The Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority will discuss fund allocation for the small Zero Emission Renewable Energy Credit, or ZREC, program, including how the timing and use of funds can aid in recovering the green economy from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Projects sized 100 kilowatts or less are deemed small ZREC projects under the program, which requires investor-owned electric utilities to enter into long-term contracts for RECs from zero-emission facilities. The agency began a full assessment of the utilities’ clean and renewable energy programs as part of a series of reopened proceedings to investigate topics considered integral for its framework for an Equitable Modern Grid. The framework seeks to foster solutions that address the challenges and opportunities facing the electric sector. 17-12-03RE09

The Illinois Commerce Commission will discuss the annual process for calculating the rebate values for customers with solar, wind, or other renewable energy installations within Ameren Illinois Company’s service territory. The commission is required to conduct such a process when the total generating capacity of net metering customers reaches three percent of the utility’s total peak demand. The agency is examining whether the company correctly interpreted that net-metered capacity in its service area reached the threshold. Under a 2017 law, the commission must determine a compensation mechanism that takes into account the geographic, time-based, and performance-based benefits of customer-sited renewable energy resources. READ MORE

The Maine Climate Council is scheduled to receive written comments on strategies developed by its six working groups for combating climate change. The main goal of the council, established under a 2019 law, is to provide recommendations to address climate issues in an economical and equitable manner, and achieve emissions reductions and renewable energy targets. The council is also tasked with developing economic opportunities through innovation and new industries, and increasing resilience to climate impacts. The law directed the council to present a four-year climate action plan to the legislature by Dec. 1.

The Hawaii Public Utilities Commission will discuss proposed regulatory mechanisms to transition from cost-of-service ratemaking towards performance-based regulation, or PBR. After two years of collaborative working group meetings, workshops, briefing, and discovery, parties in the investigation have proposed a suite of PBR mechanisms. Hawaii is mandated by a 2018 law to implement PBR, establishing a financial link between utility revenues and performance in achieving customer-focused performance metrics. Regulators are planning for a comprehensive PBR framework that can be implemented in 2021. 2018-0088

The California Energy Commission is due to receive comments on proposed updates to nonresidential grid integration and the Consumer Energy Alliance’s proposal for certain sections of the 2022 Energy Code as part of the commission’s three-year update cycle. The 2022 code will improve upon the 2019 standards by revising and updating efficiency standards for new buildings, as well as expansions and alterations to existing buildings. Following workshops and a public comment process, the new code will become effective at the start of 2023. The 2019 code established a requirement to have solar photovoltaic systems installed in newly constructed low-rise residential buildings. In May 2018, the commission adopted standards requiring most new homes to install rooftop solar starting in 2020, making California the first U.S. state to adopt such a mandate. 19-BSTD-03

Rocky Mountain Power, a unit of PacifiCorp, will hold a stakeholder meeting to receive input for the development of an electric vehicle charging infrastructure program in Utah. The company is in the early stages of developing a program and anticipates filing it with the Utah Public Service Commission by Dec. 31. Legislation enacted in March authorizes a large-scale electric utility to seek approval for a program that allows up to $50 million in funding towards EV infrastructure. The law directs the utility to seek input from stakeholders and interested persons before filing a proposal. 20-035-34

The Arizona Corporation Commission will receive telephonic comments regarding 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 and a return on equity of 10.15 percent, which would result in an average monthly bill increase of 5.8 percent for the residential customers. E-01345A-19-0236