The Ohio Public Utilities Commission will hold a prehearing to consider Firelands Wind LLC’s application to build a 298-megawatt wind project. The Apex Clean Energy Inc. subsidiary proposes to install 87 turbines spanning an area of about 32,000 acres in Huron and Erie counties. The project represents an investment of $615 million, according to the company. Apex Clean Energy will supply 240 megawatts of the project’s output to AEP Energy Inc., a subsidiary of American Electric Power Co. Inc., under a long-term power purchase agreement. 18-1607-EL-BGN

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities is scheduled to receive comments on its Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Ecosystem 2020 Straw Proposal, which outlines a “shared responsibility” model that promotes appropriate roles for the electric distribution companies and private investors. The board is seeking input on how to expand EV service equipment infrastructure and encourage charger ready investment, ensure equity in the EV ecosystem, and integrate charging into the rate structure. New Jersey enacted legislation in January that sets a goal of having 2 million light duty plug-in electric vehicles in the state by 2035 and requires at least 85 percent of new light duty vehicles sold or leased to be electric by 2040. READ MORE

The Maine Public Utilities Commission is scheduled to receive comments on an amendment to the criteria to exclude from investigation by the nonwires alternative coordinator small transmission and distribution projects that utilities need to complete during this construction season because of an immediate need. Last June, the state enacted legislation establishing the position of the coordinator to investigate and identify alternatives to proposed transmission projects, and evaluate the costs and benefits of nonwire alternatives compared to utility capital investments. READ MORE

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission will conduct an evidentiary hearing on Xcel Energy Inc.’s proposal to implement default time-of-use, or TOU, rates for residential customers once they have a smart meter. The company has been conducting a large-scale trial of TOU rates since 2017, following a settlement agreement in its last rate case. Xcel Energy proposes to change the rate from year-round to summer only, and modify the on-peak, shoulder, and off-peak periods. The company plans to begin smart meter deployment in the second quarter of 2021, with a goal of swapping out residential meters by the end of 2024. 19AL-0687E

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission will discuss issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the use of ratepayer assistance funds to ease economic hardship created by the crisis. The commission seeks an update from utilities regarding their response to the pandemic including the types of additional expenditures incurred, resource and supplier availability, the total amount of past due accounts, and the estimated time period until ratepayer assistance funds are exhausted. Utilities are expected to discuss transition plans related to the disconnection moratorium currently in effect until July 28, as well as tracking of data to ensure transparency if they seek recovery of pandemic-related costs. U-200281

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission will consider an application by Three Waters Wind Farm LLC, a subsidiary of Scout Clean Energy LLC, for a site permit to build a 201-megawatt wind project. The project footprint would occupy about 48,000 acres in Jackson County, and is expected to come online in 2021. The output of the facility will be sold to Minnesota Municipal Power Agency through a 20-year power purchase agreement. Scout is a portfolio company of Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners, an investor in low carbon energy infrastructure. WS-19-576

The Idaho Public Utilities Commission will consider an application by Rocky Mountain Power, a unit of PacifiCorp, to close the net metering program, which compensates rooftop solar customers at the retail rate of 12.5 cents per kilowatt-hour for excess generation sent to the grid. The company seeks to implement a new net billing service for new customers as of Sept. 1 that would provide compensation based on an export credit rate of 2.24 cents per kilowatt-hour. PacifiCorp proposes to close the current net metering program as of July 31, allowing existing customers to remain under the service for 10 years. PAC-E-19-08