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:
- Solar jobs concentrated in Hartford County
- Canadian Provinces Implement Carbon Tax
- ISO-NE’s Planning Advisory Committee “Grid Transformation” Event May 23rd, Westborough MA
- Federal Officials, Fishing Industry Reach Offshore Wind Development Agreement
- FERC Opens Two New Inquiries, Opportunity for Comment
CONNECTICUT
Hartford Business Journal “Solar jobs concentrated in Hartford County.” Read the full story here.
INDUSTRY
CANADIAN PROVINCES IMPLEMENT CARBON TAX
The federal Liberal government will begin levying its carbon tax on greenhouse gas-emitting fuels today in the four provinces that have refused to take part in the pan-Canadian climate framework. Read the full story here.
ISO-NE’S PLANNING ADVISORY COMMITTEE “GRID TRANSFORMATION” EVENT MAY 23, WESTBOROUGH MA
ISO New England is planning a day-long event for the Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) called “Grid Transformation” to be held May 23, 2019, at the Doubletree Hotel in Westborough, Massachusetts. The meeting will focus on the technical challenges and potential benefits presented by this grid transformation, as well as the potential solutions for addressing many of the changes the industry is facing. To that end, the ISO is inviting industry experts and stakeholders to engage in this discussion about grid transformation.
FEDERAL OFFICIALS, FISHING INDUSTRY REACH OFFSHORE WIND DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT
Federal officials sign a 10-year memorandum of understanding (MOU) about offshore wind energy with fishing industry interests on the East Coast. MOU states that wind energy developments on the shelf must take into consideration how the activities could affect the marine environment and other industries. NOAA says the memorandum will help sustain fishing opportunities while allowing energy projects.
FERC OPENS TWO NEW INQUIRIES, OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMENT
– FERC Opens Inquiry on Improvements to Electric Transmission Incentives Policy: examination of possible improvements to FERC’s electric transmission incentives policy to ensure that it appropriately encourages the development of the infrastructure needed to ensure grid reliability and reduce congestion to reduce the cost of power for consumers.
– FERC to Examine Return on Equity Policies: examination of whether, and if so how, to revise its policies on determining the return on equity (ROE) used in setting rates charged by jurisdictional public utilities.