Category Archives: CT Green Bank

CPES Policy Committee Update: June 19, 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:

  • Connecticut Selects Over 250 MW of Renewable Energy Projects 
  • Green Bank Launches Pilot Program for New Construction
  • Summary of 2018 Energy Legislation
  • “Pay-for-performance” capacity market incentives implemented as of June 1, 2018

CONNECTICUT

CONNECTICUT SELECTS OVER 250 MW OF RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS  
Last week, as part of DEEP’s recent Clean Energy Request for Proposals, week the state selected over 250 MW of clean and renewable energy projects. The projects include the state’s first procurement of offshore wind, in addition to multiple fuel cell projects and a new anaerobic digestion facility.  For more information on the projects, see DEEP’s press release.

GREEN BANK LAUNCHES PILOT PROGRAM FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION
On Friday, the Green Bank announced a two-year pilot program that will broaden the use of its popular Commercial and Industrial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) program to those designing and constructing new buildings, as well as major redevelopments. New commercial and industrial buildings designed and built to exceed what is required by Connecticut building and energy codes will be eligible to receive C-PACE financing for a portion of their overall eligible construction cost. C-PACE New Construction can be applied for a wide range of property types, including major redevelopment of existing and historic sites. The funding can be used to pay for expenses related to engineering, design and energy modeling as well as HVAC, elevators, clean energy generation, among other costs. Read more in the Green Bank’s press release.

SUMMARY OF 2018 ENERGY LEGISLATION
Earlier this month the CT Office of Legislative Research released their annual report on “Acts Affecting Energy and Utilities” summarizing laws passed during the 2018 regular legislative session affecting energy and utilities.

“PAY-FOR-PERFORMANCE” CAPACITY MARKET INCENTIVES IMPLEMENTED AS OF JUNE 1, 2018
“Pay-for-performance” (PFP)—a cornerstone of ISO New England’s ongoing, multi-faceted effort to address trends that are challenging power system reliability—became effective on June 1, 2018. PFP is part of New England’s Forward Capacity Market (FCM) design, which acquires obligations from resources needed to meet demand three years into the future. 

CPES Policy Committee Update: May 31, 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:

  • DEEP presents its 2016 Connecticut Comprehensive Energy Strategy
  • 2016 Legislation Summary
  • ISO New England’s 2015 Annual Markets Report released

 

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

On May 25, 2016, DEEP held a scoping and public input session on the its 2016 Connecticut Comprehensive Energy Strategy.  The key topics focused on the electricity, building & processes and transportation sectors.  Comments are due June 14, 2016.  The PowerPoint presentation can be found here.

 

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 bills that passed both chambers during the regular or special session and that may be of interest to you received a public act number:

  • S.B. No. 272:  AN ACT CONCERNING THE USE OF MICROGRID GRANTS AND LOANS FOR CERTAIN DISTRIBUTED ENERGY GENERATION PROJECTS.  PUBLIC ACT 16-196.
  • S.B. No. 334:  AN ACT CONCERNING REVISIONS TO CERTAIN ENERGY PURCHASING POOL AND LIFE-CYCLE COST ANALYSES STATUTES.  PUBLIC ACT 16-173.
  • S.B. No. 366:  AN ACT CONCERNING ADMINISTRATION OF THE CONNECTICUT GREEN BANK, THE PRIORITY OF THE BENEFIT ASSESSMENTS LIEN UNDER THE GREEN BANK’S COMMERCIAL SUSTAINABLE ENERGY PROGRAM AND THE GREEN BANK’S SOLAR HOME RENEWABLE ENERGY CREDIT PROGRAM.  PUBLIC ACT 16-212.
  • S.B. No. 394:  AN ACT CONCERNING AUTHORIZATIONS RELATING TO VIRTUAL NET METERING FOR CERTAIN ZERO OR LOW EMISSION GENERATION PROJECTS.  PUBLIC ACT 16-216.
  • S.B. No. 501:  AN ACT ADJUSTING THE STATE BUDGET FOR THE BIENNIUM ENDING JUNE 30, 2017.  MAY SPECIAL SESSION, PUBLIC ACT 16-2.
  • S.B. No. 502:  AN ACT CONCERNING REVENUE AND OTHER ITEMS TO IMPLEMENT THE BUDGET FOR THE BIENNIUM ENDING JUNE 30, 2017.  MAY SPECIAL SESSION, PUBLIC ACT 16-3.

 

Regional and Industry Developments

New England’s Wholesale Electricity Markets Operated Competitively Last Year According to the 2015 Annual Markets Report  

On May 25, 2016, ISO New England’s Internal Market Monitor released the 2015 Annual Markets Report which found that wholesale power markets in New England operated competitively last year, bringing lower average power prices that reflected lower natural gas prices in 2015. The average real-time price of wholesale electric energy in 2015 fell by more than a third, or more than $22 per megawatt-hour (MWh), to $41.00/MWh as a result of natural gas prices that were 41% lower than their 2014 average. The prices of both natural gas and wholesale power were the lowest since 2012. The price of natural gas is a key factor in the price of wholesale power because the fuel generates 49% of the electricity produced in New England. The cost of fuel is the largest input into the cost of electricity production.

ISO New England issued a press release with highlights from the report, available here.

CPES Policy Committee Update: May 10, 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:

  • Utilities Announce New Residential Rates
  • 2016 Legislative Session Wrap-Up
  • ISO NE Issues Regional Overview

 

CONNECTICUT POLICY/REGULATORY UPDATE:  CT Public Utilities Regulatory Authority

New Residential Generation Rates Announced for July 1st

The Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) has approved revised generation rates for Eversource and United Illuminating (UI) standard service customers. Based on the results of competitive auctions held earlier this year, effective July 1, 2016, Eversource’s residential generation rate will decrease from 9.555 cents per kWh to 6.606 cents per kWh. UI’s residential generation rate will decrease from 10.7358 cents per kWh to 8.0224 cents per kWh. The new standard service rates represent an approximately 20% and 12% reduction, respectively, when compared to rates last year. The PURA Dockets associated with the new rates are available at the following links: Eversource, UI.

 

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/.

The 2016 regular session ended on May 4, 2016.  During the session, both the Senate and House of Representatives passed the following bills that may be of interest to you:

  • S.B. No. 272:  AN ACT CONCERNING THE USE OF MICROGRID GRANTS AND LOANS FOR CERTAIN DISTRIBUTED ENERGY GENERATION PROJECTS.
  • S.B. No. 334:  AN ACT CONCERNING REVISIONS TO CERTAIN ENERGY PURCHASING POOL AND LIFE-CYCLE COST ANALYSES STATUTES.
  • S.B. No. 366:  AN ACT CONCERNING ADMINISTRATION OF THE CONNECTICUT GREEN BANK, THE PRIORITY OF THE BENEFIT ASSESSMENTS LIEN UNDER THE GREEN BANK’S COMMERCIAL SUSTAINABLE ENERGY PROGRAM AND THE GREEN BANK’S SOLAR HOME RENEWABLE ENERGY CREDIT PROGRAM.
  • S.B. No. 394:  AN ACT CONCERNING AUTHORIZATIONS RELATING TO VIRTUAL NET METERING FOR CERTAIN ZERO OR LOW EMISSION GENERATION PROJECTS.
  • H.B. No. 5242:  AN ACT CONCERNING AGRICULTURAL VIRTUAL NET METERING.
  • H.B. No. 5427:  AN ACT CONCERNING THE SHARED CLEAN ENERGY FACILITY PILOT PROGRAM.
  • H.B. No. 5496:  AN ACT CONCERNING CERTAIN VIRTUAL NET METERING FACILITIES.
  • H.B. No. 5510:  AN ACT CONCERNING ELECTRIC AND FUEL CELL ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

 

Regional and Industry Developments

ISO New England Releases Overview of the Wholesale Electricity Markets

Now available on the ISO New England website is an overview of the region’s wholesale electricity markets, which were built on several key principles, including competition, efficiency, and transparency. These markets are securing reliable electricity at competitive prices and helping usher in a cleaner, greener grid. To access this overview, please click here .