Category Archives: PURA

CPES Policy Committee Update: June 6, 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.

This week’s feature:

  • New England’s Wholesale Electricity Markets Were Competitive in 2016
  • Drift Is a New Startup Applying Peer-to-Peer Trading to Retail Electricity Markets
  • Eversource Energy to Buy Aquarion in $1.68 Billion Deal
  • PURA established a docket for the Application of The Southern Connecticut Gas Company to Increase Its Rates and Charges
  • Sub. Sen. Bill 900 passed in both chambers over the weekend

STATE AND INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS

New England’s Wholesale Electricity Markets Were Competitive in 2016

The 2016 Annual Markets Report (AMR), issued by ISO New England’s Internal Market Monitor (IMM), concluded that New England’s wholesale power markets were competitive in 2016. The 2016 AMR covers the period from January 1 to December 31, 2016, and contains the IMM’s analyses of market operations and results.

The total value of the region’s wholesale electricity markets, including the cost of electric energy, capacity, ancillary services, and the cost of transmission services and upgrades, fell by about $1.7 billion, or 18%, from roughly $9.3 billion in 2015 to roughly $7.6 billion in 2016.

The total value of the region’s wholesale electric energy market in 2016 was $4.1 billion, which is 30% lower than the 2015 value of $5.9 billion. The 2016 electric energy market value was the lowest since 2003, when New England’s wholesale energy markets were launched in their current form. Over that same time period, the previous record-low market value was $5.2 billion in 2012

The decline in wholesale power prices mirrored a 34% year-over-year decline in the average price of natural gas, which is the fuel used most often to generate electricity in New England. Natural-gas-fired power plants produced 49% of the power generated in New England last year.

The full report is available on ISO New England’s website.

Drift Is a New Startup Applying Peer-to-Peer Trading to Retail Electricity Markets
The company is taking all the hottest tech in Silicon Valley and bringing it to New York’s retail energy market.

A Seattle-based startup is taking some of the most talked-about technology applications — machine learning, high-frequency trading, and peer-to-peer selling — and applying them to retail energy markets.

The 15-person company, called Drift, is attempting to change electricity delivery in deregulated markets by connecting consumers directly to energy producers on a cryptographically secure system (think blockchain), allowing it to granularly match a customer’s environmental or cost preferences.

Drift is made up of engineers who’ve worked at Amazon, Google and Microsoft; a data scientist from Argonne National Laboratory; a head of marketing from Uber; and a former FERC attorney.

Greg Robinson, the co-founder and CEO, said the platform was designed to “ruthlessly lower costs in the supply chain” and provide a more customized experience for people looking for energy choice.

https://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/drift-is-a-startup-applying-peer-to-peer-trading-to-retail-electricity

Eversource Energy to Buy Aquarion in $1.68 Billion Deal
On June 2nd, The Hartford Courant reported that Eversource Energy had announced they had reached an agreement to buy Aquarion Water Co. for $1.68 billion, combining New England’s largest electric and gas utility with a dominant water company in Connecticut. MORE INFO

PUBLIC UTILITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITY NEW DOCKET:

On May 26, 2017, PURA established the following docket:

 

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 Energy and Technology Committee’s JF deadline was March 23, 2017.  The list of bills reported out of the Energy and Technology Committee is available at:  https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/CommJFList.asp?comm_code=et and additional information about the status of these bills is available at: https://www.cga.ct.gov/2017/etdata/cbr/et.asp

Sub. Sen. Bill 900 passed in both chambers over the weekend.  Below is the title of the bill and two links to find the language.

AN ACT CONCERNING MINOR REVISIONS TO ELECTRIC SUPPLIER COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS REGARDING ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS, RENEWABLE PORTFOLIO STANDARDS AND ADVERTISING AND CONTRACT PROVISIONS AND THE PUBLIC UTILITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITY’S REPORTING OF ELECTRIC RATES. https://www.cga.ct.gov/2017/FC/pdf/2017SB-00900-R000344-FC.pdf and https://www.cga.ct.gov/2017/amd/S/pdf/2017SB-00900-R00SA-AMD.pdf

CPES does not take a position on these legislative proposals; this is provided for informational purposes only to CPES members.

CPES Policy Committee Update: May 30, 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.

This week’s feature:

  • Governor Malloy Re-appoints Elin Swanson Katz as Consumer Counsel
  • RESA Issues Whitepaper – The Superior Performance of Competitive Electricity Markets 2008-2016
  • CT Office of Consumer Counsel Issues Report on Retail Electric Market
  • ISO New England Is Conducting a Study of Fuel Security Challenges
  • Budgets Swipe Funding for Clean Energy and Efficiency Programs; Advocates, Local Businesses Decry Impact to Environment and Economy
  • The House and Senate Pass Legislation Concerning Public Utilities Regulatory Authority Administrative Hearings

STATE AND INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS

On May 3, 2017, Governor Dannel P. Malloy re-appointed Elin Swanson Katz of West Hartford to serve another five-year term as Consumer Counsel for the State of Connecticut.  The Consumer Counsel is responsible for advocating on behalf on Connecticut Consumers on issues relating to electricity, natural gas, telecommunications, and water. Press Release

Retail Energy Supply Association (RESA) Issues Whitepaper – The Superior Performance of Competitive Electricity Markets 2008—2016, authored by Philip R. O’Connor, Ph.D

Connecticut Office of Consumer Counsel Issues Report on Retail Electric Market

ISO New England Is Conducting a Study of Fuel Security Challenges
ISO New England is conducting a study of fuel security challenges to the continued reliability of New England’s power system. In this context, fuel security refers to the ability of power plants to have or obtain the fuel required to generate electricity, especially during the winter peak season.

The study is examining more than a dozen cases of generating resource and fuel-mix combinations and will quantify each case’s fuel security risk—that is, the number and duration of energy shortfalls that would require implementation of emergency procedures to maintain reliability during the entire winter period in 2025. The study is not focused on the effects of expanded access to natural gas and will not identify needs for new or expanded pipeline capacity or natural gas infrastructure. 

The study is still underway, with completion expected by the end of October 2017.

More information is posted on the ISO New England website and featured on the ISO Newswire.

Budgets Swipe Funding for Clean Energy and Efficiency Programs; Advocates, Local Businesses Decry Impact to Environment and Economy
Energy Efficiency and Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative to be raided

Labor, public health, consumer and environmental advocates, as well as owners and employees of local clean energy businesses, denounce state budget proposals that massively raid energy efficiency and clean energy programs.

The Republican proposal raids $320 million ($160 million annually) from Connecticut’s nationally acclaimed Conservation & Load Management programs (C&LM) and the Democratic proposal would divert $20 million in revenue from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). That revenue supports the C&LM residential and commercial programs, municipal energy efficiency efforts, and the Connecticut Green Bank’s clean energy programs. Both the C&LM and RGGI funds create jobs, help families and businesses save billions of dollars in energy costs, reduce harmful climate pollution, and supply significant state tax revenue by fueling private growth. Cutting funding for these programs will harm Connecticut’s economy and health, and damage the state’s credibility as clean energy leader.

See link for full press release.

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 Energy and Technology Committee’s JF deadline was March 23, 2017.  The list of bills reported out of the Energy and Technology Committee is available here and additional information about the status of these bills is available at this link.

The House and Senate passed the following legislation:

CPES does not take a position on these legislative proposals; this is provided for informational purposes only to CPES members.

CPES Policy Committee Update: May 2, 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.

This week’s features:

  • ISO New England Expects Adequate Electricity Supplies This Summer
  • On April 21st, PURA Established a New Docket on Electric Distribution Company System Reliability

REGIONAL AND INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS

ISO New England Expects Adequate Electricity Supplies This Summer

ISO New England expects adequate electricity supplies to meet consumer demand for electricity this summer. Tight supply margins, however, could develop if forecasted peak system conditions occur. If this happens, the ISO will take steps to manage New England’s electricity supply and demand in real time and maintain reliable power system operations.

This summer, under normal weather of about 90 degrees Fahrenheit (°F), electricity demand is forecasted to peak at 26,482 MW. Extreme summer weather, such as an extended heat wave of about 94°F, could push demand up to 28,865 MW. These forecasts incorporate the demand-reducing effects of energy-efficiency measures acquired through the Forward Capacity Market and behind-the-meter solar photovoltaic (PV) installations. Approximately 2,000 MW (nameplate capacity) of behind-the-meter solar facilities are currently installed throughout New England.

For more information, see ISO New England’s summer outlook press release.

 
PUBLIC UTILITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITY NEW DOCKET:

On April 21, 2017, PURA established the following docket:

  • Docket No. 17-04-19:  PURA 2017 Annual Report to the General Assembly on Electric Distribution Company System Reliability (http://www.dpuc.state.ct.us/dockcurr.nsf/(Web+Main+View/All+Dockets)?OpenView&StartKey=17-04-19)

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 Energy and Technology Committee’s JF deadline was March 23, 2017.  The list of bills reported out of the Energy and Technology Committee is available at:  https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/CommJFList.asp?comm_code=et and additional information about the status of these bills is available at: https://www.cga.ct.gov/2017/etdata/cbr/et.asp

CPES does not take a position on these legislative proposals; this is provided for informational purposes only to CPES members.

CPES Policy Committee Update: April 17, 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.

This week’s features:

  • ISO New England Publishes Spring 2017 Update on Regional Transmission Investment
  • On April 7th, PURA Established a New Docket

REGIONAL AND INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS

ISO New England Publishes Spring 2017 Update on Regional Transmission Investment

The ISO recently published the March 2017 update to the Regional System Plan (RSP) Project List, which details Pool Transmission Facility (PTF) projects needed to ensure reliability in New England. Since the October 2016 update, 3 projects were cancelled, 24 upgrades were placed in service across Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont, and 27 new projects were added. Additionally, some project cost estimates decreased.

Since 2002, a cumulative total of 714 project components representing an investment of $8.4 billion have been placed into service to help ensure that New England’s transmission system continues to reliably and efficiently move wholesale electricity across the region.

For more information, visit the ISO Newswire.

PUBLIC UTILITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITY NEW DOCKET:

On April 7, 2017, PURA established the following docket:

CONNECTICUT LEGISLATIVE UPDATE:

For information about the 2017 Legislative Session, including bill tracking and a schedule of meetings and events , visit www.cga.ct.gov. /

CPES does not take a position on these legislative proposals; this is provided for informational purposes only to CPES members.

CPES Holds PURA 101; The First 101 Series Event for New Energy Professionals

On March 28, 2017, the Connecticut Power and Energy Society’s New Energy Professionals Committee hosted “PURA 101: An Introduction to Connecticut’s Public Utilities Regulatory Authority” at PURA’s offices in New Britain. PURA 101 is the first of a series of informational sessions established to assist new CPES members and those new to the industry as they become acclimated and involved within the organization. The overarching goal of the 101 series is to provide a meaningful overview of state agencies and businesses with whom professionals in the industry interact. While the event was geared toward New Energy Professionals, many established professionals were also in attendance to gain insight into the evolving role of PURA.

John “Jack” Betkoski, Vice Chairman of PURA, gave opening remarks and provided attendees a glimpse into the role and work of PURA in Connecticut. He discussed the merger of the Connecticut Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC) with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to form the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). PURA has an independent role within DEEP, he explained, regulating the rates and services of Connecticut’s investor-owned electricity, natural gas, water and telecommunication companies.  Commissioner Betkoski also explained the various regional and national energy conversations in which he and his fellow Commissioners and Staff are actively involved.

Michael Coyle, PURA spokesman, provided a deeper dive into the inner workings of PURA. He offered a perspective on the evolving role of public service commissions. He also explained how PURA processes dockets and described various PURA staff roles and how they interact with stakeholders.

Kate Boucher, PURA staff attorney, provided additional information on PURA procedures and operations. She discussed how parties can participate in or follow PURA proceedings, reviewed the scope of PURA’s jurisdiction, and gave insight into how PURA is expanding its presence into regional utility matters.

If you were not able to attend, here are takeaways from PURA 101 for New Energy Professionals:

  1. Per Vice Chairman Betkoski, after serving as a Utility Commissioner for nearly 20 years, he views the one constant in the energy industry is change.
  2. Effective utility regulation at the state level increasingly requires effective participation in regional utility matters as well.
  3. The full record of all PURA proceedings is available for review on the PURA website: www.ct.gov/pura. You can sign up for public notification emails for particular dockets.
  4. If you have questions about a current or potential docketed proceeding, contact one of PURA’s Case Coordinators.
  5. There are several active working groups in place that you can participate in on topics such as (1) suppliers; (2) net metering; (3) EBT