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Council tables municipal energy policy; asks staff to add clarifications before next committee meeting
Summary
The council reviewed two drafts of a proposed Batavia Municipal Electric Utility energy policy, preferred Draft B, requested clarifying language (responsibilities, short-term measures, glossary) and voted to table action until a revised draft returns to committee.
The Batavia City Council on Aug. 18 reviewed two drafts of an energy policy for the Batavia Municipal Electric Utility and directed staff to incorporate clarifications before returning the matter to the next Committee of the Whole meeting for a vote.
Max (staff) presented two drafts (A and B) and said Draft B incorporated prior council and stakeholder input. Councilmembers praised the quick turnaround and asked for clearer language describing who is responsible for tasks in the policy, a glossary of terms and explicit short-term interventions such as demand-side programs and a green-energy pilot.
A councilmember asked that the policy explicitly tie the utility goals to existing commitments, such as the Greenest Region Compact and the city's Climate Action Plan, so external reviewers understand the city's policy framework. Another alderman raised the related issue of how to treat customer-owned solar compensation (net metering vs. net billing) and suggested staff consider that matter in the forthcoming rate study.
After discussion, Alderman Malone moved to table the policy until the next Committee of the Whole meeting to allow staff to add the suggested clarifications; Alderman Anderson seconded. The motion to table carried by roll call vote, 13 yes, 1 no. The council did not adopt a policy at the meeting; staff were asked to return a revised Draft B that incorporates the requested language.
Staff and consultants (the Brattle Group was referenced as the consultant working on the integrated resource plan) will continue to fine-tune the policy language so it can serve as "guide rails" for the Brattle Group's work on the utility's integrated resource plan and the rate study.
No final regulatory commitment was made at the meeting. Councilmembers stressed the need to remain adaptable as technologies, state rules and customer preferences change.
