The New York Public Service Commission will conduct a technical conference to discuss National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation’s initial long-term gas system plan. The company filed the plan in response to the commission’s May 2022 order creating a long-term gas system planning process for local gas distribution companies. The order also directed commission staff to facilitate meetings between a gas utility and stakeholders interested in its long-term plan. The primary focus of the conference will be National Fuel’s initial long-term plan filing and the process for incorporating stakeholder input. 22-G-0610

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority is due to receive proposals from contractors to perform an analysis of potential design and associated impacts of a multi-sector cap-and-invest program under the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. The initiative follows a recently approved scoping plan which recommends the gradual phasing in of such a program with cost containment mechanisms and rebates or subsidies to offset the burden of increased energy prices on low-to-moderate income households. The authority seeks expert analysis of various dimensions of potential design and associated impacts, which include costs for regulated entities and others, impact on state consumers, and potential impacts on disadvantaged communities. The law requires the state to reduce economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2030 and no less than 85 percent by 2050 from 1990 levels.

The New York Public Service Commission will discuss Cypress Creek Renewables LLC’s proposal to construct the Bear Ridge Solar project, a 100-megawatt solar project in Niagara County. The project is planned to be sited on a total of 900 acres and is expected to produce sufficient power to supply over 25,000 homes and offset 42,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year. In October, the New York Office of Renewable Energy Siting issued a draft permit for the project.

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission will discuss Dodge County Wind LLC’s application for a site permit, a certificate of need, and a route permit to build an up to 259-megawatt wind project in Dodge, Mower, and Steele Counties. The NextEra Energy Resources subsidiary proposes to construct the project over an area of approximately 28,348 acres with up to 79 turbines, at an estimated cost of $300 million to $400 million. Dodge County Wind has entered into a power purchase agreement with Great River Energy for the full output of the project for a 30-year term.

The California Energy Commission is due to receive comments on recommendations for the initial framework, implementation plans, and key topics to be considered in the scoping for its Equitable Building Decarbonization Program. The commission held a workshop in December to provide an overview of the program, and discuss topics related to the program design, and identify opportunities to leverage and align with related local, federal, and state-funded incentive programs focused on decarbonizing existing buildings. Legislation enacted in 2022 directed the commission to develop and implement the program and provided $112 million in funding for the first year, and budgeted up to $922 million over the next four fiscal years.