaw5M_3d This link is uniquely tied to this survey and your email address. Please do not forward this message. Thanks again for your participation in Watt Buster! Please note: If you do not wish to receive further emails from us, please click the link below, and you will be automatically removed from our mailing list. http://www.surveymonkey.com/optout.aspx A-24 From: WattBuster@chugachelectric.com (WattBuster@chugachelectric.com) To: Date: Thu, May 6, 2010 9:35:13 AM Cc: Subject: WattBusters Update Chugach is working with Tendril to provide better comparison data for Watt Buster participants. Right now, your usage on the Vantage web portal is compared to everybody else in your zip code.We're going to change this so that "others" will consist of households within a specific square footage range. In order to allow more meaningful comparison, the system will be told that all participants are in the same zip code. If the wrong zip code shows up in the Vantage web portal, please ignore it. Page 1 of 1Print 10/26/2010http://us.mg5.mail.yahoo.com/dc/launch?.gx=1&.rand=8gcnpmsje3rlo A-25 From: wattbuster@chugachelectric.com Date: July 1, 2010 2:52:27 PM AKDT Subject: Watt Buster Close-out Dear Watt Buster volunteer, The test period with the Tendril devices ended June 30. We very much appreciate your participation and we’ll keep you apprised of what we learn. The final report will be submitted in late October. Chugach will begin accepting the Tendril devices on Tuesday, July 6. Before you return them, please take a few minutes to complete the final survey.
Your link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=wjGPZgqToW4BtzhwQzMazTnp7MG1sjXW5nYDcd gDOJU_3d It is very important that you take this survey since the information you provide will be included in the final report. Thanks again for your participation. This link, http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=wjGPZgqToW4BtzhwQzMazTnp7MG1sjXW5nYDcd gDOJU_3d , is uniquely tied to this survey and your email address. Please do not forward this message. Please note: If you do not wish to receive further emails from us, please click the link below, and you will be automatically removed from our mailing list.
 http://www.surveymonkey.com/optout.aspx A-26 From: wattbuster@chugachelectric.com Date: July 9, 2010 9:41:33 AM AKDT Subject: Watt Buster Survey and Equipment Dear Watt Buster volunteer, Now that the test period is over, we ask you to complete the final survey (link below) and return your Tendril equipment to Chugach Electric, 5601 Electron Drive, during normal business hours (8 am to 6 pm, Monday through Friday). Please call 563-7494 if you need to make special arrangements for returning your devices. Please don't delay in completing the survey. It's a very important part of the project.
Your link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=idPwxgj3AiUg3JZT3jjz5g_3d_3d Thanks again for your participation in Watt Buster. Chugach Electric Association, Inc. This link, http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=idPwxgj3AiUg3JZT3jjz5g_3d_3d , is uniquely tied to this survey and your email address. Please do not forward this message. Please note: If you do not wish to receive further emails from us, please click the link below, and you will be automatically removed from our mailing list.
 http://www.surveymonkey.com/optout.aspx?sm=idPwxgj3AiUg3JZT3jjz5g_3d_3d A-27 Subject line: Please complete the survey Summer can be hectic, but please take a few minutes to complete the final Watt Buster survey. When you volunteered to participate, you committed to taking these surveys. We really want to know your thoughts about the project. Thanks. A-28       Recruitment message for OpenPeak and EnergyHub    Subject line: Another volunteer opportunity    Dear Watt Buster participant:    As the main part of our Watt Buster project winds down, we have another  opportunity for you to test building energy monitors. We need 8 to 10 volunteers to  install and use two other systems – EnergyHub and OpenPeak –after the Tendril  project ends on June 30.    This part of the project is designed to compare the three different monitors.  Volunteers will use OpenPeak for the month of July and EnergyHub for the month of  August.     In early September, we will ask your opinion about the different systems.  Please  respond to this email as soon as possible if you are interesting in participating.    A-29 Subject line: Congratulations! You have been selected to participate in this next phase of Watt Buster. You can pick up your OpenPeak system when you return the Tendril devices to Chugach Electric. We ask that you do so on Tuesday, July 6, or as soon as possible after that. You will also receive complete instructions on how to install and operate OpenPeak. You’ll use OpenPeak for up to one month and then switch it out for EnergyHub. A-30 June 30, 2010 Dear Watt Buster participant: I'm sorry to inform you that you have not been selected to participate in the next phase of Watt Buster. Thanks for your interest. Please remember that you must return your Tendril devices to Chugach Electric after June 30. Be sure to watch for the link to the final survey. Thanks again for your participation in Watt Buster. Sincerely, Patty Ginsburg Chugach Electric Find us on Facebook Copyright © 2010 Chugach Electric Association, Inc., Anchorage, Alaska. All rights reserved.         A-31 August 13, 2010 Dear Watt Buster participant: The plan was to have you switch out your OpenPeak system for EnergyHub in early August or after you had used OpenPeak for one month. However, we are not ready to distribute EnergyHub because of some continuing problems with the system. Please keep using the OpenPeak (or not, if you prefer) until the EnergyHub is ready. We hope to have the kinks sorted out before the end of August. You’ll receive the comparison survey after you have tried both systems. You may want to jot down some notes about the OpenPeak while you still have it. A-32 Subject: EnergyHub ready for pick up Dear Watt Buster participant: You may pick up your EnergyHub equipment at Chugach Electric, 5601 Electron Drive. If you haven't already done so, return your OpenPeak equipment at the same time. Please install and use the EnergyHub for at least one week. It must be returned to Chugach by Sept. 24. In late September, we will send you the final survey. Thanks again for participating in the Watt Buster research project. Questions? Call Laurel Rivas at 762-4535 or Jeff Vroman at 762-4442. A-33 Sent: Friday, September 24, 2010 10:32 AM Subject: Watt Buster Comparison Survey Dear Watt Buster Volunteer, Please go to the link below to complete the final survey in the Watt Buster project. Your responses are the only way we have to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the three building energy monitors. We look forward to your responses. Thanks again for participating in the Watt Buster research project. Your link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=oI9CYd5c9leT4HqlFZSoq_2bYS3H3JBBdZF_2b9Ol _2fhPK0I_3d Chugach Electric Association, Inc. http://www.surveymonkey.com/optout.aspx A-34 Outlet Number 266 April 2010 Chugach Electric Association’s w w w. c h u g a c h e l e c t r i c. c o m Annual meeting and election April 29 Four Chugach members run for two board seats Alex Gimarc P.J. Hill Susan ReevesRicarda “Riki” Lebman Four Chugach Electric Associa- tion members are running for two seats on the cooperative’s board of directors in this spring’s election. Each seat is for a 3-year term. The candidates are Alex Gimarc, P.J. Hill, Ricarda (Riki) Lebman and Susan Reeves. Gimarc and Hill are incumbents. There are also five bylaw proposals for members to vote on this year. Gimarc is a systems programmer with the Municipality of Anchor- age. He has been a Chugach member since 1992 and was elected to the board in 2007. Gimarc is currently serving as secretary of the Chugach board. Hill is a retired professor and a commercial fisherman. He has been a Chugach member since 1989 and was elected to the board in 2007. Hill is cur- rently serving as treasurer of the Chugach board. Lebman is an environmental man- ager with the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium. She has been a Chugach member since 1994. Reeves is an attorney with Reeves Amodio. She has been a Chugach member since 1992. A new study of the Cook Inlet gas basin commissioned by Chugach, ENSTAR and Municipal Light & Power concludes that a sustained drilling program Cook Inlet gas costs likely to rise Utility study quantifies activity, cost of next 10 years of production from Cook Inlet will be required to supply natural gas for utility customers until 2020. The study also predicts that exploration and production of gas in the decade to come will be more expensive than in the past 10 years. If the drilling program does not keep up with demand, imports of liquefied natural gas could be required as early as 2013 to ensure the needs of utility cus- tomers are met until an in-state gas line can be completed. The results of the study were presented at a sold-out Resource Development Council of Alaska luncheon March 19. The stand- ing-room only event drew more than 270 people, including Gov. Parnell and Mayor Sullivan. The utilities hired Petrotechnical Resources Alaska to conduct the study. “The findings of our study regarding the remaining devel- oped reserves are essentially the same as those of the DNR study conducted this winter, said Tom Walsh of PRA. “However, we also looked at the levels of prior and future development required to meet demand. Without robust future development, there will soon be supply shortages that will require imported gas from sources outside of Cook Inlet.” PRA concluded that in order to meet utility demand for the next 10 years, it would require pro- ducers in the region to spend an estimated $1.9 to $2.8 billion in drilling and development costs, roughly two to three times what See Cook Inlet gas, page 2 The board set March 17, 2010, as the record date for the 2010 election and annual meeting. Mail-voting packets were mailed to 66,375 Chugach members of record the week of March 29. Members have until noon on Monday, April 26 to return mail ballots. Voting will also be al- lowed at the cooperative’s annual meeting April 29 at the Egan Civic & Convention Center. Results of the election will be announced at the annual meeting. Chugach hosted a “Meet the Candidates” night March 18. A podcast of the forum is available on Chugach’s Web site at www. chugachelectric.com. Cook Inlet gas production will need to be sustained and suc- cessful to meet utility needs Chugach has long supported a state-sponsored Cook Inlet Resource Management Plan to address the diminishing reserves and deliverability of Cook Inlet gas. To meet demand, utilities, the state administration, the Depart- ment of Natural Resources and producers need to work jointly to continue the important task of completing a Cook Inlet Man- agement Plan that assures local needs can be met through market development, drilling programs, storage and a review of import and export capabilities. Chugach position on a Cook Inlet Resource Management Plan A-35 Personnel policy “It is a policy of Chugach Electric Association, Inc., to recruit, hire, train, compensate and promote persons without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, disability, veterans status, age or any other classification protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.” Chugach is also an affirmative action employer.” Contact us Main number 563-7494 Toll free (800) 478-7494 Member Services 563-7366 Member Services fax 762-4678 24-hour payment line 762-7803 Credit 563-5060 Power theft hotline 762-4731 Danger tree hotline 762-7227 Street light hotline 762-7676 Underground locates 278-3121 Regulatory Commission of AK (800) 390-2782 or 276-6222 To report a power outage In Anchorage 762-7888 Outside Anchorage (800) 478-7494 Monthly residential service costs (based on 700 kwh) Corporate Mission: Through superior service, safely provide reliable and competitively priced energy. Corporate vision: Powering Alaska’s future Member Services lobby: 5601 Electron Drive Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Member Services phone: Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Hours Main office: Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. The Chugach Outlet A Publication of Chugach Electric Association, Inc. 5601 Electron Drive P.O. Box 196300 Anchorage, Alaska 99519-6300 Customer charge/month $ 8.00 Energy charge $0.07181 x kwh =$50.27 Fuel $0.04651 x kwh = Purchased power $0.00516 x kwh = $32.56 $ 3.61 (Anticipated fuel & purchased power adjustments effective 4/1/10 – 6/30/10) Subtotal $ 94.44 2% MOA Underground Charge = $ 1.89 RCC $0.000432 x kwh =$ 0.30 Total bill $96.63 Member number hide-n-seek Find your member number {in brackets} in the Outlet and get a $100 credit on your electric bill. Call Chugach’s service center at 563- 7366 to claim your prize. Electronic annual report Chugach is using the Internet as the primary means to distribute annual reports to its members in 2010. The report is expected to be available and posted by early April. Members will also be able to request a printed copy over the phone or at the Web site. Printed copies will be available in the Member Services lobby and at the April 29 annual meeting. Cook Inlet gas (cont’d from page 1) LevelPay can make a difference LevelPay is a program that can help you even out your monthly electric bill payment. Chugach will average your 12-month us- age and you will pay the same amount each month. Members should have received the LevelPay enrollment form with their March bills. Current LevelPay members will automati- cally be re-enrolled and do not need to complete a new enroll- ment form. The program begins with the May billings. If you didn’t receive a form, or want more information, call Chugach at 563-7366. Chugach will be remodeling its Member Service lobby starting in April to better serve member needs. The lobby will remain open for business on the normal schedule. Excuse our mess M/N for April is 1218132 Curious about how much electricity that old refrigerator uses? Find out by borrowing an electricity use monitor. Chugach has two different devices – the “Kill A Watt” and “Watts Up?” The monitors are available on loan to any Chugach customer for up to two weeks. These devices are a quick {1218132} and easy way to mea- sure how much electricity your various appliances and enter- tainment equipment use. The devices can display consump- tion by kilowatt-hour, electricity expenses by day, week, month or year, and voltage and amperage readings. To borrow a monitor, contact Member Services at 563-7366. Electricity use monitors available on loan 5 proposed bylaw amendments on the ballot Chugach members are being asked to vote on five sets of proposed bylaw changes on this year’s elec- tion ballot. The proposed changes were de- veloped by the Bylaws Committee. Both the committee and the board of directors support the amend- ments. If approved the amendments would: • Clarify qualifications for non- natural member candidates running for the Chugach board. • Clarify the term of office for committee members. • Move the annual membership meeting to on or after May 15 and not later than June 15. • Clarify responsibilities of the secretary and treasurer that may be delegated. • Change voting procedures for the board of directors from voting by ballot to open voting at the meeting held to elect officers . was spent in the previous de- cade. An average of 13.6 to 18.5 successful wells per year will be needed to meet demand. A major assumption made by PRA was wells forecasted to be drilled over the next decade would experience the same success rate as those in the past decade. “This can be a somewhat dangerous assumption to make because the easy reserves in Cook Inlet have already been developed. If previously experienced activity levels and success rates are not met, Southcentral Alaskan utilities could find themselves looking for alternatives outside the Cook Inlet as early as 2013,” added Walsh. The presentation and report can be found at the RDC Web site, http://www.akrdc.org. Annual meeting countdown March 29 - Election packets mailed April 26 - Mail ballot cut off (noon) 29 - Annual meeting, Egan Civic & Convention Center, registration at 6 p.m.; meeting starts at 7 p.m. 29 - In-person voting for record date members who haven’t yet voted. Bring a photo I.D. to the annual meeting. It will speed registration. A-36