Category Archives: Energy

CPES Policy Committee Update: March 19, 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:

  • Energy & Technology Committee Meeting: March 19
  • PURA Docket Number 19-03-10
  • Off shore wind measures advance out of committee
  • Dominion to keep Connecticut Millstone nuclear plant in service
  • Hartford Courant “At New London’s State Pier, wind power gives Connecticut its next economic development opportunity
  • 2018 Report of the Consumer Liaison Group Published
  • ISO New England Press Release on 2018 Wholesale Electricity Prices

CONNECTICUT

LEGISLATIVE
ENERGY & TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE
The Energy & Technology Committee of the Connecticut General Assembly will hold a Committee Meeting on March 19 at 10:30 AM in Room 2B of the Legislative Office Building. The Bill Record Book, which contains proposed House and Senate bills, is available here.

PURA DOCKET
On March 12, 2019, PURA established Docket No. 19-03-10: 2019 PURA Report to the General Assembly Concerning Lost and Unaccounted for Gas

INDUSTRY

OFF SHORE WIND MEASURES ADVANCE OUT OF COMMITTEE
The co-chairs of the Energy & Technology Committee announced that two off shore wind important measures moved out committee. The legislation, SB 875, An Act Expanding Connecticut’s Offshore Wind Energy Portfolio, would expand offshore wind energy and HB 7156, An Act Concerning The Procurement Of Energy Derived From Offshore Wind, would authorize the procurement of energy derived from offshore wind. Article 

DOMINION TO KEEP CONNECTICUT MILLSTONE NUCLEAR PLANT IN SERVICE
Dominion Energy Inc said on Friday that it reached a 10-year agreement with Connecticut utilities that will keep the state’s only nuclear power station in service. Read article here

HARTFORD COURANT “AT NEW LONDON’S STATE PIER, WIND POWER GIVES CONNECTICUT ITS NEXT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY” Read the full story here.

INDUSTRY

2018 REPORT OF THE CONSUMER LIAISON GROUP PUBLISHED
The report, prepared jointly by the Consumer Liaison Group (CLG) Coordinating Committee and ISO New England highlights the 2018 activities of the CLG and provides an update on other consumer-related, wholesale electricity industry topics. 

ISO NEW ENGLAND PRESS RELEASE ON 2018 WHOLESALE ELECTRICITY PRICES
ISO-NE’s average wholesale electricity price in 2018 rose over the 2017 price, but still ranked as the six-lowest since the current wholesale markets were implemented in 2004. Read more in the press release.

 

 

CPES Policy Committee Update: February 26, 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:

  • Energy & Technology Committee Public Hearing Feb 26
  • Governor Lamont Introduces Two Energy Bills
  • ISO-NE Publishes 2019 “State of the Grid” Media Briefing Materials
  • Registration Open for ISO Webinars: FCM Show of Interest for New Demand Resources and FCM Show of Interest for New Generation and Imports

CONNECTICUT

LEGISLATIVE
ENERGY & TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE
The Energy & Technology Committee of the Connecticut General Assembly will hold a public hearing on February 26 at 1:45 PM.  Agenda 

The Bill Record Book, which contains House and Senate Energy bills, is available here.

CONNECTICUT
GOVERNOR LAMONT INTRODUCES TWO ENERGY BILLS
As part of the 2019 Legislative Proposal from Governor Lamont’s administration, two energy bills address offshore wind energy procurements and energy efficiency standards:
SB 875, An Act Expanding Connecticut’s Offshore Wind Energy Portfolio
HB 7151, An Act Concerning Energy Efficiency Standards

 

ISO-NE PUBLISHES 2019 “STATE OF THE GRID” MEDIA BRIEFING MATERIALS
ISO New England President and CEO Gordon van Welie updated reporters on the state of the region’s power system during a media briefing on February 20, 2019. The presentation and remarks are now available on ISO’s website.

REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR ISO WEBINARS: FCM SHOW OF INTEREST FOR NEW DEMAND RESOURCES AND FCM SHOW OF INTEREST FOR NEW GENERATION AND IMPORTS
These webinars will inform prospective project sponsors and market participants about the requirements and submittal process for the Show of Interest (SOI) for the fourteenth Forward Capacity Auction (FCA #14) to be held in February 2020 for the 2023-2024 Capacity Commitment Period. Register now.

CPES Policy Committee Update: December 18, 2018

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 accepts ISO-NE proposal to retain retiring resources for fuel security
  • ISO-NE announces 2019 classroom and webinar training schedule
  • Report Published by GC3 on Strategies for CT to Reduce GHGs
  • NYISO Recently Launched New Website
  • Lamont Transition Energy Report
  • PURA issues Final Decision declaring Millstone Power Station “At Risk” of Premature Retirement 
  • Connecticut Water merger tentatively rejected
  • Recent PURA Updates

REGIONAL/INDUSTRY

FERC ACCEPTS ISO-NE PROPOSAL TO RETAIN RETIRING RESOURCES FOR FUEL SECURITY
Dec. 3, FERC issued an order accepting ISO-NE’s interim tariff changes to retain resources seeking retirement on the basis of fuel-security reliability need.

ISO-NE ANNOUNCES 2019 CLASSROOM AND WEBINAR TRAINING SCHEDULE
ISO’s 2019 Wholesale Energy Markets and Forward Capacity Markets classroom sessions are scheduled.

REPORT PUBLISHED BY GC3 ON STRATEGIES FOR CT TO REDUCE GHGS
Early this month, the Governor’s Council on Climate Change (GC3) released a draft of their analysis Building a Low Carbon Future for Connecticut: Achieving a 45% GHG Reduction by 2030.

NYISO RECENTLY LAUNCHED NEW WEBSITE
Click here to visit the new website

CONNECTICUT

LAMONT TRANSITION ENERGY REPORT
The Energy Transition Policy Committee provided the following update yesterday at at Curtis Packaging in Sandy Hook. Report

PURA ISSUES FINAL DECISION DECLARING MILLSTONE POWER STATION “AT RISK” OF PREMATURE RETIREMENT 
The final decision by the state Public Utilities Regulatory Authority found that the Waterford facilities are “at risk of retirement.” Dominion’s bids in the DEEP Zero Carbon RFP will be judged on their price, as well as environmental and economic attributes.

CONNECTICUT WATER MERGER TENTATIVELY REJECTED
PURA issued a Proposed Final Decision rejecting the proposed $1.1 billion merger of Clinton-based Connecticut Water Service and California-based SJW Group. The tentative rejection of SJW Group’s proposed acquisition of Connecticut Water came in the form a 33-page draft ruling in which commissioners with the state’s Public Utilities Regulatory Authority expressed concern about how the deal would affect local ratepayers. PURA granted an extension of time requested by Connecticut Water Service and SJW Group to file supplemental information on or before December 14th.

RECENT PURA UPDATES
On December 13, 2018, PURA established Docket No. 19-06-01:  Annual Review of Connecticut Electric Suppliers’ and Electric Distribution Companies’ Compliance with Connecticut’s Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards in the Year 2018 

On December 10, 2018, PURA established Docket No. 18-12-12:  Conn. Gen. Stat. § 16-262c(c) Reports

CPES Policy Committee Update: November 6, 2018

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:

  • U.S. DOE Proposes New Approach to Classification of Grid-Related Information
  • ISO-NE Continues Progress on Energy Storage Integration
  • New ISO-NE Webinar Posted: Forward Capacity Market Substitution Auction for FCA #13
  • Department of Energy Announces $53 Million in New Projects to Advance Solar
  • FERC Acts on Cyber Security Risks with New Supply Chain-Related Reliability Standards
  • FuelCell Inks Power Agreement for Hartford Project

REGIONAL/INDUSTRY

U.S. DOE PROPOSES NEW APPROACH TO CLASSIFICATION OF GRID-RELATED INFORMATION
The Energy Department has proposed a new system for labeling sensitive information about the electric grid and other energy systems. The proposed rule works to align the agency’s CEII process with rules at FERC. See the Federal Register notice for more information and instructions on submitting public comment.

ISO-NE CONTINUES PROGRESS ON ENERGY STORAGE INTEGRATION  
Plans for implementing ISO-NE’s new rules for energy storage devices  are now available on ISO’s webpage for the Energy Storage Device project, which will allow participants with grid-sized storage technologies to offer the full range of their asset’s capability in the regulation market while continuing to operate as a dispatchable energy market resource.

NEW ISO-NE WEBINAR POSTED: FORWARD CAPACCITY MARKET SUBSTITUTION AUCTION FOR FCA #13
The presentation and recording of the October 11, 2018, Forward Capacity Market Substitution Auction for FCA #13 webinar are now available on the ISO website.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY ANNOUNCES $53 MILLION IN NEW PROJECTS TO ADVANCE SOLAR
TechnologiesThe U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced selections for up to $53 million in new projects to advance early-stage solar technologies. There were 53 projects chosen, which span across 21 states. More

FERC ACTS ON CYBER SECURITY RISKS WITH NEW SUPPLY CHAIN-RELATED RELIABILITY STANDARDS
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved new mandatory Reliability Standards to bolster supply chain risk management protections. The standards are aimed at mitigating cyber security risks. More

CONNECTICUT

FUELCELL INKS POWER AGREEMENT FOR HARTFORD PROJECT
FuelCell Energy Inc. announced Thursday it signed long-term power purchase agreements with local utilities to cover a 7.4-megawatt project in Hartford. PURA will grant final authorization of the agreements. More

CPES Policy Committee Update: October 3, 2018

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:

  • Second Circuit Upholds NY Nuke Plant Subsidies
  • FERC Technical Conference on Winter Operations and Market Performance in RTOs/ISOs
  • Upcoming ISO-NE Training Opportunities
  • Regulators back Millstone assertion of ‘at risk’ status
  • Zero Carbon RFP
  • Recent PURA Dockets

REGIONAL/INDUSTRY

SECOND CIRCUIT UPHOLDS NY NUKE PLANT SUBSIDIES
The Second Circuit on Thursday upheld subsidies offered by New York state to prop up struggling nuclear power plants, joining the Seventh Circuit in concluding that such subsidies don’t usurp Federal Energy Regulatory Commission authority over wholesale electricity markets. More info

FERC TECHNICAL CONFERENCE ON WINTER OPERATIONS AND MARKET PERFORMANCE IN RTOs/ISOs
FERC will hold a technical conference on October 18 in Washington, D.C. to hear from the RTOs/ISOs on their efforts for ensuring reliable and economic system performance during the 2018-2019 winter season.  A live webcast will be available for the meeting.  For details, see notice or FERC website.

UPCOMING ISO-NE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
Registration is open for ISO New England’s fall 2018 market training classes and webinars. Link to full calendar.

CONNECTICUT

REGULATORS BACK MILLSTONE ASSERTION OF ‘AT RISK’ STATUS
Millstone Power Station’s push for a competitive edge in the state’s zero carbon electricity auction recently gained a boost from regulators and a consumer advocacy agency, who backed Dominion Energy’s assertion that the nuclear plant could face premature closure. Link to article.

ZERO CARBON RFP
DEEP has received more than 100 bids for solar, wind, hydro and nuclear facilities in the Zero Carbon RFP. Evaluation will take several months, and DEEP is expected to announce selection of winners in Winter 2018/2019. Link to article.

RECENT PURA DOCKETS
On September 19, 2018, PURA established Docket No. 08-09-14RE02:  Application of Discount Power, Inc. for an Electric Supplier License – Investigation Into Marketing