Author Archives: Kathryn Dube

CPES Policy Committee Update: December 13, 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:

  • Secretary Perry Grants FERC 30-Day Extension on Grid Resiliency Pricing Proposal

REGIONAL AND INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS

Secretary Perry Grants FERC 30-Day Extension on Grid Resiliency Pricing Proposal
On December 8, 2017, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Rick Perry granted the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) a 30-day extension to act on the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR) issued by DOE on September 28.  The DOE proposal directs FERC to impose rules on Commission-approved ISOs and RTOs “to ensure that the reliability and resiliency attributes of generation with on-site fuel supplies are fully valued.”  The proposal specified that the Commission was to take action on the proposed rule within sixty days of its publication in the Federal Register, which occurred on October 10, 2017.  In his letter to Secretary Perry, FERC Chairman Kevin McIntyre requested a 30-day extension, noting that the Commission had added two members in the past two weeks and received more than 1,500 comments on the DOE proposal.  For McIntyre, an extension was “critical to afford adequate time for the new Commissioners to consider the voluminous record and engage fully in deliberations.”

The extension granted by Secretary Perry gives FERC until January 10 to act on the DOE proposal.    

CPES Policy Committee Update: December 5, 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:

  • ISO New England Releases Its 2017/2018 Winter Outlook
  • Dominion Submits Confidential Financial Data

REGIONAL AND INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS

ISO New England Releases Its 2017/2018 Winter Outlook
On November 30, ISO New England issued its winter outlook press release, noting that the “New England power system is expected to have the resources needed to meet consumer demand for electricity this winter.” However, the ISO also cautions that “power system operations could become challenging if demand is higher than projected, if the region loses a large generator or electricity import facility, or when natural gas pipeline constraints limit the fuel available to natural-gas-fired power plants. In those instances, the ISO could be required to implement special operating procedures to maintain reliability.”

The ISO forecasts peak demand, assuming normal winter temperatures of about 7 degrees Fahrenheit, of 21,197 MW. However, that demand could grow to 21,895 MW if extreme winter weather of 2°F occurs. For more information, visit the ISO Newswire.

CONNECTICUT

Dominion Submits Confidential Financial Data
Dominion Energy Nuclear Connecticut, Inc. has submitted confidential financial data regarding its Millstone Power Station in response to data requests previously issued by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA). The requests were issued as part of the DEEP and PURA Joint Proceeding to Implement the Governor’s Executive Order Number 59. The joint proceeding is examining the financial viability of the Millstone Power Station and exploring the potential for state-sponsored price support. A draft report is due from DEEP/PURA December 19, 2017.

CPES Policy Committee Update: November 29, 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 Application of Infinity Power Partners, LLC for a Certificate of Registration as an Electric Aggregator 
  • PURA Established a Docket Concerning the Application of Optik Energy, LLC for a Connecticut Electric Supplier License 

CT PUBLIC UTILITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITY NEW DOCKETS

On November 16, 2017, PURA established the following docket:

  • Docket No. 17-11-16:  Application of Infinity Power Partners, LLC for a Certificate of Registration as an Electric Aggregator

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

  • Docket No. 17-11-25:  Application of Optik Energy, LLC for a Connecticut Electric Supplier License 

CPES Policy Committee Update: November 21, 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: 

  • Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against Connecticut-based Electric Utilities

  • PURA Established a Docket Concerning the Review of the United Illuminating Company’s Distributed Energy Resource Integration Plan

CONNECTICUT
Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against Connecticut-based Electric Utilities
Class action case filed on Nov. 14, 2017, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.  Plaintiffs seek to represent all ratepayers of Eversource and Avangrid for all New England states.  Plaintiffs’ claims center around allegations of price manipulation in the capacity market from 2013 through 2016.  http://www.nhregister.com/business/article/Class-action-lawsuit-filed-against-12364165.php

CT PUBLIC UTILITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITY NEW DOCKETS
On November 13, 2017, PURA established the following docket:

CPES Policy Committee Update: November 13

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: 

  • DEEP intends to solicit offshore wind, fuel cells and anaerobic digestors
  • Gov. Malloy Signs Millstone Bill and Encourages Dominion’s Participation

CONNECTICUT

CT DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
On November 8, 2017 the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) issued a Notice of Proceeding indicating DEEP intends to issue a draft Request for Proposals by December 15, 2017 pursuant to Section 8 of Public Act 13-303, as amended by Public Act 17-144. Under the RFP, DEEP intends to solicit offshore wind, fuel cells and anaerobic digestors. The Notice is available here.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Gov. Malloy Signs Millstone Bill and Encourages Dominion’s Participation. View the Governor’s Press Release, Letter from the Commissioner’s of DEEP and PURA and the Preliminary Progress Report from LAI.