This update features policy, regulatory, legislative, and regional developments in Connecticut and New England. The policy updates are compiled by a team recently formed with support from CPES, known as the New Energy Professionals. 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 Paul Brady, CPES Executive Director, via email: pbrady@ctpower.org.

This week’s features:

• Connecticut DEEP Finalizes RFP for Grid-Side System Enhancements Demonstration Projects
• New England Consumer Liaison Group Will Discuss Energy Infrastructure Projects Progressing in Rhode Island at Next Meeting

 

Connecticut Policy/Regulatory Update

Connecticut DEEP Finalizes RFP for Grid-Side System Enhancements Demonstration Projects

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has issued a Final Request for Proposals (RFP) for Grid-Side System Enhancements Demonstration Projects pursuant to Public Act No. 15-5, Section 103. The Final RFP directs the state’s electric distribution companies to refine the proposal concepts submitted earlier this year into a final Distributed Energy Resources (DER) Integration Plan to be submitted to DEEP and then to the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority for review. The Final RFP is available here.

 

Regional and Industry Developments

New England Consumer Liaison Group Will Discuss Energy Infrastructure Projects Progressing in Rhode Island at Next Meeting

The next New England Consumer Liaison Group (CLG) meeting will be held at the Marriott Hotel in Providence, Rhode Island on September 15, 2016. The meeting will focus on Energy Infrastructure Projects Progressing in Rhode Island: Challenges and Consumer Impacts Regionwide. Attendees will hear from panelists Jeffrey Grybowski, CEO of Deepwater Wind, John Niland, Director of Development for Invenergy, Richard Kruse, Vice President of Regulatory and FERC Compliance Officer for Spectra Energy, and a representative from National Grid.

The CLG is a forum for sharing information between ISO New England and electricity consumers in New England. The CLG meets quarterly and attracts a diverse group of 75-100 attendees at each meeting. Meetings are free and 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. Several New England Power Pool (NEPOOL) members and state regulators are also regular, active participants in CLG discussions. The focus of the CLG is on the concerns and needs of commercial, industrial, and nonprofit electricity end users.

For more information and to register for the September 15 meeting, visit the Consumer Liaison Group webpage.

 

Legislative Affairs

CONNECTICUT LEGISLATION:

The 2016 Connecticut regular session ended on May 4, 2016.  The 2017 Connecticut regular session begins January 4, 2017.

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

 

MASSACHUSETTS LEGISLATION:

The 2015-2016 Massachusetts formal session ended on July 31, 2016.  The 2017-2018 Massachusetts session begins January 4, 2017.

Information about the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy, including hearings and bills in committee, is available at: https://malegislature.gov/Committees/Joint/J37.