The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection will hold a meeting of the Climate Change Advisory Committee. Topics of discussion include the 2024 Pennsylvania Climate Action Plan and 2024 Climate Impacts Assessment, as well as an update on the 2023 greenhouse gas inventory report. The agenda also includes a discussion on the Pennsylvania Climate Network, which aims to serve as a hub for sharing best practices and advancing climate education and literacy across the state.

The Maryland Public Service Commission is due to receive comments on proposed regulations to clarify standard metering practices for allowing time-of-use, or TOU, ratemaking and the separate calculation of on- and off-peak consumption and generation. Last month, the commission issued an order directing its TOU Rate Design Workgroup, which developed the proposed regulations, to submit them for consideration in a rulemaking proceeding. The working group on net metering also reviewed the language due to the proposed regulations having a potential impact on net energy metering customers.

The New York Public Service Commission will hold a joint meeting of the Indian Point Closure Task Force and Decommissioning Oversight Board established to provide guidance and support for communities affected by the three-unit Indian Point Energy Center ceasing operations. The task force is charged with exploring ways to mitigate local tax and workforce impacts and evaluate new economic opportunities and initiatives, as well as identifying a decommissioning timeline that is in the interest of local communities. The oversight board is required to assess ways to protect the interest of affected communities including current workforce and public safety. Indian Point, which had a capacity of 1,040 megawatts, shut down its last nuclear reactor in April 2021, marking the end of 59 years of continuous power generation.

The District of Columbia Public Service Commission is due to receive comments on Potomac Electric Power Company’s application to implement a multiyear rate plan for electric distribution service for the years 2024 to 2026. The company filed an application in April 2023 requesting a combined increase of $190.7 million for the three-year period, with a return on equity of 10.5 percent, which is expected to increase the monthly bill of a typical residential customer using 614 kilowatt-hours by $6.18.

The California Energy Commission seeks comments on a draft strategic plan for offshore wind energy development in federal waters off the California coast. The plan is in response to legislation enacted in 2021 directing the commission to coordinate with other agencies as needed and develop a strategic plan for offshore wind energy development. The plan identifies suitable sea space to accommodate California’s offshore wind planning goals, discusses economic and workforce development and port space and infrastructure, and transmission planning. This strategic plan also presents the permitting processes for offshore wind projects and identifies potential impacts as well as mitigation strategies. 17-MISC-01

The North Dakota Public Service Commission will hold a public hearing regarding reconsideration of Summit Carbon Solutions’ proposed carbon dioxide pipeline in the state. The company has requested a siting permit for its proposed Carbon Express CO2 Pipeline Project, which would involve the construction of approximately 320 miles of pipeline ranging from 4.5 to 24-inches in diameter, and associated facilities. The estimated cost of the project is $898 million. Additional meetings will be held on May 24 and June 4.

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission will discuss a proposal by Northern States Power Company, a subsidiary of Xcel Energy Inc., to construct a 208-mile transmission transmission line intended to facilitate more reliable, safe, and affordable energy delivery to the Midwest subregion of the Midcontinent Independent System Operator footprint. The project consists of two segments. The western segment would connect the existing Big Stone South Substation in South Dakota to the existing Alexandria Substation in Minnesota. The eastern segment would connect the Alexandria Substation to a new Big Oaks Substation in Minnesota. Xcel Energy, along with Great River Energy, Minnesota Power, Otter Tail Power Company, and Western Minnesota Municipal Power Agency, filed an application last September for a certificate of need for the proposed project. CN-22-538