Further Clarification Needed in Maryland’s Draft Set of Rules to Implement SB1. On September 9th, the MDPSC filed draft proposed regulations for green product offerings. In this, draft set of rules Senate Bill 1’s new green power marketing laws requires further clarification as it is unclear who must abide by the all “green power” plans in Maryland. Currently, Staff’s draft requires retail suppliers to retire in GATS one REC per each MWh marketed as green power.
Texas adopts ERCOT reliability standard. On September 8th, PUCT issued an order adopting TAC §25.508, which creates an ERCOT reliability standard and provides for PUCT review, thus implementing a major legislative response to 2022’s Winter Storm Uri. The new rule requires that ERCOT expected loss of load events (LOLEs) be less than 0.1 days per year, have a maximum expected duration less than 12 hours, with an exceedance tolerance of 1.00%; and have an LOLE expected highest instantaneous load shed less than the max-MW load shed that can be safely rotated, with an exceedance tolerance of 0.25%. PUCT noted that it “expects ERCOT to use a stakeholder-informed process to calculate the amount of MW that can be safely and effectively rotated,” and specified two comment periods: one after ERCOT files its proposed modeling assumptions and one after ERCOT files its system assessment. ERCOT will be required to provide PUCT a triennial assessment of “the ERCOT system that exists today and the system that will exist three years into the future,” with the independent market monitor reviewing any recommended market design changes and their costs.
Massachusetts moves forward in addressing energy affordability. The DPU has issued an interlocutory order in its inquiry to examine energy burden identifying areas of consensus and calling for comments on next steps. Areas of consensus included designing energy affordability programs to keep total household energy burden at 6% or less, and maintaining broad eligibility based both on household income and size, with programs continuing to be open to both heating and non-heating customers and customers in arrears. Moving forward, DPU said that, rather than percentage of income payment plans, it will focus on development of tiered discount rates (TDRs), which are more readily implemented and likely have lower administrative costs. In addition to TDR details, DPU seeks input
State Energy Plan updates in New York. On August 29th, Governor Kathy Hochul announced the kickoff of the State Energy Plan process convening the State Energy Planning Board to update New York’s comprehensive roadmap. This final plan will provide a 15-year outlook and focus on strategies to meet future energy needs and advance economy-wide decarbonization.
