The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is due to receive comments on ways to make its energy efficiency programs more equitable and inclusive. The department launched a proceeding on Equitable Energy Efficiency to identify barriers to equitable participation, develop metrics for tracking progress in addressing those barriers, measure program outcomes, and examine current practices to ensure that adequate data is available for tracking. The agency seeks input on specific areas to ensure community-driven decisions. These include social or physical barriers that prevent access to efficiency programs, effective partnering with diverse communities to connect with consumers burdened by high energy bills, and opportunities and challenges faced by low-income groups.

The New York Public Service Commission will hold a virtual public hearing to consider National Grid’s proposal to increase its annual electric and gas delivery revenues. The changes, proposed for Upstate New York, would raise the company’s electric delivery revenues by about $100.4 million and natural gas revenues by $41.8 million. The company states that its rate filings include proposals to maintain affordability and mitigate customer bill impacts during the COVID-19 pandemic, modernize its electric and gas infrastructure, and progress towards the state’s goals under the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, which sets the state on the path to achieve carbon-free power by 2040. 20-E-0380, 20-G-0381

The Maine Public Utilities Commission is due to receive comments regarding renewable portfolio standard compliance of competitive electricity providers who serve net energy billing customers receiving kilowatt-hour credits. Current rules require competitive suppliers to account for specified percentages of their total kilowatt-hour sales with electricity generated from specified types of resources. The commission is examining whether compliance should be based on metered or billed sales in light of the anticipated growth in net billing programs that allow customers to offset electricity bills using generation from small renewable energy installations. 2020-00274

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission is due to receive replies to comments on Minnesota Power’s proposed EV program offerings and associated cost recovery mechanism. The proposal includes a charging pilot to remove the upfront cost associated with participating in the residential EV rate and to reward users for changing their charging patterns, as well as a rebate program to address the costs of installing a second service or purchasing a smart charger. The company also proposed an education and outreach program to increase the presence and awareness of the programs. The charging pilot is expected to yield data about driving ranges, charging behaviors and responsiveness to time-based incentives. READ MORE

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission will discuss proposed utility guidelines for customer assistance during the pandemic. The commission is set to review a proposed term sheet outlining guidelines for electric and natural gas utilities after the disconnection ban, which is currently set to expire on Oct. 15, 2020. The proposal is based on recommendations from a COVID-19 response workgroup convened this summer to make sure that customers experiencing economic hardship due to the pandemic maintain access to essential services. Key recommendations include a moratorium on disconnections for nonpayment until April 30, 2021 and establishing long-term payment arrangements of up to 18 months for residential customers. U-200281

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission will consider a request for a permit amendment for the 84-megawatt Freeborn Wind Project, which spans an area of about 26,273 acres in Freeborn County. The commission issued a permit for the project in December 2018, and subsequently granted a request to transfer the permit to Xcel Energy Inc., which acquired the project last year. The facility is part of a 200-megawatt project, with 84 megawatts located in Minnesota and the remaining 116 megawatts in Iowa. WS-17-410

The Wisconsin Public Service Commission is due to receive comments on a draft order requiring large electric utilities to submit program proposals that support electric vehicle charging. The order would establish a framework for commission review of proposals to provide regulatory clarity on program requirements while maintaining flexibility for utilities to test various program options and meet the needs and interests of their customers. Electric utilities with more than 100,000 customers would be required to propose plans that include at least one EV pilot for residential customers. READ MORE