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:
- PURA Examines Time of Use Rates for Electric Vehicles
- NEPOOL Announces Market and Policy Meeting For August 11, 2016
- MA Legislation Seeks to Promote Energy Diversity
- NY PSC Issues Moratorium on Retail Choice for Low-Income
Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority
Time of Use Rates for Electric Vehicles
PURA has opened a new docket seeking to investigate commercial and residential time of use rates for electric vehicles. Public Act 16-135 An Act Concerning Electric and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles, amended Section 16-19f(b) of the General Statutes of Connecticut in part by requiring the PURA, no later than June 1, 2017, to “consider and determine whether it is appropriate to implement electric vehicle time of day rates for residential and commercial customers.” That statute also requires that the PURA’s consideration be made after public notice and hearing. This docket will be the administrative vehicle under which the PURA will conduct its investigation. A link to Docket No. 16-07-21 – PURA Investigation into the Implementation of Electric Vehicle Time of Day Rates for Residential and Commercial Customers is available here.
Regional & Industry Developments
New England Power Pool Wholesale Markets and State Public Policy Meeting Set for August 11, 2016
On August 11, 2016, the New England Power Pool (NEPOOL) is hosting a forum to discuss potential wholesale market design changes that would enable competitive markets to better accommodate state public policy objectives in New England. The meeting is intended to begin the solution identification process by hearing from stakeholders on potential ways to adjust wholesale power markets in order to achieve and accommodate the public policy objectives the New England states have identified. Potential solutions may include mechanisms market participants have advanced in the past, in other regions, or other ideas that have not yet been put forward.
Under the NEPOOL process, discussions will likely include further refinement of the problems to be solved and the objectives for those solutions. Public officials from all six New England states are planning to attend to listen and enhance their understanding of various means to achieve public policy objectives in future years.
For more information, visit the ISO’s Wholesale Markets and State Public Policy Initiative webpage.
NYPSC Issue Moratorium on Low-Income Choice
http://www.rtoinsider.com/nypsc-moratorium-esco-low-income-sign-ups-28861/
Legislative Affairs
MASSACHUSETTS LEGISLATION:
Information about the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy, including hearings and bills in committee, is available at: https://malegislature.gov/Committees/Joint/J37
There have been no recent developments relating to the following events that may be of interest to you:
- On June 30, 2016, the Senate passed 2372 (An Act to promote energy diversity). On July 7, 2016, the House did not concur with the Senate amendments (H.4385: An Act to promote energy diversity) and a committee of conference was appointed. On July 8, 2016, the Senate insisted on its amendments and named members to the committee of conference.
CONNECTICUT LEGISLATION:
Information about the Energy and Technology Committee, including committee meetings and public hearings, is available at https://www.cga.ct.gov/et/