The Maine Public Utilities Commission will discuss rules governing small generator interconnection procedures, in accordance with a 2019 law that expanded net energy billing and created a distributed generation procurement program. The law directs the agency to establish requirements for utilities to interconnect distributed generation resources and financial penalties to ensure timely actions by those utilities to achieve the procurements. In March, the commission approved changes to the small generator interconnection rule following stakeholder collaboration to reach consensus on important issues. The commission is continuing stakeholder effort to further develop the provisions of the rule. 2020-00004

The Ohio Public Utilities Commission is expected to receive reply briefs on Firelands Wind LLC’s application to build a 298-megawatt wind project. The Apex Clean Energy Inc. subsidiary proposes to install 87 turbines spanning an area of about 32,000 acres in Huron and Erie counties. The project represents an investment of $615 million, according to the company. Apex Clean Energy will supply 240 megawatts of the project’s output to AEP Energy Inc., a subsidiary of American Electric Power Co. Inc., under a long-term power purchase agreement. 18-1607-EL-BGN

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 the residential customers. E-01345A-19-0236

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission will discuss the 2019 Clean Energy Transformation Act provisions related to energy assistance or utility programs undertaken to lower customer energy bills. The staff opened an investigation on the topic in September with the intention of issuing a policy and interpretative statement on energy assistance by early 2021. The workshop will include an overview of current utility programs and a discussion of the requirements related to programs and funding, tracking progress, and prioritizing assistance to low-income households with the highest energy burden. The 2019 law requires the state’s electricity supply to be carbon-neutral by 2030 and carbon-free by 2045, and directs electric utilities to phase out coal from their generation portfolio by 2025. UE-200629

The Nevada Public Utilities Commission will discuss its forth concept paper describing minimum requirements, evaluation criteria and metrics for alternative ratemaking mechanisms. A 2019 law directed the commission to adopt regulations enabling electric utilities to file alternative rate-making plans, which include performance-based rates that are based on metrics that the commission may establish. The commission discussed the third concept paper in September examining available pathways to develop alternative ratemaking mechanisms. The first paper detailed the goals and outcomes for establishing performance-based regulation for electric utilities while the second one explained the existing regulatory framework and practices to provide a common understanding of the regulatory landscape to advance alternative ratemaking. 19-06008

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission will consider an application by Buffalo Ridge Wind LLC, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Inc, for a site permit to build a 108.9-megawatt wind project. The facility, located primarily in Lincoln County with a small portion in Pipestone County, will include up to 40 wind turbines and associated facilities, and a meteorological tower. The company has a power purchase agreement with Great River Energy to sell the output of the project for a 25-year term. WS-19-394

The Kansas Corporation Commission will discuss Evergy Inc.’s Sustainability Transformation Plan with a focus on grid modernization investments. The commission launched a review of the company’s five-year strategic plan in August, in order to evaluate its impacts on electric ratepayers. The plan, which is designed to drive increased value and benefits for the company’s stakeholders, includes a focus on grid modernization, renewable energy investment, and cost management. The measure is expected to bring a rate base growth of 5 to 6 percent from 2019 to 2024 without requiring new equity. Under the plan, the company seeks to invest about $4.8 billion over the next five years to upgrade transmission and distribution infrastructure and customer service platforms. READ MORE