Category Archives: DEEP

CPES Policy Committee Update: August 2, 2016

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:

  • Clean Energy RFP Bid Process
  • ISO New England Announces Educational Courses

Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority

Clean Energy RFP Bid Selection Process

On July 25, 2016 the three-state Clean Energy RFP provided notice via the Clean Energy RFP website that additional time would be required for bid selection. Under the RFP, bid selection was scheduled to be completed by July 26, 2016. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the states of Connecticut and Rhode Island are participants in the RFP. No alternative timetable for bid selection has been identified, however, winning bidders will be notified. Final results of the RFP will be announced to the public when executed contracts are filed for regulatory review. More information is available at the following link: https://cleanenergyrfp.com/2016/07/25/evaluation-ongoing/

Regional and Industry Developments

Plan ahead! Registration Now Open for Fall ISO New England Training Courses

ISO New England offers a variety of training opportunities to help market participants, public officials, and other stakeholders understand the ISO’s various responsibilities and services, as well as the rules, standards, procedures, and software related to participation in the region’s wholesale electricity markets and power system. The ISO is offering three customer courses during the fall 2016 curriculum, including:

  • Introduction to Wholesale Electricity Markets (WEM 101), September 26-30, 2016
  • Forward Capacity Market (FCM 101), October 17-20, 2016
  • Intermediate Wholesale Electricity Markets (WEM 201), November 1-3, 2016

For more information on these training sessions, visit the ISO Newswire.

CPES Policy Committee Update: June 14, 2016

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:

  • DEEP issues RFP for Shared Clean Energy Facility Pilot Program
  • PURA holds hearings on Eversource and UI rates
  • Governor Malloy signs more energy related bills into law
  • Agenda and speakers announce for upcoming ISO NE’s Consumer Liaison Group Meeting on June 17th

 

Connecticut Policy/Regulatory Update: Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (“DEEP”) has issued an updated draft RFP for its Shared Clean Energy Facility Pilot Program issued pursuant to Public Act 15-113. The draft RFP intends to solicit offers for Shared Clean Energy Facilities sized from 500 kW and no greater than 2,000 kW to implement the pilot program required under the Act. Additional requirements relate to the experience of the bidder and subscriber structure. Comments are due on the draft RFP by June 20, 2016. DEEP expects to issue a final RFP by July 1, 2016. The draft RFP is available at the following link.

Eversource and UI have their rate adjustment review hearings before PURA on Tuesday, June 14th.  See PURA calendar http://www.dpuc.state.ct.us/dockcurr.nsf/$FormWebTSPURACalendarView?OpenForm.

 

CONNECTICUT LEGISLATION:

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

On June 7, 2016, Governor Malloy signed the following legislation of the 2016 Regular Session that may be of interest to our members:

  • S.B. No. 334:  AN ACT CONCERNING REVISIONS TO CERTAIN ENERGY PURCHASING POOL AND LIFE-CYCLE COST ANALYSES STATUTES.
  • H.B. No. 5510:  AN ACT CONCERNING ELECTRIC AND FUEL CELL ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

On June 9, 2016, Governor Malloy signed the following legislation of the 2016 Regular Session that may be of interest to our members:

  • H.B. No. 5496:  AN ACT CONCERNING CERTAIN VIRTUAL NET METERING FACILITIES.

On June 10, 2016, Governor Malloy signed the following legislation of the 2016 Regular Session that may be of interest to our members:

  • B. No. 366:AN ACT CONCERNING ADMINISTRATION OF THE CONNECTICUT GREEN BANK, THE PRIORITY OF THE BENEFIT ASSESSMENTS LIEN UNDER THE GREEN BANK’S COMMERCIAL SUSTAINABLE ENERGY PROGRAM AND THE GREEN BANK’S SOLAR HOME RENEWABLE ENERGY CREDIT PROGRAM.
  • B. No. 394:  AN ACT CONCERNING AUTHORIZATIONS RELATING TO VIRTUAL NET METERING.  

Regional and Industry Developments

New England Consumer Liaison Group Meeting Will Focus on Electricity Security

Registration is still open for the next New England Consumer Liaison Group meeting scheduled for June 17, 2016 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Westborough, Massachusetts. The Consumer Liaison Group is a forum for the exchange of information between ISO New England and electricity consumers in New England.

Congressman Jim McGovern will give the keynote address. The topic for the panel discussion will be Electricity Security for Consumers: How Rapidly Changing Technology Deployment Is Altering the Way Consumers Use Electricity and What They Need to Plan for in Terms of Security and Resiliency. Panelists will include:

  • Mukund Ravipaty, Director, Enterprise Security Architecture, National Grid
  • Christine Hallquist, Chief Executive Officer, Vermont Electric Cooperative
  • EnerNOC – TBD

To register for the meeting, please click here. Additional information on the Consumer Liaison Group is available at: http://www.iso-ne.com/committees/industry-collaborations/consumer-liaison.

 

CPES Policy Committee Update: June 7, 2016

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:

  • UI seeks to increase distribution rates
  • Governor Malloy signs bills into law
  • Real-time prices for wind-powered resources

 

Connecticut Policy/Regulatory Update: Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

The United Illuminating Company has filed a preliminary notice to PURA to increase its distribution rates. PURA has assigned the request Docket No. 16-06-04, Application of The United Illuminating Company to Increase Its Rates and Charges. In its request UI has proposed to increase annual rates by $46 million in 2017, $52 million in 2018 and $43 million in 2019. UI is currently operating under a base-rate freeze through December 31, 2016 that was a commitment made as part of the UIL-Iberdrola USA merger. The PURA docket and UI notice is available at the following link.

 

CONNECTICUT LEGISLATION:

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

On May 25, 2016, Governor Malloy signed the following legislation of the 2016 Regular Session that may be of interest to our section members:

  • H.B. No. 5242:  AN ACT CONCERNING AGRICULTURAL VIRTUAL NET METERING.

On May 31, 2016, Governor Malloy signed the following legislation of the 2016 Regular Session that may be of interest to our section members:

  • H.B. No. 5427:  AN ACT CONCERNING THE SHARED CLEAN ENERGY FACILITY PILOT PROGRAM.

On June 2, 2016, Governor Malloy signed the following legislation of the 2016 Special Session that may be of interest to our section members:

  • S.B. No. 501:  AN ACT ADJUSTING THE STATE BUDGET FOR THE BIENNIUM ENDING JUNE 30, 2017.
  • S.B. No. 502:  AN ACT CONCERNING REVENUE AND OTHER ITEMS TO IMPLEMENT THE BUDGET FOR THE BIENNIUM ENDING JUNE 30, 2017.

 

Regional and Industry Developments

ISO New England Incorporates Wind-Powered Resources into Real-Time Dispatch with Do-Not-Exceed Dispatch Project

On May 25, 2016, the region’s wind-powered resources and intermittent hydro resources began taking electronic dispatch instructions from ISO New England for the first time and became eligible to set real-time prices in the wholesale electricity marketplace. These changes were made possible by the Do-Not-Exceed (DNE) Dispatch Project in which the ISO worked with stakeholders to implement a modified electronic dispatch method for these intermittent resources. The new system is expected to improve price formation in the marketplace and system use of low-cost renewable resources in areas with limited transmission capacity by:

  • Enabling wind and intermittent hydro resources to set the price at their locations on the basis of their economic offers
  • Allowing the Real-Time Energy Market to properly price congestion at their locations

The changes are also expected to minimize manual generator curtailments and improve ISO New England’s ability to manage the system during rapidly shifting weather conditions. For more information on the DNE Dispatch Project, see the ISO Newswire.

CPES Policy Committee Update: May 17, 2016

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:

  • Final legislation passed during the regular legislative session and look into the special session
  • DEEP’s issues notices on 2016 Connecticut Comprehensive Energy Strategy

 

CONNECTICUT LEGISLATION:

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

The 2016 regular session ended on May 4, 2016.  The following bill that passed both chambers during the regular session and that may be of interest to you received a public act number:

  • H.B. No. 5242:  AN ACT CONCERNING AGRICULTURAL VIRTUAL NET METERING.  PUBLIC ACT 16-46.
  • H.B. No. 5427:  AN ACT CONCERNING THE SHARED CLEAN ENERGY FACILITY PILOT PROGRAM.  PUBLIC ACT 16-116.

Both chambers passed a budget and budget implementer bill during the 2016 special session.  Section 183 of the budget implementer bill diverts to the General Fund in fiscal year 2017 the first $3.3 million of proceeds from Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative auctions that take place on or after January 1, 2017.  Links to the budget and budget implementer are as follows:

  • S.B. No. 501:  AN ACT ADJUSTING THE STATE BUDGET FOR THE BIENNIUM ENDING JUNE 30, 2017.
  • S.B. No. 502:  AN ACT CONCERNING REVENUE AND OTHER ITEMS TO IMPLEMENT THE BUDGET FOR THE BIENNIUM ENDING JUNE 30, 2017.

 

Connecticut Policy/Regulatory Update: Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

On May 6th, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) issued a Notice of Proceeding and Scoping Meeting regarding the 2016 Connecticut Comprehensive Energy Strategy (CES). The notice is available at the following link. Section 16a-3d of the Connecticut General Statutes requires DEEP to prepare a CES every three years. DEEP issued its first CES in 2013. Pursuant to the notice, DEEP is holding a meeting to deliver a presentation and receive stakeholder comments on the scope of 2016 CES on Tuesday, May 24, 2016, at 9:00 AM in Hearing Room 1 at DEEP’s New Britain Office located at 10 Franklin Square, New Britain, Connecticut. The objective of the scoping meeting will be to provide an overview of, and seek public input on, the expected structure, schedule, and topics for the CES. The major topics identified in the notice include:  (1) Buildings and Industrial Processes; (2) Electricity Supply; and (3) Transportation. Written comments may be filed electronically on DEEP’s website or submitted directly to DEEP at DEEP.EnergyBureau@ct.gov on or before June 14, 2016, by 4:00 p.m. EDT.

 

CPES Policy Committee Update: April 15, 2016

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:

  • Summary of CPES Natural Gas Infrastructure Event
  • PURA Ends Notice Requirements for Retail Suppliers
  • Governor’s proposed budget does not include raiding funds from Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)
  • Net metering bill raised in legislature
  • Nuclear Power Plant Announces Future Plans

 

Project Development: Natural Gas Infrastructure Projects Serving Customers in Connecticut

DSC03604On April 13, 2016, the Connecticut Power and Energy Society (CPES) heard from representatives of the natural gas industry on infrastructure projects progressing within Connecticut and throughout New England. As background, moderator Stephen Leahy, Vice President of Policy & Analysis for the Northeast Gas Association, explained that there are five interstate natural gas pipelines serving New England: (1) the Algonquin Gas Transmission Pipeline, (2) the Tennessee Gas Pipeline, (3) the Iroquois Gas Transmission System, (4) the Portland Natural Gas Transmission System, and (5) the Maritimes and Northeast Pipeline. There are also several liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities serving the region, including Distrigas in Everett, Massachusetts and Canaport in Saint John, New Brunswick.

Michael Dirrane, Director of Marketing for Spectra Energy, discussed the infrastructure projects in progress and proposed along the Algonquin and Maritimes transmission systems, including the Algonquin Incremental Market (AIM) project, the Atlantic Bridge project, and the Access Northeast project. According to Dirrane, the AIM project will add 20% more gas capacity to the Algonquin pipeline, enabling additional supplies of Marcellus Shale gas to reach customers in Connecticut. The project has an in-service date of November 2016.

Cynthia Armstrong, Director of Marketing & Business Development for Portland Natural Gas Transmission System (PNGTS), provided background on PNGTS, which began serving New England in 1999 and now consists of more than 300 miles of pipeline. She explained that PNGTS delivers gas into the Algonquin and Tennessee pipelines, back-feeding the region’s natural gas transmission system from the east.

Rob Perless, Project Development Manager for Iroquois Gas Transmission System, provided background on the Iroquois system, which commenced operations in 1991 and was designed to bring Canadian gas down to the New York and New England markets. Perless provided an update on the Constitution Pipeline project, which has faced significant regulatory delays in the State of New York. Perless also provided an update on the project Iroquois plans to submit in response to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s Request for Proposals (RFP) for natural gas expansion projects.

Gregg Therrien, Director of Gas Construction for Connecticut Natural Gas and The Southern Connecticut Gas Company, discussed expansion projects on the local gas distribution system in Connecticut. Many of these projects, he explained, were made possible by the 2013 Comprehensive Energy Strategy and legislation passed in 2014 to enable the recovery of costs associated with gas expansion projects over a 25-year period.

Christopher Lucca, Program Manager of Gas Expansion for Eversource, discussed the Wilton, Connecticut expansion project, a 3.6-mile distribution system expansion project which began on August 1, 2014 and concluded on October 24, 2014. The project involved extensive community engagement to ensure construction met the Town’s desired timeline, particularly for a local school and the downtown business district. This project would not have been possible, Lucca said, without the Comprehensive Energy Strategy and the legislation passed to implement it.

 

CONNECTICUT POLICY/REGULATORY UPDATE:  CT Public Utilities Regulatory Authority

The Connecticut PURA has formally terminated the requirement for retail suppliers to file quarterly notices with PURA. In a letter dated April 11, 2016, after receiving notices from multiple suppliers, PURA acknowledged the required information contained in the quarterly notices has since been incorporated into residential bills provided by the electric distribution companies, pursuant to PURA’s Decisions in Docket Nos. 14-07-19, PURA Investigation Into Redesign of the Residential Electric Billing Format and 14-07-19RE01, PURA Investigation Into Redesign of the Residential Electric Billing Format – Billing Format Clarifications. Consequently, PURA determined the notices are no longer required. The letter is available at the following link.

 

CONNECTICUT LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Last week, we reported that the legislature proposed raiding $20M in funds from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).  On April 12, 2016, Governor Malloy released his budget proposal, which did not include a provision raiding the RGGI funds.  http://www.hartfordbusiness.com/article/20160412/NEWS01/160419987/officials-raiding-carbon-funds-will-increase-power-costs

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

The deadline to report bills out of the Energy and Technology Committee has passed.  On April 12, 2016, the House of Representatives passed the following bill that may be of interest to you:

  • H.B. No. 5242 (RAISED) ENERGY AND TECHNOLOGY . ‘AN ACT CONCERNING AGRICULTURAL VIRTUAL NET METERING’, to allow agricultural customers to lease or enter into long-term contracts for an agricultural virtual net metering facility. 
    REF. ENERGY AND TECHNOLOGY

 

Regional and Industry Developments

Entergy Announces Plans to Operate Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station through May 2019

Entergy Corporation, owner and operator of Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station in Plymouth, Massachusetts, has announced plans to refuel in 2017 and continue operating the power plant until May 31, 2019. For more information, see Entergy’s official operational update: http://www.pilgrimpower.com/operational-update/.