The New York Department of Environmental Conservation and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority will hold a public hearing on draft criteria for identifying disadvantaged communities to guide the equitable implementation 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, and attain a carbon-free power system by 2040. The draft provides an interactive map and a list of communities as well as criteria to direct initiatives that cut emissions, open economic development opportunities, and support investments in clean energy and energy efficiency. The department has scheduled 11 hearings during May and June to receive public input on the draft criteria based on geographic, public health, environmental hazard, and socioeconomic factors.

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority is due to receive proposals for community distributed generation projects to participate in the Expanded Solar for All, or E-SFA, program jointly run by the authority and National Grid. The New York State Public Service Commission approved the first phase of the program aimed to provide community solar and associated bill savings to customers participating in National Grid’s Energy Affordability Program. This solicitation will competitively select up to 300 megawatts of projects to participate in the program, targeting a bill saving rate of $5 per month for each participating customer.

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission will consider Public Service Company of Colorado’s renewable energy plan, which addresses solar programs for residents and businesses including rooftop solar, community solar gardens, utility-scale solar, and solar paired with storage for the 2022-2025 period. The plan contains proposals for program design, incentives, outreach, and cost-recovery. Under the plan, the Xcel Energy subsidiary expects to add more than 700 megawatts of distributed energy resources and up to 300 megawatts of utility-scale solar. The plan supports approximately $3 billion in new solar and energy storage investments throughout the three year period. 21A-0625EG

The Arizona Corporation Commission will host four meetings to gather input from communities and individuals impacted by past or future fossil-based power plant closures in the region. In March and April, the commission held meetings of a policy task force, which was established to provide recommendations for developing policy on issues concerning such communities. The task force is composed of three subgroups designated to address the areas of funding, repurposing plants and facilities, and benefits and impacts to ratepayers. E-00000A-21-0010

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission will consider Buffalo Ridge Wind LLC’s request for a wind rights waiver to construct a 108.9-megawatt wind project in Lincoln and Pipestone Counties. The commission issued a permit for the project in January, and subsequently, the company requested an amendment to reflect an update to the turbine technology, relocation of its collector substation, and inclusion of a generation-tie line resulting from the relocation, which was approved in April. The company has requested for a wind rights waiver for turbines that are in proximity to an Xcel property. The facility will include up to 40 wind turbines and associated facilities, and a meteorological tower. The company has a power purchase agreement with Great River Energy to sell the output of the project for a 25-year term. WS-19-394

The California Energy Commission is due to receive comments on incorporating community, equity, and environmental considerations into research recommendations for its long-term gas research and development strategy. The commission is examining the long-term research strategy within the context of the state’s renewable energy and carbon neutrality goals. A 2018 state law requires all retail electricity to be supplied by zero-carbon resources by 2045. The strategy is expected to prioritize research recommendations for all stages in the gas supply chain and end-use sectors, except for utility-scale power generation. 19-ERDD-01