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:
Legislative
The 21st Century Energy Policy Development Task Force has scheduled meetings for Sept. 19, Oct. 1, and Oct. 17. The meetings are open to all. Testimony from the Aug. 26 meeting is also available at the task force website.
Regulatory
Duke and Indiana Michigan Power filed their 2018 IRPs on July 1. Integrated resource planning is ongoing for Indiana utilities. Current deadlines for the next IRPs are:
- IPL (2019 IRP): Dec 16, 2019 (originally Nov 1, 2019)
- NIPSCO (2019 IRP): Nov 1, 2021 (originally Nov 1, 2019)
- Vectren (2019 IRP): May 1, 2020 (originally Nov 1, 2019)
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.
Regulatory
On September 9, the Iowa Utility Board issued an order to enforce changes made to the Iowa Code by SF 2311 (2018) and SF 638 (2019) through the development of new rules. This order includes New Rule 35.9, which seeks to implement the energy efficiency spending caps in SF 638 as they relate to limitations on utility program cost recovery. The order states that the board will “initiate a new rule making with the sole intended purpose of working with stakeholders and the public to craft and adopt appropriate cost-recovery language.” Until this new language is established, the board will review cost recovery on a case-by-case basis.
How to Get Involved
IUB hearings are open to the public. If you have questions about Iowa or want to get more involved, contact Samarth Medakkar.
Regulatory
On September 11, the Michigan Public Service Commission released the Statewide Energy Assessment final report and issued a letter to the governor describing the findings of the MPSC’s assessment of the state’s energy supply, engineering and deliverability.
This concludes a multi-month effort that began after January’s polar vortex forced power outages, and Governor Whitmer requested that the Michigan Public Service Commission issue a report on the state’s energy supply, engineering, deliverability and contingency planning.
How to Get Involved
For more information about Michigan or to get more involved, contact Nick Dreher.
Legislative
Minnesota’s Legislative Energy Commission met for the first time in a year on July 30. This hearing dealt exclusively with the House’s version of the Clean Energy First Act (CEFA; HF 1405), which would preference clean energy, energy efficiency, and renewable energy prior to building new fossil fuel generation. The hearing had three portions:
- Commerce Commissioner Kelley presented on Governor’s Walz’s energy policy goals
- Rep. Zack Stephenson, author of HF 1405, summarized the bill
- Lawmakers engaged in conversation with a stakeholder panel
While no additional plans for the bill were solidified, the lawmakers and administration officials seem eager to continue discussions on CEFA and additional hearings will likely be scheduled. 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.
How to Get Involved
For more information about Minnesota or to get more involved, contact Maddie Wazowicz.
Regulatory
The updated procedural schedule for KCP&L’s Missouri Energy Efficiency Investment Act (MEEIA) cycle 3 plan is below. KCP&L’s cycle 2 has been extended for nine months with a new end date of December 31, 2019. Negotiations for cycle 3 are continuing.
- August 19: Rebuttal testimony
- September 16: Surrebuttal testimony
- September 17 by 5 PM: List of issues
- September 18 by 5 PM: Position statements
- September 23-24: Evidentiary hearing
- October 11: Initial briefs
- October 21: Reply Briefs
How to Get Involved
For more information about Missouri or to get more involved, contact Samarth Medakkar.
Regulatory
On September 10, the Omaha Public Power District (OPPD) met to discuss their next five-year plan to increase the effectiveness of their demand side management (DSM) programs. The board first commissioned a study of DSM potentiality in 2014, but OPPD did not meet the goals laid out in that plan. The board hired a consulting group last year to study and propose how future DSM programs can be more effective in achieving savings. The study outlined current DSM offerings and suggested altering the cost-effectiveness test to allow for additional future programs. The results of this study can be found here.
How to Get Involved
If you have questions about Iowa or want to get more involved, contact Maddie Wazowicz.
Legislative
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 recent blog post answers common questions about H.B. 6 and looks at Ohio’s uncertain clean energy future, including a potential referendum effort underway to repeal H.B. 6.
Regulatory
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.
How to Get Involved
For more information about Ohio or to get more involved, contact Nick Hromalik.
Executive
On August 16, Governor Evers signed an executive order creating an Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy within the Department of Administration. The executive order tasks the new office—working with other state agencies and the public service commission—with ensuring all of Wisconsin’s electricity is 100% carbon-free by 2050. The office will promote energy efficiency and renewable energy innovation and research. The executive order also requires energy efficiency standards for all new and existing state building and facilities.
How to Get Involved
For more information about Wisconsin or to get more involved, contact Nick Hromalik.
New Blogs
- 3 Big Questions about Energy Use in Legal Cannabis Cultivation
- 6 Things You Need to Know About Ohio’s Energy Efficiency Rollback