ESC Residential Consortium Minutes 121020

ESC Residential Consortium Minutes from December 10, 2020 Meeting was called to order at 2:03 pm Eastern Time Attendance: Black Hills Energy Ruth Hietbrink CenterPoint Energy Kathryn Knudson Chesapeake Utilities Tiffany Giroux Eversource Christopher Ehlert National Fuel Ashley Butera NYSEG Troy Trombley Southeast Gas Shannon Jackson Southern Co Corey Minshew UGI Kim Geder February TMAF: We will be holding a 3-day webathon in a similar fashion to the webathon we held in June 2020. The TMAF “webathon” will run from February 23 – 25, 2021. As with the June event, you will be able to attend which ever sessions appeal to you and you will not need to attend for the entire 3-day event. If you do not recall receiving an earlier email with instructions on how to register for this event, continue to watch your email for additional opportunities to register. You can always send Barb an email as well and she can send the registration link to you. Natural Living Spring 2021: We are currently accepting orders for the spring 2021 issue of Natural Living. The theme for this issue is “Enjoyable and Economical”. Orders are due by Friday, December 18 and they are expected to ship on January 29. If you missed the email that included the registration form it can be accessed by following this link: https://www.energysolutionscenter.org/magazines_reports/natural_living_magazine.aspx?F_Category=15 You can also send Barb an email and she will send the order form to you. ASHRAE BoD Approves Standard 62.2 Addendum “a” of ASHRAE Standard 62.2 would result in the effective ban of unvented gas heating appliances. This addendum has been debated for three years and has had numerous challenges during this time. The Board of Directors had disapproved this addendum in 2019 and then recently reversed its decision and has now approved Addendum “a”. No revisions were made and a compromise by an ad hoc working group, which addressed technical issues as well as unsubstantiated requirements, appears to have been ignored. None of the previously received negative comments were addressed; AGA being one of those. An industry interest group is appealing this decision according to ASHRAE guidelines for appeal. AGA and other organizations did urge the Board to stand fast on their disapproval. We will continue to follow this issue. AGA is hoping that manufacturers of unvented heaters become involved at this point as they did not join efforts three years ago. AGA has reason to believe this might be different this time. Stay tuned! Residential Furnace Efficiency Ruling: Things have been quiet for the past 4 years on this front; all discussion on this topic ceased once the Trump administration moved into the White House. However, this may change now that President-elect Biden will be taking office as Biden has shown more interest in energy conservation and efficiency than the out-going administration. We will be keeping an eye on this issue as well. Open Discussion: During open discussion, Barb shared that San Francisco was the latest city considering the ban of natural gas in new buildings and homes. Barb asked what others are seeing in their areas, or if any member had handouts/white papers they would be willing to share. Kat Knudson, CenterPoint Energy, noted that CNP has been focused on their resiliency effort. While they have not had any issues in “their backyard” they are trying to stay ahead of the curve and be proactive rather than reactive. Kat did say she would be happy to share any materials as they are developed. Ashley Butera, National Fuel, noted that the UK is considering the ban of natural gas in new builds by 2023. Barb did remind members that at the Arizona TMAF (March 2020) SW Gas was proud to share that the state of Arizona had passed legislation to retain people’s choice of fuel. At that time, Chris Strippelhoff, from the Municipal Gas Assn of Georgia, also commented that his state was looking to do the same thing. On today’s call, Corey Minshew, Southern Co., shared that Tennessee and Alabama have passed legislation allowing people to choose what fuel will be in their homes and businesses. He also said that GA will be voting on that legislation shortly. It is refreshing to hear that some states are allowing freedom of choice. Ruth Heitbrink, Black Hills, noted that Lincoln, NE is working on a resiliency plan and hope to decarbonize by 2050. Barb commented that she feels people aren’t thinking through what is happening. They hear save the environment but aren’t realizing they are losing the freedom of choice and will be facing higher energy bills. Ashley Butera from National Fuel agreed. Troy Trombley, NYSEG, noted in their latest rate case they agreed to net zero growth for natural gas. He also noted that they did not have a conversion campaign with rebates in 2020 and they added a similar number of new customers as the previous year when they had rebates! Being in the Northeast Troy said it shows that people want gas. NYSEG will not be undertaking any large gas expansions but they will serve new customers withing 100’ of their main. NYSEG will extend their lines further if the customer agrees to pay. If a new home is built in front of an existing main they can connect to gas. Barb asked the group if there is anything the consortium should be working on with respect to deliverables. Shannon Jackson, Southeast Gas, commented that her company is preparing talking points for employees with respect to electrification and it would be good for the consortium to work on the same. Barb will begin to draft some items for the group to review. The meeting was adjourned at 2:38 PM Eastern time after wishing all a happy and safe holiday season!