CPES Policy Committee Update: May 17, 2016

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 Paul Brady, CPES Executive Director, via email: pbrady@ctpower.org.

 

This week’s features:

  • Final legislation passed during the regular legislative session and look into the special session
  • DEEP’s issues notices on 2016 Connecticut Comprehensive Energy Strategy

 

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 2016 regular session ended on May 4, 2016.  The following bill that passed both chambers during the regular session and that may be of interest to you received a public act number:

  • H.B. No. 5242:  AN ACT CONCERNING AGRICULTURAL VIRTUAL NET METERING.  PUBLIC ACT 16-46.
  • H.B. No. 5427:  AN ACT CONCERNING THE SHARED CLEAN ENERGY FACILITY PILOT PROGRAM.  PUBLIC ACT 16-116.

Both chambers passed a budget and budget implementer bill during the 2016 special session.  Section 183 of the budget implementer bill diverts to the General Fund in fiscal year 2017 the first $3.3 million of proceeds from Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative auctions that take place on or after January 1, 2017.  Links to the budget and budget implementer are as follows:

  • S.B. No. 501:  AN ACT ADJUSTING THE STATE BUDGET FOR THE BIENNIUM ENDING JUNE 30, 2017.
  • S.B. No. 502:  AN ACT CONCERNING REVENUE AND OTHER ITEMS TO IMPLEMENT THE BUDGET FOR THE BIENNIUM ENDING JUNE 30, 2017.

 

Connecticut Policy/Regulatory Update: Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

On May 6th, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) issued a Notice of Proceeding and Scoping Meeting regarding the 2016 Connecticut Comprehensive Energy Strategy (CES). The notice is available at the following link. Section 16a-3d of the Connecticut General Statutes requires DEEP to prepare a CES every three years. DEEP issued its first CES in 2013. Pursuant to the notice, DEEP is holding a meeting to deliver a presentation and receive stakeholder comments on the scope of 2016 CES on Tuesday, May 24, 2016, at 9:00 AM in Hearing Room 1 at DEEP’s New Britain Office located at 10 Franklin Square, New Britain, Connecticut. The objective of the scoping meeting will be to provide an overview of, and seek public input on, the expected structure, schedule, and topics for the CES. The major topics identified in the notice include:  (1) Buildings and Industrial Processes; (2) Electricity Supply; and (3) Transportation. Written comments may be filed electronically on DEEP’s website or submitted directly to DEEP at DEEP.EnergyBureau@ct.gov on or before June 14, 2016, by 4:00 p.m. EDT.