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:
- UI seeks to increase distribution rates
- Governor Malloy signs bills into law
- Real-time prices for wind-powered resources
Connecticut Policy/Regulatory Update: Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
The United Illuminating Company has filed a preliminary notice to PURA to increase its distribution rates. PURA has assigned the request Docket No. 16-06-04, Application of The United Illuminating Company to Increase Its Rates and Charges. In its request UI has proposed to increase annual rates by $46 million in 2017, $52 million in 2018 and $43 million in 2019. UI is currently operating under a base-rate freeze through December 31, 2016 that was a commitment made as part of the UIL-Iberdrola USA merger. The PURA docket and UI notice is available at the following link.
CONNECTICUT LEGISLATION:
Information about the Energy and Technology Committee, including committee meetings and public hearings, is available at: https://www.cga.ct.gov/et/.
On May 25, 2016, Governor Malloy signed the following legislation of the 2016 Regular Session that may be of interest to our section members:
- H.B. No. 5242: AN ACT CONCERNING AGRICULTURAL VIRTUAL NET METERING.
On May 31, 2016, Governor Malloy signed the following legislation of the 2016 Regular Session that may be of interest to our section members:
- H.B. No. 5427: AN ACT CONCERNING THE SHARED CLEAN ENERGY FACILITY PILOT PROGRAM.
On June 2, 2016, Governor Malloy signed the following legislation of the 2016 Special Session that may be of interest to our section members:
- S.B. No. 501: AN ACT ADJUSTING THE STATE BUDGET FOR THE BIENNIUM ENDING JUNE 30, 2017.
- S.B. No. 502: AN ACT CONCERNING REVENUE AND OTHER ITEMS TO IMPLEMENT THE BUDGET FOR THE BIENNIUM ENDING JUNE 30, 2017.
Regional and Industry Developments
ISO New England Incorporates Wind-Powered Resources into Real-Time Dispatch with Do-Not-Exceed Dispatch Project
On May 25, 2016, the region’s wind-powered resources and intermittent hydro resources began taking electronic dispatch instructions from ISO New England for the first time and became eligible to set real-time prices in the wholesale electricity marketplace. These changes were made possible by the Do-Not-Exceed (DNE) Dispatch Project in which the ISO worked with stakeholders to implement a modified electronic dispatch method for these intermittent resources. The new system is expected to improve price formation in the marketplace and system use of low-cost renewable resources in areas with limited transmission capacity by:
- Enabling wind and intermittent hydro resources to set the price at their locations on the basis of their economic offers
- Allowing the Real-Time Energy Market to properly price congestion at their locations
The changes are also expected to minimize manual generator curtailments and improve ISO New England’s ability to manage the system during rapidly shifting weather conditions. For more information on the DNE Dispatch Project, see the ISO Newswire.