The Kilum School project was a main focus, particularly the decision to incorporate rooftop solar installations. This addition comes after an engineer’s recommendation and is set to enhance the school’s energy independence while providing financial benefits through a rebate from the Reading Municipal Light Department. The board confirmed that similar rebates would be available for other public facilities, such as the senior center, encouraging further adoption of renewable energy solutions across the community.

Despite the progress on solar projects, the Board expressed concern over the limited participation in energy efficiency programs, which currently stands at only 10 to 15%. With a robust budget of approximately $3 million dedicated to energy efficiency, heat pump, and solar rebates, the Board recognized the underutilization of these funds, with only $2 million used in the previous year. The Board discussed the need to revitalize these programs.

An energy efficiency analysis presented during the meeting proposed ambitious savings of up to 25,000 megawatt hours annually, representing a 4% reduction in total load. However, these figures were theoretical, assuming full customer conversion to efficient appliances. The analysis also noted that residential customers, who constitute about 40% of the load, had a participation rate that was not as robust as desired. The Board acknowledged the need to align program assumptions with industry standards and customer realities.

The meeting further explored potential improvements in outreach efforts, including leveraging third-party assistance and learning from successful energy efficiency models, particularly those implemented by utilities in California. There was an emphasis on the importance of customer engagement as a critical factor in increasing program participation, with discussions on incentives and the effectiveness of existing marketing strategies.

Another major discussion point was the anticipated rate adjustments and the implications for customer satisfaction. With a rate increase scheduled for April 1, the Board acknowledged the outdated nature of the current time-of-use rates, which have not changed in recent years. Plans to update these rates were set to be presented in February, with a focus on better aligning them with current peak usage patterns.

The Board also highlighted ongoing projects, such as the expansion of energy storage systems and the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) project, which aims to enhance the department’s operational capabilities. The AMI project, expected to commence in 2026, will provide valuable data that could inform future strategies, including rate adjustments and energy efficiency initiatives.

Staffing updates were also part of the meeting’s agenda. Recent hires, particularly in marketing and customer service roles, were noted as important to improving community engagement. The Board discussed the importance of filling remaining open positions to maintain the department’s operational efficiency.