CEC Moves Forward on Implementation of 33% RPS
On June 3, the California Energy Commission (“CEC”) issued a Notice of Intent to Implement 33 Percent Renewables Portfolio Standard (“RPS”). The new 33% RPS was signed into law by Governor Brown on April 12, 2011. The legislation for the first time expanded the RPS to publicly-owned utilities (“POU”), and tasked the CEC with, among other things, monitoring POU compliance with, and developing regulations to enforce, the new 33% RPS.
The Notice also encourages all regulated entities, including POUs, to participate in the California Public Utilities Commission (“CPUC”) proceeding addressing the new RPS, Rulemaking 11-05-005, “so that, where appropriate, the [CEC] and CPUC may coordinate program development.”
The Notice states that the CEC will implement the new RPS through two processes: (1) amending the RPS Eligibility Guidebook through the existing amendment process so that it conforms with the new legislation, and (2) initiating a rulemaking proceeding to address POU compliance. Although the new RPS legislation set a target date of July 1, 2011 for the CEC to adopt regulations for POU compliance, pending legislation (Senate Bill 23) may extend that deadline to July 1, 2012.
On June 6, the CEC also noticed a staff workshop for June 17, 2011 to introduce the scope and a tentative schedule for the rulemaking proceeding concerning POU compliance, and to solicit comments from interested stakeholders. Written comments may also be submitted to the CEC by July 1, 2011.
Washington Revising its State Energy Strategy
The Washington State Department of Commerce (formerly the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development or CTED) has announced that it is attempting to revise Washington’s comprehensive energy plan (the “State Energy Strategy”).
The State Energy Strategy was last revised in 2003, and it does not serve current energy realities and forecasts. Therefore, the Washington State Legislature has tasked the Department of Commerce with updating the State Energy Strategy while taking account the following three goals and nine principles:
Goals:
1) Maintain competitive energy prices;
2) Foster a clean energy economy and jobs; and
3) Meet obligations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Principles:
1) Pursue all cost-effective energy efficiency and conservation as the state's preferred energy resource, consistent with state law;
2) Ensure that the state's energy system meets the health, welfare, and economic needs of its citizens with particular emphasis on meeting the needs of low-income and vulnerable populations;
3) Maintain and enhance economic competitiveness by ensuring an affordable and reliable supply of energy resources and by supporting clean energy technology innovation, access to clean energy markets worldwide, and clean energy business and workforce development;
4) Reduce dependence on fossil fuel energy sources through improved efficiency and development of cleaner energy sources, such as bioenergy, low-carbon energy sources, and natural gas, and leveraging the indigenous resources of the state for the production of clean energy;
5) Improve efficiency of transportation energy use through advances in vehicle technology, increased system efficiencies, development of electricity, biofuels, and other clean fuels, and regional transportation planning to improve transportation choices;
6) Meet the state's statutory greenhouse gas limits and environmental requirements as the state develops and uses energy resources;
7) Build on the advantage provided by the state's clean regional electrical grid by expanding and integrating additional carbon-free and carbon-neutral generation, and improving the transmission capacity serving the state;
8) Make state government a model for energy efficiency, use of clean and renewable energy, and greenhouse gas-neutral operations; and
9) Maintain and enhance our state's existing energy infrastructure.
The Department of Commerce is opening a collaborative process to update and revise the State Energy Strategy and has invited stakeholders to participate. In order to assist collaboration, the Department of Commerce has created a website hosting information about past energy strategies, guiding legislation, advisory and technical committee activities, and a schedule of events. Moreover, the public can sign up for list serve to receive updates and provide feedback.
Michigan GLOW Council Issues Legislative Recommendations for Offshore Wind
Michigan's Great Lakes Wind Council (GLOW Council), an advisory body within the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth to examine issues and make recommendations related to offshore wind development in Michigan, has issued recommendations for a regulatory framework for offshore wind in Michigan's Great Lakes. These recommendations follow the GLOW Council's September 1, 2009 report (see previous blog entry), which contained proposed steps forward to developing an offshore wind industry in Michigan.
The recommendations, dated March 3, 2010, include a process that the Council recommends for inclusion in any bill introduced into the legislature to regulate offshore wind energy development in the Great Lakes, as well as recommendations for changes to transmission siting laws when the transmission relates to service of an offshore wind energy development.
