The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities is due to receive comments on proposals concerning the agency’s investigation to promote and protect consumer interest in the retail electric competitive market. The department seeks comments on proposals related to a range of issues discussed in an August 2020 meeting including license renewable applications, door-to-door marketing notifications, product information disclosure, and the display of renewable energy information on the Energy Switch MA website. The proceeding, initiated last January, identified initiatives intended to increase customer awareness of the competitive market, facilitate a proactive approach to oversight rather than reacting to complaints or reports about violations, and improve operational efficiency to optimize the value that the market can provide to customers. 19-07

The Special Counsel for Ratepayer Protection at the New York State Department of Public Service will conduct a forum to receive comments regarding potential damages and harm to ratepayers as a result of electric service providers’ performance in response to Tropical Storm Isaias, which ravaged large swaths of the state last August. Consolidated Edison Company of New York Inc, Orange and Rockland Utilities Inc., and Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation face potential penalties totaling $137.3 million following the commission’s investigation into the apparent failure of the state’s electric utilities to adequately prepare and respond to the storm. In a Nov. 19 order, the commission asked the utilities to show cause why penalties should not be imposed on them for apparent violations of laws, regulations, and orders designed to ensure the safety and reliability of the electric system. 20-E-0586

The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities is due to receive reply comments on a new distributed energy resource planning process for the state’s electric distribution companies. The department seeks to assess optimal solutions for the interconnection of distributed generation facilities, taking a long-term perspective. The proceeding, opened last October, also seeks to examine methods for the assignment and recovery of costs associated with grid connection of these resources and system modifications needed for interconnection. 20-75

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 Minnesota Public Utilities Commission will consider a settlement filed by CenterPoint Energy Minnesota Gas for adjustments of retail rates and charges applicable to its gas service. The company initially requested an annual revenue increase of $62.3 million, and subsequently filed a settlement in September 2020, reducing the request to $38.5 million with a return on equity of 6.86 percent. GR-19-524