The Delaware Public Service Commission will hold an online workshop to discuss improvements to the state’s Community Energy Facilities program, as outlined in Senate Bill 321. The bill, which passed the legislature in June, calls for stakeholder working groups to discuss improvements in low- to moderate-income enrollment, consumer protections, and other topics necessary to achieve the outcomes of the program. The commission would be required to submit stakeholder recommendations to the legislature by Jan. 31, 2027. Additional workshops will be held in August and September. WG. 1

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority seeks applications for the Clean Green Schools Initiative, a competitive funding program designed to help public schools make clean energy upgrades. In April, Governor Kathy Hochul announced more than $100 million for the program. Eligible projects include retrofits that reduce energy consumption, electrification readiness projects, and conversions of central heating and cooling plants to clean energy technologies such as heat pumps. The initiative is open to priority districts and public school buildings located in disadvantaged communities, as defined by the state’s Climate Justice Working Group, with incentive amounts starting at $500,000 for qualifying projects. The funding is provided through the state’s $1 billion Sustainable Future Program and the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

The Ohio Public Utilities Commission will hold a public hearing on Enbridge Gas Ohio’s application to increase natural gas distribution rates and for approval of an alternative rate plan. Enbridge seeks a rate increase of approximately $163.1 million, or 17.28 percent, which would raise a residential customer’s monthly bill by $9.49. Commission staff recommended an increase in the range of $112.6 million to $129.4 million, or 11.86 to 13.63 percent. Under the staff recommendation, a typical residential monthly bill would increase by about $5.90. An additional hearing will be held on Aug. 31.

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority seeks input to inform the development of a Marine and Coastal Resources Energy Research Plan. NYSERDA has issued a request for information to help address information gaps and research needs related to the effects of energy development on the environment and fisheries. Research topics may include planning, permitting, construction, operation, and decommissioning of coastal or marine energy development. The information could also inform the state’s ongoing Ocean Action Plan. The due date for responses has been extended from the original date of July 31.

The California Air Resources Board and Quebec’s Ministry of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks will hold their 48th joint quarterly carbon auction, which will offer allowances for current and future years. The current auction will offer 2017, 2024, and 2026 vintage allowances totaling about 49 million, and the advance auction will offer 2029 future allowances totaling about 6.5 million. The previous auction, held in May, sold all of the nearly 49.6 million current allowances at $28.81 per allowance and 6.5 million future allowances at $28.76 per allowance. California’s cap-and-trade program places an economy-wide cap on major emitting sources.

The Idaho Public Utilities Commission seeks comments on applications from Idaho Power Company and Rocky Mountain Power for approval to build Segment E-8 of the Gateway West transmission project. The 133-mile, 500-kilovolt line would run from the Midpoint Substation near Jerome to the Hemingway Substation near Melba, Idaho, adding approximately 2,000 megawatts of transmission capacity. The project would relieve constraints on the transmission system between the Magic Valley and Treasure Valley regions and improve the ability to interconnect new generation resources. The initiative is part of PacifiCorp’s Gateway Transmission Expansion Program, a plan to build more than 2,300 miles of high-voltage transmission lines, primarily in Wyoming, Utah, Idaho, and Oregon. IPC-E-26-09