MEEA Policy Insider - January 2019

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 Illinois, Indiana and Ohio.

In this issue:

IL section header

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.

The governor-elect will be sworn in on January 14, 2019.

Regulatory

NextGrid Illinois released their final draft report containing several possible recommendations for energy efficiency, including:

  •  Allowing large energy customers to opt-in to energy efficiency programs

  •  Collaborating among utilities and governments to bring efficiency opportunities to those who need them most
  •   New finance programs such as Pay As You Save (PAYS) that allows customers to finance energy improvements through payments on their monthly utility bill.

Public comments are being accepted until January 10, 2019. Comments should be sent directly to Lynnea Johnson at lsjohnso@illinois.edu. A revised final report will be issued in early 2019.

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

IN header image

Regulatory

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 Tuesday, January  29 2019.
  • The commission granted Duke a filing extension to March 1, 2019 and IMP an extension to May 1, 2019 (IMP’s Michigan filing has been extended to June 15, 2019th).
  • Utility 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.

The Director’s Final Report on the 2017 Integrated Resource Plans (IRPs) was released on December 27, 2018.

The IURC has announced the date for its 2019 IRP Contemporary Issues Conference – Monday, April 15, 2019. Suggested speakers or questions can be sent to bborum@urc.in.gov by Friday, February 8, 2019. The commission’s suggested topics can be found here. 

How to Get Involved

Utility IRP meetings are open to anyone interested in attending. The IRP Contemporary Issues conference is also open to all interested parties.

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

IA header image

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 was on November 19 and November 20

  • Alliant Energy’s hearing was 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. 

Executive

Governor Gretchen Whitmer was sworn in on January 1, 2019 as Michigan’s 49th governor.

Regulatory

Ongoing energy efficiency-related MPSC dockets to be aware of:

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. 

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

Executive

Governor Tim Walz was sworn in on January 7, 2019 as Minnesota’s 41st governor.

Regulatory 

Public Utility Commission Chair Nancy Lange’s term ended on January 7, 2019. Governor Walz will nominate a new commissioner for a six-year term, after which the Senate must confirm the commissioner within 60 days of the nomination.

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

Missouri Header

Regulatory

KCP&L submitted their proposal for MEEIA (Missouri Energy Efficiency Investment Act) cycle 3 at the end of November. They submitted a three-year plan, with the exception of the income-eligible multifamily that will span over six years. The utility has proposed investing $96.3 million to achieve 185.9 MW of capacity reduction and 343.7 GWh of first year energy savings.

On December 5, the Missouri Public Service Commission approved Ameren Missouri’s energy efficiency programs. Over $200 million will be invested over the next three years. Another $50 million was approved for a six-year cycle for low-income customers and affordable housing owners.

For more information about Missouri or to get more involved, contact Sophia Markowska.

Executive

Governor-elect Mike DeWine will be sworn in on January 14, 2019

Regulatory

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) Nominating Council is accepting applications for the position of commissioner, as Commissioner Thomas Johnson’s term ends April 10, 2019. The Nominating Council will interview selected applicants and recommend four finalists to Governor Mike DeWine. The governor will have 30 days to either appoint a commissioner from the list or request a new list from the Nominating Council. The governor's appointment is subject to confirmation by the Ohio Senate. Applications are due January 17, 2019.

The PUCO also issued the following orders at the end of 2018:

  • Finalized an order for Duke Energy’s distribution rate case
  • Issued a ruling concerning net metering
  • Issued a final order that makes several changes to the Ohio Administrative Code concerning energy efficiency programs and renewable portfolio standard compliance in the state. Specifically, the rule changes the pre-approval process for energy efficiency programs and creates a post-program annual audit, which could impact stakeholder engagement and certainty around cost-recovery. MEEA is still assessing the full impact of this rule change. This order resumes filings from 2012 that have not been active since 2014. Re-hearing applications for this order are due January 18, 2019. 

On December 21, 2018 Dayton Power & Light filed their grid modernization plan. The filing addresses grid modernization architecture, smart meters, electric vehicles, non-wires alternatives and more. FirstEnergy has also filed their grid modernization plan with the PUCO. These filings are part of the next phase of the PUCO’s PowerForward: A Roadmap for Ohio’s Energy Future.

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

federal section header

MEEA co-signed an Alliance to Save Energy letter that was sent to Congress on Tuesday, January 8 concerning climate change and calling on lawmakers to prioritize energy efficiency as “one of the most effective strategies we have for addressing this growing threat.” Improving efficiency, the letter says, represents “an extraordinary bipartisan opportunity to reduce carbon emissions while simultaneously boosting economic growth and job creation, strengthening U.S. leadership in innovation, improving our energy security, and advancing global competitiveness.” 

resources section header

 

Webinars

New Blogs

New Fact Sheets and White Papers