May 8, 2008

On April 17, The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced that the Commissioner Jeanne Fox, President of the NJ Board of Public Utilities and the chair of the National Council on Electricity Policy, will join some of the nation's top public and private sector leaders in electricity policy, planning and operations as an inaugural member of the DOE Electricity Advisory Committee. The Committee was established to provide counsel to DOE on long-range planning and priorities for the modernization of the Nation's electricity delivery infrastructure.

The Committee-chartered by DOE Secretary Bodman -will provide senior-level counsel to DOE's Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability in carrying out its mission and meeting requirements of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. In addition, the Committee will advise the Office on deployment of smart grid technologies, research and development of energy storage technologies, renewable energy resource system integration, and new transmission infrastructure to ensure the efficient delivery of electricity.

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May 8, 2008

On April 14-15, state and federal electricity officials from around the country gathered in Washington DC for the National Council's Annual Planning Meeting. The meeting provided an open dialogue on policies and programs needed to enable a more affordable, reliable and less carbon intensive electricity grid. Monday April 14th presentations provided a framework of emerging electricity and climate policy issues. Day one culminated in a roundtable discussion examining the challenges and opportunities facing the electricity industry over the next 20 years. Roundtable participants represented policy, government and academic experts including FERC Commissioner Jon Wellinghoff and DOE Deputy Assistant Secretary Mark Whitenton. The morning of Tuesday April 15th focused on state, federal and regional electricity program coordination with presentations by DOE, EPA, FERC, NARUC, NASEO, NCSL and NGA. At the close of day two, National Council members discussed broad priorities for 2009 including: regional electricity planning, electricity and climate program coordination, alternatives to electric transmission, and integrating clean energy technologies onto the grid. Based on these initial priorities, the National Council will develop a guidance document outlining priority issues and potential activities for 2009.

August 1, 2008

The National Council continues to conduct periodic policy conference calls that are open to all interested parties.  These meetings will draw on expertise from across our membership to provide insight and discussion on emerging electricity policy issues. The next series of policy forums will focus on electric transmission and distribution issues.  

• August 15, 2008 at 3:00 eastern - A presentation of the National Council paper, "Coordinating Interstate Electric Transmission Siting: An Introduction to the Debate" released in July, 2008.
• August 22, 2008 at 3:00 eastern - A presentation of the National Council paper, "10 Basic Approaches to Enable Greater Energy Efficiency: A Guide for State Officials" which will be released in August, 2008.
• September 12, 2008 at 3:00 eastern - A presentation of the National Council paper, "State and ISO Demand Response Programs since EPact 2005: A Guide for Government Officials" which will be released in August 2008.
• September 26, 2008 at 3:00 eastern - A presentation of the National Council paper, "Examining Alternatives to Electric Transmission: A Guide for Government Officials" which will be released in September, 2008.
• October 10, 2008 at 3:00 eastern - Co-hosting a Policy call with NGA, NCSL, NARUC, NACAA or NASEO. Topic TBD.
• November 14, 2008 at 3:00 eastern - Co-hosting a Policy call with NGA, NCSL, NARUC, NACAA or NASEO. Topic TBD.
• December 12, 2008 at 3:00 eastern - A Presentation of the proposed NCEP paper, "Examining the Smart Grid: A Guide for Government Officials", which may be released in November 2008.

Please visit the National Council website to confirm the date and time of each call: http://www.ncouncil.org

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August 1, 2008

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick signed energy legislation that requires electricity generators in the state to draw their generation from 25% renewable sources by 2030 increasing from 4% in 2009. This percentage increase has no cap and doubles the previous renewable portfolio standard for the state from 0.5% per year to 1% per year.
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August 1, 2008

The NY PSC approved an initiative in mid-June to reduce electricity sales in the state 7.5% by 2015. The initiative seeks to improve upon and create new energy efficiency programs by increasing the systems benefit charge paid by electricity customers. These programs are expected to save consumers and estimated $4 billion by 2015.
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August 1, 2008

On June 25, 2008, Florida Governor Charlie Crist signed into law House Bill 7135, enacting several new energy and climate change policies. The policies include the Florida Climate Protection Act, which authorizes the Department of Environmental Protection to develop an electric-utility greenhouse gas (GHG) cap-and-trade program. Pending legislative approval of the final plan, the cap-and-trade program may begin operation as soon as January 1, 2010. Among other goals, the program will develop a timeline to reduce electric sector GHG emissions to 2000 levels by 2017, 1990 levels by 2025, and 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2005, in accordance with Governor Crist's Executive Order 07-127 from July 2007.

In addition, the bill directs the Public Service Commission to adopt a Renewable Portfolio Standard for public utilities, requires utilities to develop standardized net metering programs for customer-owned renewable energy generation, and directs the Public Service Commission to investigate utility revenue decoupling.

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