Category Archives: Connecticut Power and Energy Society (CPES)

CPES Policy Committee Update: March 19, 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:

  • FERC Issues Order Accepting ISO-NE’s CASPR Revisions
  • ISO-NE’s Grid Resilience Filing with FERC
  • ISO New England Market Training
  • New England’s Wholesale Electricity Prices in 2017 were the Second-Lowest Since 2003
  • The Energy and Technology Committee will hold a public hearing on March 20.

REGIONAL AND INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS

FERC ISSUES ORDER ACCEPTING ISO-NE’s CASPR REVISIONS
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“Commission”) issued an order late Friday, March 9, 2018 accepting the Competitive Auctions with Sponsored Policy Resources (“CASPR”) filing. FERC concludes that the CASPR proposal is consistent with the primary principles of capacity markets and appropriately addresses the potential of resources receiving out-of-market state revenues to undermine these principles. The Commission notes that out-of-market state revenues can result in building more capacity than a region needs, overpayment by consumers for capacity, inefficiently low capacity market prices and the erosion of investor confidence. The Commission concludes that the CASPR proposal, along with the New England region’s minimum offer price rules (MOPR), appropriately addresses the issues associated with out-of-market state revenues while ensuring that the overall capacity market can continue to attract and maintain appropriate levels of new resource investment. For more details, read the order here.  To learn more, view the CASPR project page on ISO New England’s website.

ISO-NE’s GRID RESILIENCE FILING WITH FERC
ISO New England filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission its response to the January 8, 2018 Order Terminating Rulemaking Proceeding, Initiating New Proceeding, and Establishing Additional Procedures in Docket No. AD18-7. The ISO’s response focuses on the most significant challenge for the New England bulk power system’s resilience – fuel security.  In its response, the ISO requests the Commission afford the ISO time to work with regional stakeholders to develop a long-term solution to the fuel-security challenges facing the region. 

ISO NEW ENGLAND MARKET TRAINING
ISO New England released two new video trainings available online:

  • Pay-for-Performance Introduction – A short introduction to the new pay-for-performance (PFP) incentive program effective as of June 1, 2018 (7 minutes).
  • Pay-for-Performance Overview and Settlement – An overview of the Forward Capacity Market performance incentives known as pay for performance.  It explains what triggers the incentives and shows how performance payments are calculated.  It also includes information on settlements reports that have changed or are new for pay for performance (20 minutes, includes the seven-minute Pay-for-Performance Introduction video.)

NEW ENGLAND’S WHOLESALE ELECTRICITY PRICES IN 2017 WERE THE SECOND-LOWEST SINCE 2003
New England’s wholesale electricity prices in 2017 were the second-lowest in 15 years, following 2016, which holds the record for the lowest average annual price since 2003, according to ISO New England.  Get more details from ISO’s press release here.

2018 CONNECTICUT LEGISLATIVE SESSION
The 2018 Regular Session of the Connecticut General Assembly convened on February 7, 2018.  General information about the Energy and Technology Committee is available here.

  • The Energy and Technology Committee will hold a committee meeting on March 20, 2018 to review bills.  The meeting agenda is available here.

CPES Policy Committee Update: March 6, 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 files FCA #12 finalized results with FERC
  • Ninth Annual CLG Report Highlights 2017 Activities and Other Consumer-Related, Wholesale Electricity Industry Topics 
  • FERC Staff Inquiry Finds No Withholding of Pipeline Capacity in New England Markets
  • The Energy and Technology Committee will hold a public hearing on March 6 and March 8.

REGIONAL AND INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS

ISO NEW ENGLAND FILES FCA #12 FINALIZED RESULTS WITH FERC
Finalized results from the 12th Forward Capacity Auction (FCA #12) confirm that the auction, conducted on February 5 and 6, concluded with sufficient resources to meet electricity demand in 2021–2022, at the lowest price in five years. While the auction closed with enough resources to meet demand, the ISO rejected two bids from resources looking to withdraw from the capacity market for the one-year capacity commitment period. The ISO’s mandatory transmission reliability review showed that transmission lines in Greater Boston could be overloaded if the resources, Mystic 7 and Mystic 8, were not available during 2021-2022. ISO New England filed the results with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on February 28. The FERC filing includes a list of resources that have an obligation to be available in that capacity commitment period. Read the press release.

NINTH ANNUAL CLG REPORT HIGHLIGHTS 2017 ACTIVITIES AND OTHER CONSUMER-RELATED, WHOLESALE ELECTRICITY INDUSTRY TOPICS
ISO New England and the Consumer Liaison Group (CLG) Coordinating Committee recently issued the 2017 Report of the Consumer Liaison Group, which summarizes the activities of the CLG during 2017. The ISO and regional electricity market stakeholders created the CLG in 2009 to facilitate the consideration of consumer interests in determining the needs and solutions for the region’s power system. The CLG is 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. The CLG meets quarterly, and each meeting addresses various regional electricity and consumer issues. About 75 to 100 participants attend each meeting, both in person and via teleconference. To learn more, visit the CLG page on the ISO website.

FERC STAFF INQUIRY FINDS NO WITHHOLDING OF PIPELINE CAPACITY IN NEW ENGLAND MARKETS
A Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) staff inquiry has revealed no evidence of anticompetitive withholding of natural gas pipeline capacity on Algonquin Gas Transmission by New England shippers. The inquiry arose out of allegations made by the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) in an August 2017 white paper, which asserted that local gas distribution companies in New England had engaged in practices to withhold pipeline capacity on the Algonquin system in order to drive up gas and/or power prices in the region. Commission staff took these allegations very seriously and conducted an extensive review of both publicly available and non-public data. On the basis of that review, staff determined that EDF’s study was flawed and led to incorrect conclusions about the alleged withholding. Commission staff found no evidence of capacity withholding and will take no further action on the matter.

2018 CONNECTICUT LEGISLATIVE SESSION
The 2018 Regular Session of the Connecticut General Assembly convened on February 7, 2018.  General information about the Energy and Technology Committee is available here.

  • The Energy and Technology Committee will hold a public hearing on March 6 and March 8. The hearing agenda for March 6 is available here and the hearing agenda for March 8 is available here.

CPES Policy Committee Update: February 28, 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 New England Publishes Quarterly Markets Report
  • 2018 CT Legislative Session: Energy and Technology Committee Information

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 New England Publishes Quarterly Markets Report
The Fall 2017 Quarterly Markets Report (required by Market Rule 1, Appendix A, Section III.A.17.2.2) is now available on the ISO’s website. This report includes the following sections:

  • Executive Summary (Section 1)
  • Overall Market Conditions (Section 2)
  • Day-Ahead and Real-Time Markets (Section 3)
  • Forward Markets (Section 4)
  • Participation of Multi-Stage Generators in the Energy Market (Section 5)

CONNECTICUT

2018 CONNECTICUT LEGISLATIVE SESSION
The 2018 Regular Session of the Connecticut General Assembly convened on February 7, 2018.  General information about the Energy and Technology Committee is available at: https://www.cga.ct.gov/et/.

 

 

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