The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority is due to receive nominations regarding potential sites for large-scale renewable energy projects to advance “Build Ready” projects under the 2020 Accelerated Renewable Energy Growth and Community Benefit Act. The Build Ready program will focus on the re-use of existing or abandoned commercial sites, brownfields, landfills, and industrial sites for developing large-scale renewable facilities, while offering benefits and incentives for both property owners and host communities. Proposed sites will be evaluated based on environmental site conditions, the ability to interconnect to the grid, and whether the site is physically suited to host such projects.

The New York Public Service Commission will hold a technical conference to discuss a proposal by the state’s investor-owned electric utilities related to “Allocated Cost of Service” methods proposed in a whitepaper regarding the development of standby and buyback service rates. The whitepaper, issued in November 2020, identifies a proposed method for the utilities to apply in developing these rates, and recommends that standalone energy storage systems be exempted from contract demand charges from injections under the buyback service. The utilities include Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation, Consolidated Edison Company of New York Inc., New York State Electric & Gas Corporation, National Grid, Orange and Rockland Utilities Inc., and Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation. 15-E-0751

The Maryland Public Service Commission will discuss climate equity and low- to moderate-income goals and programs as part of EmPOWER Maryland, the state’s energy efficiency program. The current goal structure for EmPOWER is mandated by legislation through the end of the 2021-2023 program cycle and the commission is required to provide the General Assembly with recommendations on future goals and cost-effectiveness tests by July 1, 2022. An order issued in December 2020 authorized the transition to the next three-year program cycle and approved various proposals by the program administrators to continue operating the core energy efficiency programs in 2021-2023.

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission will consider Plum Creek Wind Farm LLC’s application for a 414 megawatt wind project in Cottonwood, Murray, and Redwood counties and an associated 345 kilovolt transmission line to connect the facility to the grid. The commission will evaluate whether the proposed project’s environmental impact statement is adequate and whether it should issue a certificate of need, as well as site and route permits for the project. Plum Creek, an affiliate of National Grid Renewables, formerly known as Geronimo Energy LLC, anticipates that the project will be in-service in late 2022. CN-18-699

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission is due to receive comments on proposed amendments to the rules governing gas utilities’ cost adjustments applications. The measure intends to address the recovery of gas costs incurred by natural gas utilities in view of the potential for increased volatility in costs, particularly in the wake of the mid-February weather event that affected the south-central U.S. The extreme weather conditions led to a reduction in supply, coupled with an increase in demand for home heating, causing natural gas prices to soar. The commission aims to reexamine policies around utilities’ purchase, supply operations, and associated costs to ensure that the incurrence and recovery of the costs are equitable to both utilities and their customers. 21R-0314G