Category Archives: PURA

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: 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: October 18, 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:

  • 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.

CPES Policy Committee Update: October 11, 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 Opens Docket on CT Gas Forecasting for 2017-2021
  • ISO Begins Winter Reliability Program
  • FERC Issues Notice of Inquiry (NOI) on Utility Transactions
  • Important Dates for CT and MA 2017 Legislative Sessions

 

REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS

PUBLIC UTILITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITY NEW DOCKETS:

On September 30, 2016, Connecticut Natural Gas and Southern Connecticut Gas Company each submitted a Biennial Forecast of Natural Gas Demand and Supply and, on October 3, 2016, Yankee Gas Services Company submitted a Biennial Forecast of Natural Gas Demand and Supply, which may be of interest to you:

  • Docket No. 16-10-06:  PURA Review of the Connecticut Gas Utilities Forecasts of Demand and Supply 2017-2021

 

REGIONAL DEVELOPMENTS

ISO New England Begins Preparations for the 2016/2017 Winter Season

This winter, ISO New England will administer another winter reliability program to mitigate the reliability risks associated with inadequate fuel supplies during cold weather conditions. The program will run from December 1, 2016 to February 28, 2017 and include an oil inventory component, an LNG component, and a demand response component. Requests to participate in the program were due to ISO New England by October 1, 2016. For more information, visit ISO New England’s Winter Reliability Solutions for 2015/2016 to 2017/2018 key project page: https://www.iso-ne.com/committees/key-projects/winter-reliability-solutions.

 

FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION (“FERC”)

On September 22, 2016 FERC issued a Notice of Inquiry (“NOI”) on the issue of whether FERC should change its approach/involvement in public utility mergers, acquisitions and dispositions under the Federal Power Act (“FPA”).  The full text of the NOI can be found here: http://elibrary-backup.ferc.gov/IDMWS/common/OpenNat.asp?fileID=14360320

 

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: October 4, 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 Opens Dockets on PURPA Regulations and Standards for Distributed Generation
  • Climate Change Focus of MA Governor’s Order
  • Looking Ahead to the Next Legislative Session – Schedules and Key Links

 

REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS

PUBLIC UTILITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITY NEW DOCKETS:

On September 22, 2016, the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority initiated the following proceeding, which may be of interest to you:

On September 28, 2016, the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority initiated the following proceeding, which may be of interest to you:

 

REGIONAL DEVELOPMENTS

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker Signs Climate Change Strategy Executive Order

On September 16, 2016, Governor Charlie Baker signed an Executive Order directing executive offices and state agencies to make coordinated efforts to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions, safeguard residents, municipalities and businesses from the impacts of climate change, and build a more resilient Commonwealth.  The Order, Establishing an Integrated Climate Change Strategy for the Commonwealth, directs the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs to continue to consult the Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA) Implementation Advisory Committee for advice on greenhouse gas emission reduction measures, including recommendations on establishing statewide greenhouse gas emissions limits for 2030 and 2040. The Order also directs the Department of Environmental Protection to promulgate final regulations that ensure the Commonwealth meets the 2020 statewide emissions limit mandated by the GWSA.

For more information, visit http://www.mass.gov/governor/press-office/press-releases/fy2017/gov-baker-signs-climate-change-strategy-executive-order.html.

 

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.