The Maine Public Utilities Commission is due to receive comments on the implementation of a thermal renewable portfolio requirement, following a 2019 law that calls for a thermal portfolio starting at 0.4 percent in 2021 and increasing gradually to 4 percent in 2030. The law strengthened the state’s renewable portfolio standard to 80 by 2030 and 100 percent by 2050. The commission is seeking comments on the alternative compliance payment, criteria for qualification, and a process to verify the thermal energy output to meet the standard. READ MORE

The Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority is due to receive comments on a draft solicitation inviting proposals for public forums to consider energy affordability and equity for the state’s commercial and industrial customers. The commission aims to engage customers who are most impacted by high energy costs and pave the way for long-term solutions to improve energy affordability for the state’s businesses. Last October, the agency began examining energy affordability for all customer classes following the approval of a framework for achieving an “Equitable Modern Grid,” designed to foster innovative solutions to address the challenges and opportunities facing the electric sector. The agency is seeking comments on whether the RFP is soliciting the appropriate information to prepare next steps. READ MORE

The Maryland Public Service Commission is due to receive pre-filings and exhibits in connection with Delmarva Power & Light Company’s application for adjustments of retail electric rates and charges applicable to electric service. The Pepco Holdings LLC subsidiary asked for an annual revenue increase of more than $18.5 million, which would result in an increase of $5.10, or 3.6 percent, in monthly residential bills. 9630

The Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority is due to receive briefs on a proposed decision regarding the marketing standards and sales practices of electric suppliers. The draft seeks to implement standards relating to abusive switching practices, solicitations and renewals, hiring and training of sales representatives, and door-to-door sales and telemarketing practices. The decision also establishes a disclosure statement, requiring promotional materials aimed at residential customers to provide the highest and lowest rate charged by the supplier as part of a variable rate offer in each of the preceding 12 months. READ MORE

The California Independent System Operator Corp. will host a teleconference of the Energy Imbalance Market Governance Review Committee. The market is an automated system that secures the lowest-cost energy to serve real-time customer demand over a broad region spanning across multiple western states. The EIM optimizes resources from a larger and more diverse pool, facilitating integration of surplus renewable that may otherwise be curtailed. The market generated over $60 million in savings in the fourth quarter of 2019, with total benefits exceeding $860 million since its launch in November 2014.

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission will hold a remote public comment hearing on its proposed changes to rules governing electric utilities. The amendments would revise rules related to electric resource planning, renewable energy standard, net metering, community solar gardens, utility purchases from independent power producers and interconnection standards. 19R-0096E