CPES Policy Committee Update: August 21, 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:

  • ISO New England Updates Stakeholders on its Regional Fuel Security Study
  • DEEP and PURA Launch Resource Assessment of Millstone Station in Response to Executive Order No. 59
  • Dates Set for the Draft Comprehensive Energy Strategy Technical Hearings

REGIONAL AND INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS

ISO NEW ENGLAND UPDATES STAKEHOLDERS ON ITS REGIONAL FUEL SECURITY STUDY
On August 9, 2017, ISO New England provided an update on the status its fuel security study. The purpose of the study is to examine how anticipated generating resource and fuel-mix combinations could impact reliable operation of the regional bulk power system during the winter period. More than twenty hypothetical cases involving different regional resource mixes are being studied. The study will quantify each case’s fuel security risk—that is, the number and duration of energy shortfalls that could occur during the entire winter period in 2025 and that would require implementation of emergency procedures to maintain reliability.  

The study is still underway, with completion expected by the end of October 2017. The preliminary set of results will be presented to regional stakeholders for full discussion, at which point the ISO would be able to conduct additional analysis based on stakeholder feedback. Following discussion of the results, the ISO will work with stakeholders to determine whether further operational or market design measures will be needed to address the fuel security risk.

CONNECTICUT

DEEP AND PURA LAUNCH RESOURCE ASSESSMENT OF MILLSTONE STATION IN RESPONSE TO EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 59
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) have launched a resource assessment of Millstone Nuclear Power Station in response to Executive Order No. 59 issued by Governor Dannel Malloy on July 25, 2017. A public meeting to discuss the scope of the assessment was held on August 17, 2017. DEEP and PURA must submit the results of the assessment to the Governor, the chairs and ranking members of the General Assembly’s Energy and Technology Committee, and the Governor’s Council on Climate Change (GC3) no later than February 1, 2018. Click here for more information.

DATES SET FOR THE DRAFT 2017 COMPREHENSIVE ENERGY STRATEGY TECHNICAL HEARINGS
On June 26, 2017, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) released a draft of the 2017 Comprehensive Energy Strategy (CES). DEEP is required to develop a Comprehensive Energy Strategy for the State of Connecticut every three years to assess and plan for all energy needs of the state. 

DEEP will hold technical meetings on August 28, 2017, at 9:00 a.m. and September 13, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. in Hearing Room 1, at DEEP’s New Britain Office, Ten Franklin Square, New Britain, Connecticut Directions to DEEP’s New Britain Office. The purpose of the technical meetings are to allow stakeholders an opportunity to present oral comments and to pose questions to DEEP staff and consultants involved in the preparation of the analytics and the findings in the draft Strategy. DEEP requests that you RSVP and send your questions to DEEP.EnergyBureau@ct.gov three business days prior to the scheduled date if you plan on attending and/or participating in any of the scheduled technical meetings. Visit the DEEP website for more information.