Tag Archives: Climate

CPES Policy Committee Update: February 11, 2020

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 Committee or if you have ideas for future policy updates, we welcome your input and feedback. Please send comments to Kathryn Dube, CPES Executive Director, via email: kdube@ctpower.org.

In this Update:

  • Governor Lamont Highlights Climate Change in Legislative Proposals
  • DEEP Announces 3/16 Technical Meeting on Thermal Energy in Renewable Portfolio Standard            
  • 2/11 Energy & Technology Committee Meeting
  • Upcoming Regulatory Meetings
  • ISO-NE’s 2020 Wholesale Market Project Plan Now Available
  • New England’s Forward Capacity Auction Closes with Adequate Power System Resources for 2023-2024
  • Next Consumer Liaison Group Meeting March 12, Woodstock VT

CONNECTICUT

Governor Lamont Highlights Climate Change in Legislative Proposals
On February 5th, Governor Ned Lamont delivered his legislative proposals to lawmakers, including a proposal that recognizes the threat of climate change and takes proactive measures to mitigate it. SB 10

DEEP Announces Technical Meeting on Thermal Energy in Renewable Portfolio Standard            
On March 16, DEEP will hold a technical meeting to discuss the incorporation of recommendations regarding a renewable portfolio standard for thermal energy into the Integrated Resources Plan.  See the notice here.

2020 Legislative Session
The 2020 Legislative Session convened on February 5th. 
The Energy & Technology Committee will hold their first Committee Meeting on Tuesday. February 11th at 11:30am in Rm 1D of the LOB. 
2020 DEEP Legislative Proposals

Upcoming Regulatory Meetings
For more information on regulatory matters, see the current PURA and Siting Council agendas. This information is updated regularly.

INDUSTRY

ISO-NE’s 2020 Wholesale Market Project Plan Now Available
The 2020 plan describes the current status of ISO market initiatives. The work plan is published biannually in summer and winter and allows readers to follow the progress of market projects.

New England’s Forward Capacity Auction Closes with Adequate Power System Resources for 2023-2024
New England’s annual capacity auction for power system resources concluded Monday with sufficient resources to meet peak demand in 2023-2024, and preliminary results indicate the clearing price was the lowest in the auction’s history.  Read ISO-NE’s press release here.

Next Consumer Liaison Group Meeting March 12, Woodstock VT
The next meeting of the Consumer Liaison Group (CLG) will take place on March 12 at the Woodstock Inn & Resort in Vermont. The keynote speakers are Chad Farrell, Founder & CEO, Encore Renewable Energy, and Salvatore Minopoli, Vice President, Highview Power. The panel discussion will focus on lessons learned from Vermont’s energy transformation standard. The meeting will also include a presentation from ISO New England. For more information, visit the CLG webpage.

Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty Visits with the CPES

From left to right: Weezie Nuara, ISO New England; Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty; Joey Lee Miranda, Robinson & Cole, CPES President; and Alexandrea Isaac, Starion Energy, CPES Board Member.

From left to right: Weezie Nuara, ISO New England; Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty; Joey Lee Miranda, Robinson & Cole, CPES President; and Alexandrea Isaac, Starion Energy, CPES Board Member.

On February 17, 2016, the Connecticut Power and Energy Society (CPES) hosted Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty, the U.S. Representative for the 5th Congressional District of Connecticut. Congresswoman Esty offered her thoughts on a wide range of issues, including climate change, the Clean Power Plan, and the 2016 Presidential race. On the issue of climate change, Esty pointed to a deep divide in Congress, but said she is working with other Members to strengthen our resiliency to the impacts of climate change. From the east coast to the west coast, the impacts are clear, she said, and we must prepare for more frequent and extreme weather events.

She commended the state of Connecticut for its leadership role in climate change mitigation and renewable energy policy, particularly the efforts of Deputy Commissioner Katie Dykes. On November 18, 2015, Dykes testified before the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee on Connecticut’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) and other climate change mitigation programs, which, in her view, have been accompanied by consumer savings, economic growth, and reliable power. Congresswoman Esty assured attendees that Connecticut was smart to move ahead on RGGI and other complimentary policies relating to climate change and renewable energy development. Congresswoman Esty also commented on the recent extensions of the Production and Investment Tax Credits, policies favorable to wind and solar development in the U.S. She made clear that fuel cells were intended to be among the technologies eligible for these important tax credits and that she is working with House Speaker Paul Ryan to amend the legislation to include them.

Congresswoman Esty commented on the passing of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, who days before his death joined a five-judge majority to stay the implementation of the Clean Power Plan, the Environmental Protection Agency’s final rule to reduce carbon pollution from fossil-fueled power plants. Esty paid homage to Scalia’s intellectual force and brilliant legal mind. She noted that President Obama is considering several names for nomination to fill the vacant seat, but was unsure whether the Senate would hold a confirmation hearing before his term expires.

Finally, Congresswoman Esty assured attendees that despite the volatility of an election year, she is committed to working across party lines to find common ground and “get things done” in Washington. She likened her approach to finding the overlapping space in a Venn diagram, stating that “this is the space I am trying to work in.” She is striving to make progress, she said, not headlines.