CPES Policy Committee Update: January 17, 2017

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 Kathryn Dube, CPES Executive Director, via email: kdube@ctpower.org

This week’s features:

  • U.S. Department of Energy Releases Second Installment of the Quadrennial Energy Review
  • CommonWealth Magazine Publishes Opinion Piece on the State of the Region’s Electric Grid
  • Nuclear Energy Institute Releases Analysis on the Economic Impacts of Millstone Nuclear Power Station
  • PURA Releases Five Updates Involving MRCC, Electric Supplier Report, Electric Competition, and Two PURA Reviews
  • Link to the January 13th Energy and Technology Committee Meeting
  • Connecticut Legislative Provides Fourteen Bills of Interest

Regional and Industry Developments

U.S. Department of Energy Releases Second Installment of the Quadrennial Energy Review

On January 6, 2017, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released the second installment of its Quadrennial Energy Review (QER 1.2), examining an array of issues and trends affecting the electric system in North America, from bulk power generation to end user, out to 2040. The report, titled “Transforming the Nation’s Electricity System,” finds that the electric system is a critical and essential national asset and that it is a strategic imperative to protect and enhance the value of the system through modernization and transformation. The QER 1.2 conducts its analysis within the context of three overarching national goals: enhancing economic competitiveness, promoting environmental responsibility, and providing for the nation’s security. 

The report provides 76 recommendations for modernization and transformation that can serve as the building blocks for longer-term, planned changes and activities undertaken in conjunction with state and local governments, policymakers, industry, and other stakeholders.

CommonWealth Magazine Publishes Opinion Piece from ISO New England CEO on the State of the Region’s Electric Grid

On January 10, 2017, CommonWealth Magazine, a public policy-oriented quarterly publication in Massachusetts, published an opinion piece, titled “Grid in the Balance” by Gordon van Welie, ISO New England’s CEO, on the successes and concerns facing the region’s electric grid.

Nuclear Energy Institute Releases Analysis on the Economic Impacts of Millstone Nuclear Power Station

On January 12, 2017, the Nuclear Energy Institute released the results of a study titled, “Economic Impacts of the Millstone Power Station,” which analyzes the plant’s economic benefits today and over the next 15 years. According to the study, between 2016 and 2030, Millstone’s operation will generate more than $12 billion in economic benefits in Connecticut.

For more information, see the full report available here.

 

PUBLIC UTILITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITY NEW DOCKETS:

On January 10, 2017, the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority initiated the following proceedings, which may be of interest to you: 

On January 9, 2017, the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority initiated the following proceedings, which may be of interest to you: 

CONNECTICUT LEGISLATION:

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

The following proposed bills may be of interest to our membership:

  • B. 5343:  AN ACT CONCERNING CLEAN ENERGY SOLUTIONS.AN ACT CONCERNING THE PRIORITY OF BENEFIT ASSESSMENT LIENS UNDER THE COMMERCIAL SUSTAINABLE ENERGY PROGRAM. To implement clean energy solutions.
  • B. 5344: AN ACT CONCERNING SITING COUNCIL PUBLIC INFORMATION SESSIONS. To keep the public updated on the status of projects.
  • B. 5345: AN ACT CONCERNING NOTICE PROVIDED BY THE SITING COUNCIL. To require the Siting Council to provide notice when projects have not been completed within three years.
  • B. 5368: AN ACT ALLOWING BUSINESSES THREE ATTEMPTS TO COMPLY WITH STATE REGULATIONS. To promote businesses by providing “three strikes” to comply with state regulations.
  • B. 5431: AN ACT CONCERNING THE LICENSING OF SOLAR ENERGY INSTALLERS. To establish uniform standards for solar energy installers.
  • B. 5491: AN ACT CONCERNING DEREGULATION OF THE NATURAL GAS MARKET. To allow natural gas customers to choose their natural gas supplier.
  • B. 5492: AN ACT CONCERNING A CITIZEN ADVISORY PANEL FOR ENERGY PROJECTS. To create a Citizen Advisory Panel for energy projects.
  • B. 5502: AN ACT REQUIRING THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION TO DECIDE COMMERCIAL PROJECT APPLICATIONS WITHIN NINETY DAYS. To reduce delay in the issuing of decisions on commercial project applications.
  • B. 5506: AN ACT CONCERNING TAX CREDITS FOR ENERGY USE FOR CERTAIN BUSINESSES. To provide energy incentives for certain businesses.
  • B. 5611: AN ACT CONCERNING REDUCING ENERGY COSTS FOR CERTAIN BUSINESSES. To provide energy incentives for certain businesses for the time of start-up.
  • B. 55: AN ACT CONCERNING AN INCENTIVE PROGRAM FOR MUNICIPALITIES TO CONVERT STREETLIGHTS TO SOLAR POWER. To create an incentive program for municipalities to convert streetlights to solar power to reduce street lighting electrical expenses in towns.
  • B. 78: AN ACT CONCERNING MUNICIPAL ELECTRIC UTILITIES CREATING JOINT PURCHASING AGENCIES. To allow cooperative purchasing by municipal electric utilities.
  • B. 79: AN ACT REPEALING SECTIONS REGARDING MUNICIPAL ELECTRIC ENERGY COOPERATIVES. To repeal sections regarding municipal electric energy cooperatives.
  • B. 106: AN ACT CONCERNING ZERO-CARBON ELECTRIC GENERATING FACILITIES AND ACHIEVING CONNECTICUT’S GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS MANDATED LEVELS. To provide a mechanism for zero-carbon generating facilities to sell power to electric utilities.