The Maryland Public Service Commission will consider applications submitted by MarWin II LLC, owned by US Wind Inc., and Skipjack Offshore Wind LLC, a subsidiary of Ørsted A/S, for offshore wind projects. The agency initiated a multi-part review to evaluate and compare the proposed applications filed under its Round 2 Year 1 offshore wind application period which concluded on June 21. The 2019 Clean Energy Jobs Act, which raised Maryland’s overall renewable portfolio standard to 50 percent by 2030, also increased the offshore wind carve-out to 10 percent of in-state electricity sales. The law directed Maryland to procure at least 1,200 megawatts of capacity through new rounds of offshore wind procurement. Additional hearings will be held from Oct. 28 through Nov. 3. 9666

The Maine Public Utilities Commission will consider Bangor Natural Gas Company’s application for adjustments of distribution rates and charges applicable to gas services. The Energy West subsidiary is seeking an increase in total revenue of approximately $2.74 million. The company initially requested an increase of about $2.92 million but reduced the amount in a testimony filed last month. 2021-00024

The New York Public Service Commission will conduct a hearing regarding Heritage Wind LLC’s proposal to construct a 184.8-megawatt wind project comprising up to 33 wind turbines in Orleans County. In March, the Office of Renewable Energy Siting, or ORES, issued a draft siting permit for public comment on the project. The commission is examining issues related to environmental impacts to wildlife including post-construction monitoring and adaptive management plans. ORES and Heritage Wind, a subsidiary of Apex Clean Energy Resources, have proposed a settlement to resolve or establish a framework addressing issues regarding impacts to grassland bird habitat and migration. 21-00026

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission will discuss Cascade Natural Gas Corporation’s application for adjustments of retail rates and charges applicable to natural gas services. The MDU Resources subsidiary is seeking an increase in base revenues of $13.7 million, or 5.12 percent. UG-210755

The Hawaii Public Utilities Commission will discuss improvements to the second phase of procurements under the Community-Based Renewable Energy program, or CBRE, on Hawaii Island. The commission seeks to address community concerns about energy facility siting by collaborating with stakeholders on potential solutions. The move is intended to improve the request for proposals process, and ultimately yield better CBRE projects. The program, established in 2015, allows utility customers to purchase shares in a renewable energy facility to offset their monthly energy consumption via a credit on their bills. 2015-0389

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission will consider an application by Byron Solar LLC, a subsidiary of EDF Renewables Inc., to construct a 200-megawatt solar energy facility and a 345 kV transmission line in Olmsted and Dodge Counties. The company anticipates a developed area of approximately 1,550 acres within a 1,800-acre project site. The project aims to meet the growing renewable energy demand from commercial and industrial customers and help reach the clean energy requirements in Minnesota and neighboring states. Byron expects to begin construction in early 2023 and complete the project in time to start operating at the end of 2024. The company has applied for two generator interconnection agreements with the Midcontinent Independent System Operator and anticipates signing them in December 2021 and July 2022. CN-20-764