The Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority will hold a workshop to inform electric distribution companies on electric vehicle supply equipment procurement processes and standards. In July, the agency established a nine-year incentive program that provides a combination of incentives for charging infrastructure and accompanying rate design offerings to develop a sustainable, zero-emission vehicle market. The agency opened the investigation in October 2019 to enable Connecticut’s commitment to a 2013 multi-state memorandum of understanding, which established a collective goal of deploying 3.3 million ZEVs among participating states by 2025. The proceeding is part of a series of reopened proceedings to investigate topics considered integral for the agency’s framework for an Equitable Modern Grid. The framework seeks to foster solutions that address the challenges and opportunities facing the electric sector. READ MORE

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities will discuss a proposed framework for a medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicle charging network, continuing its efforts to build out an equitable, reliable EV Ecosystem infrastructure. The proposal recommends a modified “shared responsibility model,” building on the model used for light-duty EV rules issued last year. This model seeks to balance the roles of electric utilities and private investors, in order to minimize the financial impact to ratepayers. Other components of the framework include funding requirements, equitable access to all communities, and utility rate reforms to overcome barriers to mass infrastructure deployment. Legislation enacted in 2020 calls for least 330,000 EVs registered in New Jersey by the end of 2025 and at least 2 million by 2035. Additional meetings will be held on Aug. 26 and Sept. 15, 17, and 21. READ MORE

The North Dakota Public Service Commission will consider Bowman Wind LLC’s application for a 208.7-megawatt wind project in Bowman County and an associated project substation and battery storage facility. The Apex Clean Energy subsidiary proposes to construct the project over an area of approximately 42,144 acres located about 3.5 miles west of the county. The project is estimated to cost $420 million. PU-21-121

The California Air Resources Board and Québec’s Ministry of the Environment and the Fight against Climate Change will release the results of their joint quarterly carbon auction, which offered allowances for current and future years. The current auction offered years 2020 and 2021 vintage allowances totaling at 71,261,536, and the advance auction offered year 2024 future vintage allowances totaling 8,306,250. The previous quarterly auction held in May sold all of the nearly 71.7 million current allowances at a price of $18.80 per allowance and over 8.3 million future allowances at $19.04 each. California’s cap-and trade program, which places an economy-wide cap on major emitting sources, is a central part of the state’s plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030.

The California Public Utilities Commission will host a public workshop to discuss its draft distributed energy resources action plan. The draft, an update to an earlier version covering the 2016-2020 period, would coordinate development and implementation of policy related to electric sector DERs. The new action plan, covering the 2021-2026 period, consists of four distinct tracks namely, load flexibility and rates, grid infrastructure, market integration, and customer programs, aimed to advance the commission’s vision for a high DER future. The plan aims to ensure that DER policy implementation in support of the state’s energy and climate goals – including the 2045 goal of transitioning to a carbon-free power system – are coordinated across proceedings related to the four focus areas. The prior version served to coordinate proceedings aimed at advancing DER policy and reforming utility distribution planning, investment, and operations. Written comments are due by Sept. 10.

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission will consider an application by Walleye Wind LLC for a site permit to build a 109.7-megawatt wind generation project in Rock County. The developer, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources LLC, has entered into a power purchase agreement with Minnesota Municipal Power Agency for the full output of the project for a 30-year term. The project will help the agency meet its renewable energy standard requirements, as well as its own voluntary renewable energy goals. Walleye Wind proposes to begin construction in August-September of 2021, with a commercial operation date of December 2021. WS-20-384