Category Archives: Energy

CPES Policy Committee Update: September 5, 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:

  • New England Governors Issue Statement on Regional Energy Affordability 
  • Speakers Announced for Fall CLG Meeting in Windsor Locks

REGIONAL/INDUSTRY

NEW ENGLAND GOVERNORS ISSUE STATEMENT ON REGIONAL ENERGY AFFORDABILITY 
On August 13, Governors Dannel Malloy of Connecticut, Charlie Baker of Massachusetts, Chris Sununu of New Hampshire, Gina Raimondo of Rhode Island, and Phil Scott of Vermont issued a statement on regional energy affordability and reliability in New England.  Read a summary of that statement on ISO-NE’s website: http://isonewswire.com/updates/2018/8/31/new-england-governors-issue-statement-on-regional-energy-aff.html 

SPEAKERS ANNOUNCED FOR FALL CLG MEETING IN WINDSOR LOCKS
The next meeting of the Consumer Liaison Group (CLG) will be held September 20 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Hartford-Bradley Airport in Windsor Locks, CT. The topic will be the electrification of the heating sector and the choices available to consumers. The panelists include Christian Herb, President, Connecticut Energy Marketers Association and Emily Lewis O’Brien, Policy Analyst, Acadia Center. Additional speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.

The CLG is a forum for the exchange of information between ISO New England and electricity consumers in New England. CLG quarterly meetings are generally attended by consumers and consumer representatives (including state consumer and ratepayer advocates), state business and industry associations, chambers of commerce, individual businesses, trade groups, nonprofit organizations, and other end users. Meetings are free and open to the public, but advanced registration is required.

CPES Policy Committee Update: June 26, 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:

  • ISO Published Latest Edition of Wholesale Markets Project Plan
  • ISO New England Launches Updated App for Smart Devices
  • Recent Dockets Established by PURA
  • Hartford Business Journal Publishes “Malloy Inks Climate Change, Renewable Energy Bills”‘

REGIONAL/INDUSTRY

ISO PUBLISHED LATEST EDITION OF WHOLESALE MARKETS PROJECT PLAN
ISO’s recently released 2018 Wholesale Markets Project Plan describes the current status of market initiatives and is updated biannually in the summer and winter.  The report allows readers to follow the progress of market projects cited in the Annual Work Plan, as well as additional wholesale market initiatives.

CONNECTICUT

On June 21, 2018, the Hartford Business Journal published “Malloy inks climate change, renewable energy bills”

On June 21, 2018, PURA established Docket No. 16-06-04RE02:  Application of the United Illuminating Company to Increase Its Rates and Charges – Residential Customer Charge. 

On June 25, 2018, PURA established Docket No. 18-06-15:  PURA Review of the Implementation Requirements of Section 7 of Public Act 18-50  Section 7 of Public Act 18-50, An Act Concerning Connecticut’s Energy Future, requires PURA to initiate several proceedings and to take additional actions related to the LREC/ZREC program, net metering, and clean energy procurement. 

 

 

CPES Policy Committee Update: June 19, 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:

  • Connecticut Selects Over 250 MW of Renewable Energy Projects 
  • Green Bank Launches Pilot Program for New Construction
  • Summary of 2018 Energy Legislation
  • “Pay-for-performance” capacity market incentives implemented as of June 1, 2018

CONNECTICUT

CONNECTICUT SELECTS OVER 250 MW OF RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS  
Last week, as part of DEEP’s recent Clean Energy Request for Proposals, week the state selected over 250 MW of clean and renewable energy projects. The projects include the state’s first procurement of offshore wind, in addition to multiple fuel cell projects and a new anaerobic digestion facility.  For more information on the projects, see DEEP’s press release.

GREEN BANK LAUNCHES PILOT PROGRAM FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION
On Friday, the Green Bank announced a two-year pilot program that will broaden the use of its popular Commercial and Industrial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) program to those designing and constructing new buildings, as well as major redevelopments. New commercial and industrial buildings designed and built to exceed what is required by Connecticut building and energy codes will be eligible to receive C-PACE financing for a portion of their overall eligible construction cost. C-PACE New Construction can be applied for a wide range of property types, including major redevelopment of existing and historic sites. The funding can be used to pay for expenses related to engineering, design and energy modeling as well as HVAC, elevators, clean energy generation, among other costs. Read more in the Green Bank’s press release.

SUMMARY OF 2018 ENERGY LEGISLATION
Earlier this month the CT Office of Legislative Research released their annual report on “Acts Affecting Energy and Utilities” summarizing laws passed during the 2018 regular legislative session affecting energy and utilities.

“PAY-FOR-PERFORMANCE” CAPACITY MARKET INCENTIVES IMPLEMENTED AS OF JUNE 1, 2018
“Pay-for-performance” (PFP)—a cornerstone of ISO New England’s ongoing, multi-faceted effort to address trends that are challenging power system reliability—became effective on June 1, 2018. PFP is part of New England’s Forward Capacity Market (FCM) design, which acquires obligations from resources needed to meet demand three years into the future. 

CPES Policy Committee Update: June 12, 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 and NRC Joint Meeting
  • 2018 Integrated Resources Plan
  • Special Report of Acts Affecting Energy and Utilities
  • CT PURA, DEEP and OCC protest Constellation Mystic Cost-of-Service filing at FERC
  • Docket No. 18-05-16: Application of Connecticut Natural Gas Corporation to Increase Its Rates and Charge

REGIONAL AND INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS

FERC AND NRC JOINT MEETING
On Thursday, June 7, the Federal Energy Regulatory commission (FERC) and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) held a joint meeting covering: the state of reliability; grid reliability, nuclear power plants, and other topics; and cyber security activities.  The final agenda and presentations are available on FERC’s website.

CONNECTICUT

2018 INTEGRATED RESOURCES PLAN
On May 29, 2018, DEEP issued a Notice of Proceeding, Scoping Meeting, and Opportunity for Public Comment.  The scoping meeting is scheduled for June 12, 2018 at 9:00 AM EPT.  DEEP’s notice, which includes additional scheduled IRP tasks, is available here.

ACTS AFFECTING ENERGY AND UTILITIES
The Office of Legislative Research issued a Special Report of Acts Affecting Energy and Utilities, dated June 5, 2018.

CT PURA, DEEP and OCC PROTEST CONSTELLATION MYSTIC COST-OF-SERVICE FILING AT FERC
On June 6, 2018, the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, and the Connecticut Office of Consumer Counsel filed a Protest at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in Docket No. ER18-1639-000.  The parties protest Constellation Mystic Power’s Cost of Service (COS) Agreement and ask that FERC find the proposed COS Agreement is not just or reasonable, suspend the COS Agreement, and set the matter for an evidentiary hearing and settlement talks.  As described in the protest, Mystic’s request for approval of the COS Agreement “is premised on its claim that absent full cost of service funding…Mystic 8 & 9 will be retired and the related Everett Marine/Distrigas liquefied natural gas (LNG) Terminal will be closed, leaving New England facing unacceptable ‘fuel security’ risks.”  The parties to the protest ask FERC “to resist Mystic’s effort to hold a sword over New England’s head now that ISO-NE has found that its resources are needed for fuel security.”

RECENT PURA DOCKETS
On May 30, 2018, PURA established Docket No. 18-05-16:  Application of Connecticut Natural Gas Corporation to Increase Its Rates and Charges 

 

CPES Policy Committee Update: May 1, 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’s State of the Markets Report 2017
  • ISO New England Winter Recap
  • Setting Regional Solar and Wind Power Records in New England
  • FERC Issues Letter Accepting the Results of the 12th Forward Capacity Auction
  • Docket No. 18-04-25: PURA Investigation Regarding Issues Related to Uncollectible Accounts and Docket No. 10-06-18RE02: Application of Spark Energy, L.P. for an Electric Supplier License – Investigation Into Marketing 

REGIONAL AND INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS

FERC’S STATE OF THE MARKETS REPORT 2017
FERC’s Office of Enforcement’s Division of Energy Market Oversight published their annual assessment of natural gas, electric, and other energy markets developments during the past year.  The Commission’s accompanying presentation is always available on their website.

ISO NEW ENGLAND WINTER RECAP
ISO New England published a recap of the 2017/2018 winter conditions, describing the effect of the historic cold snap in the final week of December and first week of January. For more on how these cold weather conditions impacted grid operations, see ISO-NE’s analysis.

SETTING REGIONAL SOLAR AND WIND POWER RECORDS IN NEW ENGLAND
Over 130,000 solar power installations now span the six New England states, totaling about 2,400 MW (nameplate)—over 5,800 MW are expected by 2027. Almost all this solar power is connected to local distribution utilities or “behind the meter” (BTM) directly at retail customer sites. On April 9, a cool, cloudless day across New England, BTM solar power set a new regional record. Wind, energy-efficiency measures and storage are also contributing to the changing grid, reducing  the region’s emissions. Learn more at ISO-New England’s website.

FERC ISSUES LETTER ACCEPTING THE RESULTS OF THE 12TH FORWARD CAPACITY AUCTION
FERC issued a letter order accepting ISO New England’s filing of the results of the twelfth Forward Capacity Auction, held on February 5-6, 2018 for the June 1, 2021 through May 31, 2022 Capacity Commitment Period. The document has been posted to the ISO’s website. 

CONNECTICUT

RECENT PURA DOCKETS
On April 26, 2018, PURA established Docket No. 18-04-25:  PURA Investigation Regarding Issues Related to Uncollectible Accounts 

On April 25, 2018, PURA established Docket No. 10-06-18RE02:  Application of Spark Energy, L.P. for an Electric Supplier License – Investigation Into Marketing 

CONNECTICUT LEGISLATIVE SESSION
The 2018 Regular Session of the Connecticut General Assembly convened on February 7, 2018 and will adjourn on May 9, 2018.  General information about the Energy and Technology Committee is available at: https://www.cga.ct.gov/et