HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-05-02 RTO Agenda
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RAILBELT TRANSMISSION ORGANIZATION (RTO)
GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE
AGENDA
May 2, 2025 11:30 AM
Alaska Energy Authority
Conference Room
To participate dial 1-888-585-9008 and use code 212-753-619#
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. ROLL CALL (for Committee members)
3. PUBLIC ROLL CALL (for all others present)
4. AGENDA APPROVAL
5. PUBLIC COMMENTS
6. APPROVAL OF THE MEETING MINUTES – April 18, 2025
7. OLD BUSINESS
A. Working Group Update – Daniel Heckman
B. RTO Certificate Filing and OATT Filing – Tina Grovier
8. EXECUTIVE SESSION – (Bylaws Section 5.12.3) To discuss matters, the immediate knowledge of
which could have an adverse effect on the finances or legal position of the RTO, the Committee
or Authority, or that are confidential under state, federal, or local law.
9. NEW BUSINESS
10. MEMBERS COMMENTS
11. NEXT MEETING DATE – May 16, 2025
12. ADJOURNMENT
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RTO Minutes 4/18/25 Page 1 of 5
RAILBELT TRANSMISSION ORGANIZATION (RTO) MEETING MINUTES April 18, 2025 Alaska Energy Authority Conference Room 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Izzo, MEA, called the Railbelt Transmission Organization Governance Committee meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. A quorum was established. 2. ROLL CALL (for Committee members) Tony Izzo (Matanuska Electric Association [MEA]); Travis Million (Golden Valley Electric Association [GVEA]); Sarah Lambe (Homer Electric Association [HEA]); Brian Hickey (City of Seward); Arthur Miller (Chugach Electric Association [CEA]); Curtis Thayer (Alaska Energy Authority [AEA]); and Ed Jenkin (Railbelt Reliability Counsel [RRC]). 3. PUBLIC ROLL CALL (for all others present) Fernanda Conrad (Accu-Type Depositions); Karen Bell, Jennifer Bertolini, Mark Billingsley, William Price (AEA); Matt Clarkson (CEA); Cody George (City of Seward); Daniel Heckman, Molly Howard (GVEA); Larry Jorgensen, Jessica Spuhler (HEA); Jon Sinclair, Tony Zellers (MEA); Carl Monroe (Munro Advisors, LLC); Andrew Jensen (Office of the Governor); Bernie Smith (Public); Claire KnudsenLatta (Regulatory Commission of Alaska [RCA]); and Tina Grovier (Stoel Rives, RTO).
4. AGENDA APPROVAL MOTION: A motion was made by Mr. Hickey to approve the agenda. Motion seconded by Mr. Thayer. The motion to approve the agenda passed without objection. 5. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Clair KnudsenLatta, RCA, identified herself for the record.
Bernie Smith, public, identified himself for the record.
There were no other public comments.
6. APPROVAL OF THE MEETING MINUTES – March 21, 2025
MOTION: A motion was made by Mr. Miller to approve the Meeting Minutes of March 21, 2025. Motion seconded by Mr. Thayer.
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RTO Minutes 4/18/25 Page 2 of 5
A roll call was taken, and the motion to approve the Minutes of March 21, 2025 passed unanimously. 7. OLD BUSINESS
A. Working Group Update
Daniel Heckman, GVEA, provided the RTO Working Group update. Mr. Heckman noted that the Working Group has been diligently engaged since the previous RTO meeting, and concluded a two-day workshop yesterday. The focus of the workshop was in preparation of today’s meeting topics, specifically the discussion, consideration, and deliberation of the backbone transmission. Additionally, the Working Group reviewed the financial analysis that RTO’s consultant Carl Monroe, Munro Advisors, is developing. Mr. Heckman commented that based on the discussions during the workshop, and anticipated discussions today, the financial analysis will be updated to reflect the new information. Mr. Heckman noted that there are no items for decision at today’s RTO meeting. Mr. Heckman informed that the Open Action Transmission Tariff (OATT) was also a focus during the Working Group’s two-day workshop. He believes that the process of refining the OATT policy provisions is progressing well, and will continue at the Working Group’s next meeting on Tuesday. Mr. Heckman thanked the everyone who is on the Working Group and the sub-working groups for their extensive effort, thorough discussions, and attendance of multiple meetings. Mr. Jenkin asked Mr. Heckman to outline the timeframe for the utilities to supply the data needed for unifying the Annual Transmission Revenue Requirement (ATRR) determination process. Mr. Heckman emphasized that the timeline requirement to provide the supplemental information to Mr. Monroe is by the end of the business day next Friday, April 25, 2025. Mr. Heckman understands that is a heavy ask of some of the entities. He realizes that the RTO Committee has many decisions to make prior to the fast-approaching July 1, 2025 deadline. Chair Izzo asked if Mr. Heckman can provide an update on the process and development of the backbone transmission system (BTS). Mr. Heckman indicated that Jon Sinclair, MEA, will conduct a thorough discussion of the subject and the process later on during today’s meeting. Mr. Heckman stated that the Technical Working Group held multiple meetings concentrating on the different iterations of the BTS, and ultimately arrived at the preliminary list of facilities that the Working Group believes constitute the BTS. This determination will be discussed and considered during today’s meeting. Mr. Heckman stated that much of the ATRR process has been driven by internal communications between Mr. Monroe and the various entities supplying information from their Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) accounts and other specific practices. Mr. Heckman explained the importance of ensuring that certain allocations are configured similarly across all entities.
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RTO Minutes 4/18/25 Page 3 of 5
Mr. Heckman asked Mr. Monroe to provide further comments on those efforts. Mr. Monroe commented that Mr. Heckman gave a good explanation. The hope is that comparing the data set that is due next Friday will provide additional indication of general consistency. Chair Izzo expressed appreciation for the comments and looks forward to the discussion. He emphasized the importance of assuring that the process is consistent and that the RTO Governance Committee is providing clarity for future classification of lines. There were no other comments or questions. B. RTO Certificate Filing and OATT Filing
Tina Grovier, Stoel Rives, and Counsel to the RTO, provided the update on the RTO Certificate Filing and the OATT Filing. Ms. Grovier discussed that since the previous RTO meeting, the RCA issued an order asking Alaska Public Interest Research Group (AKPIRG) to clarify whether it objected to the discovery responses being on the record. The response to the request was due by March 21, 2025. Ms. Grovier explained that AKPIRG did not file in opposition. Ms. Grovier discussed that RTO filed opposition to AKPIRG’s motion for summary disposition and RTO also filed a cross motion. Subsequently, AKPIRG filed its reply in opposition to RTO’s motion. Ms. Grovier discussed that she then worked with AKPIRG and Regulatory Affairs & Public Advocacy (RAPA) to follow up with the judge to determine if the Commission might be ready to vacate the hearing date scheduled for Monday and Tuesday of this week. Additionally, Ms. Grovier discussed with AKPIRG regarding the judge’s questioning whether AKPIRG’s lack of response was indicative of no objection. She confirmed with AKPIRG and relayed to the judge that the lack of response indicated no objection. Additionally, on Friday, AKPIRG vacated the previously scheduled hearings. Ms. Grovier explained that RTO filed the reply due on April 16, 2025. Ms. Grovier confirmed that she does not have anything to add to Mr. Heckman’s report regarding the OATT Filing. However, she does have related matters to discuss in executive session, the immediate knowledge of which could have an adverse effect on the legal position and financial position of the RTO and/or the Committee members. There were no other comments or questions. 8. NEW BUSINESS- None
MOTION: A motion was made by Mr. Hickey to enter Executive Session to discuss confidential matters related to the RTO finances and legal strategy. This is consistent with the Bylaws, which allows a Board to consider confidential matters in executive session. In this case, the RTO believes that these subjects would have an adverse effect on the finances of the RTO, are being discussed with an attorney, the immediate knowledge of which could have an adverse effect on the legal position of the RTO or the Committee or are otherwise protected by law. Motion seconded by Mr. Miller. A roll call was taken, and the motion to enter into Executive Session passed unanimously.
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RTO Minutes 4/18/25 Page 4 of 5
9. EXECUTIVE SESSION – 8:18 am. (Bylaws Section 5.12.3) To discuss matters with an attorney for the Committee, the immediate knowledge of which could have an adverse effect on the finances or legal position of the Committee or Authority. The RTO Governance Committee reconvened its regular meeting at 12:03 p.m. Chair Izzo advised that the RTO did not take any formal action on matters discussed while in Executive Session, except as authorized in the Bylaws 5.12.2. Mr. Thayer requested to add to the agenda. There was no objection. MOTION: A motion was made by Mr. Thayer for the RTO to authorize the RTO’s counsel and Chair Izzo to finalize and execute the replacement contract for Munro Advisors, LLC. Motion seconded by Mr. Miller. A roll call was taken, and the motion to authorize the RTO’s counsel and Chair Izzo to finalize and execute the replacement contract for Munro Advisors, LLC passed unanimously. 10. MEMBERS COMMENTS Ms. Lambe expressed appreciation to the Technical Working Group for working through the long list of items. She looks forward to the next meeting. Mr. Hickey thanked all the working groups and sub-working groups for their work. He is pleased with the forward progress. Vice Chair Million echoed the previous comments of appreciation. He understands the amount of work completed to reach this point. He suggested that the Committee consider extending the length of the May 2, 2025 meeting to ensure adequate time for reviewing items. Mr. Miller echoed the previous comments. He expressed appreciation for the work and progress of the technical committees. He believes that expectations should be adjusted regarding the work that will be completed to meet the filing deadline. Mr. Miller believes there will be additional work after the deadline is met. Mr. Jenkin echoed the comments of appreciation. Mr. Thayer thanked everyone for the work and dialog today, and for the presentations going forward. Chair Izzo echoed the previous comments, and gave special thanks to Jennifer Bertolini, AEA, for her efforts. He expressed additional appreciation to the various committees, including the Working Group and the Technical Committee. Chair Izzo noted that he looks forward to the completion of the filing.
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RTO Minutes 4/18/25 Page 5 of 5
11. NEXT MEETING DATE – May 2, 2025 The Committee discussed suggestions for future meeting dates and times. Chair Izzo summarized that the next meeting will be May 2, 2025, from 11:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Chair Izzo advised that the Railbelt Utility Managers (RUM) meeting previously scheduled for May 2, 2025 will be rescheduled by Mr. Miller. Additionally, Chair Izzo outlined meeting dates of May 16, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and May 28, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Lunch will be provided at the extended meetings. The meetings in June will be confirmed at a later date, and are tentatively scheduled for June 13, 2025, and June 20, 2025. 12. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business for the committee, the meeting adjourned at 12:16 p.m. _____________________________________________ Tony Izzo, Chair ______________________________________________ Curtis W. Thayer, Secretary