California Public Utilities Commission to Consider New Proposals to Improve Renewables Portfolio Standard Procurement Process
On Oct. 5, 2012, Commissioner Mark Ferron of the California Public Utilities Commission (“Commission”) issued a 39-page ruling including a number of proposals to improve California’s Renewables Portfolio Standard (“RPS”) procurement process. Specifically, he proposed an: [E]ffort to streamline the RPS contract review process, increase the transparency of the Commission’s review of RPS procurement, establish … Continue reading
Renewables Portfolio Standard Rulemaking to Continue
Having dispensed with many of the preliminary issues regarding the new and improved 33% by 2020 Renewables Portfolio Standard, Commissioner Ferron issued a new scoping ruling on Wednesday providing a preliminary list of issues for the remainder of the proceeding. The scoping ruling extends the proceeding for another two years, however no specific procedural guideline … Continue reading
Pre-AB 32 Contracts: Are generators entitled to some relief for their greenhouse gas costs?
Generators that may have executed bilateral contracts with a California utility prior to the passage of Assembly Bill 32 (AB 32) in California such that their contract does not have specific terms and conditions assigning greenhouse gas cost responsibility should be aware that the matter of whether the generator is entitled to some sort of … Continue reading
Net Metering Cap Clarified by California Public Utilities Commission
In a huge win for the solar industry, the California Public Utilities Commission voted unanimously to issue a decision that clarifies the calculation of the California’s five-percent Net Metering cap. Net Metering (“NEM”) allows customers to earn credit for excess solar electricity they produce that is distributed to other customers on the grid. Electric utilities … Continue reading
Direct Access Cap for 2013 in California filled in less than 45 Seconds
In an initial report requested by industry groups, the Energy Division of the California Public Utilities Commission released the results of the January 13, 2012 Direct Access enrollment. This enrollment represents the limited phase-in of direct access stemming from Senate Bill 695. The results are eyepopping. A lucky 141 customers jumped from utility service … Continue reading
New Director of the Consumer Protection and Safety Division of the California Public Utilities Commission
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) announced a new director of the Consumer Protection and Safety Division (CPSD). The former director was reassigned after the San Bruno tragedy and CPSD has been without a director for a number of months now. The search for a director was difficult as it was generally limited to others … Continue reading
Proposed Decision Adopting Metrics to Measure Smart Grid Deployments
The California Public Utilities Commission released a much awaited proposed decision on March 20th regarding metrics to measure the deployment of the smart grid in the PG&E, SCE, and SDG&E service territories. The consensus metrics can be found in Attachment A to the proposed decision. The consensus consists of 19 metrics that the utilities will report … Continue reading
FERC Regulation of Renewable Energy Certificates?
In the midst of the San Francisco-based California Public Utilities Commission focusing on how to count out-of-state renewable power towards its Renewables Portfolio Standard and what transactions should be considered Renewable Energy Cerificate-only transactions, an important note from our DC energy partner, Jim Mitchell about possible FERC regulation of RECs. WSPP (formerly, the Western Systems … Continue reading
Low Carbon Fuel Standard Rulemaking at California Public Utilities Commission to Continue
Apparently the folks at the California Public Utilities Commission in San Francisco aren’t too worried about the recent ruling declaring California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard unconstitutional. Yesterday, an Administrative Law Judge at the Commission issued a ruling requesting proposals from all parties regarding the allocation of revenues from the electric utilities sales of Low Carbon … Continue reading
Commissioners Sandoval and Florio Confirmed
Big news from the Legislature today, as the California State Senate unanimously confirmed the appointments of Commissioners Sandoval and Florio today. The unanimity is a marked departure from more recent confirmation battles, including the recent failed attempts to seek confirmation for previous Commissioners Ryan and Chong. Congratulations to the newly confirmed Commissioners!
