IOU Collaboration
November 15th, 2016
Mitch Brey
Campaign Director
RePower Madison
920-323-9585
www.repowermadison.org
What is RePower Madison?
Citizen group formed in 2014 in response
to MGE's unpopular billing scheme.
Working to increase citizen involvement
in energy decision-making.
MGE's Rate Case -2014
Changes to energy bill:
Higher mandatory monthly fixed fees
Slightly lower charge base on usage
Billing Scheme
Low-energy users suffer
High-energy users save
Uproar
Strong Community Pushback
Broad Community Outcry
“MGE opposes Madison’s
Effort to Grow Solar Energy”
The utility didn’t support city’s 2014 SunShot grant application
Pressure causes MGE to
Consider Changing Course
In October 2014, MGE sent a formal letter to 141,000
customers promising the opportunity to weigh in before
further bill restructuring – “Community Energy Conversations”
MGE asked for input on next 10 year plan
Guidance to become “the utility of the future”
Four-Phase Process
Phase I - Introductory meetings
with key stakeholders - June
2015.
Phase II - Community Energy
Conversations, designed to
engage customers and the
public to contribute guidance
for future energy decisions -
July to November 2015.
Phase III - Community Energy Workshop – April
19th, 2016. Phase III also included individual
dialogues between MGE and stakeholder
groups.
Phase IV – JSA proposal for formation of a
Community Energy Partnership – Fall 2016
Community Energy
Partnership
Strong community representation with
transparency and accountability.
Promote programs to increase energy efficiency
and renewables for all.
Assure customers have an active role in decision
making.
MGE CEO Gary Wolter “we wanted to ask customers, communities and
stakeholders to help MGE become the utility of the future.”
Community Energy Partnership?
http://www.channel3000.com/madison-magazine/business-city-life/madison-could-be-
home-of-utility-of-the-future/33385174
Community Conversation Results
The report listed participants most important issues:
A reduced carbon footprint
Self-generated power
More information about the grid and reliability
More diverse MGE leadership
An emphasis on conservation
A renewed commitment to equity
More information and communication
RPM’s analysis found:
Opposition to mandatory fees was 2nd most frequent comment
What did MGE do with all that
community input?
MGE's Energy 2030 Framework
Provide 30% of retail energy sales from
renewable resources by 2030
Reduce CO2 pollution by 40% from 2005
levels by 2030
Pledged not to increase fixed fees in 2017
Additional Pressure
A “Technical Workgroup” - CUB, Clean WI, & MGE
Alternative business models and rate designs
Shareholder Advocates
Withdrew shareholder resolutions in exchange
for dialogue and a renewable energy study
“MGE Shareholders for Clean Energy”
City of Madison’s Energy Work Plan
Explored (legal) options to meet energy goals
City currently in negotiations with MGE over
potential collaboration
Empowered
A tale of three cities taking
charge of their energy future.
Boulder, Minneapolis, Madison
Available for free at
midwestenergynews.com/books
Madison's Energy Plan
In 2011 The Sustainability Plan was put together to
help Madison reach its clean energy goals.
80% carbon reduction by 2050
25% of electricity, heating, and
transportation energy produced from clean
energy by 2025
Reduce overall energy consumption by 50%
by 2030
10 Point Plan
1) Review the city's climate change goals.
2) Create city staff to focus on energy issues and
implement the plan.
3) Support regional energy initiatives.
4) Promote existing city programs related to energy
efficiency and renewable energy.
5) Establish a city-wide Property Assessed Clean
Energy (PACE) program.
6) Implement benchmarking.
7) Record city-owned
property suitable for solar
development.
8) Increase the city's green
sector economic development
efforts.
9) Study feasibility of an
internal sustainability fund
based on city-operations.
10) Negotiate with MGE on
clean energy efforts.
Thank you! Questions?
Contact Mitch Brey:
www.facebook.com/repowermadison
www.repowermadison.org
Twitter: @RePowerMadison
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