The New York Department of Environmental Conservation will hold a public hearing of the Climate Action Council to discuss its draft scoping plan, which describes recommended policies and actions to help the state meet its ambitious climate goals as part of the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. Under the law, New York must reduce economywide greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2030 and 85 percent by 2050 from 1990 levels. The act requires New York to attain a carbon-free power system by 2040, setting ambitious goals to make the transition – 9 gigawatts of offshore wind by 2035, 6 gigawatts of distributed solar by 2025, and 3 gigawatts of energy storage by 2030. The department has scheduled 10 hearings during April and May to receive public input on the draft and advance work on a final scoping plan to guide the implementation of the law.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection is due to receive comments on its draft Environmental Justice Policy, which expands and improves upon the existing policy, which has been in effect since 2004. The draft attempts to integrate environmental justice into additional aspects of the department’s work. Proposed changes include revising definitions of environmental justice areas or populations, enhancing collaboration and planning between state government agencies, developing resources and data for community use, and prioritizing environmental justice in grantmaking practices.

The New York Department of Public Service staff will explain and discuss the timing of the existing electric system planning cycles conducted by the state’s grid operator and the electric utilities, as well as how those cycles might be aligned to support state policy goals. The discussion will also examine the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s large scale renewables procurement programs and a proposed coordinated grid planning process. In response to a 2021 order, utilities have proposed plans for large-scale transmission and distribution projects. The efforts are part of the commission’s proceeding to implement the 2020 Accelerated Renewable Energy Growth and Community Benefit Act, which requires the commission and utilities to plan the electric transmission infrastructure needed to meet the state’s clean energy and climate goals, including 70 percent renewable electricity by 2030 and zero-emissions electricity by 2040. 20-E-0197, 20-00905

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission will discuss whether additional guidance is necessary to determine a cost-effectiveness test for distributed energy resources incorporating the 2019 Clean Energy Transformation Act. The commission staff intends to develop a jurisdiction-specific test that incorporates the goals of the law and follow the principles described in the National Standard Practice Manual For Benefit-Cost Analysis of Distributed Energy Resources. The law, which requires the state’s electricity supply to be carbon-free by 2045, calls for significant changes to electric utility planning in the state. Under the law, utilities must ensure that all customers benefit from the transition to clean energy through equitable distribution of benefits and reduced burdens.

The California Public Utilities Commission will hold a virtual workshop regarding the design of clean energy financing options for electricity and natural gas customers. The commission initiated a rulemaking in 2020 to evaluate financing strategies for investments in multiple types of energy efficiency and clean energy technologies. Last August, the commission granted additional ratepayer funding to continue the California Hub for Energy Efficiency Financing Programs that were originally authorized in 2013. The state’s Energy Action Plan established a hierarchy of energy resources, which preferred resources such as conservation and energy efficiency at the top of the list. R2008022

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission will consider Otter Tail Power Company’s application for adjustments of retail rates and charges applicable to its electric service. The company seeks an annual revenue increase of nearly $2.2 million, or 9.37 percent, to be effective July 1, 2022.

The California Energy Commission is due to receive comments on its draft zero-emission vehicle infrastructure plan designed to support the ZEV market development strategy developed by the Office of Business and Economic Development in collaboration with multiple state agencies. The commission held a workshop in January seeking early input to inform the state’s pathway to deploying the infrastructure necessary to support the level of ZEV adoption needed to meet state goals. A 2020 executive order issued by Governor Gavin Newsom set a 100 percent ZEV target for new passenger vehicle sales by 2035 and medium-and heavy-duty vehicles by 2045. The California Air Resources Board is developing Advanced Clean Cars II and Advanced Clean Fleets regulations to help the state achieve its climate and air quality goals.