CPES Policy Committee Update: May 7, 2019

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:

  • Governor Lamont Announces New London Offshore Wind Industry Hub Plan
  • PURA Elects New Chair
  • ISO New England Publishes 2019 Forecast
  • ISO New England Releases Spring  Update of Annual Work Plan

CONNECTICUT
Governor Lamont Announces New London Offshore Wind Industry Hub Plan
The $93 million redevelopment plan between the CT Port Authority, terminal operator Gateway, and Bay State Wind (Ørsted and Eversource) will upgrade the New London port’s infrastructure and heavy-lift capability to support development of the offshore wind industry.  Read Governor Lamont’s announcement here.

Gillett Elected PURA Chair
Governor Lamont’s appointee Marissa Paslick Gillet was elected PURA Chair.  She is currently awaiting legislative confirmation.  See the PURA press release for more information.

INDUSTRY
ISO New England Publishes 2019 Forecast
On May 1, 2019, the ISO published the 2019-2028 Forecast Report of Capacity, Energy, Loads, and Transmission (CELT), which is a primary source for assumptions used in ISO system planning and reliability studies.  The CELT is developed each year using state and regional economic forecasts, 25 years of weather history in New England, results of both the ISO’s energy-efficiency (EE) forecast and solar photovoltaic (PV) forecast, and other factors. See the projections for 2019 to 2028 here.

ISO New England Releases Spring  Update of Annual Work Plan
The work plan, published each September, outlines major priorities and activities for the year that are designed to improve upon existing ISO systems, practices, and services to New England. Detailed within are expected timelines and objectives related to planning/operations, markets, and capital projects. See the spring update here.