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:
- Webinar Recording: 2019 ACEEE Scorecard: The Midwest in Focus
- MEEA Advocacy Update
- Federal Update
- State Updates: IL / IN / MI / MN / MO / NE / OH / WI
- New Resources & Blog Posts
Policy Webinar (Recording): 2019 ACEEE Scorecard: The Midwest in Focus
MEEA hosted a webinar to break down the Midwest state rankings within ACEEE’s 2019 State Scorecard. The webinar featured Weston Berg with ACEEE who provided a breakdown of Midwest state scores by policy category and presented opportunities for the region. The webinar also featured Randi Leppla of the Ohio Environmental Council and Scott Blankman with Clean Wisconsin to discuss policy issues, opportunities and successes within their states. View Webinar Recording
MEEA Advocacy Update
Read MEEA’s latest blog post highlighting our policy team's advocacy this fall throughout the Midwest to promote the value of energy efficiency to policymakers, regulators, and state energy offices.
On November 4, the NRDC, Sierra Club and other environmental and consumer groups filed a lawsuit challenging the US Department of Energy (DOE)’s recent rule that makes changes to federal lighting standards. In addition, 16 states including Illinois, Michigan and Minnesota filed separate lawsuits 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.
Legislative
The General Assembly held its veto sessions on 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. The Commissioner and her staff were introduced to MEEA’s work and discussed 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.
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
The task force and IRP meetings are all open to anyone interested in attending. 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. According to the press release, “the initiative will serve as a centralized source for credible information and outreach, engage utility customers and other stakeholders to help integrate new clean energy technologies and optimize grid investments for reliable, affordable electricity service.” The three priority areas of the initiative include: 1) Customer engagement, 2) Integrating emerging technologies and 3) Optimizing grid performance and investments.
Information and updates can be found at the MI Power Grid website.
MEEA Activity
MEEA’s policy team traveled to Lansing on October 29-31 to meet with Public Service Commissioners Dan Scripps and Tremaine Phillips. MEEA introduced their work to the Commissioners and discussed the MI Power Grid plan.
The policy team also met with Governor Whitmer’s energy policy advisor and officials from the department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. Discussions in these meetings focused on the administration’s priorities and the intersection of energy efficiency and environmental justice. The policy team also met with the chair, vice chair and minority chair of both the Senate and House Energy Committees to offer MEEA’s expertise or resources in future legislative discussions.
How to Get Involved
For more information about Michigan or to get more involved, contact Nick Dreher.
Legislative
Lawmakers and Governor Walz administration officials continue to discuss the Clean Energy First Act (CEFA; HF 1956), which would prioritize clean energy, energy efficiency and renewable energy prior to building new fossil fuel generation. CEFA was originally included in Governor Walz’s budget proposal, but most of the administration’s energy and environmental proposals were removed by the legislature in budget negotiations. Additional hearings on the bill may occur prior to session starting in February.
MEEA Activity
MEEA’s policy team traveled to St. Paul on September 26 to meet with Governor Walz’s energy policy advisor and Public Utilities Commission Chair Katie Sieben. Staff introduced MEEA’s work to the Chair, discussing clean energy jobs, diversity and inclusion, and the many benefits of energy efficiency.
How to Get Involved
For more information about Minnesota or to get more involved, contact Maddie Wazowicz.
Regulatory
Commissioner Daniel Hall’s term on the Missouri Public Service Commission has ended. A date for Governor Parson’s new appointment has not been announced.
In March 2019, Evergy’s (formerly KCP&L) Missouri Energy Efficiency Investment Act (MEEIA) cycle 2 plan was extended through December 31, 2019 as negotiations for its cycle 3 plan continued.
The Commissioners continue to have discussions on this case. They indicated that the application should be approved with certain modifications. One modification they’re considering is the inclusion of a one year Pay As You Save (PAYS) pilot program, although the details have yet to be agreed upon. The discussion recording can be found here and begins at minute 44. The case is now awaiting a decision from the Commission (to be posted here) after Staff issued its Statement of Position, Initial Brief and Reply Brief. The Reply Brief is in response to Evergy’s brief upon receiving Commission to Staff’s rejection of the application.
How to Get Involved
For more information about Missouri or to get more involved, contact Samarth Medakkar.
MEEA's Activity
MEEA held its 2019 Midwest Building Energy Codes Conference in Omaha on 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. Maddie met with staff from 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 for interested party testimony, 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 over 265,000 signatures. It is unclear how the state supreme court will rule or what other recourse the referendum support groups will choose. This 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.
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
The PUCO has requested public comment as part of the EE docketed proceedings on if the PUCO should allow EE portfolios to continue once the 17.5% cumulative energy savings, as outlined in HB 6, has been met. The PUCO specifically is asking, “(1) whether the Commission should terminate the energy efficiency programs once the statutory cap of 17.5 percent has been met; and (2) whether it is appropriate for the EDUs to continue to spend ratepayer provided funds on energy efficiency programs after the statutory cap has been met.” Public comment is due on November 25.
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) granted an extension for energy efficiency plan filings. The utilities now have until December 2, 2019 to file their EE plans due to changes in H.B. 6.
MEEA Activity
MEEA plans to submit interested party public comments in response to the PUCO’s solicitation.
How to Get Involved
For more information about Ohio or to get more involved, contact Nick Hromalik.
Executive
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. The full list of 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.
MEEA Activity
On October 22 Policy Manager Nick Hromalik, Building Policy Manager Ian Blanding and Policy Associate Maddie Wazowicz met with Public Service Commission Chair Rebecca Valcq to discuss energy efficiency activity in Wisconsin and the important role that buildings and energy codes can play in reducing energy use and emissions. The Chair invited Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes and Secretary Dawn Crim of the Department of Safety and Professional Services to join the discussion.
How to Get Involved
For more information about Wisconsin or to get more involved, contact Nick Hromalik.
New Blogs
- Building Relationships with Midwestern Policymakers
- 3 Big Questions about Energy Use in Legal Cannabis Cultivation
- 6 Things You Need to Know About Ohio’s Energy Efficiency Rollback