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ARIZONA CORPORATION COMMISSION NATURAL GAS FORUM SEPTEMBER 8, 2005

ARIZONA CORPORATION COMMISSION NATURAL GAS FORUM SEPTEMBER 8, 2005. CITY OF MESA UTILITIES DEPARTMENT FRANK McRAE RESOURCES DIVISION DIRECTOR. DESCRIPTION OF MESA AND ITS UTILITIES DEPARTMENT. 3 RD largest city in Arizona 40th largest city in country Approximately 128 square miles

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ARIZONA CORPORATION COMMISSION NATURAL GAS FORUM SEPTEMBER 8, 2005

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  1. ARIZONA CORPORATION COMMISSIONNATURAL GAS FORUM SEPTEMBER 8, 2005 CITY OF MESA UTILITIES DEPARTMENT FRANK McRAE RESOURCES DIVISION DIRECTOR

  2. DESCRIPTION OF MESA AND ITS UTILITIES DEPARTMENT • 3RD largest city in Arizona • 40th largest city in country • Approximately 128 square miles • Population of 450,000 • Forecast 650,000 by 2020. •  Utilities Department • Electric • Natural Gas • Water • Wastewater utilities.

  3. DESCRIPTION OF MESA’S NATURAL GAS UTILITY SYSTEM • Utilities Department • Gas Division • Utilities Services & Information Services • Resources Division • Customer Service • Development Services • Mayor/Council adopt utility rates and fees by ordinance • Rates and tariffs are normally adjusted during the budget process to allow for changes in utility and general government revenue requirements • Monthly fuel cost adjustments

  4. DESCRIPTION OF MESA’S NATURAL GAS UTILITY SYSTEM • 13th largest publicly owned natural gas system • FY 2004/05 revenues of $35 million (6.30.05) • 43,000 residential and 2,500 commercial customers • May to October - average and peak day usage was 5,202 and 8,557 dekatherms respectively • November to April - average and peak day usage was 10,611 and 18,587 dekatherms respectively.

  5. DESCRIPTION OF MESA’S NATURAL GAS UTILITY SYSTEM • Service area encompasses approximately 90 square miles within the City’s 128 square mile boundaries. • Southwest Gas serves remainder within city limits • City also provides utility services to the Magma service area • Approximately 6,400 customers • Growth - 3,500-4,000 customers per year • 236 square miles, SE of City, Pinal County • Not contiguous with the natural gas distribution system within the city limits

  6. NATURAL GAS SUPPLIES • Competitive Solicitation – Spring 2005 • Coral Energy Resources, LP • Initial term 9.30.06 • Two, one-year extensions thereafter at Mesa’s option • Qualified other suppliers • Entered into master agreements to supplement Coral • San Juan & Permian Basins • Transportation via EPNG • Market Volatility • Significant, sometimes immediate, reaction to slightest changes in fundamentals that raise prices • Non-symmetrical response to changes in fundamentals that lower prices

  7. NATURAL GAS SUPPLIES • Issue solicitation late September / early October • Supplement Coral contract • Sellers pre-qualified – Spring 2005 Competitive Solicitation

  8. CUSTOMER AWARENESS & EDUCATION • Utilities Department is launching a campaign to educate customers about higher natural gas prices • Communications are in draft stage • Primary messages: • Mesa utility customers should expect higher gas bills this winter • Mesa is taking steps to keep costs as low as possible • Conservation can help ease the burden WHY? • Natural gas prices continue to climb in response to a variety of natural gas market forces.

  9. CUSTOMER AWARENESS & EDUCATION WHY? (continued) • Costs of natural gas – direct pass through • Rising market prices mean customers pay more • No mark-up or additional revenue to City budget WHAT? • Encourage customers/citizens to take steps now to ease the bill increase once colder temperatures hit • Provide tips for conserving energy

  10. CUSTOMER AWARENESS & EDUCATION HOW? • Deliver messages to media • City Manager’s Monthly Update • News Releases • Direct Communication to Customers • FAQs on www.cityofmesa.org • Message in Openline, the City’s utility bill newsletter • Mesa Channel 11 announcements • Community newsletters • Customer Service Inquiries • City Council presentation

  11. ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS • The Mesa Community Action Program (CAP) service area encompasses the City of Mesa and the unincorporated areas between the City limits and the Pinal County border. Mesa CAP receives Federal and State funding for utility assistance programs. • The Mesa CAP contracts with Mesa Community Action Network (Mesa CAN) to administer programs for customers in need, including: • Utility Repair and Replacement • Weatherization • Utility payment assistance • Reduced energy burden for qualifying households

  12. ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS • Mesa’s Customer Service Section refers customers to the following agencies: • Mesa CAN • Salvation Army • Department of Economic Security • Community Resource & Referral • SW Human Development - Children & Families • Seniors & Adults with Disabilities • St. Vincent de Paul • Mesa gas customers in the Magma Service Area (Queen Creek/Pinal County) only can receive assistance from Chandler CAP.

  13. BILLING OPTIONS • The City of Mesa currently does not offer alternative billing options. Annualized bill averaging is under consideration but will not likely be implemented before this winter. • Once offered, the new program will be advertised via the Web site, OpenLine, News releases, Mesa Channel 11 and word of mouth.

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