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week of May. 20, 2019

Another Friday, another EnerKnol Week Ahead, the energy policy calendar powered by the EnerKnol Platform. In this edition, FERC and DOE explore physical and cyber threats to the nation's energy infrastructure; the U.S. Senate looks into opportunities to develop renewable energy technologies as the search for climate change solutions gains momentum; Vermont regulators receive feedback on proposed rule changes governing the state's renewable energy standard program.

Featured Entities

Arizona CC

CAISO

FERC

Florida PSC

U.S. Congress

Vermont PUC

Wisconsin PSC

Federal Agencies

Tuesday,
May 21
U.S. Congress Renewable Energy and Efficiency Efforts in the U.S.

The U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources will examine opportunities to advance renewable energy and energy efficiency. Efforts to boost the nation’s development of efficiency and clean energy technologies are beginning to take shape as interest in climate change grows even in the Republican-controlled Senate.

Tuesday,
May 21
U.S. Congress NOAA 2020 Budget Hearing

The U.S. House Natural Resources Committee will review the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s budget proposal for fiscal year 2020. NOAA, which is responsible for weather forecasts, severe storm warnings, and climate monitoring, is requesting about $4.5 billion, nearly $970 million less than the previous year. A recent report by the agency stated that 2018 was the fourth-hottest year on record and that climate related weather events have caused $91 billion in damages to the U.S. economy.

Wednesday,
May 22
U.S. Congress DOE Budget 2020 Budget Review

The U.S. House Committee on Science, Space and Technology will review the Department of Energy’s budget request for fiscal year 2020. The department is requesting about $32 billion, a $1 billion bump from the previous year. Energy Secretary Rick Perry will testify on the department’s priorities, including $1.7 billion in early-stage technology research and development for renewable, nuclear and fossil fuel energy and $157 million in grid cyber funding.

Friday,
May 24
FERC Energy Infrastructure Security Deadline

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Department of Energy are due to receive comments on their Security Investment for Energy Infrastructure technical conference, which discussed current cyber and physical security practices in the energy industry. The agencies considered the types of current and emerging security threats and explored how federal and state authorities can provide incentives and cost recovery for security investments to address them.

Eastern Region

Tuesday,
May 21
FL PSC Tampa Electric Storm Cost Recovery Meeting

The Florida Public Service Commission will consider Tampa Electric Co.’s request to recover the costs for restoring service and making repairs to the electric grid and replenishing its “storm reserve” following extreme weather that occurred over the last few years, such as tropical storms and hurricanes Erika, Colin, Hermine, Matthew and Irma. The utility is seeking recovery through a charge applied to bills and concluding when the storm reserve has been replenished to the 2013 level of $55 million. 20170271-EI

Friday,
May 24
VT PUC Renewable Energy Standard Rules Deadline

The Vermont Public Utility Commission is due to receive comments on its draft proposed Renewable Energy Standard rules. The commission is set to implement changes to the rules that govern tracking of environmental attributes associated with energy imports, registration process for qualifying facilities for tiers I and II, approval of energy transformation measures as well as compliance and filing requirements. The standard’s Tier I requires Vermont electric utilities to procure 75 percent of total retail electric sales from renewable energy by 2032. 18-3810-INV

Western Region

Monday,
May 20
WI PSC Electric Vehicle Investigation Deadline

The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin will discuss policies and regulations of electric vehicles and their associated infrastructure. The regulator will receive input on customer expectations of electric utilities, ownership and operation of EV infrastructure, financing and cost recovery for electric utilities as well as impacts on electric storage, distribution, transmission, and generation. The state legislature recently floated bills to support the deployment of charging infrastructure using funds from the Volkswagen settlement. 5-EI-156

Monday,
May 20
CAISO Electric Storage, Distributed Energy Meeting

The California Independent System Operator will continue its discussion of energy storage and distributed resources. Stakeholder input is being used to develop a plan that will enhance the ability of distributed resources, like rooftop solar, demand response and electric vehicles, to participate in the wholesale market. The grid operator is currently in phase 3 of the discussion which focuses on processes associated with demand response.

Tuesday,
May 21
AZ CC Electric Vehicle Policy Hearing

The Arizona Corporation Commission is set to discuss its proposed electric vehicle policy implementation plan for the state. It encourages utilities to propose EV pilots by July 1 as part of a transportation electrification plan, including proposals for charging infrastructure, education and outreach, rate design, incentives, rebates, and cost recovery. Comments on the proposed decision are due May 20. RU-00000A-18-0284

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