Snohomish PUD Comments

Thank you for offering stakeholders the opportunity to comment on the proposed 2015 workplan.  Snohomish recognizes that the RTF has made significant improvement in managing meetings and accomplishing its tasks.  We anticipate many more positive contributions from the new manager and look forward to continuing our collaboration. 

Regional Coordination
As the RTF continues developing its modeling tools and refreshing the UES measure library, it is important to note that these tasks have impacts around the region. The recent SEEM calibration exercise is an example of a successfully executed technical work plan, coupled with good meeting moderation, which kept the discussion focused on the RTF’s task.  However, the results themselves created a stir as the impending program impacts became clear. 

We recommend that the RTF increase efforts to keep regional conservation leadership apprised of pending analyses and other future developments that are material to conservation planning and implementation.

SEEM Calibration in 2015
The results of the SEEM Phase I and II calibration efforts have much acknowledged uncertainty.  Stakeholders have proposed  a Phase III calibration task to understand the deficiencies in Phases I and II and the limits of applicability of SEEM, which is not currently reflected in the workplan.   We suggest the RTF continue its ongoing effort to scope these tasks and articulate them in the workplan.

Analysis Processes
The current RTF workflow is characterized by ongoing RTF contract staff work punctuated by no more than monthly RTF review. While some work is done during the month by subcommittees, much RTF meeting time focuses on technical issues raised by RTF members. Because such technical issues are hard to resolve in the RTF meeting, they provide staff work for the upcoming month.

We advise the RTF to consider moving technical issue identification and analysis into working groups led by RTF contract staff and assisted by select and volunteer RTF participants.  RTF meetings would then focus on the presentation of recommendations and decisions to adopt, reject, table, or postpone consideration of those recommendations. This change could strengthen results and reduce process delays, making the RTF a more responsive and efficient organization.

New Measure Pipeline
As conservation efforts in the region achieve continued success, the baseline will likely continue to increase.  This has typically resulted in decreasing UES values over time.  While the RTF has had strong success in decreasing savings values, there is a lack of equal focus on the new technology pipeline.  The RTF may consider taking a more aggressive approach to identification of pipeline measures and emerging technologies with the region.

Thank you again for providing this clear and concise workplan for 2015 and for the opportunity to review and comment.


Bonneville Comments

Existing Measure Review and Updates

Updating standard protocols:

Bring Provisional Protocols to Proven Category:

New Measure Development and Review

Review new UES measures:

Review new standard protocols:

Tool Development

SEEM:

Website, Database support, Conservation Tracking 

Annual Regional Conservation Tracking Report: