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:

• Governor Appoints Current PURA Chairman to New Cyber Security Post
• NEPOOL Discusses Wholesale Market Changes

REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS

Governor Malloy Appoints Arthur House as State’s Chief Cyber Security Risk Officer  

On October 13, 2016, Governor Malloy announced that he is appointing Art House, Chairman of the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA), to serve in the newly created position of the state’s Chief Cyber Security Risk Officer, where he will be responsible for working to enhance cybersecurity prevention and protection efforts in a comprehensive, cross-agency and cross-sector manner. House will depart his position with PURA and begin in this new role effective immediately. Governor Malloy will announce a successor to his position at PURA in the coming weeks. For additional information, see Governor Malloy’s press release

REGIONAL DEVELOPMENTS

Region’s Stakeholders Continue to Discuss Wholesale Market Changes to Accommodate State Public Policy Goals

The New England Power Pool (NEPOOL) continues to chair discussions surrounding the Integrating Markets and Public Policy (IMAPP) Initiative. IMAPP discussions, launched in August 2016, are intended to identify potential changes to the region’s wholesale electricity markets to accommodate and achieve the public policy goals of the New England states, namely their carbon reduction and renewable energy goals. The New England States Committee on Electricity (NESCOE) has released preliminary feedback on the discussions to date to help focus the proposals and inform development of additional analysis or other potential mechanisms.

All IMAPP materials can be found on the NEPOOL website: http://nepool.com/IMAPP.php.

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.