Category Archives: Green Bank

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: May 31, 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 presents its 2016 Connecticut Comprehensive Energy Strategy
  • 2016 Legislation Summary
  • ISO New England’s 2015 Annual Markets Report released

 

Connecticut Policy/Regulatory Update: Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

On May 25, 2016, DEEP held a scoping and public input session on the its 2016 Connecticut Comprehensive Energy Strategy.  The key topics focused on the electricity, building & processes and transportation sectors.  Comments are due June 14, 2016.  The PowerPoint presentation can be found here.

 

CONNECTICUT LEGISLATION:

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

The 2016 regular session ended on May 4, 2016.  The following bills that passed both chambers during the regular or special session and that may be of interest to you received a public act number:

  • S.B. No. 272:  AN ACT CONCERNING THE USE OF MICROGRID GRANTS AND LOANS FOR CERTAIN DISTRIBUTED ENERGY GENERATION PROJECTS.  PUBLIC ACT 16-196.
  • S.B. No. 334:  AN ACT CONCERNING REVISIONS TO CERTAIN ENERGY PURCHASING POOL AND LIFE-CYCLE COST ANALYSES STATUTES.  PUBLIC ACT 16-173.
  • S.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.  PUBLIC ACT 16-212.
  • S.B. No. 394:  AN ACT CONCERNING AUTHORIZATIONS RELATING TO VIRTUAL NET METERING FOR CERTAIN ZERO OR LOW EMISSION GENERATION PROJECTS.  PUBLIC ACT 16-216.
  • S.B. No. 501:  AN ACT ADJUSTING THE STATE BUDGET FOR THE BIENNIUM ENDING JUNE 30, 2017.  MAY SPECIAL SESSION, PUBLIC ACT 16-2.
  • S.B. No. 502:  AN ACT CONCERNING REVENUE AND OTHER ITEMS TO IMPLEMENT THE BUDGET FOR THE BIENNIUM ENDING JUNE 30, 2017.  MAY SPECIAL SESSION, PUBLIC ACT 16-3.

 

Regional and Industry Developments

New England’s Wholesale Electricity Markets Operated Competitively Last Year According to the 2015 Annual Markets Report  

On May 25, 2016, ISO New England’s Internal Market Monitor released the 2015 Annual Markets Report which found that wholesale power markets in New England operated competitively last year, bringing lower average power prices that reflected lower natural gas prices in 2015. The average real-time price of wholesale electric energy in 2015 fell by more than a third, or more than $22 per megawatt-hour (MWh), to $41.00/MWh as a result of natural gas prices that were 41% lower than their 2014 average. The prices of both natural gas and wholesale power were the lowest since 2012. The price of natural gas is a key factor in the price of wholesale power because the fuel generates 49% of the electricity produced in New England. The cost of fuel is the largest input into the cost of electricity production.

ISO New England issued a press release with highlights from the report, available here.

CPES Policy Committee Update: May 10, 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:

  • Utilities Announce New Residential Rates
  • 2016 Legislative Session Wrap-Up
  • ISO NE Issues Regional Overview

 

CONNECTICUT POLICY/REGULATORY UPDATE:  CT Public Utilities Regulatory Authority

New Residential Generation Rates Announced for July 1st

The Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) has approved revised generation rates for Eversource and United Illuminating (UI) standard service customers. Based on the results of competitive auctions held earlier this year, effective July 1, 2016, Eversource’s residential generation rate will decrease from 9.555 cents per kWh to 6.606 cents per kWh. UI’s residential generation rate will decrease from 10.7358 cents per kWh to 8.0224 cents per kWh. The new standard service rates represent an approximately 20% and 12% reduction, respectively, when compared to rates last year. The PURA Dockets associated with the new rates are available at the following links: Eversource, UI.

 

CONNECTICUT LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

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

The 2016 regular session ended on May 4, 2016.  During the session, both the Senate and House of Representatives passed the following bills that may be of interest to you:

  • S.B. No. 272:  AN ACT CONCERNING THE USE OF MICROGRID GRANTS AND LOANS FOR CERTAIN DISTRIBUTED ENERGY GENERATION PROJECTS.
  • S.B. No. 334:  AN ACT CONCERNING REVISIONS TO CERTAIN ENERGY PURCHASING POOL AND LIFE-CYCLE COST ANALYSES STATUTES.
  • S.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.
  • S.B. No. 394:  AN ACT CONCERNING AUTHORIZATIONS RELATING TO VIRTUAL NET METERING FOR CERTAIN ZERO OR LOW EMISSION GENERATION PROJECTS.
  • H.B. No. 5242:  AN ACT CONCERNING AGRICULTURAL VIRTUAL NET METERING.
  • H.B. No. 5427:  AN ACT CONCERNING THE SHARED CLEAN ENERGY FACILITY PILOT PROGRAM.
  • H.B. No. 5496:  AN ACT CONCERNING CERTAIN VIRTUAL NET METERING FACILITIES.
  • H.B. No. 5510:  AN ACT CONCERNING ELECTRIC AND FUEL CELL ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

 

Regional and Industry Developments

ISO New England Releases Overview of the Wholesale Electricity Markets

Now available on the ISO New England website is an overview of the region’s wholesale electricity markets, which were built on several key principles, including competition, efficiency, and transparency. These markets are securing reliable electricity at competitive prices and helping usher in a cleaner, greener grid. To access this overview, please click here .

CPES Policy Committee Update: May 3, 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:

  • A Wealth of Competitive Products on EnergizeCT
  • MicroGrids, Net Metering and Green Bank subject of legislation that is on the move
  • New England gas pipeline expansion status

 

CONNECTICUT POLICY/REGULATORY UPDATE:  CT Public Utilities Regulatory Authority

Connecticut Energy Shopping Site Shows Opportunities for Savings; Majority Of Competitive Suppliers Provide Green Power, Value-Added Products

Under the auspices of the Public Utility Regulatory Authority, the State of Connecticut has established EnergizeCT, a robust, well-designed and consumer-friendly electricity shopping website that routinely posts competitive generation supply products offered by licensed retail electricity suppliers, the Retail Energy Supply Association said yesterday in announcing a review of the savings and value-added services available to customers

RESA’s review of EnergizeCT shows more than two dozen competitive retail energy suppliers actively posting 212 different product offerings at prices highly competitive with default rates offered by the state’s utility companies.

The review shows there are a significant number of competitive pricing plans with terms of service that vary from six to 12 months that offer Connecticut electricity consumers the opportunity to beat the current Standard Service rates by 20 percent, 25 percent and in some cases over 30 percent, RESA said

“A wealth of competitive electricity products offer Connecticut consumers the opportunity to realize savings on their bill,” observed Marc Hanks, RESA’s New England chairman. “But there are also a wide range of value-added product offerings, the most prominent among them being ‘green’ energy products that offer consumers an opportunity to buy electricity that meets their environmental preferences.”

http://www.energychoicematters.com/stories/20160428f.html

 

CONNECTICUT LEGISLATION:

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 27, 2016, the Senate passed the following bills that may be of interest to you:

  • S.B. No. 272: Senate passed as amended by Senate Amendment Schedule A. (AN ACT CONCERNING THE USE OF MICROGRID GRANTS AND LOANS FOR CERTAIN DISTRIBUTED ENERGY GENERATION PROJECTS).
  • S.B. No. 366: Senate passed as amended by Senate Amendment Schedule A. (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).

On April 28, 2016, the Senate passed the following bill that may be of interest to you:

  • S.B. No. 394: Senate passed as amended by Senate Amendment Schedule A. (AN ACT CONCERNING AUTHORIZATIONS RELATING TO VIRTUAL NET METERING FOR CERTAIN ZERO OR LOW EMISSION GENERATION PROJECTS).

On April 29, 2016, the Senate passed the following bill that may be of interest to you:

  • S.B. No. 344: Senate passed as amended by Senate Amendment Schedule A.  (AN ACT REQUIRING A STUDY OF THE ADEQUACY OF ENERGY SUPPLIES IN THE STATE).

 

Regional and Industry Developments

Maine Public Hearings on Pipeline Expansion

State utility regulators will begin public hearings Thursday on a three-year-old plan to expand pipeline capacity and potentially lower energy costs by committing ratepayers to spend up to $75 million annually on natural gas purchases.  But after three years of study, it’s still unclear how much money – if any – utility customers would save by helping to increase the supply of natural gas, which is used to generate half of New England’s electric power.

http://www.pressherald.com/2016/04/27/hearings-begin-thursday-on-plan-to-expand-natural-gas-pipeline-capacity/

CPES Policy Committee Update: March 29, 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 posts its presentation from the March 24 bidders’ conference on RFP for small renewables, demand response, and energy storage
  • E&T Committee holds informational forum on the adequacy of energy supplies including nuclear power in the state
  • ISO-NE submits report to FERC on price formation in the region’s wholesale electricity markets

 

Connecticut Policy/Regulatory Update: Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s (DEEP) Bureau of Energy Technology Policy has posted its presentation from the March 24, 2016 Bidders’ Conference. During the Bidders’ Conference, DEEP clarified issues regarding requirements for energy storage, eligibility and land use requirements, and the evaluation process. The presentation is available here.

 

Connecticut Legislative Update: Energy & Technology Committee

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

On Thursday, March 24, 2016, the Energy & Technology Committee held an informational forum on the adequacy of energy supplies including nuclear power in the state.  The forum included presentations from:

  1. Former U.S. Senator Evan Bayh – Co-Chair, Nuclear Matters
  2. Katie Scharf Dykes – Deputy Commissioner for Energy, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
  3. Daniel G. Stoddard – Senior Vice President, Nuclear Operations, Dominion; Daniel A. Weekley – Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Dominion
  4. James Daly – Vice President, Energy Supply, Eversource Energy
  5. Alan Trotta – Director, Wholesale Power Contracts, Avangrid
  6. Arthur H. House – Chairman, Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority
  7. Elin S. Katz – Consumer Counsel, Connecticut Office of Consumer Counsel

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 Submits Report to FERC on Price Formation

Earlier this month, ISO New England filed its responses to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) questions on price formation in the region’s wholesale electricity markets. The ISO report includes detailed answers to the complex issues raised by FERC and highlights the significant strides made regionally to achieve pricing that accurately and transparently signals the costs of operating New England’s power system. Public comments on the report will be accepted through April 6, 2016.

For more information, see the following ISO Newswire article: ISO-NE report on market price formation highlights complexity of issue, regional improvements.

 

Appendix

On March 22, 2016, the following bills were reported out of the Energy & Technology Committee:

  • 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. 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. 5509 (RAISED) ENERGY AND TECHNOLOGY.  ‘AN ACT CONCERNING STAFFING LEVELS FOR ELECTRIC SERVICE LINEWORKERS’, to establish minimum staffing levels of electric service lineworkers for electric distribution companies. 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.