Category Archives: PURA

CPES Policy Committee Update: November 7

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: 

  • ISO New England Issues Power System Plan for New England
  • PURA Established a Docket Concerning the Application of Public Service Company of New Hampshire 
  • Governor Malloy signs the budget (SB 1502)

REGIONAL AND INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS
ISO NEW ENGLAND ISSUES POWER SYSTEM PLAN FOR NEW ENGLAND
On November 2, 2017, ISO New England issued its 2017 Regional System Plan, the biennial report that provides the foundation for long-term power-system planning in New England. The comprehensive report details power system needs for the next 10 years, through 2026, and how these needs can be addressed. The report discusses:

  • Forecasts of annual energy use and peak demand from 2017 to 2026
  • Strategic issues facing the region, including the integration of variable energy resources, such as wind generation and solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, resource retirements and additions, and fuel security risks
  • The need for resources, including generators and demand-side resources, to meet consumer demand for power and replace retiring power plants
  • How the region’s power system can continue to address reliability concerns by identifying areas of the grid where resource additions or transmission upgrades are needed
  • Coordination of New England’s planning process with those of neighboring regions

The full report is available here.  A press release with highlights from the report is available here.

CT PUBLIC UTILITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITY NEW DOCKETS
On October 30, 2017, PURA established the following docket:

  • Docket No. 17-10-47:  Application of Public Service Company of New Hampshire for Findings Pursuant to 18 C.F.R. 366.7(a) and Section 32 (c) of the Public Utility Company Act of 1935 Regarding Exempt Wholesale Generator Status 

CONNECTICUT LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
On October 31, 2017, the Governor signed the budget (SB 1502) and line item vetoed the hospital tax language:

CPES Policy Committee Update: October 31

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: 

  • PURA Dockets Established from October 20th to 27th
  • SB 1502: CT State Budget Bill Passed by the Legislature
  • SB 1501: Millstone Bill 

 

CT PUBLIC UTILITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITY NEW DOCKETS
On October 27, 2017, PURA established the following docket:

  • Docket No. 17-10-46:  Application of The Connecticut Light and Power Company d/b/a Eversource Energy to Amend Rate Schedules 

On October 25, 2017, PURA established the following dockets:

  • Docket No. 18-01-01:  Administrative Proceeding to Review The Connecticut Light and Power Company’s Standard Service and Supplier of Last Resort Service 2018 Procurement Results and Rates 
  • Docket No. 18-01-02:  Administrative Proceeding to Review The United Illuminating Company’s Standard Service and Supplier of Last Resort Service 2018 Procurement Results and Rates 

On October 23, 2017, PURA established the following docket:

On October 20, 2017, PURA established the following dockets:

  • Docket No. 18-03-01:  PURA Annual Review of the Rate Adjustment Mechanisms of The Connecticut Light and Power Company 
  • Docket No. 18-03-02:  PURA Annual Review of the Rate Adjustment Mechanisms of The United Illuminating Company 

CONNECTICUT LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
On October 26, 2017, the Connecticut General Assembly passed the following bills:

  • SB 1502 (the Budget):  An Act Concerning The State Budget For The Biennium Ending June 30, 2019, Making Appropriations Therefor, Authorizing And Adjusting Bonds Of The State And Implementing Provisions Of The Budget
  • SB 1501:  An Act Concerning Zero Carbon Procurement  

CPES Policy Committee Update: October 24

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:

  • ISO New England Delays Release of Study on Regional Fuel Security
  • PURA Established a Docket on PURA’s Annual Review of the Purchased Gas Adjustment Clause Charges or Credits Filed by Connecticut Local Distribution Companies 
  • PURA Established a Docket for PURA’s Review of the LDCs’ Gas Supply Portfolio, Asset Strategies and Practices 
  • PURA Established a Docket for Review of LREC/ZREC Projects 
  • Potential Sweep of RGGI Funds
  • First Round Comments on DEEP’s Draft 2017 CES Available

REGIONAL AND INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS

ISO NEW ENGLAND DELAYS RELEASE OF STUDY ON REGIONAL FUEL SECURITY
ISO New England will delay the release of its Operational Fuel-Security Analysis pending resolution of the US Department of Energy (DOE) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR) issued to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on September 28, 2017. ISO New England intends to release the results of the analysis once the DOE NOPR is sufficiently resolved. For more information, see the ISO’s official statement.

CONNECTICUT

PUBLIC UTILITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITY NEW DOCKETS
On October 19, 2017, PURA established the following docket:
Docket No. 18-10-01:  PURA Annual Review of the Purchased Gas Adjustment Clause Charges or Credits Filed by Connecticut Local Distribution Companies 

On October 16, 2017, PURA established the following docket:
Docket No. 17-10-31:  PURA Review of the LDCs’ Gas Supply Portfolio, Asset Strategies and Practices 

On October 10, 2017, PURA established the following docket:
Docket No. 17-10-19:  Review of LREC/ZREC Projects 

POTENTIAL SWEEP OF RGGI FUNDS
The tentative budget agreement, which is still being negotiated, may include sweeps of the Energy Efficiency Fund, the Connecticut Green Bank, and the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.  More information is available here.

CES FIRST ROUND COMMMENTS AVAILABLE
The first round of comments on the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s (DEEP) draft 2017 Comprehensive Energy Strategy were due September 25, 2017. The comments are available on the DEEP webpage at the following link: http://www.dpuc.state.ct.us/DEEPEnergy.nsf/$EnergyView?OpenForm&Start=1&Count=30&Expand=6.2&Seq=2

CPES Policy Committee Update: September 26, 2017

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:

  • Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Activity: U.S. Senate Energy Committee Sends FERC Nominees to Full Senate
  • Update on Millstone Power Station
  • CT Budget: Energy Industry Impact

REGIONAL AND INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS

FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION ACTICITY: U.S. SENATE ENERGY COMMITTEE SEND FERC NOMINEES TO FULL SENATE
On September 19, 2017, the U.S. Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee approved two nominees to serve as commissioners on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)—Kevin McIntyre and Richard Glick. McIntyre, a republican who will be designated as chairman, has been nominated to two terms ending in 2023. The Committee held a nomination hearing for McIntyre and Glick on September 7. The nominations now head to the Senate floor.

If confirmed, McIntyre and Glick will join Commissioners Cheryl LaFleur and Robert Powelson, and Acting Chairman Neil Chatterjee, returning a full complement of five commissioners to FERC.

CONNECTICUT

MILLSTONE POWER STATION UPDATE
The fireworks continue in the joint DEEP-PURA proceeding to study the economic viability of Millstone Station. Last week, in a response to a series of data requests from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA), Dominion declined to answer a majority of inquiries about its revenue, expenses, cash flow and earnings. “Dominion Energy will not provide competitively sensitive or proprietary information related to this request … at this time,” the company wrote. DEEP and PURA staff will likely be forced to move forward using estimates based on public information. See articles from Hartford Business Journal and the Courant.

CONNECTICUT BUDGET: IMPACT ON THE ENERGY INDUSTRY
The Republican budget, that passed in dramatic fashion, includes a provision to remove PURA from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, which has existed as a single agency since 2011. As passed, the bill also eliminates statutory authorization of the Bureau of Energy and Technology Policy. The Republican budget: (1) Reduces rates and decreases costs for Connecticut’s ratepayers, (2) ensures the reliability and safety of our state’s energy supply, (3) increases the use of clean energy and technologies that support clean energy, and (4) develops the state’s energy-related economy. The head of such authority shall be the chairperson elected in accordance with section 16-2 of the state statutes. Despite passing both the House and the Senate, Governor Malloy has threatened to veto the budget. See article from WNPR