Category Archives: Connecticut Power and Energy Society (CPES)

CPES Policy Committee Update: July 9, 2019

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:

  • Commission of Environmental Standards: Offshore Wind
  • Governor Lamont and DEEP Commissioner Dykes Comment on Affordable Clean Energy Rule
  • FERC expands cycbersecurity reporting standards

CONNECTICUT

Commission of Environmental Standards: Offshore Wind
Pursuant to Section 1 of Substitute for House Bill No. 7156, An Act Concerning the Procurement of Energy Derived From Offshore Wind, DEEP is convening a Commission of Environmental Standards for each offshore wind solicitation pursuant to the Act to review the best available research and data on environmental and commercial fisheries mitigation during offshore wind construction and operation and to make recommendations on what a sufficient environmental mitigation plan should include. MORE

Governor Lamont and DEEP Commissioner Dykes Comment on Affordable Clean Energy Rule Statement released regarding Trump Administration announcement

INDUSTRY

FERC expands cycbersecurity reporting standards
At its open meeting June 20, FERC approved an order to expand reporting requirements for cyber events that involve attempts to compromise operation of the grid. See FERC’s press release, staff presentation  and order for more information.

2019 New CPES Board Members

PRINTABLE PRESS RELEASE

Connecticut Power and Energy Society (CPES) welcomed Brian Farnen, Tom Guerra, and Kent McCord to the CPES Board at the meeting prior to the Annual Legislative Update today at the offices of Day Pitney, LLC in Hartford.

“We are thrilled to bring on such talented and experienced energy professionals to help us fulfill our mission of generating information, sharing ideas and educating Connecticut about energy,” said Eric Johnson, CPES President and Director of External Affairs at ISO-NE.

Brian Farnen, General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer, Connecticut Green Bank

“I am excited to join the CPES Board and look forward to furthering its energy mission in Connecticut. As a director, my primary focus is reducing the energy burden on Connecticut’s residents and businesses through the sustained growth of our clean energy economy. This impact will continue to grow thanks to CPES’ commitment to idea sharing, timely events and education.”                     – Brian Farnen

Brian Farnen brings a breadth of policy and business development experience in the clean energy marketplace through his pioneering work at Connecticut’s – and the nation’s – first “green bank.” Brian distinguished himself as a 2018 recipient of the CPES Excellence in Energy Award and we are pleased to bring him on board as a director.

As General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer for the Connecticut Green Bank, the nation’s first green bank, Brian directs all legal, legislative and regulatory affairs. Brian was an attorney with the AmLaw 100 law firm Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge before accepting a position with Sikorsky Aircraft as a senior attorney. Here, Brian provided legal counsel for the majority of Sikorsky’s strategic international sales campaigns and oversaw all global environmental, health and safety legal matters. Brian’s past state government experience includes time spent as a regional director for the Department of Economic and Community Development and a judicial clerkship for the Honorable Barry Schaller of the Connecticut Appellate Court.

Brian was named a “New Leader in the Law” by the Connecticut Law Tribune in 2013. Brian taught “Law and Society” as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Connecticut School of Law, is a board member of the Renewable Energy and Efficiency Business Association and he is a former member of the CT Judicial Review Counsel.

Brian obtained his Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Connecticut. He went on to earn both his Juris Doctorate and Master of Business Administration from the University of Connecticut School of Law and School of Business, respectively.

Tom Guerra, Director of Products and Services, CBIA Service Corp.

“I’m honored to join the CPES board and look forward to helping voice the impact of energy sector changes on Connecticut’s businesses and marketplace. As our state’s leading energy association, CPES is not only a critical source of information for those of us who work in the energy field, but also those impacted by our ever-changing energy climate – and that’s everybody!”                 – Tom Guerra

As a director, Tom Guerra will continue our organization’s longstanding partnership with the Connecticut Business and Industry Association (CBIA). Tom’s many years of experience advising customers in the insurance and energy sectors will be an asset to CPES as we work to improve the business conditions of the energy industry in Connecticut.

Since 2000, Tom has worked to develop and manage products designed to help CBIA members run their businesses in a more efficient and effective manner. He leads the CBIA Energy Connections staff and is involved in all aspects of providing member companies with procurement solutions designed to meet their electricity and natural gas needs.

Prior to joining CBIA, Tom spent 15 years as an internal consultant in the insurance and financial services industries, focusing specifically on quality improvement, process re-engineering, and workflow management.

Kent McCord, Distributed Energy Professional, Kinsley Energy Systems

“I have participated in, and benefited from, CPES event programming for over a decade.  I am excited to contribute directly to this wonderful organization that helps Connecticut tackle the big energy problems of today and tomorrow.”                          – Kent McCord

Kent McCord’s engineering and business development experience will help strengthen our knowledge of distributed generation and co-generation systems and the needs of end-use customers for on-site power supply. Kent has long been engaged with CPES and we look forward to having him step into a director role to help guide the organization going forward.

Kent is a renewable and alternative energy industry professional with over 18 years of experience developing successful projects for commercial, industrial and municipal building owners.  Kent is currently responsible for business development for Kinsley Energy Systems, with a focus on project development and engineering for high-efficiency combined heat and power (CHP) systems.  Kent’s project development expertise includes all types of CHP solutions (fuel cells, microturbines, and engine-based systems), organic Rankine cycle (ORC) waste-heat-to-electricity systems, and commercial solar solutions.  Kent is a graduate of Massachusetts Institute of Technology with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering, and holds a master’s degree in Energy Management from New York Institute of Technology.  Kent is a Certified Energy Manager (CEM) and has been trained in carbon accounting. 

CPES Policy Committee Update: May 29, 2019

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:

  • House Passes HB 5002 An Act Concerning a Green Economy and Environmental Protection 
  • ISO-NE IMM Issues 2018 Annual Markets Report

CONNECTICUT

House Passes HB 5002 An Act Concerning a Green Economy and Environmental Protection 
On Tuesday, May 28 the House of Representatives passed HB 5002, An Act Concerning a Green Economy and Environmental Protection. The bill now moves to the Senate for futher action.

INDUSTRY

ISO-NE IMM Issues 2018 Annual Markets Report
The 2018 Annual Markets Report, issued by the Internal Market Monitor (IMM) at ISO New England, concluded that New England’s wholesale power markets were competitive in 2018.  Read the report here.

CPES Policy Committee Update: May 21, 2019

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:

  • Katie Dykes takes helm at DEEP in era of escalating climate change
  • HBJ: “A strong bipartisan vote for wind power in CT”
  • ISO-NE Summer Outlook: Sufficient Power Supplies Expected
  • Registration Now Open for Two ISO-NE Trainings: WEM 101 and FCM 101

CONNECTICUT

Katie Dykes takes helm at DEEP in era of escalating climate change
Katie Dykes has sat at the large conference table in the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection commissioner’s office many, many times. But not the way she does now. MORE

HBJ: “A strong bipartisan vote for wind power in CT”
On Tuesday the state House of Representatives voted in support of a bill that if passed and signed, would require DEEP within 14 days to begin the process of soliciting bids of up to 2,000 MW of wind power.  Read more in the Hartford Business Journal.

INDUSTRY

ISO-NE Summer Outlook: Sufficient Power Supplies Expected
According to ISO New England’s 2019 summer outlook, New England is expected to have sufficient resources to meet peak consumer demand for electricity this summer under both typical and extreme weather conditions. Details available in ISO’s Newswire article and press release.

Registration Now Open for Two ISO-NE Trainings: WEM 101 and FCM 101
Register now for ISO-NE’s Introduction to Wholesale Electricity Markets (WEM 101) on July 29-August 2, 2019, and Forward Capacity Market (FCM 101) on August 26-29, 2019. 

CPES Policy Committee Update: May 13, 2019

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:

  • Summer CLG Meeting to be held in Westborough, “Energy Efficiency in the Forward Capacity Market: The Changing Landscape and Implications for Consumers”
  • FERC Open Meeting Thursday May 16
  • New ISO Forward Capacity Auction Training: Critical Path Schedule Monitoring
  • ISO Forward Capacity Market Qualification Webinar Recordings Available

INDUSTRY
Summer CLG Meeting to be held in Westborough, “Energy Efficiency in the Forward Capacity Market: The Changing Landscape and Implications for Consumers”
The next meeting of the Consumer Liaison Group (CLG) will be held June 20 at the DoubleTree Westborough Hotel in Westborough, MA. The topic is Energy Efficiency in the Forward Capacity Market: The Changing Landscape and Implications for Consumers. The CLG is a forum for the exchange of information between ISO New England and electricity consumers in New England. CLG quarterly meetings are generally attended by 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. Meetings are free and open to the public, but advanced registration is required. 

FERC Open Meeting Thursday May 16
The meeting will be live webcast via FERC’s website.  The agenda includes discussion of the 2019 Summer Energy Market and Reliability  Assessment and updates on storage market participation. 

New ISO Forward Capacity Auction Training: Critical Path Schedule Monitoring
ISO New England recently announced a new web-based training, Critical Path Schedule Monitoring, a 17-minute video explaining the process that occurs after the Forward Capacity Auction, and three supplemental videos:

ISO Forward Capacity Market Qualification Webinar Recordings Available
The FCM New Capacity Qualification for Demand Capacity Resources and FCM New Capacity Qualification for Generation and Imports webinars from May 2, 2019 are now available on ISO’s website – click here to access the presentations or recordings.