Category Archives: ISO-NE

CPES Policy Committee Update: June 7, 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:

  • UI seeks to increase distribution rates
  • Governor Malloy signs bills into law
  • Real-time prices for wind-powered resources

 

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

The United Illuminating Company has filed a preliminary notice to PURA to increase its distribution rates. PURA has assigned the request Docket No. 16-06-04, Application of The United Illuminating Company to Increase Its Rates and Charges. In its request UI has proposed to increase annual rates by $46 million in 2017, $52 million in 2018 and $43 million in 2019. UI is currently operating under a base-rate freeze through December 31, 2016 that was a commitment made as part of the UIL-Iberdrola USA merger. The PURA docket and UI notice is available at the following link.

 

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 May 25, 2016, Governor Malloy signed the following legislation of the 2016 Regular Session that may be of interest to our section members:

  • H.B. No. 5242:  AN ACT CONCERNING AGRICULTURAL VIRTUAL NET METERING.

On May 31, 2016, Governor Malloy signed the following legislation of the 2016 Regular Session that may be of interest to our section members:

  • H.B. No. 5427:  AN ACT CONCERNING THE SHARED CLEAN ENERGY FACILITY PILOT PROGRAM.

On June 2, 2016, Governor Malloy signed the following legislation of the 2016 Special Session that may be of interest to our section members:

  • S.B. No. 501:  AN ACT ADJUSTING THE STATE BUDGET FOR THE BIENNIUM ENDING JUNE 30, 2017.
  • S.B. No. 502:  AN ACT CONCERNING REVENUE AND OTHER ITEMS TO IMPLEMENT THE BUDGET FOR THE BIENNIUM ENDING JUNE 30, 2017.

 

Regional and Industry Developments

ISO New England Incorporates Wind-Powered Resources into Real-Time Dispatch with Do-Not-Exceed Dispatch Project

On May 25, 2016, the region’s wind-powered resources and intermittent hydro resources began taking electronic dispatch instructions from ISO New England for the first time and became eligible to set real-time prices in the wholesale electricity marketplace. These changes were made possible by the Do-Not-Exceed (DNE) Dispatch Project in which the ISO worked with stakeholders to implement a modified electronic dispatch method for these intermittent resources. The new system is expected to improve price formation in the marketplace and system use of low-cost renewable resources in areas with limited transmission capacity by:

  • Enabling wind and intermittent hydro resources to set the price at their locations on the basis of their economic offers
  • Allowing the Real-Time Energy Market to properly price congestion at their locations

The changes are also expected to minimize manual generator curtailments and improve ISO New England’s ability to manage the system during rapidly shifting weather conditions. For more information on the DNE Dispatch Project, see the ISO Newswire.

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: April 12, 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:

  • PURA’s Cybersecurity Action Plan
  • Legislature proposes raiding $20M in funds from Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)
  • ISO NE report on falling wholesale prices

 

CONNECTICUT POLICY/REGULATORY UPDATE:  CT Public Utilities Regulatory Authority

On Wednesday, April 6, 2016, Governor Malloy announced the release of PURA’s Cybersecurity Action Plan.  The press release is available at: http://portal.ct.gov/Departments_and_Agencies/Office_of_the_Governor/Press_Room/Press_Releases/2016/04-2016/Gov__Malloy_Announces_Release_of_PURA_s_Cybersecurity_Action_Plan/

 

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 deadline to report bills out of the Energy and Technology Committee has passed.  There have been no significant actions to the bills previously reported out of the committee that may be of interest to you.

 

Regional and Industry Developments

Average Price of Wholesale Electricity in 2015 Fell to Second-Lowest Level Since 2003

At the end of March, ISO New England issued a press release detailing average wholesale electricity prices for 2015, based on preliminary figures. According to the press release, low natural gas prices during most of the year pushed the average price of wholesale electricity down to the second-lowest level since 2003. 2015’s average power price of $41.00/MWh was down 35% from 2014’s average price of $63.32/MWh. The lowest annual average wholesale electricity price was in 2012, at $36.09/MWh.

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.