December 2008 IREC “Connecting to the Grid” Newsletter
Editor: Laurel Varnado NC Solar Center, NC State University HOW TO SUBSCRIBE The Connecting to the Grid newsletter is published electronically every month by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Inc. (IREC) and the North Carolina Solar Center at North Carolina State University. This is a free publication. Click here to subscribe. FORMAT While net metering…
Editor: Laurel Varnado
NC Solar Center, NC State University
HOW TO SUBSCRIBE
The Connecting to the Grid newsletter is published electronically every month by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Inc. (IREC) and the North Carolina Solar Center at North Carolina State University. This is a free publication. Click here to subscribe.
FORMAT
While net metering and interconnection below the 20 MW level are primarily state issues, they are also becoming important on a regional basis. This newsletter has been designed to capture any subtle, emerging regional trends. The state news is presented in geographic categories, primarily because the standard NERC and/or RTO/ISO regions do not always align with state boundaries. Please direct comments and questions about the newsletter to Laurel Varnado at [email protected].
Note: Scroll to the bottom of this page to download complete newsletter.
WHAT’S NEW AS OF DECEMBER 2008?
Note from the Editor
Northeast States
Maine PUC recommends adopting standardized interconnection rules
Massachusetts DPU contemplates the rate structure of net metering credits
New Hampshire PUC opens net metering docket
New York’s ConEdison files proposed changes to its net metering tariff
Mid-Atlantic States
New Jersey Office of Clean Energy continues discussion on community net metering
Pennsylvania IRRC approves PUC’s final net metering rules, placing them into effect
Virginia SCC calls for comments on staff’s proposed interconnection rules
Midwestern States
Kentucky PSC Staff issue minor changes to proposed net metering order
Southern States
Texas PUC declines to adopt Phase II net metering order
Florida’s GRU announces more details about proposed Feed-in Tariff
Western States
Nevada PUC allows net metering for third party systems
California’s LADWP announces planning of Feed-in Tariff policy
Other States
Hawaii PUC opens an investigation of Feed-in Tariff regulation
Miscellaneous News
Governors Unite for Climate Change Conference
NGA Center to Help States Build Energy Strategies
Rhode Island PUC discusses Renewable Energy Contracts
TVA Issues RFP for Renewable, Clean Energy Power Supply
DOE Announces Wind Power Fact Sheets
CPUC Explores Deregulation of State’s Electricity Market
Conferences and Events
Region-by-Region Recap
In the Northeast, the Maine PUC issued a staff report that recommends adopting standardized interconnection rules, favoring the IREC model over FERC’s SGIP. The Massachusetts DPU continued to contemplate the rate structure of net metering credits and whether utilities should be able to purchase excess credits. The New Hampshire PUC opened a net metering docket to explore amendments to the state’s net metering and interconnection policies. So far the PUC has adopted, as interim rules, the existing net metering rules until it can propose and adopt changes. ConEdison, the main utility provider for New York City and Westchester County, filed proposed changes to its net metering tariff which would eliminate a site study requirement for systems up to 200 kW.
In the Mid-Atlantic, the New Jersey Office of Clean Energy continued a discussion on community net metering and expects to have a report for the BPU in mid-December. The Pennsylvania Independent Regulatory Review Commission ruled that the PUC’s final net metering rules were consistent with legislative intent, thus placing them into effect. The Virginia SCC called for comments on staff’s proposed interconnection rules.
In the Midwest, the Kentucky PSC Staff issued minor changes to the proposed net metering order that had been previously agreed upon by intervenors and utilities. The changes were predominantly for purposes of clarification and formatting.
In the South, the Texas PUC declined to adopt the Phase II net metering order, opting instead to revisit the policy and provide some legislative recommendations for the next meeting. Florida’s Gainesville Regional Utilities announced more details about their proposed Feed-in Tariff, announcing it would begin with a $0.26/kWh payment for grid-tied renewable energy systems. Jacksonville’s JEA is revising its net metering policy.
In the West, the Nevada PUC issued an order allowing net metering for third party systems and ruling that third party owners are not considered utilities. California’s Los Angeles Department of Water and Power announced the planning of a Feed-in Tariff for 150 MW of solar power by 2016. Governor Schwarzenegger also signed an Executive Order that reasserted California’s Renewable Portfolio Goal of 33% by 2020.
In Other States, the Hawaii PUC opened an investigation into the potential structure and regulation of a Feed-in Tariff as mandated by the recent Energy Agreement between the state and utilities.
