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:
- EPA Proposal to Replace the Clean Power Plan
- Federal Hearing Explores Energy Sector Application of Blockchain
- ISO New England Updates Battery Storage Projections
REGIONAL/INDUSTRY
EPA PROPOSAL TO REPLACE THE CLEAN POWER PLAN
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently released its plan to replace 2015’s Clean Power Plan . The plan is subject to a 60-day comment period. To read the proposal, visit EPA’s website.
FEDERAL HEARING EXPLORES ENERGY SECTOR APPLICATION OF BLOCKCHAIN
The U.S. Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources held a hearing on August 21st, Energy Efficiency of Blockchain and Similar Technologies, to discuss the energy efficiency of blockchain and similar technologies and the cybersecurity possibilities of such technologies for energy industry applications. The recorded webcast and witness testimonies are archived on the committee’s webpage.
ISO NEW ENGLAND UPDATES BATTERY STORAGE PROJECTIONS
Grid-scale (also called utility-scale) battery storage is coming on fast in New England, according to ISO-NE. By 2022, currently proposed new projects could add almost 850 MW of battery storage capacity in the region- an increase of 4,000% from the 19 MW currently on line. To learn more about state efforts spurring storage resources, the different technologies, and how they participate in ISO’s markets, visit ISO’s webpage.
CONNECTICUT
PURA HEARING ON MILLSTONE “AT-RISK” DETERMINIATION
On Wednesday, August 29th at 10:00 a.m., PURA will hold a hearing to review Dominion’s petition to be deemed an “existing resource confirmed at risk”, for purposes of the DEEP RFP. More information is available in the Notice of Hearing.
REQUEST FOR COMMENTS IN PURA’s GRID MODERNIZATION DOCKET
Comments are due August 22nd to PURA under Docket #17-12-03 “PURA Investigation into Distribution System Planning of the Electric Distribution Companies. The request for written comment poses a series of questions regarding distributed energy resources, electrification, and distribution system planning that PURA is seeking public input on.
PURA DOCKET NO. 18-08-14: REVIEW OF THE COMBINED HEAT AND POWER PROJECT SOLICITATION
On August 7, 2018, PURA established Docket No. 18-08-14: PURA Review of the Combined Heat and Power Project Solicitation Pursuant to Conn. Gen. Stat. §16-258e