The MEEA Policy Insider summarizes the latest state policy activity and provides new resources to aid members in their own outreach, education and advocacy initiatives.
Ready to get involved? There are advocacy opportunities in Indiana and Ohio.
In this issue:
MEEA's Post Election Analysis
Thursday, December 6, 2 p.m. (CST)
Want to get the full story on the midterms? Join MEEA’s Policy Team for a state-by-state exploration of the election results and how they’ll impact EE. Register Now.
For a preview of our post-election coverage, read Policy Manager Nick Hromalik’s new blog post on how gubernatorial changes could have serious energy impacts.
Executive
Governor-elect Pritzker’s Powering Illinois’ Future Committee transition team has been announced. The 30-member committee includes a diverse set of stakeholders, including utilities, environmental advocates, elected officials and organized labor. The committee will advise the Pritzker Administration on agency appointments and craft the governor-elect’s energy agenda.
For more information about Illinois or to get more involved, contact Nick Hromalik.
Regulatory
Integrated resource plan (IRP) stakeholder processes are underway for Duke Energy Indiana, Indiana Michigan Power (IMP) and NIPSCO.
- NIPSCO has filed their IRP and public comments are open until Tues., Jan. 29, 2019.
- Duke has been granted an extension to March 1, 2019, and IMP has been extended to May 1, 2019 (and June 15 for their Michigan filing).
- Stakeholder meetings will continue during the planning period and will be posted on the utility IRP pages linked above.
Updates from the commission on IRPs in Indiana will be posted to the IURC’s IRP page.
How to Get Involved
Utility IRP meetings are open to anyone interested in attending.
Regulatory
Alliant Energy, MidAmerican Energy and Black Hills Energy have filed their revised 2019- 2023 plans in consideration of SF 2311. The hearing dates are as follows:
- MidAmerican Energy’s hearing will be on November 19 and November 20
- Alliant Energy’s hearing will be on December 12
- Black Hills Energy’s hearing will be on January 15 and January 16
How to Get Involved
Hearings are open to the public.
If you have questions about Iowa or want to get more involved, contact Nick Dreher.
Regulatory
The Michigan Public Service Commission has a sub-group to their energy waste reduction (EWR) collaborative focused on low-income EWR programs. The most recent meeting was held on November 1. The next meeting will be on December 10 and will focus on sub-topic team deliverables, including multifamily energy waste reduction, marketing and outreach and utility program gaps. The meeting will be held in the Michigan Public Service Commission Lake Michigan Hearing Room at 7109 W. Saginaw Highway, Lansing, MI.
MEEA Activities
MEEA is working with in-state Energy Efficiency for All partners and the MPSC to develop agendas for a recurring Low Income Energy Waste Reduction stakeholder collaborative meeting. MEEA Senior Policy Manager Nick Dreher assists the MPSC with facilitation.
For more information about Michigan or to get more involved, contact Nick Dreher.
Regulatory
On October 15, Xcel Energy submitted a request (E002/RP-15-21) to the Public Utility Commission (PUC) requesting an extension to submit its 2020-2034 IRP. The original filing deadline was February 1, 2019 and Xcel asked for a five-month extension to July 1, 2019. Comments were due on November 19.
For more information about Minnesota or to get more involved, contact Sophia Markowska.
Regulatory
On August 29, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) released their much-anticipated PowerForward report detailing solutions and policy recommendations for the state’s grid modernization. The report, PowerForward: A Roadmap to Ohio’s Electricity Future, is the culmination of a year-and-a-half of work by the PUCO and stakeholders. The report’s framework encourages continued conversation between all stakeholders through the creation of a PUCO staff-led PowerForward Collaborative.
The first meeting of the collaborative will be on December 6, 2018 at the PUCO’s offices.
The roadmap also calls for utilities to file new grid modernization dockets and amend existing rate designs to respond to grid architecture deployment. The deadline for these filings in April 1, 2019.
For more information about Ohio or to get more involved, contact Nick Hromalik.
Regulatory
Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC) Chairman Lon Roberts has announced he will resign later this month. Outgoing Governor Scott Walker has nominated Ellen Nowak, the current Department of Administration secretary, to serve the remainder of Roberts' term, which ends in 2023. Incoming Governor Tony Evers could choose to demote her as he will get to appoint the commission chair to a two-year term.
For more information about Wisconsin or to get more involved, contact Sophia Markowska.
New Blogs
- What do the Midterm Elections Mean for Energy Efficiency?
- Energy Efficiency in a Win-Win. So Why Does the Affordable Clean Energy Rule Ignore It?
- Smart Discussion on Smart Grids
- 6 Energy Efficiency Financing Options You Should Know
New Fact Sheets and White Papers