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/PURA Seeking Comments on Value of Distributed Energy Resources Docket
DEEP Rules for New Shared Clean Energy Facilities (SCEF) Program
Commission Makes Recommendations On Offshore Wind
Shared solar program heading towards approval, complaints in tow
Environmental advocates denounce planned natural gas plant in Killingly
UConn Launches Institute of the Environment
US EPA Publishes Report on Public Health Benefits of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Feds delay environmental statement for offshore wind project
CONNECTICUT
DEEP/PURA Seeking Comments on Value of Distributed Energy Resources Docket Public comment is being accepted on the scope of the quantitative and qualitative analysis of the value of distributed energy resources – see public notice for more details. Comments are due August 21.
DEEP Rules for New Shared Clean Energy Facilities (SCEF) Program In late July, DEEP submitted program rules to PURA for its statewide SCEF program. More information in DEEP’s press release and program website.
UConn Launches Institute of the Environment
Drawing on its strengths as a leader in environmental research, education, and engagement, the University of Connecticut has launched the Institute of the Environment to help chart a course to a greener future. MORE
Join us on October 7, 2019 from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM at Yale University’s Kroon Hall for a discussion on Cybersecurity: Tension Between Innovation and Security.
As we modernize our electric infrastructure and deploy smart meters and other advanced technologies, we continue to face data breaches and ongoing attempts to disrupt the power grid. This timely event will explore the tensions between innovation and security as panelists consider the implications of greater access to real time customer information and how to secure that data. On the grid side, generators are the backbone to providing power required to keep the lights on. But these key infrastructure components face threats to both their cyber and physical infrastructure. Whether customer-facing or grid-facing, this panel will discuss some of the implications a cyberattack could have on the grid and present practical tools to prepare for system disruptions.
(Bios Available Below)
Moderator:
Arthur House, Connecticut Chief Cybersecurity Risk Officer
Panelists:
Conor Phoenix, Supervisory Special Agent, FBI, New Haven, Cyber Squad
Benjamin Loebick, Manager of Smart Meter System Operations, UIL Holdings Corporation
NOTE: 1 CLE credit eligible
Arthur House, Connecticut Chief Cybersecurity Risk Officer
Arthur House became Chief Cybersecurity Risk Officer for the State of Connecticut in October 2016 after four years as Chairman of Connecticut’s Public Utilities Regulatory Authority. His current work includes work on cybersecurity strategy and action plans with Black Sea Region countries and with several Balkan countries. He holds a Top Secret security clearance.
House has a background in national security, having served as Director of Communications in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and as Chief of the Communications Group for the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, a combat support agency of the U.S. Department of Defense. As a White House Fellow, he was Special Projects Officer at the National Security Council.
Conor Phoenix, Supervisory Special Agent, FBI, New Haven, Cyber Squad
Conor Phoenix is the Supervisory Special Agent of the Cyber squad in the FBI’s New Haven Field Office. The Cyber squad is responsible for investigating both national security and criminal computer intrusions and other high-tech activities that are in violation of U.S. federal law and where prosecution of such violations would have venue within the District of Connecticut.
Conor graduated from the University of Florida in 1993 with a Bachelor of Arts degree and earned a law degree from the College of William and Mary’s Marshall Wythe School of Law in 1996. Conor entered on duty as a FBI Special Agent in April 2002, and from 2002 through 2011, Conor was assigned to the New Haven Field Office, where he worked a wide variety of cyber investigations. In mid-2011, Conor was promoted to the FBI’s Cyber Division in Chantilly, Virginia. While there, Conor played a significant role in the development and implementation of strategy and policies affecting the cyber program throughout the FBI.
Conor returned to the New Haven Field Office in late 2014, after departing an assignment to the FBI’s Legal Attaché office in London. Upon returning, Conor helped form New Haven’s Cyber Task Force, which is currently comprised of 21 federal, state and local investigators. Conor was the co-case agent of an investigation which led to the 2017 arrest and subsequent extradition of a Russian hacker; and, in September 2019, Conor received his promotion as the Cyber squad’s supervisor.
In his off-time, Conor is currently pursuing a Masters of Science in Computer Science at the University of New Haven.
Steven Cash, Counsel, Day Pitney LLP
Steven Cash represents individual and corporate clients in criminal, commercial litigation and national security matters.
Steven has broad experience at the federal and state level in the executive, legislative and judicial branches. He was Chief Counsel and Staff Director (Minority) to the U.S. Senate’s Judiciary Committee, Subcommittee on Terrorism, Technology, and Homeland Security, and Chief Counsel to Senator Dianne Feinstein. He has also served as Chief of Staff to the Director of Intelligence, Department of Energy; as Staff Director to the U.S. House of Representative’s Select Committee on Homeland Security; and as a Professional Staff Member and Counsel to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. Steven was deeply involved in much of the legislation developed after the 9/11 attacks, including the USA-Patriot Act, the Department of Homeland Security Act and the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act, which created the position of Director of National Intelligence. Steven also served as an Intelligence Officer with the Central Intelligence Agency, first as an Assistant General Counsel and then, with the Directorate of Operations.
Before joining federal service, Steven served as an Assistant District Attorney in the Rackets Bureau and Trial Division of the New York County District Attorney’s Office in Manhattan. There, he investigated and tried numerous cases, ranging from violent crime to industry corruption.
Steven is the owner and founder of Deck Prism, LLC, a consulting firm specializing in providing assistance to U.S. and state government entities engaged in national security, homeland security and law enforcement. Prior to 2008, Steven was a principal and counsel at PRTM Management Consultants (since merged with PriceWaterhouseCoopers), focusing on consulting with government clients involved in national security and law enforcement issues.
Steven was a law clerk to the Honorable Thomas P. Griesa in the Southern District of New York
Benjamin Loebick, Manager of Smart Meter System Operations, UIL Holdings Corporation
Benjamin has worked at United Illuminating (UI) for over 11 years, progressing to be Manager of Smart Meter Systems Operations – CT. With over 20 years of utilities experience, he has previously worked for Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation, for Northeast Utilities, and for a telephone company in Prague, Czech Republic before joining UI.
At UI he leads a highly skilled team of analysts who are responsible for all data collected by meters, using it to identify network or meter issues, possible customer electrical problems, and potential energy theft, among other things. He is responsible for the daily operations of the Meter Data Management System, MV90 interval data system, the dual AMI/AMR network and the PI Historian system. As the keeper of all meter data, his team is integrated into outage management, the customer web portal and the meter-to-cash processes. Additionally he has broad experience with distributed generation, data analytics, meter data processes, customer billing and customer care.
Benjamin has a BS and MS in Civil Engineering, an MBA in Finance and Organizational Behavior, and holds a Professional Engineering license in the state of Connecticut.
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 Staffing Changes Announced
Next Consumer Liaison Group Meeting September 5, Portland
N.Y. boosts Eversource joint wind venture
CONNECTICUT
DEEP Staffing Changes Announced Commissioner Dykes announced new staffing in the Commissioner’s Office and other leadership positions in DEEP’s Bureau of Energy and Technology Policy, they are as follows:
Lee Sawyer will assume the role of Chief of Staff
Vicki Hackett will serve as Deputy Commissioner of Energy
Mary Sotos will serve as Senior Policy Adviser for Energy
Michael Li recently assumed the role of Bureau Chief for DEEP’s Bureau of Energy and Technology Policy. Michael comes to DEEP from Washington DC, where he’s served as a senior policy advisor and the acting chief of staff for energy efficiency in the Office Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
INDUSTRY
Next Consumer Liaison Group Meeting September 5, Portland The next meeting of the Consumer Liaison Group (CLG) will be held on September 5 at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Portland, Maine. The topic will be, “The Role of Carbon in State and Regional Energy Planning.”
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:
OLR Special Report on Acts Affecting Energy and Utilities
Draft Report and Recommendations for Minimizing and Mitigating Environmental and Commercial Impacts of the Construction and Operation of Offshore Wind Facilities
NY State Leading the Nation on Climate Change
ISO-NE to Issued First Order 1000 RFP
ISO Publishes Energy Efficiency Resource Performance Report
ISO Announces Fall 2019 Market Training Classes
CONNECTICUT
OLR Special Report on Acts Affecting Energy and Utilities
The Office of Legislative Research released their special report on Acts Affecting Energy and Utilities This report provides summaries of new laws (public acts and a resolution) significantly affecting energy and utilities enacted during the 2019 regular session. Report
Public Act 19-71 – Section 1 – Procurement of Offshore Wind Facilities
The Commission on Environmental Standards released the Draft Report and Recommendations for Minimizing and Mitigating Environmental and Commercial Impacts of the Construction and Operation of Offshore Wind Facilities Draft report
INDUSTRY
NY State Leading the Nation on Climate Change
Governor Cuomo Executes the Nation’s Largest Offshore Wind Agreement and Signs Historic Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act MORE
ISO-NE to Issued First Order 1000 RFP ISO-NE plans to issue its first competitive solicitation for transmission to address transmission needs caused by the retirement of the Mystic Generating Station in the mid-2020s. Background information and draft RFP templates are available on ISO’s website.
ISO Publishes Energy Efficiency Resource Performance Report The final report of the Demand Resources Working Group (DRWG) for assessing energy efficiency resource (EER) performance in all hours is available on the ISO’s website, and can be accessed here.
ISO Announces Fall 2019 Market Training Classes Registration is open for fall classroom training courses hosted by ISO-NE’s Customer Training:
Connecticut Power and Energy Society (CPES) will host its 20th annual The Future of Energy: What’s the Deal? Conference and Exposition on Wednesday, October 30, 2019 at the Aqua Turf Club in Southington, Connecticut. This full-day event will include panel discussions, two keynotes, and time for industry networking.
AGENDA:
7:30 AM – 8:30 AM
Registration / Exhibitor Showcase / Networking Breakfast
8:30 AM – 9:15 AM Welcome and Introduction
Morning Keynote: Marissa Paslick Gillett, PURA Chair
9:15 AM – 10:15 AM
Panel 1: Competitive Markets – Leaders in Advancing Renewable Energy Goals
10:15 AM – 10:45 AM Break: Exhibitor Showcase/Networking
10:45 AM – 11:45 PM
Panel 2: Clean Energy – Made in Connecticut
11:45 AM – 1:00 PM Networking Lunch
New Energy Professionals Rising Star Award Presentation: Jennifer Galiette
Afternoon Keynote: Alex Klaessig, Research Director, IHS Markit
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Panel 3: Financing Renewable Energy Projects in New England
MORNING KEYNOTE: Marissa Paslick Gillett, PURA
Marissa Paslick Gillett is Chairman of Connecticut’s Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA). Governor Ned Lamont nominated Gillett to begin serving on the three member regulatory authority on April 26, 2019, and her appointment was confirmed by both the House of Representatives and State Senate in the 2019 session of the Connecticut General Assembly.
AFTERNOON KEYNOTE: Alex Klaessig, IHS Markit
Alex is a Research Director for the IHS Markit Gas, Power, and Energy Futures team, specializing in understanding how environmental regulation, technology, and innovation drive changes in North American electric power markets. In addition to co-chairing IHS Markit’s Energy Innovation Pioneers program, he has been instrumental in several IHS Markit studies, including “Hydrogen in the Golden State,” a examination of the hydrogen could play in a deeply decarbonized California.
Alex Klaessig will be speaking about: Exploring Faster Electrification and Decarbonization Possibilities Low-carbon ambitions manifest in many jurisdictions across North America. The current mantra of policymakers is to electrify energy uses while powering the electric grid with an increasing proportion of renewable generation. To assess the plausibility of achieving these goals, the IHS Markit “fast-transition” analysis examines the power sector changes necessary to reduce that sector’s carbon emissions by 90% by 2050 while electrifying transportation. Alex will present the narrative of decarbonization and then discuss the implied challenges and investment opportunities.
The goal of this panel is to discuss how restructured markets are achieving renewable policy goals based on an increased awareness of available options. The marketplace has shown us that commercial and industrial customers are making business decisions with renewable objectives in mind. How is the competitors approach to renewable different than utilities? Are there unique products/services? How are competitors making a more informed, more environmentally conscious consumer?
Connecticut’s energy future consists of clean and durable energy systems that contribute to sustainable and reliable service. When these systems are made in Connecticut they contribute to high quality job creation and economic development valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars with thousands of jobs.
These Connecticut manufacturers stand ready to meet the challenge to compete in the global market for clean energy technology:
US Hybrid, South Windsor, CT, makes advanced alternative “Zero Emission Vehicles” including buses, trucks, and ground support equipment. Speaker: Abas Goodarzi President and CEO.
Nel, Wallingford, CT, produces the electrolysis equipment that makes hydrogen as a clean energy carrier and can source power from intermittent renewable wind and solar. Speaker Steve Szymanski, Director of Business Development.
R&D Dynamics, Bloomfield, CT, makes an Organic Rankin Cycle engine with an oil free foil bearing and turbo expander that can extract energy from low quality waste heat without additional fuel and emissions. Speaker: Giri Agrawal, President and CEO.
Each of these three companies demonstrate the ingenuity of the Connecticut workforce to compete in a global market with energy technology that meets the need for clean and reliable power, and provides local jobs and economic development for Connecticut.
This panel will explore financing renewable energy projects in New England from the perspective of lenders and developers. What do private lenders look for when investing in a portfolio of renewable projects? From the perspective of the Connecticut Green Bank, what programs are available and what are the criteria to participate? As a developer, what are the benefits to constructing projects in the Northeast? What are some of the challenges and how are these being addressed through regulatory changes? Panelists will explore these questions and more, provide case studies and reflect on lessons learned and next steps to develop renewable projects in New England.
RISING STAR AWARDEE! Jennifer Galiette
Jennifer Galiette is Senior Counsel at Eversource Energy where her practice focuses on Connecticut state regulatory matters. She has over 11 years of experience assisting electric and natural gas clients in the energy industry in a wide range of regulatory and transactional matters at the state and federal levels. At Eversource, Jen advises and represents electric, natural gas, and water clients in state regulatory matters, including active representation of the Company in proceedings before the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority and in regulatory appeals before the Connecticut state courts.
Prior to joining Eversource, Jen was Counsel in the Energy and Utilities practice group at Day Pitney LLP. At Day Pitney, Jen represented clients in proceedings and litigation before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and state regulatory commissions in New England and New York and she advised clients across the country on energy compliance matters.
Jen is the immediate past Chair of the Energy, Public Utility and Communications Law Section of the Connecticut Bar Association where she continues to serve as a member of the Executive Committee. She is also an active member of the Connecticut Power and Energy Society, the Yale Alumni in Energy organization, and Lawyers Collaborative for Diversity. Jen earned her law degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law in 2008 and her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Yale University in 2005.
