The District of Columbia Public Service Commission is due to receive submissions in response to its request for proposals from consultants to conduct a study to establish a methodology and metrics for determining the value of distributed energy resources. The commission has extended the submission date by 45 days from the original Nov. 2 deadline. The analysis will be used to develop a framework and a dynamic pricing formula, facilitating the calculation of compensation rates for these resources. The request is part of the commission’s PowerPath DC, launched in August 2019, to replace the 2015 MEDSIS initiative to advance the commission’s grid modernization efforts. The district has a goal of achieving 50 percent emissions reduction and 100 percent renewable energy in 2032.

The Illinois Commerce Commission is due to receive reply comments on its proceeding to explore electricity rate design options to support transportation electrification infrastructure and gather information about the impact of rate structures on other forms of electrification, service, and affordability. The commission seeks stakeholder input on a series of questions related to rate design in three categories: impacts on EV adoption, effects on other forms of beneficial electrification, and implementation. The inquiry supplements previous efforts by the commission to study electric vehicles. In 2018, the commission took action to identify issues, potential challenges, and opportunities in EV deployment. READ MORE

The California Energy Commission will discuss preliminary research themes and initiatives for the Electric Program Investment Charge, or EPIC, investment plan for the 2021-2022 period. Established in 2012, the EPIC program invests in scientific and technological research to advance clean energy solutions. In September, the commission approved the program for an additional 10 years from 2021 through 2030. The workshop will solicit information to develop the investment plan. Research themes will focus on decarbonization, resilience, reliability, and entrepreneurship. 20-EPIC-01

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission will discuss Avista Utilities’ application for adjustments of retail rates and charges applicable to its electric and natural gas services. The Avista Corp. subsidiary asked for an increase in electric base revenues of $44.2 million, or 8.3 percent, and an increase in gas base revenues of $12.8 million, or 12.2 percent, effective Oct. 1, 2021. The company’s request is based on a return on equity of 9.9 percent. Avista also proposed a tax customer credit, which offsets the proposed increases from its tariff revisions for both its electric and gas services. UE-200900, UG-200901

The Arizona Corporation Commission will hold a telephonic comment session on Arizona Public Service Company’s application for adjustments of retail rates and charges applicable to its electric service. The Pinnacle West Capital Corporation subsidiary asked for an annual revenue increase of $184 million, or 6.17 percent, and a return on equity of 10.15 percent, which would result in an average monthly bill increase of 5.8 percent for residential customers. E-01345A-19-0236

The California Public Utilities Commission will hold a telephonic prehearing on its proceeding to execute actions that will ensure reliable electric service if extreme weather events occur during summer 2021. The commission launched the initiative in light of the rolling outages that the state experienced due to severe heat storms earlier this year which resulted in the California Independent System Operator initiating rotating power outages to prevent the possibility of a formidable single outage. The proceeding will examine multiple options, including evaluating a mechanism that encourages load shifting and engaging diverse customer groups in load reduction measures. The commission will also consider whether to direct investor-owned utilities to develop new supply-side resources that can be brought online in 2021 and procure incremental capacity from existing resources and retrofit existing generators. READ MORE

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission will consider Xcel Energy Inc.’s multiyear rate plan seeking a general rate increase of $405.8 million for 2021, $98.5 million for 2022 and $93.1 million for2023. The commission will also examine Xcel Energy’s proposal for authorization to recover costs for investments that may assist in Minnesota’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, the agency will discuss whether to consolidate multiple dockets including pandemic recovery investment proposal, and dockets related to integrated distribution plan, advanced metering infrastructure projects, and time-of-use rate programs into the company’s 2021 rate case docket. GR-20-723

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission is due to receive comments on the 2019 Clean Energy Transformation Act provisions related to energy assistance or utility programs undertaken to lower customer energy bills. The commission extended the comment period by one week from Dec. 11 in response to stakeholder requests to accommodate a range of issues raised at a recent workshop that discussed utility programs and requirements related to funding, tracking progress, and prioritizing assistance to low-income households with the highest energy burden. The staff opened an investigation on the topic in September with the intention of issuing a policy and interpretative statement on energy assistance by early 2021. The 2019 law requires the state’s electricity supply to be carbon-neutral by 2030 and carbon-free by 2045, and directs electric utilities to phase out coal from their generation portfolio by 2025. UE-200629