HomeMy WebLinkAbout09.25.2020 IMC.Executed MinutesAlaska Intertie Management Committee
Friday, September 25, 2020
Anchorage, Alaska
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Anna Henderson called the meeting of the Alaska Intertie Management Committee to
order on September 25, 2020, at 9:10 a.m. A quorum was established.
2. ROLL CALL FOR COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Members present: Anna Henderson - Chair (Municipal Light and Power (ML&P)) (phone); Ed
Jenkin (Matanuska Electric Association (MEA)) (phone); Brian Hickey (Chugach Electric
Association (CEA)) (phone); John Burns (Golden Valley Electric Association (GVEA)) (phone);
and Kirk Warren (Alaska Energy Authority (AEA)).
3. PUBLIC ROLL CALL
Public present: Ladonna Lindley (Accu-Type Depositions); Jennifer Bertolini (AEA); Brian (sp)
Garner (phone) (AEA); Robert Hawkins (AEA); David Lockhard (AEA); Beazit Redzepi
(AEA); Aimee Sudbeck (AEA); Stefan Saldanha (Department of Law); Pete Sarauer (phone)
(GVEA); Ron Woolf (phone) (GVEA); Larry Jorgenson (phone) (HEA); Kirk Gibson (phone)
(McDowell Rackner & Gibson PC); Christina Hunter (phone) (RCA); Dean Thompson (phone)
(ML&P), Jeff Warner (phone) (ML&P); Bernie Smith (phone); and James Unidentified (phone).
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS - None
5. AGENDA APPROVAL
MOTION: Mr. Hickey made a motion to approve the agenda. Motion seconded by Mr.
Warren.
Mr. Jenkin asked if a separate item for Committee Assignments needs to be added to the agenda.
Chair Henderson noted Kirk Gibson, McDowell Rackner & Gibson, advised previously that she
has the authority to make committee assignments under business items.
Chair Henderson requested to amend the agenda and add an item under New Business for the
Sale of ML&P to Chugach Electric. Mr. Hickey and Mr. Warren agreed to the friendly
amendment.
A roll call vote was taken, and the agenda was approved unanimously, including the
friendly amendment to include an item under New Business for the Sale of ML&P to
Chugach Electric.
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6. PRIOR MINUTES - June 30, 2020 and July 24, 2020
MOTION: Mr. Warren made a motion to approve the Minutes of June 30, 2020, and July
24, 2020. Motion seconded by Mr. Hickey.
Mr. Jenkin requested an amendment to the July 24, 2020 Minutes under Item 7C, fourth
paragraph, that would read, "Mr. Jenkin informed the IMC that the IOC has recommended the
above changes." Mr. Warren and Mr. Hickey agreed to the friendly amendment.
A roll call vote was taken, and the Minutes of June 30, 2020, and July 24, 2020 were
approved unanimously, including the friendly amendment to the July 24, 2020 Minutes,
under Item 7C, fourth paragraph, to read "Mr. Jenkin informed the IMC that the IOC has
recommended the above changes"
7. NEW BUSINESS
7A. Operators Report
Chair Henderson requested Jeff Warner, ML&P, provide the Operators Report. Mr. Warner
noted documents were sent via email pertaining to the Operators Report. No Alaska Intertie trips
have occurred since the last meeting. There were four load shed events. No questions were
asked.
7B. Sale of ML&P to Chugach Electric
Chair Henderson informed the IMC that the RCA recently approved the sale and acquisition of
ML&P to Chugach Electric. The close date is scheduled for October 30, 2020. Consent by the
IMC is required before the transfer of ML&P's interest in the Alaska Interne can transfer to
Chugach Electric. Chair Henderson noted she will provide a committee assignment after
discussion occurs.
Mr. Hickey asked if Mr. Gibson is prepared today to provide a brief overview of the
apportionment of shares in the Amended and Restated Interne Agreement. Mr. Gibson agreed
that consent is required by the IMC to assign someone's rights and obligations. Mr. Gibson
reviewed the voting requirements are 66% of the total annual system demand of the voting
members and 75% of the voting members, plus the affirmative vote of AEA among certain
matters. He believes the committee assignment charge will address the voting interests. The
annual total system demand will be the lynchpin of the voting, as to the effect of the merger.
Mr. Warren brought attention to Article 9 discussing the requirements and obligations of the
listed operators of the Intertie. Mr. Warren requested the committee assignment include the
review of Article 9.
Mr. Jenkin commented on the standard requirement for total operating reserve obligations. He
inquired as to how those reserve obligations will be maintained with this acquisition or if the
obligations will be changed with this acquisition. Mr. Jenkin noted that HEA has made a
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determination how HEA is going to participate in reserve requirements after the acquisition in
the future. Mr. Jenkin suggested that the Operating Committee be assigned to review spinning
reserve obligations based upon past practice and other appropriate methodologies, and then to
report the findings back to the IMC.
Mr. Hickey suggested the assignment that Mr. Jenkin recommended be assigned to multiple
subcommittees, including the System Studies Subcommittee, and to Mr. Gibson. Mr. Jenkin
responded he believes that the assignment could be made to the Operating Committee, as the
System Studies Subcommittee is a subset of the Operating Committee, and the determination can
be made at the Operating Committee level. Mr. Hickey believes Mr. Gibson should be involved
because of the likely requirement to amend Appendix H. He requested draft language to
Appendix H, Section 10, be presented and proposed at the next meeting, as well as any
maintenance sub -agreement language, and any sub -agreement lease language.
Mr. Gibson believes the committee assignment for the Operating Committee should address the
technical operating reserve issue, including spinning reserves and operating reserves, and Section
10., regarding the responsibility of the operation of the Intertie. Mr. Gibson believes the
Operating Committee should provide recommendations to the IMC on both of those issues.
Mr. Burns recommended the committee assignment include an expeditious, comprehensive and
systematic review by the Operating Committee and Mr. Gibson to outline the impacts in the
various sections associated with the acquisition. The overall report and recommendations will
then be presented to the IOC.
Chair Henderson assigned Mr. Gibson to advise the IMC on any requirements for consent related
to the sale of ML&P to Chugach Electric, and work with the Intertie Operating Committee (IOC)
to formulate a new annual systems demand amount preview with determining voting
requirements and MITCR, no later than October SO. There were no questions regarding the
assignment.
Chair Henderson assigned the IOC and any relevant subcommittee to advise the IMC on
operational impacts that result from the sale of ML&P to Chugach Electric, no later than October
9a'.
Mr. Hickey asked Mr. Gibson if there are any ramifications should these issues not be resolved
by October 30'. Mr. Hickey noted there are 24 working days to fulfill the assignments. Mr.
Gibson noted ML&P's operation responsibility for the Intertie will need to be replaced and the
agreements need to match the timeline. Mr. Hickey requested Mr. Gibson assist the IOC and
other committees to prioritize the efforts and provide actionable information in the event there
are time constraints. W. Gibson agreed.
Chair Henderson clarified the assignment to the IOC was to advise on the impacts. The IOC and
Mr. Gibson will then advise on what needs to be addressed before consent is given and what can
be addressed after consent is given.
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Mr. Warner acknowledged he received the assignments from Chair Henderson and will work
with Mr. Gibson to get the assignments completed in a timely manner.
8. COMMITTEE REPORTS
8A. OC Report
Mr. Warner noted the IOC report is included in the packet. The IOC last met on August 6Ih. The
scheduled September 241' meeting was postponed due to member availability. Mr. Warner
summarized the report and assignments given to the IOC subcommittees. The IOC members
were to develop an overview document to describe data requirements in order to exchange data
between each of the utilities. This work is ongoing. Mr. Warner noted the Douglas Substation
Microwave Communication Project will use funding from a $6.9 million grant. The IOC
requested that AEA provide approximately $500,000 in additional funding for this effort. Mr.
Warner read AEA's response indicating that AEA is not prepared to commit funds, given the
State's economic circumstances. AEA is committed to working with utilities and their
management teams. Mr. Warner anticipates this item to be discussed at the next meetings.
Mr. Warner reported that work is ongoing to share Committee, Subcommittee, and system event
information. Mr. Warner noted that Mr. Gibson attended the last meeting to address Cantwell
Station ownership and cost sharing allocation requirements. Mr. Warner summarized Mr.
Gibson's review of the AIA agreement and that the Railbelt utilities are obligated to cover
transmission line switches. Mr. Warner indicated that the mobile sub issue that GVEA brought
to the Committee will still need to be addressed. The evaluation for the cost -sharing
methodology for that project will be an ongoing discussion at upcoming meetings.
Mr. Warner reported that the Dispatch and System Operations Subcommittee is reviewing
current Railbelt maintenance scheduling processes and is reviewing current IOC reliability
reporting. Mr. Warner reported that the Engineering Relay and Reliability Subcommittee
(ERRS) was to look at the bulk system Executive Order and make a recommendation to the IOC.
Mr. Warner read the response: "Due to the lack of specificity within the Order, the ERRS
recommends no immediate action. The Subcommittee suggests that we continue to use industry
best practices when acquiring goods and services for the Intertie. It is anticipated that policies
regarding infrastructure procurement will be developed by the Order's task force in the near
future." The ERRS recommends that the appropriate subcommittees of the IOC review and edit
policy when it is made available to the public. Mr. Warner noted the IOC agreed with the
Subcommittee recommendation.
Mr. Warner reported that the Machines Rating Subcommittee was assigned to work with the
Systems Studies Subcommittee to review the operation study results. An ad hoc subcommittee
was formed with members of both subcommittees and one Chair. The work is ongoing. Mr.
Warner reported that the Operations Maintenance and Scheduling Subcommittee was assigned to
ensure that the notifications are made. Mr. Warner reported that the Systems Studies
Subcommittee is working with PTI (sp) related to the oscillation study. Mr. Warner reported that
AEA is working with GE in order to obtain a bid to install settings once provided by PTI at the
SVCs on the Intertie. Mr. Warner does not expect the cost to be overly high. The scope of work
that is required is anticipated to be within the current SVC maintenance agreement.
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Mr. Warner discussed the flyover for the LIDAR project is complete. Manitoba Hydro is
currently compiling the data and will provide the reports and information as required by the
contract. Mr. Warner expressed appreciation to Dan Bishop and David Lockhard for creating
today's report in his absence. There were no questions.
8B. Budget To Actual Report
Beazit Redzepi, AEA, Mr. Redzepi discussed the Budget to Actual Report for the entire year.
The total revenues collected for the year were $2,515,661. The total expenses incurred for the
year were $963,027. The surplus for the year was $1,552,634. Mr. Redzepi reviewed the total
budgeted usage and actual usage shown on page two of the report. There were no questions.
9. MEMBERS COMMENTS
Mr. Burns expressed appreciation for the thorough reports.
Mr. Hickey expressed appreciation to Mr. Bishop and Mr. Lockhard for creating the IOC
summary report.
Mr. Warren echoed the comments of appreciation for the reports and to staff. He introduced
Jennifer Bertolini as the new Executive Assistant for AEA.
Chair Henderson welcomed Ms. Bertolini, and echoed the comments of appreciation. Chair
Henderson thanked the Committees for their upcoming work and efforts, based on the
assignments given today.
10. NEXT MEETING DATE - December 11, 2020
The next scheduled meeting is Friday, December IIth. Chair Henderson noted that another
meeting is likely to occur prior to December, based on the assignments given today.
11. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business of the AIMC, the meeting adjourned at 10:00 a.m.
Chair
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