Category Archives: 2018

CPES NEP Series: Connecticut Siting Council 101

WRAP UP:

On Tuesday March 20, 2018 the Connecticut Power and Energy Society’s New Energy Professionals (NEP) Committee held its third 101 Series event, this time highlighting the role of the Connecticut Siting Council. Following up on the NEP’s earlier PURA and Legislative 101s, the Siting Council 101 event aimed to provide attendees with an introduction to the day-to-day operations of the Connecticut Siting Council, from a panel of Council Members and staff.  

Siting Council Executive Director Melanie Bachman led the panel with a general overview of the role of the Siting Council, its responsibilities and the various types of applications that come before the Council and the many challenges associated with siting certain projects. Supervising Siting Analysis Christina Walsh followed with a discussion regarding the technical aspects involved in preparing, submitting and analyzing an application before the Council and noted some of the particular details the Council often examines when reviewing applications. Council members Larry Lévesque and Robert Hannon both provided insights into each respective role on the Council and discussed how they bring unique perspectives to the overall Council review process. The panelists followed-up with a robust Q&A, further discussing common application pitfalls, the need to proactively engage the community and the ex-parte rules associated with Council review.

When: March 20, 2018 (Tuesday) Morning Meeting, 9:00am-11:00am
Where: PURA, 10 Franklin Square, New Britain, CT
Register Now!  Limited seating available.

Melanie Bachman: Melanie has been Connecticut Siting Council (CSC) Executive Director since May 2013, and CSC Staff Attorney since October 2008.  She is also a Member of the CPES Advisory Committee.  She was at the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney, Regionalized Infractions Adjudications from 2006-2008; Land Use and Real Estate Associate 2005-2008, Adjunct Faculty Legal Studies at Naugatuck Valley Community College 2005-2008.  She received her JD from UCONN Law (Environmental Law focus) and her BS in Business Management from Fordham University.

Christina Walsh: Christina has been Connecticut Siting Council (CSC) Supervising Siting Analyst since 2010, and employed by CSC since 2000.  She has a MS in Environmental Science from the University of New Haven, BS in Environmental Science from Marist College, and is the CSC designee for the Blue Plan Advisory Committee.

Bob Hannon: Bob is currently serving as a member on the Wetlands and Conservation Commission in Farmington, CT and has been actively employed at the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection since August 1993.  He has been a member of the Connecticut Bar since 1991.  Previous experience includes being President of an Atlanta, GA contract packaging company; Assistant Town Clerk in Berlin, CT; Community Development Planner with the Midstate Regional Planning Agency; Town Planner in Woodbury, CT; Senior Principal Planner in Manchester, CT; and having served on the Town of Farming Charter Revision commission.

Larry Levesque: Larry is an Attorney and Administrative Hearing Officer at the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority.  He previously was an Attorney in private practice, litigation, administrative proceedings and transactions representing municipalities, developers, businesses, and engineering firms.  He also served in the Hartford Corporation Counsel’s Office; was Research Associate to Land-Use Professor, UConn Law School.  He has a Masters in Urban and Regional Planning from University of Illinois; a B.A. in Economics.  He is past Chairman of Planning Commission, New Britain; and former member of New Britain Board of
Finance.

CPES Policy Committee Update: February 20, 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:

  • ISO New England Publishes 2018 Regional Electricity Outlook
  • ISO 2018 State and Regional Profiles
  • Massachusetts will replace Northern Pass project if it doesn’t nab NH permit  
  • Energy and Technology Committee Bills of Interest
  • Recent PURA Dockets

REGIONAL AND INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS

ISO NEW ENGLAND PUBLISHES 2018 REGIONAL ELECTRICITY OUTLOOK
ISO New England has published its 2018 Regional Electricity Outlook (REO), an annual report looking at the trends and challenges affecting New England’s power system, as well as the innovative solutions the ISO is pursuing to ensure reliable electricity for the region’s homes and businesses—today and into the future. The 2018 REO, as well as webpages that highlight and expand on information and statistics in the report, are available on ISO’s website.   

ISO 2018 STATE AND REGIONAL PROFILES
ISO New England has updated its state and regional profiles, providing the latest information on supply and demand resources tied into the New England electric grid and state policies transforming the resource mix. The profiles are available on the ISO’s Key Grid and Market Stats webpage.

MASSACHUSETTS WILL REPLACE NORTHERN PASS PROJECT IF IT DOESN’T NAB NH PERMIT
Northern Pass was selected to help Massachusetts meet its clean energy goals, but the project was rejected by New Hampshire regulators, potentially hurting its construction timeline, which played a key role in the project’s selection.  Massachusetts will select Central Maine Power’s New England Clean Energy Connect (NECEC) transmission line to replace the Northern Pass project if it doesn’t secure a permit by New Hampshire by March 27, according to a press release from parent company Avangrid. Read the article here.

CONNECTICUT

2018 CONNECTICUT LEGISLATIVE SESSION
The 2018 Regular Session of the Connecticut General Assembly convened on February 7, 2018.  The following bills before the Energy and Technology Committee may be of interest:

PURA DOCKETS
On February 16, 2018, PURA established the following docket:
Docket No. 10-06-18RE01:  Application of Spark Energy, L.P. For An Electric Supplier License – Investigation Into Compliance With §16-245d(a)(2) 

On February 8, 2018, PURA established the following docket:
Docket No. 18-02-05:  Connecticut Business & Industry Association (CBIA) Petition for PURA to Investigate the Business Practices of the Electric Supplier Mint Energy, LLC 

Seeking Exclusive NEP Sponsor for 2018

 

Announcing an exclusive sponsorship for the 2018 New Energy Professionals (NEP) committee,events and Rising Star Award.

For $2,500, your company can financially support the NEP and simultaneously receive recognition as their sponsor in connection to all NEP activities throughout 2018 – Including CPES website, newsletter, social media, and at the events.

 In 2017, CPES saw enormous success with its New Energy Professional program.  Over 90  individuals representing 60 companies attended a CPES event as a NEP.  The NEP Committee hosted PURA 101 and Energy Legislation 101 bringing new and seasoned professionals together to strengthen their knowledge and understanding of how Connecticut’s regulators and legislators work within our industry.  CPES also presented the first New Energy Professional Rising Star Award at The Future of Energy Conference and Exposition.

NEP is already busy planning events for 2018.  For $2,500, your organization can be the committee’s exclusive sponsor partner for all NEP events.  If you are interested, please contact Kathryn Dube kdube@ctpower.org.

Thank you in advance for your consideration!