Residents Can Voice Opinions on RMLD Decision

The Reading Municipal Light Department (RMLD) Board of Commissioners recently voted to keep its Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), which aim to help stimulate renewable energy marketplace growth. 

The board could have voted to sell them, but decided not to because they will not make as much money as they originally spent. The board also wants to support its claim of having renewable, green, sustainable energy in their power supply portfolio.

They may reconsider the decision at a Jan. 25 meeting.

According to , the vote held on Jan 5. ended a month-long debate, and Commissioners Richard Hahn, Mary Ellen O’Neill and Gina Snyder voted to hold the RECs, while Phil Pacino and Robert Soli were opposed. This could cost customers almost $30 million, given that selling them may allow for lower rates for ratepayers.

Reading resident David Mancuso said, "RMLD has been purchasing higher cost renewable energy, which earns them RECs under the government's program. These RECs are like coupons, except they can be sold for real money to others who either cannot afford, do not have access to or chose not to buy higher cost renewable energy.

"The money from the sale of the REC's could have enabled RMLD to offer North Reading customers a refund, lower electric service costs, or could have been reinvested to purchase even more green energy to help the environment," he said.

Commissioner Hahn said that if the RMLD wants to sell RECs, then it shouldn’t have purchased them because the money gained from selling would not be close to what was paid and ratepayers' rates will go up, Reading Patch reported.

In a , Commissioner O'Neill said that keeping the RECs and allowing them to expire is diversifying their power supply portfolio. 

On Wednesday, Jan. 25 at 7:30 p.m., and may reconsider the previous decision. Attend the meeting to voice your opinion about RMLD's RECs.