February 2014 Connecting to the Grid Newsletter

WHAT’S NEW AS OF FEBRUARY 2014?

Note from the Editor

Solar, will you marry me?  (For a contract period of 20 years)

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the Minnesota Department of Commerce (DOC) released an extensive proposal for a value of solar (VOS) methodology, as required by 2013 legislation.

Under this new state energy law (HF 729), utilities will be able to apply with the public utility commission (PUC) to replace net metering with a contracted, 20-year VOS rate, compensating customers under a bill credit mechanism that proponents of the VOS rate claim will more accurately reflect the value of that solar generation to the utility.

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State News in Detail

Northeastern States

Massachusetts to require grid modernization plans for electric utilities. Read more.

New York Governor announces NY Green Bank is open for business.  Read more.

Mid-Atlantic States 

New Jersey law warns firefighters of Solar Panels. Read more.

Renewable energy credit market is on the upswing in Pennsylvania. Read more.

Midwestern States

State-led work group to review Michigan utilities’ stake in solar. Read more.

Southern States

Duke Energy wants to pay less for rooftop solar in North Carolina. Read more.

Western States  

Arizona Commission opens benefit/cost docket for DG. Read more.

Colorado PUC keeps net metering in place for now. Read more.

Other States 

Hawai’i PUC releases renewable procurement policy evaluation. Read more.

Federal and Miscellaneous News

View an archived version of the newsletter here:  February 2014 Connecting to the Grid Newsletter

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). Click here to subscribe.

Editor: Laurel Passera

Laurel Passera

Laurel is a Senior Renewables Analyst for IREC attorneys Keyes, Fox & Wiedman, and engages in research and analysis of net metering and interconnection regulatory trends to support IREC’s outreach and communication efforts. In 2009, Laurel was a Southeast Regional Network fellow for the Southeast Environmental Leadership Program and currently sits on Raleigh City Council’s Environmental Advisory Board.