Member states of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, or RGGI, are due to receive comments on the third review of their carbon program, the nation’s first mandatory cap-and-trade program to cut power sector emissions. The 11 member states have issued a list of topics for consideration including the trajectory of the emissions cap before and after 2030, auction mechanisms, compliance structure, and offsets. Currently, the RGGI cap declines by 3.655 million tons each year through 2030 and is held steady thereafter. The emissions cap in 2030 is about 86.9 million tons. The cap would increase if allowances from the Cost Containment Reserve are released or offsets are awarded, and decrease if Emissions Containment Reserve allowances are withheld. RGGI has completed two comprehensive program reviews so far, resulting in improvements and a continued trajectory for emissions reductions. READ MORE

The New York Department of Public Service staff will convene a meeting of the Electric Vehicle Charging Customer Experience Working Group to discuss customer protections and price transparency, and to recommend updates as part of the EV Make-Ready initiative. The Public Service Commission recently approved rules allowing utility companies to fully implement the initiative, facilitating a ten-fold increase in the number of non-residential charging ports within four years. The program, funded by investor-owned utilities, creates a cost-sharing program that incentivizes utilities and charging port developers to site infrastructure in places that offer maximum benefits to consumers. The commission capped the program budget at $701 million, of which $206 million will benefit disadvantaged and low- or moderate-income communities. 18-E-0138

The Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority will conduct a hearing on a set of amended advanced metering infrastructure, or AMI, plans from the state’s electric distribution companies. The agency recently requested submissions in response to a program design framework issued in August 2021 providing additional guidance for the companies to amend their proposals filed in July 2020. The request for AMI proposals, issued under the agency’s investigation into distribution system planning, is intended to develop the business case for cost-effective deployment, enhance the utilization of existing assets, and maximize value of AMI through strategic implementation. Another hearing will be held on Dec. 2. 17-12-03RE02

The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative is scheduled to hold its 54th quarterly carbon auction. The previous auction held in September sold all of the nearly 23 million allowances offered for sale. Permits were sold at a clearing price of $9.30, the highest price to date, and generated about $213.1 million, bringing the total proceeds to over $4.35 billion. The auction clearing prices will be posted on Dec. 3. READ MORE

The Michigan Public Service Commission will conduct a prehearing to consider Consumers Energy Company’s proposed revisions to its voluntary green pricing programs. The changes would apply to the company’s Solar Gardens Pilot Program, Large Customer Renewable Energy Program, and Renewable Energy Credit Program. The green pricing options allow customers to meet a portion of their electricity needs from renewable energy resources. U-21134

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission will consider Minnesota Power’s application for adjustments of retail rates and charges applicable to electric service. The Allete Inc. subsidiary requested an increase in its annual revenue requirement of $108.3 million, or 17.58 percent, and a return on equity of 10.25 percent. In requesting the increase, Minnesota Power said that it has made substantial capital investments to decarbonize the system and is the first utility in the state to deliver 50 percent renewable energy to customers. The company has filed three completed rate cases in the last 25 years, with the last one initiated five years ago. Besides a decline in sales, low wholesale electricity prices and changes to the generation fleet have made it impossible to offset revenues lost due to industry downturns, according to the company. GR-21-335