Category Archives: Energy

CPES Policy Committee Update: August 27, 2019

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:

  • DEEP Releases Offshore Wind RFP
  • The Day: Connecticut tips continental U.S. in electricity prices: what gives?
  • The Day: Orsted, Eversource confident in offshore wind as competitor faces delay in Massachusetts
  • CT Post: Feds delay environmental statement for offshore wind project
  • New ISO-NE Online Curriculum: ISO 101

CONNECTICUT

DEEP Releases Offshore Wind RFP
Read the DEEP press release and request for proposal (RFP).

The Day: “Connecticut tips continental U.S. in electricity prices: what gives?”

The Day: “Orsted, Eversource confident in offshore wind as competitor faces delay in Massachusetts”

CT Post: Feds delay environmental statement for offshore wind project

INDUSTRY

New ISO-NE Online Curriculum: ISO 101
ISO’s Customer Training released an updated ISO 101 Online curriculum consisting of four self-paced training modules: The Power System and ISO New England, System Operations, New England Energy Markets, and System Planning.  These trainings introduce the New England power grid, wholesale electricity markets, and the three primary responsibilities of ISO New England.

CPES Policy Committee Update: May 21, 2019

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:

  • Katie Dykes takes helm at DEEP in era of escalating climate change
  • HBJ: “A strong bipartisan vote for wind power in CT”
  • ISO-NE Summer Outlook: Sufficient Power Supplies Expected
  • Registration Now Open for Two ISO-NE Trainings: WEM 101 and FCM 101

CONNECTICUT

Katie Dykes takes helm at DEEP in era of escalating climate change
Katie Dykes has sat at the large conference table in the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection commissioner’s office many, many times. But not the way she does now. MORE

HBJ: “A strong bipartisan vote for wind power in CT”
On Tuesday the state House of Representatives voted in support of a bill that if passed and signed, would require DEEP within 14 days to begin the process of soliciting bids of up to 2,000 MW of wind power.  Read more in the Hartford Business Journal.

INDUSTRY

ISO-NE Summer Outlook: Sufficient Power Supplies Expected
According to ISO New England’s 2019 summer outlook, New England is expected to have sufficient resources to meet peak consumer demand for electricity this summer under both typical and extreme weather conditions. Details available in ISO’s Newswire article and press release.

Registration Now Open for Two ISO-NE Trainings: WEM 101 and FCM 101
Register now for ISO-NE’s Introduction to Wholesale Electricity Markets (WEM 101) on July 29-August 2, 2019, and Forward Capacity Market (FCM 101) on August 26-29, 2019. 

CPES Policy Committee Update: May 7, 2019

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:

  • Governor Lamont Announces New London Offshore Wind Industry Hub Plan
  • PURA Elects New Chair
  • ISO New England Publishes 2019 Forecast
  • ISO New England Releases Spring  Update of Annual Work Plan

CONNECTICUT
Governor Lamont Announces New London Offshore Wind Industry Hub Plan
The $93 million redevelopment plan between the CT Port Authority, terminal operator Gateway, and Bay State Wind (Ørsted and Eversource) will upgrade the New London port’s infrastructure and heavy-lift capability to support development of the offshore wind industry.  Read Governor Lamont’s announcement here.

Gillett Elected PURA Chair
Governor Lamont’s appointee Marissa Paslick Gillet was elected PURA Chair.  She is currently awaiting legislative confirmation.  See the PURA press release for more information.

INDUSTRY
ISO New England Publishes 2019 Forecast
On May 1, 2019, the ISO published the 2019-2028 Forecast Report of Capacity, Energy, Loads, and Transmission (CELT), which is a primary source for assumptions used in ISO system planning and reliability studies.  The CELT is developed each year using state and regional economic forecasts, 25 years of weather history in New England, results of both the ISO’s energy-efficiency (EE) forecast and solar photovoltaic (PV) forecast, and other factors. See the projections for 2019 to 2028 here.

ISO New England Releases Spring  Update of Annual Work Plan
The work plan, published each September, outlines major priorities and activities for the year that are designed to improve upon existing ISO systems, practices, and services to New England. Detailed within are expected timelines and objectives related to planning/operations, markets, and capital projects. See the spring update here.

CPES Policy Committee Update: April 16, 2019

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 Open Meeting – April 18th
  • PURA Opens Comment Period on Zero Carbon Contracts until April 24th
  • Register Now: ISO’s PAC Grid Transformation Day
  • ISO Spotlight Videos: An Integrated Approach to Wind Power
  • Central Maine Power’s New England Clean Energy Connect Transmission Project Receives PUC Approval

INDUSTRY

FERC Open Meeting – April 18th
The agenda includes the FERC Staff’s State of the Market 2018 Report, discussion of cyber security and reliability standards, and proceeding related to “fast-start” pricing practices.  A free live webcast is available.

PURA Opens Comment Period on Zero Carbon Contracts
PURA is accepting comments until April 24th on the recent Zero Carbon RFP contracts on the contract terms and conditions.

Register Now: ISO’s PAC Grid Transformation Day
As part of the ongoing hybrid grid transformation, the ISO anticipates large-scale development of wind generation facilities, distributed energy resources (especially solar PV), energy storage (batteries and other types), demand response, and high-voltage DC transmission and flexible AC transmission systems (FACTS). The meeting will focus on the technical challenges and potential benefits presented by this grid transformation, as well as the potential solutions for addressing many of the changes the industry is facing. Learn more and register now.

ISO Spotlight Videos: An Integrated Approach to Wind Power
ISO New England has produced a trio of videos detailing the steps taken behind the scenes over the years to integrate wind resources into the region’s power system.

CMP’s New England Clean Energy Connect Transmission Project Receives PUC Approval
Thursday, the PUC approved a permit for the 145-mile project to deliver renewable energy from Canada to Massachusetts – read more at the Portland Press Herald.

 

CPES Policy Committee Update: April 2, 2019

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:

  • Solar jobs concentrated in Hartford County
  • Canadian Provinces Implement Carbon Tax
  • ISO-NE’s Planning Advisory Committee “Grid Transformation” Event May 23rd, Westborough MA
  • Federal Officials, Fishing Industry Reach Offshore Wind Development Agreement
  • FERC Opens Two New Inquiries, Opportunity for Comment

CONNECTICUT

Hartford Business Journal “Solar jobs concentrated in Hartford County.”  Read the full story here.

INDUSTRY

CANADIAN PROVINCES IMPLEMENT CARBON TAX
The federal Liberal government will begin levying its carbon tax on greenhouse gas-emitting fuels today in the four provinces that have refused to take part in the pan-Canadian climate framework. Read the full story here.

ISO-NE’S PLANNING ADVISORY COMMITTEE “GRID TRANSFORMATION” EVENT MAY 23, WESTBOROUGH MA
ISO New England is planning a day-long event for the Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) called “Grid Transformation” to be held May 23, 2019, at the Doubletree Hotel in Westborough, Massachusetts. The meeting will focus on the technical challenges and potential benefits presented by this grid transformation, as well as the potential solutions for addressing many of the changes the industry is facing. To that end, the ISO is inviting industry experts and stakeholders to engage in this discussion about grid transformation.

FEDERAL OFFICIALS, FISHING INDUSTRY REACH OFFSHORE WIND DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT 
Federal officials sign a 10-year memorandum of understanding (MOU) about offshore wind energy with fishing industry interests on the East Coast. MOU states that wind energy developments on the shelf must take into consideration how the activities could affect the marine environment and other industries. NOAA says the memorandum will help sustain fishing opportunities while allowing energy projects.

FERC OPENS TWO NEW INQUIRIES, OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMENT
– FERC Opens Inquiry on Improvements to Electric Transmission Incentives Policy: examination of possible improvements to FERC’s electric transmission incentives policy to ensure that it appropriately encourages the development of the infrastructure needed to ensure grid reliability and reduce congestion to reduce the cost of power for consumers. 
– FERC to Examine Return on Equity Policies: examination of whether, and if so how, to revise its policies on determining the return on equity (ROE) used in setting rates charged by jurisdictional public utilities.