Author Archives: Kathryn Dube

CPES Policy Committee Update: August 30, 2016

This update features policy, regulatory, legislative, and regional developments in Connecticut and New England. The policy updates are compiled by a team recently formed with support from CPES, known as the New Energy Professionals. 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 Paul Brady, CPES Executive Director, via email: pbrady@ctpower.org.

This week’s features:

  • Connecticut DEEP Finalizes RFP for Grid-Side System Enhancements Demonstration Projects
  • New England Consumer Liaison Group Will Discuss Energy Infrastructure Projects Progressing in Rhode Island at Next Meeting

 

Connecticut Policy/Regulatory Update

Connecticut DEEP Finalizes RFP for Grid-Side System Enhancements Demonstration Projects

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has issued a Final Request for Proposals (RFP) for Grid-Side System Enhancements Demonstration Projects pursuant to Public Act No. 15-5, Section 103. The Final RFP directs the state’s electric distribution companies to refine the proposal concepts submitted earlier this year into a final Distributed Energy Resources (DER) Integration Plan to be submitted to DEEP and then to the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority for review. The Final RFP is available here.

 

Regional and Industry Developments

New England Consumer Liaison Group Will Discuss Energy Infrastructure Projects Progressing in Rhode Island at Next Meeting

The next New England Consumer Liaison Group (CLG) meeting will be held at the Marriott Hotel in Providence, Rhode Island on September 15, 2016. The meeting will focus on Energy Infrastructure Projects Progressing in Rhode Island: Challenges and Consumer Impacts Regionwide. Attendees will hear from panelists Jeffrey Grybowski, CEO of Deepwater Wind, John Niland, Director of Development for Invenergy, Richard Kruse, Vice President of Regulatory and FERC Compliance Officer for Spectra Energy, and a representative from National Grid.

The CLG is a forum for sharing information between ISO New England and electricity consumers in New England. The CLG meets quarterly and attracts a diverse group of 75-100 attendees at each meeting. Meetings are free and open to the public. Participants generally include consumers and consumer representatives (including state consumer and ratepayer advocates), state business and industry associations, chambers of commerce, individual businesses, trade groups, nonprofit organizations, and other end users. Several New England Power Pool (NEPOOL) members and state regulators are also regular, active participants in CLG discussions. The focus of the CLG is on the concerns and needs of commercial, industrial, and nonprofit electricity end users.

For more information and to register for the September 15 meeting, visit the Consumer Liaison Group webpage.

 

Legislative Affairs

CONNECTICUT LEGISLATION:

The 2016 Connecticut regular session ended on May 4, 2016.  The 2017 Connecticut regular session begins January 4, 2017.

Information about the Energy and Technology Committee, including committee meetings and public hearings, is available at: https://www.cga.ct.gov/et/.

 

MASSACHUSETTS LEGISLATION:

The 2015-2016 Massachusetts formal session ended on July 31, 2016.  The 2017-2018 Massachusetts session begins January 4, 2017.

Information about the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy, including hearings and bills in committee, is available at: https://malegislature.gov/Committees/Joint/J37.

CPES Policy Committee Update: August 23, 2016

This update features policy, regulatory, legislative, and regional developments in Connecticut and New England. The policy updates are compiled by a team recently formed with support from CPES, known as the New Energy Professionals. 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 Paul Brady, CPES Executive Director, via email: pbrady@ctpower.org.

This week’s features:

  • MA Supreme Court Strikes Down DPU Order on Authority
  • Op-Ed Block Island Wind Farms

 

Regional & Industry Developments

MA Supreme Court Pushes Back on DPU Authority

On August 17, 2016, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court struck down an order issued by the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities last October which found that the Department has pre-existing authority to review and approve contracts for natural gas pipeline capacity filed by electric distribution companies.  The Court ruled that the Department erred in interpreting Massachusetts law as authorizing it to review and approve ratepayer-backed, long-term contracts by electric distribution companies for natural gas capacity. The Court concluded that the order is invalid “because, among other things, it would undermine the main objectives of the [Restructuring Act of 1997] and re-expose ratepayers to the types of financial risks from which the Legislature sought to protect them.”

The Court’s decision is available at: http://www.mass.gov/courts/docs/sjc/reporter-of-decisions/new-opinions/12051.pdf

 

(CT/RI) Op-Ed: Block Island Wind Farm: Windfall for the politically connected

Under the deal engineered by Carcieri, Rhode Island’s regulated utility, National Grid, will be required to pay 24.4 cents per kilowatt hour for the windmill power — more than twice current market rates.

Sweetening the deal even more, there are price escalators of 3.5 percent a year, so that by the end of the 20-year contract period, National Grid will be paying 50 cents per kilowatt hour from the wind farm.

http://www.theday.com/local-columns/20160820/block-island-wind-farm-windfall-for-politically-connected

 

 

CPES Policy Committee Update: August 16, 2016

This update features policy, regulatory, legislative, and regional developments in Connecticut and New England. The policy updates are compiled by a team recently formed with support from CPES, known as the New Energy Professionals. 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 Paul Brady, CPES Executive Director, via email: pbrady@ctpower.org.

This week’s features:

  • NEPOOL Rule Changes Discussed
  • MA Governor Signs Bill to Promote Energy Diversity

Regional & Industry Developments

New England Power Pool (NEPOOL) Market Participants Meet to Discuss Potential Market Rule Changes to Integrate Markets and Public Policy

On August 11, 2016, New England market participants, state regulators, and other stakeholders met to discuss potential market rule changes to integrate the region’s wholesale electricity markets with the public policy goals of the New England states. The meeting was intended to begin the solution identification process by hearing from various stakeholders on potential ways to adjust wholesale power markets to achieve and accommodate the renewable and clean energy goals of the states. The presentations from the meeting are available here.

Under the NEPOOL process, further discussions will include refinement of the solutions proposed for integrating markets and public policy.

For more information, visit ISO New England’s Wholesale Markets and State Public Policy Initiative webpage.

Legislative Affairs

MASSACHUSETTS LEGISLATION:

The 2015-2016 Massachusetts formal session ended on July 31, 2016.  The 2017-2018 Massachusetts session begins January 4, 2017.

On July 31, 2016, the following bill passed both chambers that may be of interest to you:

On August 8, 2016, Governor Baker signed H.4568, which is now Chapter 188 of the Acts of 2016.

Information about the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy, including hearings and bills in committee, is available at: https://malegislature.gov/Committees/Joint/J37

CONNECTICUT LEGISLATION:

The 2016 Connecticut regular session ended on May 4, 2016.  The 2017 Connecticut regular session begins January 4, 2017.

Information about the Energy and Technology Committee, including committee meetings and public hearings, is available at: https://www.cga.ct.gov/et/

CPES / CBIA: 21st Century Energy: What’s the Deal? October 5, 2016

CPES and CBIA

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Join CPES and CBIA for our annual business energy conference for a continuing dialogue on Connecticut’s Comprehensive Energy Strategy (CES). This fall the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is expected to release an update to the strategy. Governor Dannel Malloy announced the state’s first comprehensive energy strategy at this CPES-CBIA conference in 2012.

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from DEEP Deputy Commissioner for Energy Katie Dykes on what the agency is proposing in the next CES. Live, interactive polling technology will allow you to weigh in on key aspects of the strategy. The conference will feature discussion of technology that can boost your bottom line and meet your energy needs; energy headlines and the upcoming elections; and what the 2016 CES could mean for the state’s economy.

A full breakfast and breaks with food stations will allow ample time for networking before, after, and in between.

When:
Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2016

Agenda:
7AM Networking Breakfast; 8AM – 2PM Program

Where:
Radisson Hotel, 100 Berlin Rd., Cromwell, CT

Cost:
$150 CBIA/CPES members, $255 nonmembers
$1,000 table of 10

REGISTER NOW

Speaker Lineup

See the Agenda

Sponsorship Opportunities

CPES Policy Committee Update: August 9, 2016

This update features policy, regulatory, legislative, and regional developments in Connecticut and New England. The policy updates are compiled by a team recently formed with support from CPES, known as the New Energy Professionals. 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 Paul Brady, CPES Executive Director, via email: pbrady@ctpower.org.

This week’s features:

  • PURA looking to issue new regulations on the Renewable Portfolio Standard
  • NY PSC approves new REC and ZEC requirements
  • Energy bill passes in MA seeking to diversify generation

 

Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority

RPS Docket Opened

The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) has opened a docket aimed at issuing new regulations regarding the Renewable Portfolio Standard (“RPS”) certification and compliance process. According to PURA’s recently opened docket notification, the new regulations “will (A) revise Conn. Agencies Regs. §16-245a-1 (annual RPS compliance by load serving entities); (B) revise Conn. Agencies Regs. §16-245a-2 (application for qualification Class I, II and III renewable energy facilities); and (C) develop rules and disclosure forms for voluntary green products.”  Any regulations promulgated by PURA must ultimately pass legislative review before being made final. The docket, Docket No. 16-08-23 – PURA Promulgation of Regulations Concerning RPS and Voluntary Green Products is available by clicking here.

 

Regional & Industry Developments

New York Approves 50% Renewable by 2030

On August 1, 2016, the New York Public Service Commission (PSC) issued an order approving the state’s Clean Energy Standard, requiring electricity providers in New York to obtain a targeted number of renewable energy credits (RECs) from renewable energy sources and zero-emissions credits (ZECs) from nuclear energy sources each year. In the order, the PSC adopted the 2015 State Energy Plan goal that 50% of New York’s electricity is to be generated by renewable sources by 2030.

For more information, see the PSC’s final order here.

 

Legislative Affairs

MASSACHUSETTS LEGISLATION:

The 2015-2016 Massachusetts formal session ended on July 31, 2016.  The 2017-2018 Massachusetts session begins January 4, 2017.

On July 31, 2016, the following bill passed both chambers that may be of interest to you:

Information about the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy, including hearings and bills in committee, is available at: https://malegislature.gov/Committees/Joint/J37

 

CONNECTICUT LEGISLATION:

The 2016 Connecticut regular session ended on May 4, 2016.  The 2017 Connecticut regular session begins January 4, 2017.

Information about the Energy and Technology Committee, including committee meetings and public hearings, is available at: https://www.cga.ct.gov/et/