The Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority is expected to hold a hearing on Eversource Energy’s advanced metering infrastructure, or AMI, proposal as part of the agency’s investigation into distribution system planning. The company requested a hearing to present information on its proposal, and to be able to respond to feedback from the agency and various stakeholders. The agency held a technical meeting in January to discuss a set of straw proposals on AMI programs including a data access and privacy straw framework for the state’s electric distribution companies. The meeting also reviewed utilities’ proposed frameworks, as well as stakeholder comments. The request for AMI proposals is intended to develop the business case for cost-effective deployment, enhance the utilization of existing assets, and maximize the value of AMI through strategic implementation. 17-12-03RE02

The Ohio Public Utilities Commission will hold a hearing to discuss Dodson Creek Solar LLC’s application to build an up to 117-megawatt solar project. The National Grid Renewables subsidiary proposes to install arrays of photovoltaic modules spanning an area of about 1,462 acres in Highland County. The facility would deliver power to a single point of interconnection on the Hillsboro –Clinton County 138 kilovolt circuit, owned by AEP. The general purpose of the facility is to maximize solar energy production and deliver renewable electricity to the Ohio bulk power transmission system to serve the needs of electric utilities and their customers. 20-1814-EL-BGN

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities will hold the fourth session in a series of stakeholder meetings to gather input on the current distribution grid interconnection policies and processes and potential improvements that will enable faster grid modernization and higher levels of distributed energy resource absorption. The meeting will present a draft report of findings and recommendations. The first meeting held in October 2021 discussed research findings and best practices on state rules, regulations, and processes that govern the grid interconnection application, review, and approval workflow. The second meeting held in November gathered feedback from stakeholders on their experiences with current processes, ideas for improvement and innovation, success stories, and other relevant input. The third meeting held in January discussed the distribution companies’ perspective on current baseline processes and historical data, and also held a conversation on priority topics raised from previous sessions. A July 29 meeting will discuss the final report. READ MORE

The California Energy Commission is due to receive comments on its next building decarbonization goals with heat pump manufacturers, distributors, program implementers, and stakeholders. The commission held a workshop on April 5 that included a staff presentation summarizing the building decarbonization assessment and the state’s heat pump and decarbonization goals. The session included a panel discussion on supply chain challenges and possible changes needed to meet the state’s goals. A panel of heat pump and decarbonization program implementers discussed program design, lessons learned, and best practices from current and past programs. The state has a goal of achieving economywide carbon neutrality by 2045. 22-DECARB-01

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission will hold an in-person public hearing on Xcel Energy’s proposal to build an up to 460-megawatt solar project in Sherburne County, partially replacing the energy production of the coal-powered Sherco Generating Plant Unit 2, which is scheduled to cease operations in 2023. The project, spanning about 3,479 acres, can reutilize the interconnection service at the Sherburne County Generation Plant. The project is being developed in partnership with National Grid Renewables Development LLC. In January, the companies entered into a purchase and sale agreement, which authorizes National Grid Renewables to secure a site permit and two route permits for the project on behalf of Xcel Energy. A remote-access hearing will be held on April 21. GS-21-191

The California Energy Commission will hold a pre-application workshop for a funding opportunity for manufacturing zero-emission vehicles, ZEV components including batteries, and ZEV charging and refueling infrastructure. The opportunity is part of the California Budget Act of 2021 which provides $3.9 billion over three fiscal years to support the transition of the state’s transportation sector toward ZEV technologies, including $1.165 billion to be administered by the commission. This includes $125 million for fiscal year 2021-22. 21-TRAN-05