Author Archives: Kathryn Dube

CPES Policy Committee Update: January 23, 2017

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:

  • Operational Fuel-Security Analysis Released
  • U.S. Supreme Court denied certiorari in Allco v. Klee
  • Update on the Economic Stability of Millstone
  • CT Legislative Session will convene on Wednesday, February 7th
  • PURA Dockets released in January

REGIONAL AND INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS

OPERATIONAL FUEL-SECURITY ANALYSIS RELEASED
On January 17th, ISO New England released its Operational Fuel-Security Analysis, a study assessing whether possible future resource combinations have enough fuel to ensure bulk power system reliability throughout an entire winter. The results indicate that maintaining reliability is likely to become more challenging, especially if current power system trends continue. Read the press release, and find more information on the ISO New England website.

ALLCO V.KLEE
The U.S. Supreme Court denied certiorari in Allco v. Klee. In June 2017, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the district court’s dismissal. It concluded that Connecticut’s renewable energy procurement program was not preempted by the Federal Power Act and the state’s rule that the state’s RPS program did not violate the dormant Commerce Clause. The opinion is particularly significant because it is the first federal court decision to discuss the scope of the Supreme Court’s 2016 Hughes decision. The Second Circuit’s interpretation of Hughes will inform district courts that are weighing motions to dismiss claims about zero emission credits (ZECs) for nuclear plants. Click here to view the procedural overview courtesy of the State Power Project.  

CONNECTICUT

UPDATE ON THE ECONOMIC STABILITY OF MILLSTONE
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) have released a revised draft report in Docket No. 17-07-32: DEEP and PURA Joint Proceeding to Implement the Governor’s Executive Order Number 59. The joint proceeding is tasked with reviewing the economic stability of the Millstone nuclear generating station in Waterford, Connecticut.  The most recent draft report reverses previous conclusions reached by PURA/DEEP regarding Millstone’s retirement risk and supports implementing a multi-tiered solicitation to procure energy from nuclear power facilities such as Millstone. DEEP/PURA have requested comments on the revised draft report which are due this Thursday, January 25, 2018. The notice and draft report are available here: http://www.dpuc.state.ct.us/dockcurr.nsf/All/E08A9CCEF25C28FB8525821D0055E28F?OpenDocument

2018 LEGISLATIVE SESSION
The 2018 Regular Session of the Connecticut General Assembly convenes on February 7, 2018.  Information about the Energy and Technology Committee is available here.

RECENTLY RELEASED PURA DOCKETS
On January 16, 2018, PURA established the following docket: Docket No. 18-01-31:  2017 Report to the Legislature – Electric Supplier Report 

On January 11, 2018, PURA established the following dockets:
Docket No. 18-01-29:  Annual Report to the Legislature – The State of Electric Competition 
Docket No. 18-01-28:  2018 Report to the General Assembly Regarding the Connecticut Electric Efficiency Partners Program 

On January 3, 2018, PURA established the following docket: Docket No. 18-01-15:  PURA Review of Rate Adjustments Related to the Federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act 

CPES Policy Committee Update: January 9, 2018

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:

  • Why Utility-Scale Solar Works for Connecticut, article from Francis Pullaro
  • Clare Kindall to run for Attorney General

REGIONAL AND INDUSTRY NEWS

  • Why Utility-Scale Solar Works for Connecticut, article from Francis Pullaro, executive director of RENEW Northeast, a nonprofit association uniting environmental advocates and the renewable energy industry.  
  • Clare Kindall, former Energy Department head of the Connecticut Attorney General’s Office, has announced she is running for Attorney General, view the article here.

CPES Policy Committee Update: January 3, 2018

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:

CT PUBLIC UTILITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITY NEW DOCKETS

On December 29, 2017, PURA established the following docket:

  • Docket No. 17-12-50:  REQUEST TO ESTABLISH 14 NEW REOPENED DOCKETS ON PURA’S OWN MOTION  PURA initiates this consolidated reopening of public service company rate proceedings to investigate the impact of the [newly enacted federal Tax Cuts And Jobs Act] provisions on federal income tax currently allowed in each utility’s rates charged, as well as the impact on accrued liabilities and any other provision of the [Tax Cuts And Jobs Act] deemed relevant.

CONNECTICUT

The Legislature is scheduled to go into special session on Friday, January 5th at 10:30am to address funding for the Medicare Savings Program 

CPES Policy Committee Update: December 27, 2017

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:

  • PURA Established a Docket Concerning the PURA Review of Electric Companies’ and Electric Distribution Companies’ Plans for Maintenance of Transmission and Distribution Overhead and Underground Lines 
  • PURA Established a Docket Concerning the Annual Review of Connecticut Electric Suppliers’ and Electric Distribution Companies’ Compliance with Connecticut’s Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards in the Year 2015 – Reconsideration of BlueRock Energy Inc.’s Compliance 
  • PURA Established a Docket Concerning the Application of SmartEnergy Holdings, LLC for a Connecticut Electric Supplier License 

CT PUBLIC UTILITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITY NEW DOCKETS

On December 18, 2017, PURA established the following docket:

On December 20, 2017, PURA established the following docket:

On December 21, 2017, PURA established the following docket:

CPES Policy Committee Update: December 19, 2017

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:

  • Millstone Finances Expected To Be Strong In Coming Years

REGIONAL AND INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS

MILLSTONE FINANCES EXPECTED TO BE STRONG IN COMING YEARS

The Millstone nuclear plant in Waterford is expected to be profitable, according to a state report examining whether Connecticut’s sole plant is able to remain in business. 
The Millstone Power Station is expected to be profitable for years to come, according to preliminary results released Thursday from a study that Gov. Dannel P. Malloy ordered to determine if it can operate in energy markets increasingly dominated by natural gas. The report, issued by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, said that under various market conditions the present value of Millstone’s cash flow from 2021 through 2035 is expected to be between $1.3 billion and about $2.4 billion. Even at the low end, Connecticut’s sole nuclear plant should remain “deep in the black,” the study said. The financial results show Millstone “is likely to operate profitably from the early 2020s through the mid-2030s,” the report said. 

Hartford Courant article
CT MIrror article