CPES Policy Committee Update: December 6, 2016

This update features policy, regulatory, legislative, and regional developments in Connecticut and New England. The policy updates are compiled by a team recently formed with support from CPES, known as the New Energy Professionals. 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 Paul Brady, CPES Executive Director, via email: pbrady@ctpower.org.

This week’s features:

  • PURA Establishes New Docket Titled 2017 PURA Supplier Working Group
  • DEEP Selects Winning Bidders in 2 – 20 MW Small Resource Procurement  
  • ISO New England Releases 2016/2017 Winter Outlook

PUBLIC UTILITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITY NEW DOCKETS:

On November 28, 2016, the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) established the following docket on its own motion:

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEVELOPMENTS

The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has released a list of winning bidders for the 2-20 MW Renewable, Passive Demand Response, and Energy Storage Request for Proposals (RFP) issued pursuant to Public Act 15-107 – Section 1(b).

The list of winning bidders is available at the following link.

REGIONAL DEVELOPMENTS

On December 5, 2016, ISO New England issued its 2016/2017 Winter Outlook, which projects sufficient electricity supplies to meet consumer demand in New England this winter, barring unexpected resource outages or fuel delivery constraints.  Because of possible natural gas pipeline constraints, ISO New England has implemented a Winter Reliability Program that will help protect overall power system reliability.  

For more information on the upcoming winter, please see the full Winter Outlook press release, available here.

LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS

CONNECTICUT LEGISLATION:

The 2016 Connecticut regular session ended on May 4, 2016.  The 2017 Connecticut regular session begins January 4, 2017.

Information about the Energy and Technology Committee, including committee meetings and public hearings, is available at: https://www.cga.ct.gov/et/.

MASSACHUSETTS LEGISLATION:

The 2015-2016 Massachusetts formal session ended on July 31, 2016.  The 2017-2018 Massachusetts session begins January 4, 2017.

Information about the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy, including hearings and bills in committee, is available at: https://malegislature.gov/Committees/Joint/J37.