CPES Policy Committee Update: May 31, 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:

  • DEEP presents its 2016 Connecticut Comprehensive Energy Strategy
  • 2016 Legislation Summary
  • ISO New England’s 2015 Annual Markets Report released

 

Connecticut Policy/Regulatory Update: Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

On May 25, 2016, DEEP held a scoping and public input session on the its 2016 Connecticut Comprehensive Energy Strategy.  The key topics focused on the electricity, building & processes and transportation sectors.  Comments are due June 14, 2016.  The PowerPoint presentation can be found here.

 

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 2016 regular session ended on May 4, 2016.  The following bills that passed both chambers during the regular or special session and that may be of interest to you received a public act number:

  • S.B. No. 272:  AN ACT CONCERNING THE USE OF MICROGRID GRANTS AND LOANS FOR CERTAIN DISTRIBUTED ENERGY GENERATION PROJECTS.  PUBLIC ACT 16-196.
  • S.B. No. 334:  AN ACT CONCERNING REVISIONS TO CERTAIN ENERGY PURCHASING POOL AND LIFE-CYCLE COST ANALYSES STATUTES.  PUBLIC ACT 16-173.
  • S.B. No. 366:  AN ACT CONCERNING ADMINISTRATION OF THE CONNECTICUT GREEN BANK, THE PRIORITY OF THE BENEFIT ASSESSMENTS LIEN UNDER THE GREEN BANK’S COMMERCIAL SUSTAINABLE ENERGY PROGRAM AND THE GREEN BANK’S SOLAR HOME RENEWABLE ENERGY CREDIT PROGRAM.  PUBLIC ACT 16-212.
  • S.B. No. 394:  AN ACT CONCERNING AUTHORIZATIONS RELATING TO VIRTUAL NET METERING FOR CERTAIN ZERO OR LOW EMISSION GENERATION PROJECTS.  PUBLIC ACT 16-216.
  • S.B. No. 501:  AN ACT ADJUSTING THE STATE BUDGET FOR THE BIENNIUM ENDING JUNE 30, 2017.  MAY SPECIAL SESSION, PUBLIC ACT 16-2.
  • S.B. No. 502:  AN ACT CONCERNING REVENUE AND OTHER ITEMS TO IMPLEMENT THE BUDGET FOR THE BIENNIUM ENDING JUNE 30, 2017.  MAY SPECIAL SESSION, PUBLIC ACT 16-3.

 

Regional and Industry Developments

New England’s Wholesale Electricity Markets Operated Competitively Last Year According to the 2015 Annual Markets Report  

On May 25, 2016, ISO New England’s Internal Market Monitor released the 2015 Annual Markets Report which found that wholesale power markets in New England operated competitively last year, bringing lower average power prices that reflected lower natural gas prices in 2015. The average real-time price of wholesale electric energy in 2015 fell by more than a third, or more than $22 per megawatt-hour (MWh), to $41.00/MWh as a result of natural gas prices that were 41% lower than their 2014 average. The prices of both natural gas and wholesale power were the lowest since 2012. The price of natural gas is a key factor in the price of wholesale power because the fuel generates 49% of the electricity produced in New England. The cost of fuel is the largest input into the cost of electricity production.

ISO New England issued a press release with highlights from the report, available here.