The New York Public Service Commission is due to receive comments on National Grid’s proposal to increase its electric and gas delivery revenues. The company proposed a three-year rate plan, which would start from July 2021, with a return on equity of 9 percent. The plan proposes to increase annual electric delivery revenues by about $22.5 million, $62.3 million, and $63.3 million in the first, second, and third years, respectively. Gas delivery revenues would increase by $8.95 million, $15.7 million, and $16.3 million in the respective rate years. The company proposes to amortize about $146 million in deferred credits related to its electric business and $41 million attributable to its gas business over the three-year period. The proposal would result in residential monthly bill increases of up to 2.4 percent for electric customers and up to 3.29 percent for gas customers. 20-E-0380, 20-G-0381

The Vermont Public Utilities Commission will conduct a workshop on the topic of energy storage siting, including conditions that may be waived in view of the comparative small footprint of the resource. The proceeding is in response to legislation enacted in June authorizing the commission to adopt and implement rules that govern the installation and operation of energy storage facilities of all sizes. The commission is working on three major topics while contemplating additional areas for discussion. The three topics pertain to siting, aggregations and interplay between owners, operators and utilities, and integration with existing resources in a rational manner. Another workshop on the topics of aggregation and existing resources will be held on Nov. 16. READ MORE

The Maryland Public Service Commission is due to receive comments on Morgnec Road Solar LLC’s proposal to build a 45-megawatt solar project. The company proposes to construct an alternating current solar photovoltaic generating facility on an area of about 250 acres in Kent County with a direct connection to Delmarva Power & Light’s Chestertown substation. The project is expected to contribute to Maryland’s ability to meet its renewable portfolio standard, which requires 14.5 percent of the state’s electricity be covered by renewable energy credits generated by solar facilities connected to the grid by 2028. 9499

The Illinois Commerce Commission is expected to issue an order on the Illinois Power Agency’s proposed carbon mitigation credit procurement plan for certain customers of Commonwealth Edison Company. The measure is in response to recently enacted legislation that established financial support for existing nuclear plants at risk of closure due to market conditions. Under the law, such plants will receive financial support for five years from June 2022 in the form of carbon mitigation credits, each of which represents the carbon emission reduction attributes of one megawatt-hour of energy produced from a carbon-free energy resource. The legislation sets a goal of 50 percent renewable energy by 2040 and puts Illinois on the path to 100 percent clean energy by 2050. READ MORE

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission is due to receive comments on the implementation of certain sections of the 2019 Clean Energy Transformation Act, which requires utilities to phase out coal-fired power by 2025, achieve carbon neutrality by 2030, and transition to a carbon-free electric system by 2045. The commission seeks stakeholder input on draft rules regarding definitions clarifying the distinctions between various renewable energy credits and compliance requirements pertaining to utility acquisitions of renewable and nonemitting resources. Questions for consideration also include language describing required clean energy compliance reports. UE-210183

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission will consider Xcel Energy Inc.’s proposal to build a 460-megawatt solar project that would partially replace the energy production of the coal-powered Sherco Generating Plant Unit 2, which is scheduled to cease operations in 2023. The commission is examining the need for an advisory task force to aid in the environmental review scoping process, as well as actions regarding the site and route alternatives to be evaluated. The proposal includes two high voltage transmission lines needed to interconnect the project to the existing Sherburne County Substation. The project is being developed in partnership with National Grid Renewables Development LLC. In January, the companies entered into a purchase and sale agreement, which authorizes National Grid Renewables to secure a site permit and two route permits for the project on behalf of Xcel Energy. GS-21-191