The Maryland Public Service Commission will consider Columbia Gas of Maryland’s application for adjustments of distribution rates and charges applicable to gas services. The NiSource Inc. subsidiary is seeking an increase in distribution revenue of $6.1 million and a return on equity of 10.85 percent, which would increase an average residential customer’s monthly bill from $97.65 to $108.47, or by 11.1 percent. 9664

The Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority is due to receive briefs on a draft decision regarding its review of statewide shared clean energy facility program requirements. The decision pertains to electric distribution companies’ proposed processes for identifying, verifying, and enrolling customers in the program for facilities that reach commercial operation after the final decision, subject to future modifications. The draft also details deadlines for the companies to file program documents and customer identification and verification processes. In April, the agency approved changes to program requirements and request for proposals for the Program Year 2 procurement. With the customer enrollment process established, the agency finds the program to be fully implemented. 19-07-01RE01

The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities will consider National Grid’s proposed grid modernization plan for the calendar years 2022 to 2025. The draft includes an estimated $316.3 million investment in 10 categories including advanced distribution automation and demonstration projects to study new distributed generation and interconnection schemes. The proposal also includes investment associated with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s Order No. 2222 pertaining to the participation of distributed energy resource aggregators in wholesale energy markets. 21-81

The New York Independent System Operator Inc. is due to receive stakeholder comments on its comprehensive reliability plan report for the period from 2021 through 2030. The plan follows the previously approved 2020 Reliability Needs Assessment, which provided an evaluation and review of the reliability of New York’s bulk power transmission facilities for the 2024-2030 period, and it completes the 2020-2021 cycle of the reliability planning process. The issues identified in the assessment were primarily driven by a combination of forecasted peak demand and the assumed unavailability of certain generation in New York City affected by the Department of Environmental Conservation’s “Peaker Rule.” The rule established a phased reduction in emission limits of simple-cycle combustion turbines in 2023 and 2025 during the ozone season; about 1.5 gigawatts of peaker capability would be unavailable during the summer by 2025 to comply with the emissions requirements.

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission is due to receive comments on a joint filing by the state’s rate-regulated electric and gas utilities regarding tracking and deferring COVID-19 related expenses. In May 2020, the commission granted permission to track costs, including bad debt, and revenues or grants incurred or received as a result of the pandemic until July 31 – when the Governor’s emergency order expired – plus 30 days. On July 28, CenterPoint Energy, Minnesota Energy Resources Corporation, Dakota Electric Association, Minnesota Power, Great Plains Natural Gas Co., and Otter Tail Power Company requested approval to continue tracking and deferring COVID-19 related bad debt expenses through May 1, 2022. M-20-427

The California Public Utilities Commission is due to receive comments on its draft distributed energy resources action plan. The draft, an update to an earlier version covering the 2016-2020 period, would coordinate development and implementation of policy related to electric sector DERs. The new action plan, covering the 2021-2026 period, consists of four distinct tracks aimed to advance the commission’s vision for a high DER future: load flexibility and rates, grid infrastructure, market integration, and customer programs. The plan aims to ensure that DER policy implementation in support of the state’s energy and climate goals – including the 2045 goal of transitioning to a carbon-free power system – are coordinated across proceedings related to the four focus areas. The prior version served to coordinate proceedings aimed at advancing DER policy and reforming utility distribution planning, investment, and operations.