MEEA Policy Insider - December 2019

The MEEA Policy Insider summarizes the latest state policy activity and provides new resources to aid members in their outreach, education and advocacy initiatives.

In this issue:

Policy Webinar: Energy Efficiency in the Midwest: 2019 Round-up and 2020 Outlook

SAVE THE DATE: Wednesday, January 8, 2020; 12:00-1:30 PM CST

Join MEEA’s policy team for a webinar recapping the region’s 2019 legislative activity and MEEA’s outreach efforts. Policy staff will also outline which elected officials are up for election in 2020 and potential action on the legislative and regulatory fronts. Register here.

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On November 4 NRDC, Sierra Club and other environmental and consumer groups filed a lawsuit challenging the US Department of Energy’s (DOE) recent rule that makes changes to federal lighting standards. In addition, 16 states including Illinois, Michigan and Minnesota filed a separate lawsuit challenging DOE’s action.

In September, DOE issued a Final Rule eliminating standards set to take effect January 2020 that would apply to most light bulbs found in homes and businesses (certain General Service Incandescent Lamps (GSILs)). This rule reverses a January 2017 rule that expanded the definition of light bulbs for which the standard would apply.

In a Notice of Proposed Determination (NOPD), the DOE proposed that an automatic standard for GSILs (common pear-shaped incandescent bulbs) to be enacted in 2020 by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA 2007) should not be adopted on the grounds that the standard is uneconomical. If finalized, this would roll back impending standards for a significant portion of bulbs in use. DOE’s economic analysis is based on seven statutory factors, outlined in the NOPD.

How to Get Involved

For more information about Illinois or to get more involved, contact Nick Hromalik. 

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Legislative

The General Assembly held its veto sessions October 28-30 and November 12-14. The Clean Energy Jobs Act (H.B. 3624) was not considered during veto session, and likely will be pushed to 2020 for further consideration.

MEEA Activity

On October 24 MEEA’s policy team met with Commissioner Maria Bocanegra of the Illinois Commerce Commission.  Staff introduced MEEA’s work to the Commissioner and her team, discussing clean energy jobs, diversity and inclusion, and the many benefits of energy efficiency. 

How to Get Involved

For more information about Illinois or to get more involved, contact Nick Hromalik. 

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Legislative

Iowa’s 2020 legislative session begins on January 13.

How to Get Involved

For more information about Iowa or to get more involved, contact Samarth Medakkar.

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Legislative

The 21st Century Energy Policy Development Task Force has no more meetings scheduled this calendar year. Testimony from past meetings is available at the Task Force website.

Regulatory

Integrated resource planning is ongoing for Indiana utilities. Current filing deadlines for the next IRPs are:

  • IPL: Dec 16, 2019
  • NIPSCO: Nov 1, 2021
  • Vectren: May 1, 2020

Utility stakeholder meetings will continue during the planning period and will be posted on the utility IRP page linked above. Updates from the commission on IRPs in Indiana will be posted to the IURC’s IRP page.

How to Get Involved

IRP meetings are all open to the public. Anyone interested is encouraged to attend.

If you have any questions about Indiana or want to get more involved, contact Greg Ehrendreich.

Executive

On October 17, 2019, Governor Whitmer announced the launch of MI Power Grid to guide Michigan through the transition to clean energy.

Information and updates can be found at the MI Power Grid website.

How to Get Involved

For more information about Michigan or to get more involved, contact Nick Dreher.

Executive

On December 2, Governor Walz signed Executive Order 19-37, establishing both the Climate Change Subcabinet and the Governor’s Advisory Council on Climate Change. The subcabinet, which will consist of members from fifteen cabinet-level agencies, will come up with recommendations to help the state to meet its greenhouse gas reduction goals. The appointed members of the citizens’ advisory council will advise the cabinet and the Walz administration on ways to mitigate climate change, improve resiliency, and increase interagency collaboration.

Legislative

Minnesota’s 2020 legislative session begins on February 11th.

How to Get Involved

For more information about Minnesota or to get more involved, contact Maddie Wazowicz

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Regulatory

On December 11, the Missouri Public Service Commission approved Evergy’s (formerly KCP&L) MEEIA Cycle 3 energy efficiency plan, with certain modifications. These modifications include a one-year Pay As You Save® on-bill financing pilot that is targeted for low-income and moderate-income multifamily participants. The Commission’s order also allows opted-out large energy use customers to participate in Evergy’s business response program.

How to Get Involved

For more information about Missouri or to get more involved, contact Samarth Medakkar

Legislative

Nebraska’s 2020 legislative session begins on January 8th.

MEEA Activity

MEEA held its 2019 Midwest Building Energy Codes Conference in Omaha November 12-14.  Policy Associate Maddie Wazowicz traveled with the Building Policy team to help facilitate the conference.  While there, Maddie met with energy advocates, policymakers and MEEA members to discuss the future of energy efficiency in Nebraska, including the Omaha Public Power District, Lincoln mayor’s office, and Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy.

How to Get Involved

If you have questions about Iowa or want to get more involved, contact Maddie Wazowicz.

Legislative

The House Public Utilities Committee held hearings on October 9 and 23 to receive proponent and opponent testimony on H.B. 247, a bill that makes changes to energy infrastructure and markets. The bill changes the definition for “smart grid” and “customer-focused energy services or products” that utilities may implement and receive cost recovery for through an Electric Security Plan. The expanded definitions for energy services include energy efficiency or reduction, energy storage, energy management, lighting controls, energy control technologies and EV charging stations, among others. The Committee has not yet announced future hearings or action on this bill, including amendments or votes.

A federal judge denied a request for additional time to collect signatures to qualify an H.B. 6 repeal referendum for the November 2020 ballot, instead referring the issue to the Ohio State Supreme Court for potential action. Pro-referendum groups had until October 21 to collect more than 265,000 signatures. It is unclear how the state supreme court will rule or what other recourse the referendum support groups will choose.

This federal litigation is in addition to a lawsuit filed by First Energy Solutions arguing that the surcharges created by H.B. 6 are a tax, and that because the Ohio Constitution prohibits referenda on tax-related state laws, the H.B. 6 repeal effort is unconstitutional. The State Supreme Court recently decided not to hear the lawsuit, dismissing the case without a written opinion.

On July 23, Governor DeWine signed H.B. 6 into law. H.B. 6 makes significant changes to both the renewable portfolio standard (RPS) and energy efficiency resource standard (EERS) that will have lasting impacts on the energy sector and Ohio’s economy. MEEA’s blog post answers common questions about H.B. 6 and looks at Ohio’s uncertain clean energy future.

Regulatory

On November 25, MEEA and other interested parties submitted public comments to the PUCO as part of the EE docketed proceedings. The PUCO had requested public comment on whether it should allow EE portfolios to continue once the 17.5% cumulative energy savings, as outlined in HB 6, has been met, including part way through 2020. MEEA noted that Ohio law appears to clearly layout an expectation that current energy efficiency programs should continue through 2020, with the ability for the Commission to carefully verify energy savings in fulfillment of the 17.5% standard. This timeline allows for the orderly transition of energy efficiency programs under an EERS to a voluntary energy efficiency portfolio.

How to Get Involved

For more information about Ohio or to get more involved, contact Nick Hromalik.

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Executive

On October 17, Governor Evers issued Executive Order #52 establishing a Task Force on Climate Change. The Task Force is chaired by Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes and includes members from across Wisconsin. The executive order states that Wisconsin is “committed to working with businesses and industry to reduce emissions through pollution prevention and improved energy efficiency,” and sees energy efficiency as a key component to fighting climate change. All utility, consumer, business and environmental advocates on the Task Force are listed in the executive order, with the members of the Legislature appointed to the Task Force announced shortly after.

How to Get Involved

For more information about Wisconsin or to get more involved, contact Nick Hromalik.

resources

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