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week of Apr. 15, 2019

Welcome back to the EnerKnol Week Ahead, the energy policy calendar powered by the EnerKnol Platform! Coming up, California regulators gather public input on what to do with energy giant PG&E; the Tennessee Valley Authority discusses its integrated resource plan; Massachusetts measures the performance of grid modernization investments.

Featured Entities


California PUC

CAISO

Colorado PUC

FERC

Florida PSC

Mass. DPU

TVA

U.S. Congress

Federal Agencies

Monday,
April 15
U.S. Congress Oil and Gas Development Impacts Hearing

The House Natural Resources Committee will discuss the effects of oil and gas development, particularly air pollution and encroachment on sacred sites. The U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s state offices generated more than $1.1 billion of revenue from oil and gas lease sales during 2018, nearly thrice the previous record of $408 million set a decade ago, as fossil fuel extraction soars.

Thursday,
April 18
FERC Monthly Commission Meeting

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will discuss the State of the Markets 2018 report, an annual assessment of natural gas, electric, and other energy market developments during the past year. The commission will also discuss reliability standards and cybersecurity for critical infrastructure, as the regulator wants to enhance awareness of existing and future threats, and help with identification of potential vulnerabilities.

Eastern Region

Tuesday,
April 16
MA DPU Grid Modernization Metrics

The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities is scheduled to receive comments on revised performance metrics put forth by National Grid plc, Unitil Corp., and Eversource Energy for evaluating the progress under their individual grid modernization plans, as well as the statewide goals. Last May, the department approved the companies’ grid modernization plans, but directed them to redo the performance metrics that were designed to address the preauthorized grid-facing investments, saying that the metrics must appropriately track the quantitative benefits associated with such investments.

Tuesday,
April 16
FL PSC FPL Federal Tax Impact Decision

The Florida Public Service Commission will discuss and take final action on the tax impacts associated with the federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 for Florida Power & Light Company. In December 2017, the company wrote off Hurricane Irma costs that had been charged to the storm reserve then amortized the reserve amount available at the time. The company also said that the tax law decreases its forecasted revenue requirement for 2018 by $772.3 million. FPL is a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Inc. 20180046-EI

Western Region

Monday,
April 15
CA PUC PG&E Public Discussion

The California Public Utilities Commission will host a series of public forums to discuss possible changes to Pacific Gas and Electric Company and Pacific Gas and Electric Corporation’s corporate governance, management, structure, and ownership. PG&E filed to reorganize under Chapter 11 of the U.S. bankruptcy code to deal with billions of dollars in potential liability associated with the devastating 2017 and 2018 Northern California wildfires.

Monday,
April 15
CAISO Power Plant Retirement Overhaul Deadline

The California Independent System Operator Corp. will discuss its draft final proposal to update the reliability must-run and capacity procurement program. The operator relies on contracts under the program to secure supplies from generators to ensure sufficient generation is available to meet system demand. The rule changes come as flagging power prices drive up retirements and leaves the system more vulnerable to supply shortages.

Wednesday,
April 17
TVA Tennessee Valley Authority Resource Plan Hearing

The Tenesse Valley Authority Regional Energy Resource Council will discuss the draft results and associated documents relating to TVA’s 2019 Integrated Resource Plan. The federally owned corporation wants to develop up to 9 gigawatts of solar power over the next twenty years to replace its ageing coal plants. The plan also includes new natural gas and energy storage capacity in varying amounts depending on the demand in the region, as well as greater use of demand response. A final version of the plan will be presented to the TVA board of directors later this year.

Friday,
April 19
CO PUC Electric Rule Changes Comment Deadline

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission is scheduled to receive comments on its proposed changes to rules governing electric utilities with regard to electric resource planning, renewable energy standard, net metering, community solar gardens, utility purchases from independent power producers and interconnection standards. 19R-0096E