PMLD spent 1999 improving its business operations,
processes, and service quality, while maintaining the lowest possible rates for
our customers. PMLD will continue to
focus on these goals and business improvements as we enter the year 2000.
PMLD’s electricity rates remained lower
than most of the surrounding municipalities and larger investor owned
utilities. On average our residential
rates are $.099 per kWh compared to the 1998 average of $.0108 per kWh for the
investor owner utilities. The new deregulated
market, mandated by state legislation is still transitioning to a truly open
and competitive market place. PMLD feels
it is important to prepare for this new market and has already begun the
process to itemizing its utility bills into three major components; transmission,
distribution, and energy, so that you can compare and potentially choose
another provider of the energy component in the near future.
After six years of service, Commissioner Andy Olesin left the Board of Light Commissioners and was
replaced by Brian Foley. Thank you Andy Olesin for your six years of dedicated community service and
continued support in helping PMLD with Y2K issues, upgrading our computer
system, and installation of a new customer billing software. PMLD welcomes Brian Foley to the Board and
looks forward to Brian’s practical utility experience and knowledge.
This year the Town’s total energy load peaked at 3,916kW in
January 1999. Our customers used approximately
16 million kWh in 1999 and that number continues to increase 4-6% annually due
to new construction and increased energy consumption. At the end of 1999, PMLD had 1,417 customers,
with approximately 92% of them residential homes.
The “Richard Wheeler Wind Farm”, constructed in 1984 is
still owned, operated, and maintained by PMLD.
This power plant is now 15 years old and all eight of the 40KW wind machines
continue to provide renewable energy to the PMLD community. In 1999 the wind farm produced approximately
1.5% of our energy requirements and generated approximately 250,000 kWh, the
equivalent annual consumption of 28 residents. This year’s generation was one
of our most productive since 1995. PMLD received
a Department of Energy grant for $51K this year to upgrade one unit. This led to a complete review of our
generation costs and its impact to our customers. Through future public meetings
and customer surveys, PMLD will review all available options for the future of
our wind farm.
PMLD purchased approximately 27% of its energy requirements from
various hydroelectric power plants. Our sources
of hydroelectric power come from four small-scale hydroelectric plants in
As we successfully transition into Y2000, PMLD will continue
to upgrade its distribution system, improve customer service, and explore and
offer new services, while maintaining the lowest possible rates for our customer
owners. Thank you for your support.
Respectfully Submitted,
General Manager
Board of Light Commissioners:
James Whitman, Chairman
Brian Foley, Secretary
Walter Zimmer, Commissioner