Category Archives: 2017

CPES Policy Committee Update: May 2, 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.

This week’s features:

  • ISO New England Expects Adequate Electricity Supplies This Summer
  • On April 21st, PURA Established a New Docket on Electric Distribution Company System Reliability

REGIONAL AND INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS

ISO New England Expects Adequate Electricity Supplies This Summer

ISO New England expects adequate electricity supplies to meet consumer demand for electricity this summer. Tight supply margins, however, could develop if forecasted peak system conditions occur. If this happens, the ISO will take steps to manage New England’s electricity supply and demand in real time and maintain reliable power system operations.

This summer, under normal weather of about 90 degrees Fahrenheit (°F), electricity demand is forecasted to peak at 26,482 MW. Extreme summer weather, such as an extended heat wave of about 94°F, could push demand up to 28,865 MW. These forecasts incorporate the demand-reducing effects of energy-efficiency measures acquired through the Forward Capacity Market and behind-the-meter solar photovoltaic (PV) installations. Approximately 2,000 MW (nameplate capacity) of behind-the-meter solar facilities are currently installed throughout New England.

For more information, see ISO New England’s summer outlook press release.

 
PUBLIC UTILITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITY NEW DOCKET:

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

  • Docket No. 17-04-19:  PURA 2017 Annual Report to the General Assembly on Electric Distribution Company System Reliability (http://www.dpuc.state.ct.us/dockcurr.nsf/(Web+Main+View/All+Dockets)?OpenView&StartKey=17-04-19)

CONNECTICUT LEGISLATIVE UPDATE:

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

The Energy and Technology Committee’s JF deadline was March 23, 2017.  The list of bills reported out of the Energy and Technology Committee is available at:  https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/CommJFList.asp?comm_code=et and additional information about the status of these bills is available at: https://www.cga.ct.gov/2017/etdata/cbr/et.asp

CPES does not take a position on these legislative proposals; this is provided for informational purposes only to CPES members.

CPES Policy Committee Update: April 17, 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.

This week’s features:

  • ISO New England Publishes Spring 2017 Update on Regional Transmission Investment
  • On April 7th, PURA Established a New Docket

REGIONAL AND INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS

ISO New England Publishes Spring 2017 Update on Regional Transmission Investment

The ISO recently published the March 2017 update to the Regional System Plan (RSP) Project List, which details Pool Transmission Facility (PTF) projects needed to ensure reliability in New England. Since the October 2016 update, 3 projects were cancelled, 24 upgrades were placed in service across Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont, and 27 new projects were added. Additionally, some project cost estimates decreased.

Since 2002, a cumulative total of 714 project components representing an investment of $8.4 billion have been placed into service to help ensure that New England’s transmission system continues to reliably and efficiently move wholesale electricity across the region.

For more information, visit the ISO Newswire.

PUBLIC UTILITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITY NEW DOCKET:

On April 7, 2017, PURA established the following docket:

CONNECTICUT LEGISLATIVE UPDATE:

For information about the 2017 Legislative Session, including bill tracking and a schedule of meetings and events , visit www.cga.ct.gov. /

CPES does not take a position on these legislative proposals; this is provided for informational purposes only to CPES members.

CPES Policy Committee Update: April 3, 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.

This week’s features:

  • ISO New England Releases Draft 2017-2026 Load Forecast Showing Energy Usage Declining Slightly and Peak Demand Remaining Flat
  • New England States Committee on Electricity Releases Scenario Analysis Report
  • CT DEEP has issued a revised Request for Proposals
  • The Energy and Technology Committee’s JF deadline was March 23, 2017

REGIONAL AND INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS

ISO New England Releases Draft 2017-2026 Load Forecast Showing Energy Usage Declining Slightly and Peak Demand Remaining Flat

Every year, ISO New England develops a projection of how much electricity the region will use and how high demand will peak during each of the next 10 years. The 10-year forecast is a key system planning tool, helping ensure New England has an adequate supply of resources to meet future demand, and a transmission system that can do the job of carrying power to residents and businesses.

The draft long-term forecast for 2017 to 2026 projects that energy usage will decline slightly in New England and peak demand will remain flat over the 10-year period. The primary factors are continuing robust installation of energy-efficiency measures and behind-the-meter solar arrays throughout the region, as well as a slightly lower forecast for economic growth in New England.

For more information, visit the ISO Newswire.

New England States Committee on Electricity Releases Scenario Analysis Report

The New England States Committee on Electricity (NESCOE) has released the first portion of a two-phase economic analysis of a variety of hypothetical renewable and clean energy futures in New England. NESCOE characterized the analysis as “one piece of information, together with other studies, data and information produced by [ISO New England], individual states, and market participants that may inform policymakers’ consideration of issues related to New England’s competitive wholesale electric market and hypothetical resource futures.” NESCOE also said that it “welcomes from market participants or others any facts or data that clarify, correct, or should be considered in reviewing the study results.”

For more information, visit the NESCOE website.

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (“DEEP”) has issued a revised Request for Proposals (“RFP”) regarding  the Shared Clean Energy Facility Pilot Program pursuant to Public Act 15-113. The revised RFP seeks to align the definition of core forest with the responses to questions received. The revised RFP is available here.

CONNECTICUT LEGISLATIVE UPDATE:

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

The Energy and Technology Committee’s JF deadline was March 23, 2017.  The list of bills reported out of the Energy and Technology Committee is available at:  https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/CommJFList.asp?comm_code=et and additional information about the status of these bills is available at: https://www.cga.ct.gov/2017/etdata/cbr/et.asp

CPES does not take a position on these legislative proposals; this is provided for informational purposes only to CPES members.

CPES Holds PURA 101; The First 101 Series Event for New Energy Professionals

On March 28, 2017, the Connecticut Power and Energy Society’s New Energy Professionals Committee hosted “PURA 101: An Introduction to Connecticut’s Public Utilities Regulatory Authority” at PURA’s offices in New Britain. PURA 101 is the first of a series of informational sessions established to assist new CPES members and those new to the industry as they become acclimated and involved within the organization. The overarching goal of the 101 series is to provide a meaningful overview of state agencies and businesses with whom professionals in the industry interact. While the event was geared toward New Energy Professionals, many established professionals were also in attendance to gain insight into the evolving role of PURA.

John “Jack” Betkoski, Vice Chairman of PURA, gave opening remarks and provided attendees a glimpse into the role and work of PURA in Connecticut. He discussed the merger of the Connecticut Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC) with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to form the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). PURA has an independent role within DEEP, he explained, regulating the rates and services of Connecticut’s investor-owned electricity, natural gas, water and telecommunication companies.  Commissioner Betkoski also explained the various regional and national energy conversations in which he and his fellow Commissioners and Staff are actively involved.

Michael Coyle, PURA spokesman, provided a deeper dive into the inner workings of PURA. He offered a perspective on the evolving role of public service commissions. He also explained how PURA processes dockets and described various PURA staff roles and how they interact with stakeholders.

Kate Boucher, PURA staff attorney, provided additional information on PURA procedures and operations. She discussed how parties can participate in or follow PURA proceedings, reviewed the scope of PURA’s jurisdiction, and gave insight into how PURA is expanding its presence into regional utility matters.

If you were not able to attend, here are takeaways from PURA 101 for New Energy Professionals:

  1. Per Vice Chairman Betkoski, after serving as a Utility Commissioner for nearly 20 years, he views the one constant in the energy industry is change.
  2. Effective utility regulation at the state level increasingly requires effective participation in regional utility matters as well.
  3. The full record of all PURA proceedings is available for review on the PURA website: www.ct.gov/pura. You can sign up for public notification emails for particular dockets.
  4. If you have questions about a current or potential docketed proceeding, contact one of PURA’s Case Coordinators.
  5. There are several active working groups in place that you can participate in on topics such as (1) suppliers; (2) net metering; (3) EBT

Gregg Therrien of Concentric Energy Advisors Joins CPES Board

WELCOME TO THE CPES BOARD
Gregg Therrien of Concentric Energy Advisors Joins CPES Board

Gregg Therrien, Assistant VP, Concentric Energy Advisors

“I have been coming to CPES meetings for a long time now and have found the networking to be of great personal value to myself and my company.”           – Gregg Therrien

Gregg, Assistant Vice President of Concentric Energy Advisors, is a former utility executive who has held Director level positions at Connecticut Natural Gas Corporation and affiliated companies for more than 19 years.  Most recently, he served as the Director, Gas Construction at Connecticut Natural Gas and The Southern Connecticut Gas Company and Director, Regulatory & Tariffs at UIL Holdings, Inc. 

Gregg’s experience includes regulatory strategies, natural gas growth, infrastructure replacement programs and technical rate case issues such as utility cost of service, rate design, tariff writing and administration, as well as pricing, gas cost accounting, gross margin and load forecasting for regulated utilities. 

Gregg holds an MBA with a Concentration in Finance from University of Connecticut and a B.S. in Finance from Bryant University (College).

Mr. Therrien is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).