Author Archives: Kathryn Dube

CPES Annual Legislative Update, June 18, 2019

Event Wrap Up

CPES members gathered at Day Pitney in Hartford on June 18 for an end-of-session legislative update. The event began with a networking lunch at 11:30 am and was followed by a panel discussion. Moderated by Kerry Schlichting of ISO New England, the panel began with introductions by Energy and Technology Committee Chairman Norm Needleman (D-Essex) and Ranking Members Paul Formica (R- East Lyme) and Charlie Ferraro (R- West Haven) who were joined by the Senior Advisor to the Commissioner at DEEP James Albis.

The panel focused on the provisions of three pieces of energy-related legislation passed during the session: the green economy bill, the offshore wind energy procurement bill, and the budget implementer. The members first briefed the audience on the progress made during the session under the green economy bill, addressing the reversal of last year’s controversial net metering decision, PPAs for anaerobic digestion, the DOT’s inventory of land suitable for renewable energy, and state utility ownership of energy storage systems. Representative Ferraro praised the bi-partisanship in the joint committee.

Shifting gears, the panel addressed the topic of off-shore wind and DEEP’s role in developing solicitations. Albis noted DEEP’s commitment to minimizing environmental impact, explaining that all bidders are required to submit mitigation plans dedicated to RFP best practices.

Before fielding questions from the audience, the panel wrapped up discussing the energy-related items from the budget implementer and Connecticut’s plans to require at least 50% of state vehicles and 30% of buses be zero emission by January 1, 2030. Senator Needleman offered support for the provision by suggesting that Connecticut will be the New England state with the highest per capita zero-emission state vehicles by 2030.

Promotional Content

REGISTER NOW

CPES is once again partnering with the Connecticut Bar Association’s Energy Section to bring you the Annual Legislative Update. 

The panel will be moderated by Kerry Schlichting, ISO New England. 

AGENDA: 

11:30 AM – 12:00 PM Networking Lunch
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Panel Discussion with Legislators

WHERE:
Day Pitney, LLP, 242 Trumbull Street, Hartford, CT |  Directions & Parking 

CLE CREDITS:
1.0 CLE Credit Available

*Registration is being administered by the CT Power and Energy Society and credit will not be automatically posted to your CLE Tracker. You may, however, self-report the credit. If you need assistance with self-reporting, please e-mail Shirley Perrin at sperrin@ctbar.org.

In Loving Memory of Arlene Hiller

 

Dear CPES Family,

We have some sad news to share with you. Arlene Hiller, a longtime and devoted member of the CPES family, passed away on Monday, April 29. Her obituary is linked below with information about calling hours and the celebration-of-life service that will be held in Wallingford on Sunday and Monday, respectively. 

Arlene retired from her formal duties with CPES at the end of 2018, although she stayed in touch and was always eager to hear the latest news about her friends at CPES. We were very pleased to have been able to honor Arlene for her many years of service at our holiday event in December 2018 where she shared some highlights and funny memories of her time leading the organization since its formation over 30 years ago. You probably remember Arlene as the friendly face that greeted you at CPES dinner meetings and conferences but she was also the driving force of the organization for many years. In fact, Arlene was the inspiration for the CPES-NECA joint conference that will celebrate its 26th anniversary on May 14 and 15 in Groton, Connecticut. 

Arlene witnessed a lot of change in the energy industry over the years, but one constant was her concern for the people who came together to “share ideas” and even some laughs along the way. 

We hope you will consider sharing a word of encouragement with Arlene’s husband, Dave, and her family at one of the events listed in her obituary, or through the online condolences. https://www.wallingfordfh.com/obituary/arlene-hiller

Arlene’s friendship and influence will long be cherished and appreciated by all of us at CPES and NECA. 

Eric Johnson, President, and Kathryn Dube, Executive Director
Connecticut Power and Energy Society 

CPES Policy Committee Update: April 30, 2019

This update features policy, regulatory, legislative, and regional developments in Connecticut and New England. The policy updates are compiled by the CPES New Energy Professionals Team. If you are interested in learning more about the New Energy Professionals, the Policy Committee, or if you have ideas for future policy updates, we would welcome your input and feedback. Please send comments to Kathryn Dube, CPES Executive Director, via email: kdube@ctpower.org.

In this Update:

  • Governor Lamont Signs Order Directing State Agencies to Reduce Energy Consumption and Environmental Impacts
  • Energy & Technology Committee Meeting 4/30
  • Mass. Approves State’s First Offshore Wind Contracts for 800MW
  • ISO’s Forward Capacity Market (FCM) Participation Guide Updated

CONNECTICUT

Governor Lamont Signs Order Directing State Agencies to Reduce Energy Consumption and Environmental Impacts
On April 24, 2019, Governor Ned Lamont announced that he has signed an executive order – his first since being sworn into office earlier this year – that directs executive branch state office buildings and vehicle fleets to become greener and more energy efficient through an expanded “Lead By Example” sustainability initiative aimed at reducing the state’s carbon footprint and reducing the cost of government operations.

Energy & Technology Committee Meeting 4/30
E&T will hold a committee meeting on Tuesday, April 30 at 10:30am in Room 1D of the Legislative Office Building.  Agenda

INDUSTRY

Mass. Approves State’s First Offshore Wind Contracts for 800MW
Learn more from the Mass. Department of Public Utilities here.

ISO’s Forward Capacity Market (FCM) Participation Guide Updated
The FCM Participation guide is intended to assist anyone needing more information on the FCM processes and capacity market.  The updated version reflects the latest procedures, reference materials, hyperlink and terminology. MORE

CPES Policy Committee Update: April 23, 2019

This update features policy, regulatory, legislative, and regional developments in Connecticut and New England. The policy updates are compiled by the CPES New Energy Professionals Team. If you are interested in learning more about the New Energy Professionals, the Policy Committee, or if you have ideas for future policy updates, we would welcome your input and feedback. Please send comments to Kathryn Dube, CPES Executive Director, via email: kdube@ctpower.org.

In this Update:

  • Energy & Technology Committee Meeting 4/23
  • Governor Lamont Announces PURA Nomination
  • Debates will continue this spring regarding net metering in CT
  • The ISO- NE is developing a long-term proposal to address energy security issues
  • Eversource is going forward with the Cape Cod Battery Project
  • FERC Releases 2018 State of the Markets Report
  • ISO Publishes Winter 2018/2019 Recap

CONNECTICUT

Energy & Technology Committee Meeting 4/23
E&T will hold a committee meeting on Tuesday, April 23 at 10:00am outside House Chamber.  Agenda

Governor Lamont Announces PURA Nomination
Governor Lamont has nominated Marissa Paslick Gillett to serve as a PURA commissioner. Read the press release here.

Debates will continue this spring regarding net metering in CT READ MORE

INDUSTRY

The ISO- NE is developing a long-term proposal to address energy security issues. This will be filed with federal regulators in October. MORE 

Eversource is going forward with the Cape Cod Battery Project
Construction of a 13-mile distribution line through the Cape Cod National Seashore will be deferred. The Project has been approved by the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities. MORE

FERC Releases 2018 State of the Markets Report
The annual report, which summaries the commission’s assessment of natural gas, electric, and other energy market developments during the past year, and the accompanying FERC overview presentation are available at FERC’s website.

ISO Publishes Winter 2018/2019 Recap
ISO’s Newswire Post “Winter 2018/2019 recap: what a difference a year makes” discussed how more moderate temperatures this past winter lead to lower wholesale electricity prices and less stressful system conditions.  Read more here.

 

 

CPES Policy Committee Update: April 16, 2019

This update features policy, regulatory, legislative, and regional developments in Connecticut and New England. The policy updates are compiled by the CPES New Energy Professionals Team. If you are interested in learning more about the New Energy Professionals, the Policy Committee, or if you have ideas for future policy updates, we would welcome your input and feedback. Please send comments to Kathryn Dube, CPES Executive Director, via email: kdube@ctpower.org.

In this Update:

  • FERC Open Meeting – April 18th
  • PURA Opens Comment Period on Zero Carbon Contracts until April 24th
  • Register Now: ISO’s PAC Grid Transformation Day
  • ISO Spotlight Videos: An Integrated Approach to Wind Power
  • Central Maine Power’s New England Clean Energy Connect Transmission Project Receives PUC Approval

INDUSTRY

FERC Open Meeting – April 18th
The agenda includes the FERC Staff’s State of the Market 2018 Report, discussion of cyber security and reliability standards, and proceeding related to “fast-start” pricing practices.  A free live webcast is available.

PURA Opens Comment Period on Zero Carbon Contracts
PURA is accepting comments until April 24th on the recent Zero Carbon RFP contracts on the contract terms and conditions.

Register Now: ISO’s PAC Grid Transformation Day
As part of the ongoing hybrid grid transformation, the ISO anticipates large-scale development of wind generation facilities, distributed energy resources (especially solar PV), energy storage (batteries and other types), demand response, and high-voltage DC transmission and flexible AC transmission systems (FACTS). The meeting will focus on the technical challenges and potential benefits presented by this grid transformation, as well as the potential solutions for addressing many of the changes the industry is facing. Learn more and register now.

ISO Spotlight Videos: An Integrated Approach to Wind Power
ISO New England has produced a trio of videos detailing the steps taken behind the scenes over the years to integrate wind resources into the region’s power system.

CMP’s New England Clean Energy Connect Transmission Project Receives PUC Approval
Thursday, the PUC approved a permit for the 145-mile project to deliver renewable energy from Canada to Massachusetts – read more at the Portland Press Herald.