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:
- PURA Establishes New Docket Titled 2017 PURA Supplier Working Group
- DEEP Selects Winning Bidders in 2 – 20 MW Small Resource Procurement
- ISO New England Releases 2016/2017 Winter Outlook
PUBLIC UTILITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITY NEW DOCKETS:
On November 28, 2016, the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) established the following docket on its own motion:
- Docket No. 17-01-03: 2017 PURA Supplier Working Group: http://www.dpuc.state.ct.us/dockcurr.nsf/(Web+Main+View/All+Dockets)?OpenView&StartKey=17-01-03)
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEVELOPMENTS
The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has released a list of winning bidders for the 2-20 MW Renewable, Passive Demand Response, and Energy Storage Request for Proposals (RFP) issued pursuant to Public Act 15-107 – Section 1(b).
The list of winning bidders is available at the following link.
REGIONAL DEVELOPMENTS
On December 5, 2016, ISO New England issued its 2016/2017 Winter Outlook, which projects sufficient electricity supplies to meet consumer demand in New England this winter, barring unexpected resource outages or fuel delivery constraints. Because of possible natural gas pipeline constraints, ISO New England has implemented a Winter Reliability Program that will help protect overall power system reliability.
For more information on the upcoming winter, please see the full Winter Outlook press release, available here.
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.
Keri Enright-Kato of DEEP discussed Connecticut’s efforts to combat climate change and reviewed the state’s GHG reduction goals found in the Global Warming Solution Act. Adopted by the General Assembly in 2008, the Global Warming Solutions Act sets forth the following GHG emission reduction requirements: (1) reduce GHG emissions to 10% below 1990 levels by January 2020; and (2) reduce GHG emissions to 80% below 2001 levels by January 2050. Enright-Kato reviewed the two accounting methods for measuring GHG emissions, including the generation-based approach and the consumption-based approach. The generation-based approach measures emissions from electric generating facilities in Connecticut while the consumption-based approach measures GHG emissions based on Connecticut’s share of electricity consumption in the region. Enright-Kato stated that transformational change would be needed to meet the state’s long-term GHG reduction goals and highlighted the work of the 
Tracy Gionfriddo of Eversource discussed her company’s efforts to reduce GHG emissions across the New England region. Compared to its peers, Gionfriddo explained, Eversource has a small carbon footprint as an electric and gas delivery company. For that reason, Gionfriddo noted, Eversource began looking for ways to facilitate the reduction of GHG emissions beyond its own company footprint. Gionfriddo stated that Eversource has focused on programs that reduce the region’s carbon intensity, including energy-efficiency programs and renewable energy programs. Gionfriddo also mentioned Eversource’s efforts to bring additional supplies of carbon-free hydropower down from Eastern Canada to New England load centers through electric transmission infrastructure. 
Kevin Hennessy of Dominion discussed the role of nuclear power in achieving the state’s and region’s GHG reduction goals. Dominion owns Millstone Nuclear Power Station, located in Waterford, Connecticut, one of three remaining nuclear facilities in New England. The other two facilities are Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station, located in Plymouth, Massachusetts, and Seabrook Nuclear Power Station, located in Seabrook, New Hampshire. Pilgrim Station has decided to retire its unit as of 
Katie Dykes, Deputy Commissioner for Energy of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), delivered opening remarks, highlighting the work Connecticut has done to advance the objectives of electric restructuring and to prepare a comprehensive energy strategy for the state. Dykes explained that one of the primary objectives of electric restructuring, in addition to shifting investment risk away from electric ratepayers and onto company shareholders, was to maintain a commitment to fuel diversity, including the development of clean energy resources. She noted that since 2011, Connecticut has launched five competitive Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for grid-scale renewable energy sources, resulting in the procurement of more than 465 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy. Dykes signaled a continued need to decarbonize the electric grid in order to meet the state’s long-term greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goals contained in the 2008 Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA). The GWSA calls for an 80% reduction in GHG emissions below 2001 levels by 2050. Dykes touched on the role of existing generation in the state, particularly nuclear, in maintaining fuel diversity and meeting the state’s GHG reduction goals. This issue, she said, will be taken up in the 2016 Comprehensive Energy Strategy, scheduled for release in draft form later this year. A copy of her presentation can be found 
Eric Johnson, Director of External Affairs for ISO New England, moderated the first panel of the day on Connecticut’s upcoming Comprehensive Energy Strategy and what it means for the state’s economic competitiveness. Panelists included Carl Gustin, Consultant with the New England Coalition for Affordable Energy; Marc Montalvo, President of Daymark Energy Advisors; and Heather Hunt, Executive Director of the New England States Committee on Electricity (NESCOE). Carl Gustin focused his remarks on the affordability of energy and the concerns he has surrounding price volatility and regional competitiveness. Gustin stressed the need for additional energy infrastructure in the region, including natural gas pipeline capacity, in order to avoid billions of dollars of added energy costs by 2020. Marc Montalvo discussed analysis his organization is completing to quantify the impacts of not building cost-effective energy infrastructure in the region, including impacts on employment and gross domestic product. Heather Hunt touched on the Integrating Markets and Public Policy (IMAPP) Initiative, an effort the New England Power Pool (NEPOOL) has launched to identify how state laws that promote clean energy can be incorporated into the region’s wholesale electricity markets. This effort, she explained, is in the beginning stages; any changes to the wholesale electricity markets will take several years to implement.
Sandi Hennequin, Vice President of U.S. Public Affairs for Emera Energy, moderated the second panel of the day on new trends and technologies for managing electricity use. Panelists included Mackey Dykes, Vice President of Commercial and Industrial Programs for the Connecticut Green Bank; Tim Maurer, Director of Energy Information Services for Artis Energy Solutions; and Bill Kenworthy, Director of Products for Direct Energy Business. Mackey Dykes discussed the sophisticated financing mechanisms employed by the Connecticut Green Bank to promote commercial and residential energy-efficiency and renewable energy projects in the state. Tim Maurer focused on the importance of using data analytics and interoperability to find energy savings for business customers, especially in a high-cost region like New England. Bill Kenworthy discussed the use of technology to monitor energy consumption so that companies can understand exactly where their energy use is coming from and how to create savings.
Brad Kane, Editor for the Worcester Business Journal, moderated the final panel of the day, featuring perspectives from various media outlets in Connecticut. Panelists included Mark Pazniokas, Capitol Bureau Chief for the Connecticut Mirror; Max Reiss, State Reporter for NBC Connecticut; and Steve Kotchko, News Director for the Connecticut Radio Network. The panelists discussed state politics and dynamics at play within the state legislature. They stressed that the General Assembly is a part-time legislature, and, oftentimes, legislators do not have the background or resources to understand all of the ramifications of a particular bill. They also noted that pressures unrelated to energy, like closing a budget deficit, can drive the legislative process during session.
During breaks, conference attendees visited Direct Energy’s one-of-a-kind Innovation to Inspiration mobile exhibit, which featured innovative devices and appliances for managing energy use in your home or business. For more information, visit: 
