Category Archives: Energy and Technology Committee

CPES Policy Committee Update: September 19, 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:

  • PURA re-opens the Residential Billing Docket and Eversource seeks to reopen docket on interconnection guidelines.
  • ISO-NE Completes Study on Wind Resources
  • Looking Ahead to the Next Legislative Session – Schedules and Key Links

 

CONNECTICUT REGULATORY

PUBLIC UTILITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITY NEW DOCKETS:

On September 14, 2016, the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority initiated the following proceeding, which may be of interest to you:

  • Docket No. 14-07-19RE02:  PURA Investigation into Redesign of the Residential Electric Billing Format – Incidental Residential Accounts and Summary Information

Also, on September 8, 2016, Eversource filed a motion to reopen Docket No. 03-01-15 DPUC Investigation into the Need For Interconnection Standards for Distributed Generation, seeking  PURA approval of new interconnection guidelines for small (sub 20kW) generation systems. Eversource’s motion and the proposed interconnection standards are available here.

 

REGIONAL DEVELOPMENTS

ISO New England Completes Studies on the Economic Impacts of Adding More Wind Resources to the Grid

ISO New England recently completed three studies requested by regional stakeholders in 2015. The studies focus on the economic impacts of adding more wind resources to the regional power system under a variety of hypothetical scenarios. The studies looked at:

  • The potential economic effects of developing offshore wind
  • Upgrading transmission at three interfaces in Maine to remove potential bottlenecks and enable the development of more onshore wind and imports from New Brunswick, Canada
  • Easing a transmission bottleneck farther north in the Keene Road area of Maine to enable increasing wind development in the local area

The final results of the studies are available on the ISO’s Planning Advisory Committee webpage.  For more information, visit the ISO Newswire.

 

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.

CPES Policy Committee Update: September 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:

  • ISO NE’s Hybrid Grid
  • National Grid’s smart grid pilot in MA
  • Looking Ahead to the Next Legislative Session – Schedules and Key Links

 

Regional and Industry Developments

ISO New England Publishes Summary of Its Efforts to Prepare for the ‘Hybrid Grid’

This week, ISO New England published Getting Ready for the Hybrid Grid, a two-page summary of the ISO’s efforts to facilitate New England’s transition to a smarter, greener grid. The handout describes how the ISO is breaking new ground in the areas of forecasting and dispatch of renewable resources and other new technologies; high-speed cloud computing for analyzing vast, complex data; and protecting against cyber threats.

For more information, visit the ISO Newswire.

 

VIDEO: National Grid seeks to extend smart grid pilot in Massachusetts

Massachusetts Electric Co. and National Grid, in an Aug. 30 filing submitted to the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities, said that it is seeking to extend its Smart Energy Solutions Program until Dec. 31, 2018.

The company noted that it is currently conducting a two-year smart grid pilot under the Green Communities Act, Section 85 of Chapter 169 of the Acts of 2008, and the DPU’s August 2012 order, which approved the company’s pilot proposal, with certain modifications.

The pilot’s smart pricing, bill protection and demand response capabilities went into effect for participating customers on Jan. 1, 2015, the company said, noting that the pilot is scheduled to end on Dec. 31.

http://www.elp.com/articles/2016/09/national-grid-seeks-to-extend-smart-grid-pilot-in-massachusetts.html

 

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

CPES Policy Committee Update: September 6, 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:

  • New England Governors Discuss Energy Issues with Canadian Leaders at NEG-ECP Conference
  • Looking Ahead to the Next Legislative Session – Schedules and Key Links

 

Regional and Industry Developments

NEG-ECP CONFERENCE

On August 28-29, 2016, the six New England Governors joined with five Eastern Canadian Premiers for their 40th Annual NEG-ECP Conference. The Conference was hosted by Governor Charlie Baker of Massachusetts and a variety of regional issues were discussed, including trade, energy diversification, and combating the opioid crisis. Much of the Governors’ and Premiers’ focus was on energy as the Conference heard from Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Chair Norman Bay, a panel on “Emerging and Innovative Technologies,” and a second panel on “The Benefits and Importance of Diverse Energy Generation.”

For more information on the New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers Annual Conference, visit: http://www.coneg.org/negecp.

 

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.

CPES Policy Committee Update: August 9, 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:

  • PURA looking to issue new regulations on the Renewable Portfolio Standard
  • NY PSC approves new REC and ZEC requirements
  • Energy bill passes in MA seeking to diversify generation

 

Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority

RPS Docket Opened

The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) has opened a docket aimed at issuing new regulations regarding the Renewable Portfolio Standard (“RPS”) certification and compliance process. According to PURA’s recently opened docket notification, the new regulations “will (A) revise Conn. Agencies Regs. §16-245a-1 (annual RPS compliance by load serving entities); (B) revise Conn. Agencies Regs. §16-245a-2 (application for qualification Class I, II and III renewable energy facilities); and (C) develop rules and disclosure forms for voluntary green products.”  Any regulations promulgated by PURA must ultimately pass legislative review before being made final. The docket, Docket No. 16-08-23 – PURA Promulgation of Regulations Concerning RPS and Voluntary Green Products is available by clicking here.

 

Regional & Industry Developments

New York Approves 50% Renewable by 2030

On August 1, 2016, the New York Public Service Commission (PSC) issued an order approving the state’s Clean Energy Standard, requiring electricity providers in New York to obtain a targeted number of renewable energy credits (RECs) from renewable energy sources and zero-emissions credits (ZECs) from nuclear energy sources each year. In the order, the PSC adopted the 2015 State Energy Plan goal that 50% of New York’s electricity is to be generated by renewable sources by 2030.

For more information, see the PSC’s final order here.

 

Legislative Affairs

MASSACHUSETTS LEGISLATION:

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

On July 31, 2016, the following bill passed both chambers that may be of interest to you:

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

 

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/

CPES Policy Committee Update: July 26, 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:

  • PURA Examines Time of Use Rates for Electric Vehicles
  • NEPOOL Announces Market and Policy Meeting For August 11, 2016
  • MA Legislation Seeks to Promote Energy Diversity
  • NY PSC Issues Moratorium on Retail Choice for Low-Income

 

Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority

Time of Use Rates for Electric Vehicles

PURA has opened a new docket seeking to investigate commercial and residential time of use rates for electric vehicles. Public Act 16-135 An Act Concerning Electric and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles, amended Section 16-19f(b) of the General Statutes of Connecticut in part by requiring the PURA, no later than June 1, 2017, to “consider and determine whether it is appropriate to implement electric vehicle time of day rates for residential and commercial customers.”  That statute also requires that the PURA’s consideration be made after public notice and hearing. This docket will be the administrative vehicle under which the PURA will conduct its investigation. A link to Docket No. 16-07-21 – PURA Investigation into the Implementation of Electric Vehicle Time of Day Rates for Residential and Commercial Customers is available here.

 

Regional & Industry Developments

New England Power Pool Wholesale Markets and State Public Policy Meeting Set for August 11, 2016

On August 11, 2016, the New England Power Pool (NEPOOL) is hosting a forum to discuss potential wholesale market design changes that would enable competitive markets to better accommodate state public policy objectives in New England. The meeting is intended to begin the solution identification process by hearing from stakeholders on potential ways to adjust wholesale power markets in order to achieve and accommodate the public policy objectives the New England states have identified. Potential solutions may include mechanisms market participants have advanced in the past, in other regions, or other ideas that have not yet been put forward.

Under the NEPOOL process, discussions will likely include further refinement of the problems to be solved and the objectives for those solutions. Public officials from all six New England states are planning to attend to listen and enhance their understanding of various means to achieve public policy objectives in future years.

For more information, visit the ISO’s Wholesale Markets and State Public Policy Initiative webpage.

 

NYPSC Issue Moratorium on Low-Income Choice  

http://www.rtoinsider.com/nypsc-moratorium-esco-low-income-sign-ups-28861/

 

Legislative Affairs

MASSACHUSETTS LEGISLATION:

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

There have been no recent developments relating to the following events that may be of interest to you:

  • On June 30, 2016, the Senate passed 2372 (An Act to promote energy diversity).  On July 7, 2016, the House did not concur with the Senate amendments (H.4385:  An Act to promote energy diversity) and a committee of conference was appointed.  On July 8, 2016, the Senate insisted on its amendments and named members to the committee of conference.

 

CONNECTICUT LEGISLATION:

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