The recent documents related to A22-05-022 provide a comprehensive update on the state of renewable energy programs in California, focusing on the Net Value Billing Tariff (NVBT) and community solar projects. Here's a breakdown of the key points and positions from various stakeholders:
Discussions include FERC orders related to electric storage and distributed energy resources, emphasizing that community solar facilities and utilities do not engage in wholesale sales.
The treatment of credits from net metering and community solar is debated, with a focus on retail rate design under state jurisdiction.
The document highlights the importance of targeting low-income households and recommends utilizing various funding sources for renewable energy projects.
Suggestions include implementing a net surplus compensation framework and applying it to all surplus energy at the end of the NVBT facility’s Relevant Period.
The NVBT program is praised for its flexibility and contribution to peak load reductions, with a call for the Commission to confirm NVBT resources as load modifiers.
Recommendations include utilizing state and federal funding sources like AB 102 and the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund for renewable energy projects.
Emphasizes the importance of automatic enrollment and flat monetary credits on bills for existing program participants.
Discusses the challenges with PURPA prices in attracting developers to community solar projects and suggests using additional funds to incentivize participation.
The documents collectively underscore the potential savings and advantages of deploying NVBT for renewable energy programs in California. Stakeholders urge the Commission to modify or reject the Proposed Decision based on these findings, highlighting the need for a program that benefits all ratepayers, promotes energy efficiency, and ensures participation from low-income households.
The recent documents related to A22-05-022 provide a comprehensive update on the state of renewable energy programs in California, focusing on the Net Value Billing Tariff (NVBT) and community solar projects. Here's a breakdown of the key points and positions from various stakeholders:
Discussions include FERC orders related to electric storage and distributed energy resources, emphasizing that community solar facilities and utilities do not engage in wholesale sales.
The treatment of credits from net metering and community solar is debated, with a focus on retail rate design under state jurisdiction.
The document highlights the importance of targeting low-income households and recommends utilizing various funding sources for renewable energy projects.
Suggestions include implementing a net surplus compensation framework and applying it to all surplus energy at the end of the NVBT facility’s Relevant Period.
The NVBT program is praised for its flexibility and contribution to peak load reductions, with a call for the Commission to confirm NVBT resources as load modifiers.
Recommendations include utilizing state and federal funding sources like AB 102 and the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund for renewable energy projects.
Emphasizes the importance of automatic enrollment and flat monetary credits on bills for existing program participants.
Discusses the challenges with PURPA prices in attracting developers to community solar projects and suggests using additional funds to incentivize participation.
The documents collectively underscore the potential savings and advantages of deploying NVBT for renewable energy programs in California. Stakeholders urge the Commission to modify or reject the Proposed Decision based on these findings, highlighting the need for a program that benefits all ratepayers, promotes energy efficiency, and ensures participation from low-income households.
The recent documents related to A22-05-022 provide a comprehensive update on the state of renewable energy programs in California, focusing on the Net Value Billing Tariff (NVBT) and community solar projects. Here's a breakdown of the key points and positions from various stakeholders:
Discussions include FERC orders related to electric storage and distributed energy resources, emphasizing that community solar facilities and utilities do not engage in wholesale sales.
The treatment of credits from net metering and community solar is debated, with a focus on retail rate design under state jurisdiction.
The document highlights the importance of targeting low-income households and recommends utilizing various funding sources for renewable energy projects.
Suggestions include implementing a net surplus compensation framework and applying it to all surplus energy at the end of the NVBT facility’s Relevant Period.
The NVBT program is praised for its flexibility and contribution to peak load reductions, with a call for the Commission to confirm NVBT resources as load modifiers.
Recommendations include utilizing state and federal funding sources like AB 102 and the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund for renewable energy projects.
Emphasizes the importance of automatic enrollment and flat monetary credits on bills for existing program participants.
Discusses the challenges with PURPA prices in attracting developers to community solar projects and suggests using additional funds to incentivize participation.
The documents collectively underscore the potential savings and advantages of deploying NVBT for renewable energy programs in California. Stakeholders urge the Commission to modify or reject the Proposed Decision based on these findings, highlighting the need for a program that benefits all ratepayers, promotes energy efficiency, and ensures participation from low-income households.
The recent documents related to A22-05-022 provide a comprehensive update on the state of renewable energy programs in California, focusing on the Net Value Billing Tariff (NVBT) and community solar projects. Here's a breakdown of the key points and positions from various stakeholders:
Discussions include FERC orders related to electric storage and distributed energy resources, emphasizing that community solar facilities and utilities do not engage in wholesale sales.
The treatment of credits from net metering and community solar is debated, with a focus on retail rate design under state jurisdiction.
The document highlights the importance of targeting low-income households and recommends utilizing various funding sources for renewable energy projects.
Suggestions include implementing a net surplus compensation framework and applying it to all surplus energy at the end of the NVBT facility’s Relevant Period.
The NVBT program is praised for its flexibility and contribution to peak load reductions, with a call for the Commission to confirm NVBT resources as load modifiers.
Recommendations include utilizing state and federal funding sources like AB 102 and the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund for renewable energy projects.
Emphasizes the importance of automatic enrollment and flat monetary credits on bills for existing program participants.
Discusses the challenges with PURPA prices in attracting developers to community solar projects and suggests using additional funds to incentivize participation.
The documents collectively underscore the potential savings and advantages of deploying NVBT for renewable energy programs in California. Stakeholders urge the Commission to modify or reject the Proposed Decision based on these findings, highlighting the need for a program that benefits all ratepayers, promotes energy efficiency, and ensures participation from low-income households.
The recent documents related to A22-05-022 provide a comprehensive update on the state of renewable energy programs in California, focusing on the Net Value Billing Tariff (NVBT) and community solar projects. Here's a breakdown of the key points and positions from various stakeholders:
Discussions include FERC orders related to electric storage and distributed energy resources, emphasizing that community solar facilities and utilities do not engage in wholesale sales.
The treatment of credits from net metering and community solar is debated, with a focus on retail rate design under state jurisdiction.
The document highlights the importance of targeting low-income households and recommends utilizing various funding sources for renewable energy projects.
Suggestions include implementing a net surplus compensation framework and applying it to all surplus energy at the end of the NVBT facility’s Relevant Period.
The NVBT program is praised for its flexibility and contribution to peak load reductions, with a call for the Commission to confirm NVBT resources as load modifiers.
Recommendations include utilizing state and federal funding sources like AB 102 and the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund for renewable energy projects.
Emphasizes the importance of automatic enrollment and flat monetary credits on bills for existing program participants.
Discusses the challenges with PURPA prices in attracting developers to community solar projects and suggests using additional funds to incentivize participation.
The documents collectively underscore the potential savings and advantages of deploying NVBT for renewable energy programs in California. Stakeholders urge the Commission to modify or reject the Proposed Decision based on these findings, highlighting the need for a program that benefits all ratepayers, promotes energy efficiency, and ensures participation from low-income households.
The recent documents related to A22-05-022 provide a comprehensive update on the state of renewable energy programs in California, focusing on the Net Value Billing Tariff (NVBT) and community solar projects. Here's a breakdown of the key points and positions from various stakeholders:
Discussions include FERC orders related to electric storage and distributed energy resources, emphasizing that community solar facilities and utilities do not engage in wholesale sales.
The treatment of credits from net metering and community solar is debated, with a focus on retail rate design under state jurisdiction.
The document highlights the importance of targeting low-income households and recommends utilizing various funding sources for renewable energy projects.
Suggestions include implementing a net surplus compensation framework and applying it to all surplus energy at the end of the NVBT facility’s Relevant Period.
The NVBT program is praised for its flexibility and contribution to peak load reductions, with a call for the Commission to confirm NVBT resources as load modifiers.
Recommendations include utilizing state and federal funding sources like AB 102 and the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund for renewable energy projects.
Emphasizes the importance of automatic enrollment and flat monetary credits on bills for existing program participants.
Discusses the challenges with PURPA prices in attracting developers to community solar projects and suggests using additional funds to incentivize participation.
The documents collectively underscore the potential savings and advantages of deploying NVBT for renewable energy programs in California. Stakeholders urge the Commission to modify or reject the Proposed Decision based on these findings, highlighting the need for a program that benefits all ratepayers, promotes energy efficiency, and ensures participation from low-income households.
Last Week's New Ruling +1
Date of Mandate
On November 12, 2024, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) mandated the following companies and stakeholders to submit draft proposals:
Submission Deadline
The deadline for these draft Data Definition and Guideline Proposals is December 13, 2024.
Purpose of the Initiative
This initiative aims to improve the...
safety, reliability, and resiliency of electrical distribution systems in light of climate change and aging infrastructure.
Background Information
The CPUC's Scoping Memo, issued on October 16, 2024, highlights the need for enhanced data collection and reporting to improve outage transparency and develop effective remediation strategies.
Proposal Requirements
The proposals must align with existing electric reliability reports and include comprehensive outage data, covering all incidents while ensuring public clarity. Key requirements include:
Stakeholder Engagement
Stakeholders are invited to provide feedback on enhancing utility outage reporting, focusing on:
Compliance
All submissions must adhere to the guidelines established in the ruling.
Last Week's New Comment +1
Organization Involved
Utility Consumers’ Action Network (UCAN)
Date of Submission
October 16, 2024
Context
Responses to the California Public Utilities Commission's Scoping Memo on increased outage transparency
Comments on Data Submissions
UCAN did not provide comments on several questions regarding data submissions and enhancements from investor-owned utilities.
Recommendations
Last Week's New Comment +1
PARTY INVOLVED
ENGIE North America, Inc. (ENGIE NA)
DATE OF SUBMISSION
November 15, 2024
SUBJECT
Reply to Responses regarding Petition for Modification (PFM) of Decision 21-06-005
PROPOSED CHANGE
ENGIE NA seeks to lower the methane purity standard from 96% to 60% within the Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP).
PURPOSE OF CHANGE
The proposed change aims to improve the economic feasibility of clean energy solutions, particularly for Distributed Energy...
Resources (DERs) at facilities such as Waste Water Treatment Plants (WWTPs).
SUPPORTING PARTIES
ARGUMENTS FOR CHANGE
ADDITIONAL CLARIFICATION
The document clarifies that fossil fuel "waste fuel" is ineligible for SGIP projects.
FORMAL REQUEST
ENGIE NA formally requests approval for the proposed changes.
Last Week's New Petition for Modification +1
Petition for Modification Submitted by Southern California Edison Company, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, San Diego Gas & Electric Company on 11/15/2024
Joint Petition for Modification
The Joint Petition for Modification has been submitted by the following parties:
This petition seeks changes to Decision D. 23-11-068,...
which pertains to net energy metering (NEM) and billing tariffs under Public Utilities Code section 769.2. The petition requests two main modifications:
Removal of NDA Requirement
The first modification requests the removal of a requirement for the utilities to enter into a nondisclosure agreement (NDA) with the Department of Industrial Relations. The Department has indicated that it cannot legally maintain customer confidentiality. The utilities have updated their tariffs to inform customers that participation in the NEM program implies consent to data disclosure.
Cost Recovery Mechanism
The second modification seeks to establish a cost recovery mechanism for implementing the prevailing wage law and the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA) Compliant Tariff. This tariff compensates customers who are losing access to NEM/NBT tariffs. The utilities propose that these costs be recorded in their memorandum accounts and recovered during General Rate Cases (GRCs).
Compliance with Procedural Rules
The Investor-Owned Utilities (IOUs) assert compliance with procedural rules regarding the submission of a Proposed Final Modification (PFM) related to Decision D.23-11-068. They have served the PFM in accordance with the required rules and timeframe. However, the IOUs face challenges in complying with Ordering Paragraph 36 of D.23-11-068, which mandates an NDA with the Department concerning confidential information from their NEM/NBT interconnection portals.
The Department has indicated it cannot maintain confidentiality for information related to prevailing wage violations, which are public under California law. Consequently, the IOUs have informed customers that their information may be disclosed if there are allegations of such violations. They request the Commission to modify the Decision by removing the NDA requirement, as compliance is not feasible, and to authorize cost recovery for implementing a PURPA Compliant Tariff for affected customer-generators.
Decision D.20-05-006
Decision D.20-05-006 established a new PURPA Standard Offer Contract for Qualifying Facilities (QFs) of 20 megawatts or less, introducing two pricing options for capacity and energy. The IOUs are required to use a pricing methodology based on hourly locational marginal prices from the CAISO's day-ahead market but seek clarification on how to record and recover costs related to the PURPA Compliant Tariff.
The subsequent NBT decision authorized a memorandum account for certain costs but did not cover the PURPA Compliant Tariff. The IOUs are requesting modifications to allow them to record costs incurred in implementing and maintaining the tariff in the NBT memorandum account. The Commission is urged to consider these modifications, as utilities are permitted to document costs associated with the implementation of the Net Billing Tariff and the prevailing wage law in designated memorandum accounts, to be recouped during their General Rate Cases.
Last Week's New Proposed Decision +1
Other
Decision Overview
The decision regarding the Draft 2024 Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS) Procurement Plans for various utilities has been finalized, with modifications accepted for major Investor-Owned Utilities (IOUs).
Investor-Owned Utilities (IOUs)
Small and Multi-Jurisdictional Utilities (SMJUs) Plans from SMJUs such as Bear Valley Electric Service, Liberty Utilities, and PacifiCorp have been accepted without modifications.Community Choice Aggregators (CCAs) and Electric Service Providers (ESPs) CCAs and ESPs are required to address specific findings related to their supply and demand, long-term procurement, and compliance strategies in their Final 2024 RPS Plans.Data Confidentiality The decision emphasizes the importance of maintaining data confidentiality, with retail sellers instructed to reduce excessive redactions in their submissions.Conclusion Overall, the framework aims to enhance compliance with California's clean energy goals while ensuring effective RPS procurement strategies. The proceeding remains open for further developments.
Last Week's New Ruling +1
Ruling Date
On November 14, 2024, the California Public Utilities Commission issued a ruling.
Parties Involved
The ruling affects the following utilities:
Reporting Obligations
The utilities are required to comply with specific reporting obligations outlined in Decision 24-09-020. They must demonstrate that they have energized at...
least 80% of customers with complete applications as of January 31, 2023.
Compliance Requirements
If any utility has energized less than 35% of these customers, they are mandated to submit a detailed compliance report by December 1, 2024, in accordance with Public Utilities Code § 933.5(b).
Report Contents
The required reports must include:
Filing and Availability
Each utility is to file their reports with the service list of R. 24-01-018 and make them available on their websites by the deadline. Additionally, they must clarify their compliance with Public Utilities Code § 933.5(b)(2) and Assembly Bill 50.
Issuing Authority
This ruling was issued by Administrative Law Judge Carolyn Sisto in San Francisco.
Last Week's New Comments +2
Overview
On November 14, 2024, The Utility Reform Network (TURN) and Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) filed comments regarding the California Public Utilities Commission's (CPUC) consideration of PG&E's Exhibits PGE-01 and PGE-02. These exhibits are part of PG&E's motion to raise capital cost caps for the Electric Capacity New Business Interim Memorandum Account (ECNBIMA). This update provides a sampling of the positions of the involved parties.
Admission of Exhibits
TURN argues that the admission of PG&E's Exhibits PGE-01 and PGE-02 is premature. They state that stakeholders have not had sufficient opportunity for discovery or to submit responsive testimony related to Bryon Winget's declaration and supporting documents. TURN insists on a standard procedural process that allows for thorough review and cross-examination of PG&E's witnesses before any exhibits are accepted. They assert that admitting the exhibits without addressing objections would breach Rule 13.8(c) of the CPUC's procedural guidelines.
PG&E does not oppose the admission of these documents into the record at this time and is open to the standard practice of introducing them during evidentiary hearings. PG&E confirmed that there are no changes to the declaration, which serves as its direct testimony, but identified an error in the attached workpapers and has included the complete workpapers with the full Table D-4 provided in Attachment D.
Procedural Timeline
TURN criticizes the current procedural timeline, which requires intervenors to submit testimony by December 2, 2024, as inadequate. They express concern over the limited time for review, especially after PG&E's announcement that no additional direct testimony will be provided. The proposed hearing date of December 30, 2024, is seen as unreasonably rushed, particularly with the winter holidays impacting availability. TURN calls for an extension of deadlines to facilitate a thorough analysis and informed recommendations regarding PG&E's substantial spending request.
Witness Panel
PG&E will present a panel of witnesses for cross-examination, including Bryon Winget, VP of Electric System Planning, and others involved in the ratemaking mechanism established during the General Rate Case Phase 2. PG&E is also prepared to provide additional witnesses if requested. While there are no changes to the declaration, PG&E may offer new testimony in response to intervenor testimony.
Filing Details
PG&E's response was filed on November 14, 2024, by Kristin Charipar, an attorney for PG&E.
