CPES Policy Committee Update: November 20, 2018

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:

  • Lawmakers to hold oversight hearings on gas explosions
  • Former Massachusetts Coal Plant Transitioning To Offshore Wind Support Center
  • Next Consumer Liaison Group Meeting Dec. 6, Boston
  • ISO-NE Webinar: Quarterly Settlements Forum
  • PURA Draft Decision Deems Millstone ‘At Risk’
  • Ten Projects Receive Funding Under First Round Released as Part of Connecticut’s VW Settlement Agreement

REGIONAL/INDUSTRY

LAWMAKERS TO HOLD OVERSIGHT HEARINGS ON GAS EXPLOSIONS
Following the gas explosions that occurred in Merrimack Valley, The Massachusetts State Senate will hold oversight hearings on the state’s natural gas system. They will focus on gas pipeline safety statewide. MORE

FORMER MASSACHUSETTS COAL PLANT TRANSITIONING TO OFFSHORE WIND SUPPORT CENTER
The former Brayton Point Power Station in Somerset, MA (previously the largest coal-fired power plant in New England) will become a logistics port, manufacturing hub, and support center for the offshore wind energy sector. MORE

NEXT CONSUMER LIAISON GROUP MEETING DEC 6 BOSTON
The next meeting of the Consumer Liaison Group (CLG) will be held on December 6 at the Seaport Hotel in Boston. The topic will be, “The Evolving Markets: How Fuel Security is Changing the Wholesale Electricity Markets and What That Means for Your Bottom Line.”

ISO-NE WEBINAR: QUARTERLY SETTLEMENTS FORUM
Registration is open for ISO New England’s webinar “Quarterly Settlements Forum” on Thursday, December 6. This webinar presents information on ISO New England settlements and billing including the following topics:  energy storage devices, capacity supply obligation (CSO) cover changes, and Forward Capacity Market (FCM) substitution auction.

CONNECTICUT

PURA DRAFT DECISION DEEMS MILLSTONE ‘AT RISK’
The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority released a draft decision on Friday deeming the Millstone nuclear plant “at risk of retirement.” It’s a designation long sought by owner Dominion Energy and lawmakers concerned about the potential economic and environmental impacts of an early Millstone closure. MORE

TEN PROJECTS RECEIVE FUNDING UNDER FIRST ROUND RELEASED AS PART OF CONNECTICUT’S VW SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Governor Malloy announced that the State of Connecticut is making available $12.2 million dollars from the legal settlement in the Volkswagen (VW) Corporation emissions scandal to fund ten clean air projects in the state. MORE