Category Archives: Eversource

CPES Policy Committee Update: November 8, 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:

                      • Connecticut Gas Companies Jointly Submit Forecast of Natural Gas Demand for Calendar Years 2017 – 2021
                      • PURA Opens Dockets to Review Standard Service and Supplier of Last Resort Service Rates for January 1, 2017
                      • Bloomberg News: World’s Priciest Gas Is Bound for One U.S. Region This Winter

PUBLIC UTILITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITY NEW DOCKETS:

On November 2, 2016, Connecticut Natural Gas Corporation, The Southern Connecticut Gas Company, and Yankee Gas Services Company d/b/a Eversource Energy jointly submitted the Connecticut Forecast of Natural Gas Demand for calendar years 2017 through 2021 in the following dockets:

On November 2, 2016, the following dockets were opened that may be of interest to you: 

REGIONAL DEVELOPMENTS

Bloomberg News: World’s Priciest Gas Is Bound for One U.S. Region This Winter

The global glut of natural gas still hasn’t reached one corner of the U.S.

The heating fuel may surge to $20 to $25 per million British thermal units in New England this winter, the highest in the world, as pipeline bottlenecks limit supplies during frigid weather, traders including Consolidated Edison Inc.’s ConEdison Energy said. Prices have collapsed across the rest of the globe amid tepid demand growth, rising exports and a plunge in crude oil prices earlier this year.

Competition for pipeline access into New England is poised to intensify as the power grid, already getting more than half of its supply from gas, becomes even more reliant on the fuel as coal-fired plants shut. Opposition from environmental and consumer groups threatens to delay and derail new lines, including a $3 billion Spectra Energy Corp. project.

“New England remains pipeline constrained, so if bouts of very cold weather move in this winter, you could certainly see prices spike,” Alex Tertzakian, an analyst with Energy Aspects Ltd. in London, said in an e-mail Oct. 28. “This would likely make New England briefly the world’s premium market.”

To view the full article: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-11-01/world-s-priciest-gas-is-bound-for-one-u-s-region-this-winter

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: 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: 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/.

CPES Policy Committee Update 3.7.16

This policy update features 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.

Connecticut Regulatory Update: Public Utilities Regulatory Authority

Eversource Energy and The United Illuminating Company have filed updated virtual net metering applications and tariff riders with PURA. The updated applications and tariff riders accommodate more liberal ownership structures for agricultural virtual net metering facilities as concluded in a recent PURA ruling. The updated VNM applications and riders are available at the following links:

UI VNM Application and Rider

Eversource VNM Application and Rider

 

Connecticut Legislative Update: Energy & Technology Committee

The Energy and Technology Committee has scheduled a public hearing for March 10 and the agenda is posted: https://www.cga.ct.gov/2016/etdata/pha/2016PHA00310-R001300ET-PHA.htm

Information about E&T, including committee meetings and public hearings, is available at: https://www.cga.ct.gov/et/.

In the appendix below, please see a list of bills that may be of interest to our members.

 

Regional and Industry Developments

ISO New England Publishes 2016 Regional Electricity Outlook

Last week, ISO New England published the 2016 Regional Electricity Outlook (REO), the ISO’s annual report on the state of New England’s power system and the innovative solutions the ISO and regional stakeholders are pursuing to ensure reliability. The 2016 REO provides an update on the ISO actions to address grid challenges, as well as other ISO efforts to improve its services and performance.

 

Appendix

List of bills before the General Assembly that may be of interest to our members:

  • S.B. No. 334 (RAISED) ENERGY AND TECHNOLOGY . ‘AN ACT CONCERNING MINOR REVISIONS TO THE ENERGY AND TECHNOLOGY RELATED STATUTES’, to (1) allow an electric distribution company to recover costs associated with the shared clean energy facilities pilot program, (2) make changes regarding contracting in connection with the purchasing pool for electricity, (3) make changes to the requirements for energy performance standards and life-cycle cost analyses, (4) remove the federal weatherization program from the purview of the Department of Social Services, and (5) make other conforming and technical changes.
    REF. ENERGY AND TECHNOLOGY
  • S.B. No. 344 (RAISED) ENERGY AND TECHNOLOGY . ‘AN ACT REQUIRING A STUDY OF THE ADEQUACY OF ENERGY SUPPLIES IN THE STATE’, to require the chairperson of the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority to conduct a study pertaining to energy.
    REF. ENERGY AND TECHNOLOGY
  • S.B. No. 345 (RAISED) ENERGY AND TECHNOLOGY . ‘AN ACT REQUIRING A STUDY OF THE DIVERSITY OF ENERGY SOURCES IN THE STATE’, to require the chairperson of the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority to conduct a study pertaining to energy sources.
    REF. ENERGY AND TECHNOLOGY
  • S.B. No. 366 (RAISED) ENERGY AND TECHNOLOGY . ‘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’, to (1) remove the Connecticut Green Bank from Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated, (2) give the Connecticut Green Bank additional powers, (3) make changes regarding the priority of the benefit assessments lien under the Connecticut Green Bank’s commercial sustainable energy program, (4) make changes to the solar home renewable energy credit program, and (5) make other technical and conforming changes. 
    REF. ENERGY AND TECHNOLOGY
  • S.B. No. 394 (RAISED) ENERGY AND TECHNOLOGY . ‘AN ACT CONCERNING VIRTUAL NET METERING AND CERTAIN ZERO OR LOW EMISSION GENERATION PROJECTS’, to make changes to the state’s virtual net metering program concerning certain zero or low emission generation projects.
    REF. ENERGY AND TECHNOLOGY
  • H.B. No. 5496 (RAISED) ENERGY AND TECHNOLOGY . ‘AN ACT CONCERNING BIOMASS FACILITIES’, to allow an administrator of certain biomass facilities to request a modification to the electricity purchase agreement to allow utilization of additional sustainable biomass fuel. 
    REF. ENERGY AND TECHNOLOGY
  • H.B. No. 5504 (RAISED) ENERGY AND TECHNOLOGY . ‘AN ACT CONCERNING NOTICE AND PUBLIC INFORMATION SESSIONS FOR PROJECTS CONSIDERED AND APPROVED BY THE SITING COUNCIL’, to require a public information session if a certified facility has not commenced construction three years from the date of the issuance of the certificate and to require reissuance of the notice of application if a certified facility has not completed construction three years from the date of the issuance of the certificate.
    REF. ENERGY AND TECHNOLOGY
  • H.B. No. 5510 (RAISED) ENERGY AND TECHNOLOGY . ‘AN ACT CONCERNING ELECTRIC, ZERO EMISSION AND FUEL CELL ELECTRIC VEHICLES’, to prepare electric distribution companies, municipalities, public and private merchants and electrical contractors for the presence and operation of electric, zero-emission and fuel cell vehicles in the state, to make changes regarding parking of hydrogen fuel vehicles under grade level and to make changes regarding labeling of vehicles that carry pressurized gas as fuel.
    REF. ENERGY AND TECHNOLOGY
  • H.B. No. 5563 (RAISED) BANKING . ‘AN ACT CONCERNING RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY ASSESSED CLEAN ENERGY’, to establish a residential sustainable energy program in the state for the purpose of financing energy improvements. 
    REF. BANKING
  • H.B. No. 5592 (RAISED) FINANCE, REVENUE AND BONDING . ‘AN ACT CONCERNING CONNECTICUT FIRST’, to: (1) Establish or extend various tax credits and financial assistance to incentivize investment in brownfield remediation, clean technology, cybersecurity, bioscience and various start-up and small businesses, (2) modify requirements for certain contracts between electric distribution companies and owners or developers of Class I generation projects, and (3) expand duties and reporting requirements of the Office of Small Business Affairs. 
    REF. FINANCE, REVENUE AND BONDING

New Energy Professionals / CPES: POLICY COMMITTEE UPDATE: March 1, 2016

The Connecticut Power and Energy Society is pleased to announce a new series of energy policy updates featuring regulatory, legislative and industry developments in Connecticut, New England and the U.S. The policy updates are compiled by a team recently formed with support from CPES, known as the New Energy Professionals.

Policy Committee 

Last year, CPES formed a Policy Committee to develop additional programming and provide timely information on policy developments in the state of Connecticut and New England wide. In August of last year, the Policy Committee hosted its first meeting to discuss energy legislation and policymaking following the 2015 legislative session. The Committee heard from representatives of the Energy & Technology Committee, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. In February, the Policy Committee arranged for Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty to deliver a federal energy policy update at the CPES monthly dinner meeting.

New Energy Professionals

This year, CPES formed the New Energy Professionals Committee to welcome members who are new to the energy industry and provide opportunities for new energy professionals to learn, grow, and connect with others in the field. As a service to the Policy Committee, the New Energy Professionals Committee will be gathering timely information on policy developments in Connecticut and the New England region and posting it about weekly to the CPES website.

Feedback

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.

Connecticut Regulatory Update: Public Utilities Regulatory Authority

The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) has approved Eversource Energy’s proposed FERC filing seeking recovery for NSTAR merger-related transaction and integration costs. The PURA decision is available at: http://www.dpuc.state.ct.us/dockcurr.nsf/8e6fc37a54110e3e852576190052b64d/1c21d70c67b49dc485257f61005ff2d9?OpenDocument.

Connecticut Legislative Update: Energy & Technology Committee

Information about the Energy and Technology Committee, including committee meetings and public hearings, is available at: https://www.cga.ct.gov/et/.  The committee has scheduled a public hearing for March 1, 2016, the agenda for which is available at: https://www.cga.ct.gov/2016/etdata/pha/2016PHA00301-R001300ET-PHA.htm

The following raised bills may be of interest to our membership:

  • S.B. No. 103 (RAISED) ENERGY AND TECHNOLOGY . ‘AN ACT CONCERNING THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PROCUREMENT MANAGER OF THE PUBLIC UTILITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITY AND MINOR REVISIONS TO ENERGY-RELATED STATUTES’, to transfer the responsibilities of the PURA procurement manager to other employees of the agency and make other minor revisions to energy-related statutes.
    REF. ENERGY AND TECHNOLOGY
  • S.B. No. 168 (RAISED) ENERGY AND TECHNOLOGY . ‘AN ACT CONCERNING TRASH-TO-ENERGY FACILITIES’, to require the chairperson of the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority to conduct a study pertaining to trash-to-energy facilities.

REF. ENERGY AND TECHNOLOGY

  • S.B. No. 224 (RAISED) ENERGY AND TECHNOLOGY . ‘AN ACT CONCERNING THE CAPACITY AND CRITERIA FOR CERTAIN RENEWABLE ENERGY GENERATION FACILITIES’, to allow submission of proposals for Class I renewable energy generation facilities with an increased potential size for such facilities.
    REF. ENERGY AND TECHNOLOGY
  • S.B. No. 272 (RAISED) ENERGY AND TECHNOLOGY . ‘AN ACT CONCERNING THE USE OF MICROGRID GRANTS AND LOANS FOR CERTAIN DISTRIBUTED ENERGY GENERATION’, to allow the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to provide microgrid grants and loans for additional types of costs associated with such microgrids.
    REF. ENERGY AND TECHNOLOGY
  • H.B. No. 5241 (RAISED) ENERGY AND TECHNOLOGY . ‘AN ACT CONCERNING THE PRIORITY OF THE BENEFIT ASSESSMENTS LIEN UNDER THE GREEN BANK’S COMMERCIAL SUSTAINABLE ENERGY PROGRAM’, to provide municipal tax liens and assessments priority over benefit assessments liens created under the Green Bank’s commercial sustainable energy program.
    REF. ENERGY AND TECHNOLOGY
  • 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
  • H.B. No. 5309 (RAISED) ENERGY AND TECHNOLOGY . ‘AN ACT CONCERNING FACILITATION OF THE MUNICIPAL RESIDENTIAL SOLAR APPLICATION PROCESS’, to require the Green Bank to approve a standardized solar photovoltaic system permit application form for use by municipalities.
    REF. ENERGY AND TECHNOLOGY
  • H.B. No. 5310 (RAISED) ENERGY AND TECHNOLOGY . ‘AN ACT CONCERNING LOCATION OF SITING COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARINGS’, to require the Connecticut Siting Council to hold a public hearing in the municipality in which a proposed facility is to be located if the proposed facility will be located only in that municipality.
    REF. ENERGY AND TECHNOLOGY
  • H.B. No. 5427 (RAISED) ENERGY AND TECHNOLOGY . ‘AN ACT CONCERNING THE SHARED CLEAN ENERGY FACILITY PILOT PROGRAM’, to make changes to the shared clean energy facility pilot program regarding utilities’ cost recovery, tariff mechanisms, and other technical changes. 
    REF. ENERGY AND TECHNOLOGY

Regional and Industry Developments

ISO New England Files Finalized Auction Results with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

On February 29, 2016, ISO New England filed the results of the tenth Forward Capacity Auction (FCA #10) with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for review and approval.  The auction was held on February 8, 2016 to procure the capacity resources needed to meet electricity demand in New England during the 2019–2020 timeframe.  Finalized results confirm that the auction concluded at a lower price than the previous auction (FCA #9) and with sufficient resources, including three new power plants, to meet demand in 2019–2020.  The filing is available on the ISO’s website at: http://www.iso-ne.com/static-assets/documents/2016/02/er16-___-000_2-29-16_fca_10_results_filing.pdf.

A press release discussing the finalized results of FCA #10 is available at: http://www.iso-ne.com/static-assets/documents/2016/02/20160229_fca10_finalresults.pdf.

US Wind Energy Tops New Electric Capacity in 2015

In 2015, new wind resources accounted for 35% of all new generating capacity in the US, according to CleanTechnica, highlighting a report by the Business Council for Sustainable Energy and Bloomberg New Energy and Finance.

http://cleantechnica.com/2016/02/17/us-wind-energy-tops-new-electric-capacity-2015/

(NH) Eversource Applies to Buy, Sell Gas from Expanded Pipeline

New Hampshire’s largest electric utility is seeking permission to buy and sell natural gas from a proposed pipeline expansion. The Concord Monitor reports Eversource filed a request with the Public Utilities Commission that would allow it to buy natural gas from the Access Northeast pipeline expansion for two decades. The pipeline expansion would be built by the Hartford, Connecticut-based utility and two other firms through Connecticut and eastern Massachusetts.

http://nhpr.org/post/eversource-applies-buy-sell-gas-expanded-pipeline