APRIL 2010 Connecting to the Grid Newsletter
WHAT’S NEW AS OF APRIL 2010? Note from the Editor: Public Utilities – Local Challenges, Local Solutions This month we wrap up the discussion on innovative utility practices with a look at public and municipal utilities, generally referred to as munis. These utilities are non-profit, government-organized entities which represent 61% of utilities but only 15%…
WHAT’S NEW AS OF APRIL 2010?
Note from the Editor: Public Utilities – Local Challenges, Local Solutions
This month we wrap up the discussion on innovative utility practices with a look at public and municipal utilities, generally referred to as munis. These utilities are non-profit, government-organized entities which represent 61% of utilities but only 15% of electric sales. Munis are not usually regulated by PUCs (they are in only seven states); instead, they are overseen by city or county boards. Because they are run by, or report to, elected officials, their policies are arguably more easily influenced by the mood of the local electorate. In turn, this gives munis a measure of freedom to implement policies that suit the needs of their local customer base.
One of the main constraints public utilities have faced, over the past few years in particular, has been city-level budget crises. Because a portion of utility revenues revert to the municipality’s general fund (which supports police departments, etc.) government officials often have to balance renewable energy programs with the concerns of a dwindling city budget. Los Angeles has recently provided us with a compelling example of this type of conflict (see California, pg. 6). Last month the Los Angeles Municipal Utility (LADWP) asked the city council to approve significant rate increases, in part, so that they may undertake a Feed-in Tariff program as part of Mayor Villaraigosa’s solar initiative, announced in 2008. Due to caps on rate increases though, the city has thus far withheld their approval. [Continued in Newsletter]
State News in Detail
Northeast States
Connecticut DPUC issues draft decision on network interconnections
New York’s Town of Massena offers net metering
Vermont’s Green Mountain Power has seen sharp increase in PV DG
Mid-Atlantic States
Pennsylvania PUC delivers good news to net metering customers
Midwestern States
Indiana Power and Light announces voluntary FIT
South Dakota requires utilities to file minimum RE rates
Southern States
Florida’s Gulf Power petitions for standard interconnection up to 10 MW
Texas smart meter Website introduced for consumers
Western States
California authorizes Tradable RECs; L.A. spars with utility over renewable energy rate increases
Colorado enacts ambitious RPS legislation
New Mexico allows 3rd party ownership, cost recovery for net metering
Other States
Hawaii working on interconnection standards
IREC NEWS
Community Power Proposal
Memo on FERC Ruling
2010 IREC Annual Meeting
Miscellaneous News and Events
NREL report assesses PV interconnection potential in NYC
Arizona ACC approves pilot solar PPA project
Download the full newsletter as a PDF: APRIL 2010 Connecting to the Grid
FORMAT
While customer-sited net metering and interconnection policies are primarily addressed at the state level, they are also becoming important on a regional basis. This newsletter has been designed to provide state-level policy updates and capture emerging regional trends. Connecting to the Grid is a free, electronic newsletter published each month by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Inc. (IREC) and the North Carolina Solar Center at North Carolina State University. Click here to subscribe.
Editor: Laurel Varnado
NC Solar Center, NC State University
