Category Archives: Infrastructure

CPES Policy Committee Update: November 1, 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:

  • New PURA Commissioner Named
  • DEEP Suspends Gas RFP
  • PURA Re-Opens Billing Docket for Business Customers
  • DEEP Selects Winning Bid for 2-20 MW Renewable Energy RFP
  • NE Clean Energy RFP Selects Proposals
  • ISO NE Discusses Winter Preparedness with FERC

 

REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS

Malloy Nominates Katie Dykes as PURA Commissioner

On October 27, 2016, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy nominated Katie Dykes, deputy commissioner of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, to serve as a commissioner of the state’s Public Utilities Regulatory Authority. The press release is available by clicking here.

 

DEEP Suspends Gas RFP

On October 25, 2016, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (“DEEP”) issued a Notice of Cancellation for its Natural Gas Capacity, Liquefied Natural Gas, and Natural Gas Storage procurement issued pursuant to Public Act 15-107 Section (1)(D). The notice indicates that DEEP may conduct similar solicitations in the future. The Notice is available by clicking here.

 

DEEP Notifies 2-20MW Bidders

DEEP has provided notice that it has selected winning bidders for its 2-20 MW Renewable Energy RFP issued pursuant to Public Act 15-107.  Winning bidders have not been publicly announced, however, all bidders have been contacted regarding their proposals. The RFP selection team has selected projects that represent approximately 375 megawatts (MWs) of clean energy for the state. The notice of selection is available by clicking here.

 

PUBLIC UTILITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITY NEW DOCKETS:

On October 26, 2016, the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority reopened the following proceeding, which may be of interest to you: 

 

REGIONAL DEVELOPMENTS

New England Clean Energy RFP Selects Proposals

The Soliciting Parties from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the states of Connecticut and Rhode Island have completed their evaluation of proposed projects received in response to the three-state Clean Energy RFP. The three states collectively selected projects that represent approximately 460 megawatts (MWs) of clean energy for the New England market. Information regarding the winning bidders is available by clicking here.

 

ISO New England Discusses Winter Preparedness Efforts with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

On October 20, 2016, Peter Brandien, Vice President of Operations for ISO New England, participated in a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) panel discussion on winter preparedness in advance of the 2016-2017 winter season. Brandien discussed the ISO’s outlook on operations and market performance for the upcoming winter, highlighting the steps the ISO has taken to increase market efficiency and improve gas-electric coordination to address the challenges posed by the region’s constrained natural gas pipeline system. Brandien also discussed the winter reliability program in place to mitigate the reliability risks associated with inadequate fuel supplies during severe cold weather conditions.

A copy of the ISO’s remarks, filed with FERC, is available here.

 

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: September 27, 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:

  • New England Wholesale Electric Prices and Demand – August 2016
  • Looking Ahead to the Next Legislative Session – Schedules and Key Links

 

REGIONAL DEVELOPMENTS

A Look at Wholesale Electricity Prices and Demand in New England: August 2016

August’s average monthly power price of $40.19 per megawatt-hour (MWh) was up 13.7% from the August 2015 average price of $35.35/MWh and 37% higher than the July 2016 average price of $29.33/MWh. The month included some very hot and humid weather that drove up air conditioning use, which drove up demand for power by 3% over the month as a whole. The highest level for demand so far this year occurred on August 12, during a heat wave, when demand peaked at 25,521 MW. The day before, on August 11, shortage conditions developed – meaning the region was short of the required level of reserves – on the regional power system when several generators tripped offline, causing real-time prices to spike and requiring implementation of special operating procedures, including dispatch of demand-response resources in all of New England except Maine. The ISO New England control room maintained reliable power system operations throughout the day.

For more information, visit the ISO Newswire.

 

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 & NEWIEE: Emerging Issues in Risk Management for Energy Infrastructure Projects: 9.14.16

CPES and NEWIEE

 

 

cpes_septnewsletterbanner2smOn September 14, 2016, the CPES and New England Women in Energy and the Environment (NEWIEE) hosted a joint panel discussion on Emerging Issues in Risk Management for Energy Infrastructure Projects. The event marked the second program collaboration between CPES and NEWIEE, following last year’s discussion on competitive electric transmission development in New England.

panelseptember_croppedElizabeth Barton, President of NEWIEE and Partner at Day Pitney, moderated a panel of accomplished women in the field, including:

 

  • Denise M. Cosentino, Director, Enterprise Risk Management, Eversource Energy
  • Donna Allard-Flett, Senior Vice President, Construction Services, Aon Risk Solutions
  • Cristin K. Bullen, Senior Vice President, Northeast Environmental Leader, Marsh
  • Noreen E. Kuziak, Director, Underwriting, Engineered Lines, Custom Account Division, The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Companyseptember-panel-during

The four panelists offered their unique perspectives on how to manage the risks associated with energy infrastructure projects through insurance-related tools and other strategies.

Denise Cosentino set the stage for the discussion, reflecting on the dramatic changes taking place in the energy industry over the years.  She noted that the public perception of energy infrastructure projects has changed considerably, leading to increased involvement by the general public in the development of energy infrastructure projects.  She explained that many of the challenges leveled against energy infrastructure projects include environmental and cultural resources challenges, as well as ‘Not in My Backyard’ (NIMBY) objections to the development of energy infrastructure.  Many of these risks, she explained, can be met with extensive community outreach and engagement.

Donna Allard-Flett discussed the management of risk during the construction phase of energy infrastructure projects, particularly her experience with construction insurance and builder’s risk insurance.  Donna also explained her experience with ‘wrap-up’ insurance, an insurance policy which protects all contractors and subcontractors working on a large project.  A question that arises for many infrastructure projects, she explained, is who is best suited to hold the insurance policy – the general contractor or the owner of the project.

Cristin Bullen focused her remarks on environmental insurance of which there are two types: contractors pollution liability insurance and site pollution liability insurance.  Contractors pollution liability insurance is designed to address environmental liabilities associated with the job-site operations of contractors; whereas, site pollution liability insurance is designed to address the unknown pre-existing pollution conditions of a job site.  Cristin has worked in this specialized field for 17 years and explained that, these days, almost every commercial and industrial project requires environmental insurance to manage these environmental risks.

Finally, Noreen Kuziak offered concluding remarks, touching on the harshness of New England’s weather conditions and how they can impact energy infrastructure projects.  Noreen explained that, from the insurance company perspective, she is primarily focused on developing loss control and maintenance programs for energy infrastructure projects, making sure every risk is identified and managed.

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