The Maine Public Utilities Commission will debate rate-setting mechanisms to incentivize the deployment of non-wire alternatives. The regulator will consider issues raised by Central Maine Power Company regarding the implementation of the Act To Reduce Electricity Costs through Non-Wires Alternatives. Utilities across the nation have been forgoing traditional transmission and distribution upgrades for alternatives such as energy storage, energy efficiency, demand response and more advanced grid controls. 2018-00171

The Ohio Public Utilities Commission is scheduled to receive comments on proposed revisions to gas pipeline safety rules as part of its regular five-year review. The proposed rule would adopt the 2019 federal safety standards and include a requirement for pipeline operators to develop a plan for abandoning inactive service lines in the state. READ MORE

The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources is scheduled to receive comments on a proposal to add 800 megawatts to the Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target, or SMART, program, which is fast approaching its current 1.6-gigawatt target. The declining block program was launched last November to provide a long-term, sustainable solar incentive solution. The agency proposed several revisions to the initiative as part of its review to examine oversubscription, land use impacts, geographic and project type diversity, and accessibility to low-income communities. READ MORE

The Maine Public Utilities Commission will discuss revisions to consumer protection standards for electric and gas utilities in accordance with legislation enacted in the 2019 session. The measure amends rules addressing service standards for utilities, billing practices, record keeping, and customer complaints. Initial comments are due on September 26. READ MORE

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission will go over the details of cost of service studies for investor owned utilities. The regulator wants to discuss outstanding issues with the generation, transmission, and distribution mains classification and allocation methods as well as receive feedback on the electric cost of service template and gas cost of service template. UG-170003

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission is scheduled to receive public comments on a proposal by Xcel Energy to increase its electric rates by a net $153.8 million. The company’s proposal would increase monthly bills for residential customers by about $4.46 a month on an annual basis, or about 6.5 percent. The main driver of the proposed rate increase, according to Xcel, is $4.1 billion of investment in grid modernization and resilience made over the last five years.