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 Kathryn Dube, CPES Executive Director, via email: kdube@ctpower.org.
This week’s features:
- Consumer Liaison Group Meeting will Focus on the Role of Nuclear Power in New England
- The Energy and Technology Committee will hold a public hearing at 1:00 PM on February 21, 2017
REGIONAL AND INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:
Consumer Liaison Group Meeting Will Focus on the Role of Nuclear Power in New England
The first quarterly meeting of the New England Consumer Liaison Group (CLG) for 2017 will be held on March 2, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the DoubleTree Hotel in Westborough, Massachusetts. The meeting will focus on the role of nuclear power in New England, particularly its impacts on reliability, carbon reduction, and market prices. The meeting will feature Tracy Babbidge, Bureau Chief for the Bureau of Energy and Technology Policy for the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) as the keynote speaker.
Panelists will include:
- Kevin Hennessy, State Policy Director – New England, Dominion Resources, Inc.
- William Berg, Vice President of Wholesale Market Development, Exelon Corporation
- Peter Fuller, Vice President of Market and Regulatory Affairs, NRG Energy
- Dr. Gilbert Brown, Emeritus Professor, University of Massachusetts Lowell
To register for the meeting, visit the Consumer Liaison Group webpage on the ISO New England website.
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 February 21, 2017, the Energy and Technology Committee will hold a public hearing at 1:00 PM. The agenda is available at: https://www.cga.ct.gov/2017/etdata/pha/2017PHA00221-R001300ET-PHA.htm
CPES does not take a position on these legislative proposals; this is provided for informational purposes only to CPES members.
As for priorities, Senator Formica said that nuclear power and the viability of Millstone Nuclear Power Station will be a major area of focus this session. According to Formica, the 2,100 megawatt (MW) plant employs more than 1,000 employees and accounts for billions of dollars’ worth of economic benefits. Its carbon-free energy, he said, is an important part of the bridge to a renewable energy future. 
Addressing the changes affecting the traditional electric utility business model (dubbed “Utility 2.0”) and the affordability of electricity are also considered priorities this session. Representative Reed also spoke of plans to examine Connecticut’s energy “ecosystem” to determine where renewable resources and distributed forms of electricity can be better sited throughout the state.
Finally, the committee members all stressed the importance of working together and forming partnerships to advance the interests of Connecticut. They noted that solving the state’s budgetary issues and advancing a business-friendly atmosphere were important ways to grow jobs and attract investment in the state. According to the state’s Office of Fiscal Analysis, Connecticut faces an estimated $1.4 billion 
