Download - Renewable Energy/Energy Conservation Survey
March 9, 2009 WMLP1
Renewable Energy/Energy Conservation Survey
WMLP
Presentation To Board of Selectmen
Monday, March 9, 2009
March 9, 2009WMLP2
Customer Survey Objective: Obtain Customer Feedback
• Interest in Renewable Energy
• Involvement in Energy Conservation
• Compatibility of MLP Mission Statement
March 9, 2009WMLP3
Opinion Dynamics Corporation Retention
Ensure Question Neutrality
Statistical Validity of Sample Size
Tabulate Results
March 9, 2009WMLP4
Reflection on Selection of Opinion Dynamics
Opinion Dynamics Well-Earned Reputation
Specific Expertise in Energy Field
Produced Quality Report/Conclusions
Light Board Confident in Direction Provided
March 9, 2009WMLP5
Survey Selection and Responses
Customers Randomly Selected
2,000 Residential Customers 597 surveys returned
700 Commercial Customers 77 surveys returned
March 9, 2009WMLP6
Rank Importance of MLP Objectives
Objective Residential Commercial
Reliability 95% 95%
Cost 87% 95%
Efficiency Town Buildings 84% 79%
Renewable Energy 70% 77%
Conservation Education/Programs 55% 54%
Profit for General Fund 17% 20%
March 9, 2009WMLP7
Willingness to increase electric bill to help pay for energy conservation and/or renewable energy.
Willingness Residential Commercial
Very 14% 4%
Somewhat 39% 34%
Not very 26% 38%
Not at all 20% 25%
March 9, 2009WMLP8
What specific energy conservation and/or renewable energy programs would you be willing to pay more for.
Program Residential Commercial
Energy Efficiency Town Buildings 42% 30%
Town-wide Renewable Energy 33% 22%
Subsidize Solar Panels 31% 25%
Home Energy Audit 26% 16%
Energy Conservation 25% 19%
Appliance Rebate 23% 17%
March 9, 2009WMLP9
Businesses and residents using compact florescent lights.
Bulbs Replaced Residential Commercial
None 22% 29%
Some 39% 30%
About-half 18% 11%
Most 16% 23%
All 5% 7%
Wellesley has extremely high penetration rate.
March 9, 2009WMLP10
Guidance Received Vs. MLP Mission Statement
1. Mission Statement Objectives• Competitive Price• Reliable Service• Financial Benefits to Town• Safety Public and Employees
2. Overall Mission Statement Compatible• Major Emphasis on Reliability & Pricing
March 9, 2009WMLP11
Survey Outcome Surprises
1. Importance on Town Building Efficiency
2. Lack of Importance MLP Profit Contribution to General Fund
3. Dichotomy for Renewable Energy Overall importance high Willingness to pay low
March 9, 2009WMLP12
MLP Priorities From Survey Responses
Continue with Town Building Efficiency
Establish Mechanism for Voluntary Renewable Purchases
Implement Summer-Tier Residential Rate
Town Building Efficiency Improvements
Strong Support From Selectmen and Executive Director $500,000 Municipal Energy Conservation Program Full Lighting Retrofits Completed at:
– Hardy School– Hunnewell School– Town Hall– Fire Station 2– DPW/MLP Building
Other Partial Improvements:– Main Library Parking Garage– Police Station Lighting Motion/Voice Sensors
RDF Improvements:– Motors– Electric Heat– Lighting
March 9, 2009WMLP14
Voluntary Renewable Electricity Purchases
Available to All Municipal, Residential and Commercial Customers
Provide Four (4) Options1. 10% of your electricity
2. 25% of your electricity
3. 50% of your electricity
4. 100% of your electricity
March 9, 2009WMLP15
Average Wellesley Resident Uses 970 kWh’s/Month Massachusetts Average 526 kWh’s Massachusetts Electric Heat 827 kWh’s
Monthly Cost Increase (970 kWh’s)1. 10% option = $4.85
2. 25% option = $12.13
3. 50% option = $24.25
4. 100% option = $48.50
March 9, 2009WMLP16
http://www.wellesleyma.gov/Pages/WellesleyMA_WMLP/postcard.pdf
March 9, 2009WMLP17
Town of Wellesley, Massachusetts - Voluntary Renewable Program
March 9, 2009WMLP18
Voluntary Renewable Proceeds Investment
Depends on Level of Participation
High Participation Rate– Solar Panels on Municipal Building– Wind or Hydro Unit Entitlement
Low Participation Rate Purchase Renewable Energy Credit (market)
March 9, 2009WMLP19
Proposed Summer Residential-Tier
Months of June, July, August and September
Three Tiers1. 1,001 – 1,500 additional $.01/kWh
2. 1,501 – 2,000 additional $.02/kWh
3. Over 2,001 additional $.03/kWh
Currently only Municipal and Residential Electric Rates Do Not Include Summer Premium
March 9, 2009WMLP20
Town of Wellesley Summer Demand
1998 43,863 Peak
2008 65,609 Peak
Energy Increase 1998 vs. 2008 Town Growth 25% (excludes residential) Residential Growth 37%
March 9, 2009WMLP21
WMLP vs. NStar
Monthly Residential Rate Comparison
Monthly Usage NStar WMLP*
Wellesley Savings
1,500 kWh $308 $202 $108
2,000 kWh $404 $274 $130
2,500 kWh $504 $354 $150
* Includes proposed summer-tied rates.
March 9, 2009WMLP22
Five Primary Conclusions From Survey
1. Very Confident with Opinion Dynamics Results2. MLP Mission Statement Reflects Our Customers
Priorities3. Continue To Explore Town Building Efficiencies4. Allow Customers To Purchase Renewable
Energy5. Implement Equitable Summer Rates – Proceeds
For Energy Conservation and/or Renewable Energy
March 9, 2009 WMLP23
Thank you!