Tag Archives: Energy & Technology Committee

CPES Policy Committee Update: March 19, 2017

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.

This week’s features:

  • ISO New England Joins with Other Electric Grid Operators to Examine the Impact of Emerging Technologies
  • Connecticut Legislative Update
  • Energy and Technology Committee Meeting to JF bills on March 21st

REGIONAL AND INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS

ISO New England Joins with Other Electric Grid Operators to Examine the Impact of Emerging Technologies

A report from an affiliation of independent electric grid operators concludes that the future of the North American power grid depends on effectively adding renewables to the grid, the accuracy and availability of data from “behind-the-meter” resources and coordinating these distributed energy resources at the grid operator level to preserve reliability.

The report, “Emerging Technologies: How ISOs and RTOs can create a more nimble, robust electricity system,” was published March 16, 2017 by the ISO/RTO Council (IRC), an affiliation of nine non-profit independent system operators (ISO) and regional transmission organizations, including ISO New England. Collectively, IRC members serve two-thirds of electricity consumers in the United States and more than half in Canada.

In the report, the IRC defines a number of positions regarding policies, strategic approaches, worthy goals, and critical success factors members feel will either enable or hinder them in the near future.

Learn more by reading the press release, summary document, or full report.

CONNECTICUT LEGISLATIVE UPDATE:

Information about the Energy and Technology Committee, including committee meetings and public hearings, is available at: https://www.cga.ct.gov/et/

On March 16, 2017, the Energy and Technology Committee held a meeting to consider bills for Joint Favorable (JF) action.  The agenda is available at: https://www.cga.ct.gov/2017/etdata/ca/2017CA-00316-R001300ET-CA.htm. 

The current list of bills reported out of the Energy and Technology Committee is available at:  https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/CommJFList.asp?comm_code=et. 

The Energy and Technology Committee will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, March 21, 2017 at 2pm in Room 2B of the LOB to JF bills. The Committee’s JF deadline is March 23, 2017.   

CPES does not take a position on these legislative proposals; this is provided for informational purposes only to CPES members.

CPES Policy Committee Update: February 21, 2017

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.

CPES 2017 Legislative Preview: Nuclear Power, the Utility of the Future, and the Affordability of Electricity

January 18, 2017 Legislative Preview: Nuclear Power, the Utility of the Future, and the Affordability of Electricity Are Considered Priorities This Session

On January 18, 2017,  the Connecticut Power and Energy Society (CPES), the Connecticut Bar Association’s (CBA) Energy, Public Utility and Communications Section, and the Renewable Energy and Efficiency Business Association (REEBA) hosted the annual Connecticut General Assembly legislative preview with leadership from the Energy and Technology Committee. House Chair Lonnie Reed, Senate Co-Chair Paul Formica, and Ranking Member Laura Hoydick participated on behalf of the committee, sharing insights on the upcoming legislative session and where they plan to focus their efforts this year. The legislators informed attendees that the committee will hold an informational session on January 24, 2017 to hear from key stakeholders on some of the pressing issues facing the state.

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 budget deficit for the 2017-2018 fiscal year.

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CPES Policy Committee Update: January 20, 2017

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:

  • FERC Accepts Capacity Requirements for Eleventh Forward Capacity Auction
  • ISO New England Update on 2016/2017 Winter Reliability Program to Augment Fuel Adequacy in New England
  • The Energy and Technology Committee to Hold Meeting on “A Stakeholders Status Report on Connecticut Energy,”
  • Connecticut Legislation Provides Five Bills of Interest

REGIONAL AND INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS

FERC Accepts Capacity Requirements for Eleventh Forward Capacity Auction
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has accepted ISO New England’s proposed Installed Capacity Requirement (ICR) values to be used in the 11th Forward Capacity Market auction (FCA #11), which commences February 6, 2017. The ICR used in the development of the system-wide and zonal demand curves for FCA #11 is 34,075 megawatts (MW).

This year’s ICR calculations continue to account for the demand-reducing effects of behind-the-meter solar photovoltaic (PV) resources. Using the ISO’s long-term forecast of growth in PV resources, the amount of capacity required in 2020/2021 was reduced by 720 MW.

For more information, visit the ISO Newswire.

ISO New England Update on 2016/2017 Winter Reliability Program
For the fourth year in a row, a winter reliability program is in effect to help augment fuel adequacy in New England. In September 2015, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved a program for the winters of 2015/2016 to 2017/2018 to address seasonal reliability challenges created by constraints on New England’s interstate natural gas pipeline system. The previous programs proved to be cost-effective, short-term solutions to help keep the lights on in New England during very cold winter days.

For information on participation in this year’s program, visit the ISO Newswire.


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 Energy and Technology Committee will hold an informational meeting regarding “A Stakeholders Status Report on Connecticut Energy,” on Tuesday, January 24, 2017 at 1:00 P.M. Room 1D of the LOB.  https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/CGABulletin/Bulletin.asp

 

The following proposed bills may be of interest to our membership:

  • H.B. 5853: AN ACT CONCERNING ELIMINATING OR RAISING THE VIRTUAL NET METERING CAP.  To encourage expansion of renewable energy projects.
  • S.B. 271: AN ACT CONCERNING MANUFACTURING FACILITIES AND INTERRUPTIBLE NATURAL GAS SERVICE.  To allow certain manufacturing facilities to utilize interruptible natural gas service without a backup fuel.
  • S.B. 372: AN ACT REPEALING CERTAIN ENERGY SOLICITATIONS.  To repeal section 16a-3j regarding certain energy solicitations.
  • S.B. 412: AN ACT RESTRICTING THE USE OF INCENTIVES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOLAR ARRAYS ON AGRICULTURAL LAND.  To restrict the use of incentives for the development of solar arrays on agricultural land to protect farmland against large-scale solar development.
  • S.B. 413: AN ACT MAKING MUNICIPAL UTILITY COMPANIES’ BOOKS AND FINANCIALS SUBJECT TO DISCLOSURE UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT.  To allow the public to examine the financials of municipal utilities.

CPES Policy Committee Update: January 17, 2017

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:

  • U.S. Department of Energy Releases Second Installment of the Quadrennial Energy Review
  • CommonWealth Magazine Publishes Opinion Piece on the State of the Region’s Electric Grid
  • Nuclear Energy Institute Releases Analysis on the Economic Impacts of Millstone Nuclear Power Station
  • PURA Releases Five Updates Involving MRCC, Electric Supplier Report, Electric Competition, and Two PURA Reviews
  • Link to the January 13th Energy and Technology Committee Meeting
  • Connecticut Legislative Provides Fourteen Bills of Interest

Regional and Industry Developments

U.S. Department of Energy Releases Second Installment of the Quadrennial Energy Review

On January 6, 2017, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released the second installment of its Quadrennial Energy Review (QER 1.2), examining an array of issues and trends affecting the electric system in North America, from bulk power generation to end user, out to 2040. The report, titled “Transforming the Nation’s Electricity System,” finds that the electric system is a critical and essential national asset and that it is a strategic imperative to protect and enhance the value of the system through modernization and transformation. The QER 1.2 conducts its analysis within the context of three overarching national goals: enhancing economic competitiveness, promoting environmental responsibility, and providing for the nation’s security. 

The report provides 76 recommendations for modernization and transformation that can serve as the building blocks for longer-term, planned changes and activities undertaken in conjunction with state and local governments, policymakers, industry, and other stakeholders.

CommonWealth Magazine Publishes Opinion Piece from ISO New England CEO on the State of the Region’s Electric Grid

On January 10, 2017, CommonWealth Magazine, a public policy-oriented quarterly publication in Massachusetts, published an opinion piece, titled “Grid in the Balance” by Gordon van Welie, ISO New England’s CEO, on the successes and concerns facing the region’s electric grid.

Nuclear Energy Institute Releases Analysis on the Economic Impacts of Millstone Nuclear Power Station

On January 12, 2017, the Nuclear Energy Institute released the results of a study titled, “Economic Impacts of the Millstone Power Station,” which analyzes the plant’s economic benefits today and over the next 15 years. According to the study, between 2016 and 2030, Millstone’s operation will generate more than $12 billion in economic benefits in Connecticut.

For more information, see the full report available here.

 

PUBLIC UTILITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITY NEW DOCKETS:

On January 10, 2017, the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority initiated the following proceedings, which may be of interest to you: 

On January 9, 2017, the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority initiated the following proceedings, which may be of interest to you: 

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 following proposed bills may be of interest to our membership:

  • B. 5343:  AN ACT CONCERNING CLEAN ENERGY SOLUTIONS.AN ACT CONCERNING THE PRIORITY OF BENEFIT ASSESSMENT LIENS UNDER THE COMMERCIAL SUSTAINABLE ENERGY PROGRAM. To implement clean energy solutions.
  • B. 5344: AN ACT CONCERNING SITING COUNCIL PUBLIC INFORMATION SESSIONS. To keep the public updated on the status of projects.
  • B. 5345: AN ACT CONCERNING NOTICE PROVIDED BY THE SITING COUNCIL. To require the Siting Council to provide notice when projects have not been completed within three years.
  • B. 5368: AN ACT ALLOWING BUSINESSES THREE ATTEMPTS TO COMPLY WITH STATE REGULATIONS. To promote businesses by providing “three strikes” to comply with state regulations.
  • B. 5431: AN ACT CONCERNING THE LICENSING OF SOLAR ENERGY INSTALLERS. To establish uniform standards for solar energy installers.
  • B. 5491: AN ACT CONCERNING DEREGULATION OF THE NATURAL GAS MARKET. To allow natural gas customers to choose their natural gas supplier.
  • B. 5492: AN ACT CONCERNING A CITIZEN ADVISORY PANEL FOR ENERGY PROJECTS. To create a Citizen Advisory Panel for energy projects.
  • B. 5502: AN ACT REQUIRING THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION TO DECIDE COMMERCIAL PROJECT APPLICATIONS WITHIN NINETY DAYS. To reduce delay in the issuing of decisions on commercial project applications.
  • B. 5506: AN ACT CONCERNING TAX CREDITS FOR ENERGY USE FOR CERTAIN BUSINESSES. To provide energy incentives for certain businesses.
  • B. 5611: AN ACT CONCERNING REDUCING ENERGY COSTS FOR CERTAIN BUSINESSES. To provide energy incentives for certain businesses for the time of start-up.
  • B. 55: AN ACT CONCERNING AN INCENTIVE PROGRAM FOR MUNICIPALITIES TO CONVERT STREETLIGHTS TO SOLAR POWER. To create an incentive program for municipalities to convert streetlights to solar power to reduce street lighting electrical expenses in towns.
  • B. 78: AN ACT CONCERNING MUNICIPAL ELECTRIC UTILITIES CREATING JOINT PURCHASING AGENCIES. To allow cooperative purchasing by municipal electric utilities.
  • B. 79: AN ACT REPEALING SECTIONS REGARDING MUNICIPAL ELECTRIC ENERGY COOPERATIVES. To repeal sections regarding municipal electric energy cooperatives.
  • B. 106: AN ACT CONCERNING ZERO-CARBON ELECTRIC GENERATING FACILITIES AND ACHIEVING CONNECTICUT’S GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS MANDATED LEVELS. To provide a mechanism for zero-carbon generating facilities to sell power to electric utilities.