HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.22.2019 IMC_MINUTES
AIMC Minutes November 22, 2019 Page 1 of 5
ALASKA INTERTIE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
REGULAR MEETING
Alaska Energy Authority Board Room, Anchorage Alaska
Friday, November 22, 2019
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Anna Henderson called the meeting of the Alaska Intertie Management
Committee to order on November 22, 2019, at 9:00 a.m. A quorum was established.
2. ROLL CALL FOR COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Members present: Anna Henderson (Municipal Light & Power (ML&P)); Tony Izzo
(Matanuska Electric Association (MEA)); Brian Hickey (Chugach Electric Association
(CEA)); Cory Borgeson (Golden Valley Electric Association (GVEA)); and Kirk Warren
(Alaska Energy Authority (AEA)).
3. PUBLIC ROLL CALL
Public present in Anchorage: Ladonna Lindley (Accu-Type Depositions); Ashton Doyle
(AEA); Jocelyn Garner (AEA); David Lockard (AEA); Beazit Redzepi (AEA); Stefan
Saldanha (Department of Law); Russell Thornton (CEA); Bob Day (Homer Electric
Association (HEA) Bradley Lake Hydro); Larry Jorgensen (HEA); Kirk Gibson (McDowell
Rackner & Gibson PC); Ed Jenkin (MEA); David Pease (MEA); Jeff Warner (ML&P);
Bernie Smith (Public); Christina Hunter (RCA) (phone); and John Foutz (City of
Seward).
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS
None.
5. AGENDA APPROVAL
MOTION: Mr. Borgeson made a motion to approve the agenda. Motion seconded
by Mr. Hickey. The motion was approved unanimously.
6. APPROVAL OF PRIOR MINUTES - September 27, 2019
MOTION: Mr. Izzo made a motion to approve the September 27, 2019 minutes.
Motion seconded by Mr. Warren. The motion was approved unanimously.
7. NEW BUSINESS
7A. FY19 IMC Refund
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Jocelyn Garner, AEA and Budget Subcommittee Chair, noted the FY19 IMC refund
handout is included in the member packet. She described the process by which the
Budget Subcommittee calculates and determines the annual excess revenues or the
revenue deficiencies. The calculation is reported to the IOC. It is the responsibility of the
IOC to grant AEA the authority to provide any annual refund to the participants and
users. Ms. Garner noted there were two calculations for the refund shared with both the
Budget Subcommittee and the IOC. The Budget Subcommittee requested both
calculations be reported to the IMC. The Budget Subcommittee recommended the
historical calculation be utilized for the refund to remain consistent with previous
precedent. The IOC agreed with using the historical calculation and recommended both
calculations be presented to the IMC. Additionally, the IOC recommended a legal review
of the agreement language be conducted to ensure the calculation is within compliance.
Ms. Garner reviewed the calculations and the processes.
MOTION: Mr. Borgeson made a motion to approve the refund determination
based on historical calculations, pursuant to legal review and direction. Motion
seconded by Mr. Hickey.
Mr. Warren verified the IOC agreed with the Budget Subcommittee’s recommendation
to use the historical calculation for the refund, and to conduct a legal review of the
agreement language. Ms. Garner agreed.
Chair Henderson asked Mr. Gibson if she assigns IMC legal review or if the IOC assigns
legal review. Mr. Gibson explained it is possible for the Chair to assign the legal review
to both Mr. Gibson and to the IOC. Mr. Gibson will report findings and directions to the
IMC and AEA.
Mr. Borgeson inquired if this topic was a discussion at a previous IMC meeting. Ms.
Garner remembers discussing this topic in a previous Budget Subcommittee, but not an
IMC meeting. The historical calculation was the only calculation presented to the IMC
last year.
A roll call vote was taken, and the motion was approved unanimously.
7B. Operators Report
Jeff Warner, ML&P, reviewed the Operators Report. The usage is reflected per the
budget year for the time period of July through October. Usage has been down during
this period. Bradley Lake has been out of service during this time period, which
contributed to the decreased usage. Mr. Warner discussed a recent trip on the Intertie.
This is the only trip that has occurred during 2019. It was determined to be a single
phase fault. The Relay Protection Subcommittee is researching the reason for the trip
and the solution for prevention.
Mr. Warner gave a general overview of the provided Quarterly Report. He informed the
Committee of an item not included within the Quarterly Report that occurred on
AIMC Minutes November 22, 2019 Page 3 of 5
November 20th at Substation 15 near Northern Lights. ML&P received SCADA alarms in
the morning and the operator proceeded to view the camera output and determined the
cameras had been damaged by an intrusion. No copper was missing. Various valves had
been closed and breakers had gone stiff. The high voltage protection was damaged and
disabled. Wires and fiber within the communication cabinet were cut and damaged. The
LTC cabinet at the transformer was opened and breakers were turned off. The sudden
pressure and nitrogen were valved out. ML&P is working with law enforcement
regarding the issue and additional information will be reported as released.
Mr. Borgeson expressed appreciation for the report. He believes the cameras should be
motion sensitive.
Mr. Hickey inquired as to the IOC status of the critical infrastructure protection
standard for physical security. Mr. Warner requested Ed Jenkin, MEA and Chair of IOC,
address the question. Chair Henderson invited Mr. Jenkin to comment. Mr. Jenkin
believes the critical infrastructure protection standard for physical security has been
moved out of the IOC, but he will confirm.
Mr. Hickey suggested the IOC be assigned to review the standards in light of the recent
incident.
Mr. Borgeson commented the six utilities have filed cyber and physical security
standards with the Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA). He reiterated the request
for the IOC to review the standards to ensure adequate coverage of the physical security
issues related to the recent break-in. Mr. Jenkin will confirm the approved standards
included physical security. Mr. Warner affirmed the approved standards included
physical security.
Mr. Warren requested additional information regarding the status of the IMC review
and approval of the cyber and physical security standards. Mr. Warner noted he is
unaware of the status. Mr. Jenkin informed he does not recall the IMC process or AEA’s
adoption of standards. Mr. Warren does not believe AEA has the ability to unilaterally
decide on Intertie standards.
Mr. Hickey believes the cyber and physical security standards were passed off to the
Railbelt Utility Manager Group and approved.
8. COMMITTEE REPORTS
8A. OC Report
Mr. Jenkin reviewed the IOC Report. Mr. Jenkin provided a written IOC Report to
members. He highlighted the IOC action revising language of the presently adopted
Intertie Agreement. The revisions reflect actual operations concerning boundaries for
maintenance and control. The revisions will be brought forth at the next IOC meeting
with an action request.
AIMC Minutes November 22, 2019 Page 4 of 5
Mr. Jenkin noted Item 4, concerning the ability to increase visibility and spin calculation
accounting, is still progressing. Release of necessary final information for review is
being resolved at a subcommittee level.
Mr. Jenkin informed the status of the modeling updates will be reviewed in
subcommittee.
8B. Budget to Actual Report
Ms. Garner presented the Budget to Actual Report for the months of July and August.
The current calculated refund is approximately $701,000. The operating refund is not
likely to continue to increase at the previous rate. The September and October reduced
Intertie usage is not shown on the report. Ms. Garner reviewed the cash balance within
the Alaska Intertie Trust Fund for the remaining of the fiscal year.
Mr. Borgeson commented the Intertie usage has decreased during the fiscal year. He
suggested the IOC is asked to review and propose a revised budget to reflect the
reduced usage and to reduce some of the planned expenses that will not get
accomplished this year. The IOC would make their proposed budget revisions to the
Budget Subcommittee, who would then review and bring a possible budget
modification before the IMC.
9. COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
Chair Henderson assigned the IOC to review the cyber and physical security standards
in front of the RCA and to make a recommendation to the IMC regarding any necessary
comments or modificatons, in light of the recent security breaches.
Chair Henderson assigned the IOC and the Budget Subcommittee to review the budget
to determine whether any mid-year budget adjustments are necessary, in light of the
decline in usage.
Chair Henderson assigned Mr. Gibson to carry forth the motion adopted by the
Committee today.
10. MEMBERS COMMENTS
Mr. Borgeson expressed appreciation for the work presented today.
Mr. Hickey echoed appreciation for the work and detailed reports.
Chair Henderson expressed appreciation for participation.
11. NEXT MEETING DATE - January 24, 2020