2015 (Current & Projected)
- ILLINOIS We have continued to represent MCA in the Illinois SAG CHP Subcommittee to ensure favorable completion of the SAG approval process for the two Pilot CHP Incentive Programs. We will be working with ComEd to involve MCA Members in its “CHP Contractor Network” and to ensure the program roll-out in June 2015.
We are also working with the Institute for Industrial Productivity to coordinate a first-in-the-nation stakeholder process, with Illinois EPA as the lead agency and Illinois as the model state, to draft the parameters for including CHP/WHP in state Clean Power Plan 111d implementation plans. If this goes forward, ELC will represent MCA members in the stakeholder process in the Spring and Summer 2015.
We are coordinating with another Illinois group (360 Energy) to oppose Governor Rauner’s proposal to sweep utility collected DCEO energy efficiency funds into the Illinois General Fund (potentially wiping out the DCEO pilot incentive program). MCA has coordinated letters and calls appealing to the Governor and legislators.
This Spring MCA is also closely reviewing major energy legislation that will shape Illinois’ EE programs for years to come, including legislation establishing a framework for the Illinois 111d state implementation plan.
- INDIANA In winter 2015, MCA continued its educational and lobbying efforts for fair standby rates, avoided cost rates and net-metering for CHP/WHP in Indiana, with several trips to Indianapolis to meet with legislators and other stakeholders. While those legislative proposals weren’t adopted, another idea we supported was adopted. SB 412 establishes a stronger public process for utility Integrated Resource Plans and expressly requires that all supply side and demand side resources be considered in those plans.
The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission will be adopting regulations to implement these new IRP requirements. MCA has the opportunity to meet with the staff of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission to educate them on the value of including CHP/WHP as an energy resource and some of the barriers to CHP/WHP in Indiana.
The MCA is also trying to set-up a meeting between MCA members and NIPSCO to discuss CHP/WHP project opportunities and tariffs in their NW Indiana territory.
- IOWA We anticipate that the Iowa Utility Board will propose new rules designed to level the playing field and encourage distributed generation – including CHP and WHP – in Iowa. MCA will certainly want to participate in that proceeding.
- MICHIGAN MCA is coordinating with a newly formed Michigan CHP coalition, including the Great Plains Institute, the Institute for Industrial Productivity, ACEEE, and the ERC, to identify avenues to promote CHP/WHP and address barriers. Plans include educating legislators and regulators and supporting an anticipated new definition of “clean energy resources” which would include natural gas fired CHP/WHP projects.
- MINNESOTA In February, the Minnesota PUC invited comment on the scope of a possible “Generic PUC Docket on Standby Rates” to review the parameters for fair standby rates. MCA was an advocate for opening this generic docket and has the opportunity to be an active voice for the CHP/WHP industry in this important proceeding.
In March, the Minnesota Department of Commerce issued a draft “State Action Plan” for CHP/WHP and is seeking comment and input from the CHP/WHP industry as it develops this plan. Again, this is a great opportunity for MCA to provide leadership and to help shape Minnesota’s CHP/WHP programs.
We are also coordinating with our Minnesota ally, Fresh Energy, to review legislative proposals with the potential to affect CHP/WHP.
- OHIO MCA is coordinating with its Ohio ally the Ohio Environmental Council and other members of an Ohio Coalition on energy efficiency. In March, MCA was asked to participate in a new Advisory Committee to the Ohio Coalition and participated in an initial call with Dayton Power & Light to discuss how they might structure an effective CHP/WHP program. Plans in Ohio include additional outreach to utilities on setting up CHP/WHP incentive programs and to discuss barriers to CHP/WHP projects and supporting re-establishment of the Ohio PUC energy efficiency programs.
2014
- ILLINOIS We continued our Illinois work in 2014, representing the MCA in regular meetings of the ICC’s Energy Efficiency Stakeholder Advisory Group (SAG) where we pushed for the establishment of a CHP Subcommittee that ultimately approved Pilot CHP Incentive Programs for both DCEO and ComEd/NICOR and developed a model for calculating energy savings from CHP projects.
- INDIANA We gave presentations to Indiana Office of Energy Development and legislators to promote CHP/WHP in the Governor’s anticipated comprehensive energy plan and proposed and lobbied for legislative language.
- IOWA We filed multiple sets of comments on the value of and barriers to CHP and WHP in response to an Iowa Utility Board solicitation for comments on what an Iowa “distributed generation” program should include.
- MINNESOTA We participated on a cogeneration Advisory Committee to the Minnesota Public Utility Commission, represented the MCA in a series of workshops on cogeneration program options sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Commerce, and submitted written comments in several rulemaking and informational dockets in Minnesota.
- OHIO In the Winter and Spring of 2014, we also filed two sets of comments in the Public Utility Commission of Ohio’s proposed rulemaking to create a CHP incentive program.
2013
- ILLINOIS We drafted a proposal to Illinois EPA to adopt a CHP “permit by rule,” Dean Karafa and I met with IEPA in Springfield, and an MCA Policy Committee subcommittee took the technical lead in developing a proposal.
- MINNESOTA In September, we commented on proposed amendments to the Minnesota Public Utility Commission’s cogeneration PURPA rules.
- ILLINOIS From October through December 2013, formally intervened in ComEd’s and the DCEO’s triennial energy efficiency plan approval proceedings before the Illinois Commerce Commission. We presented expert testimony, cross-examined ComEd’s witness, and filed briefs and motions in support of DCEO’s pilot program and requesting that the ICC require ComEd to adopt a similar program. In December, 2013, the ICC issued an order agreeing with the MCA and ordered Com Ed to initiate discussion of such a program in the ICC Energy Efficiency Stakeholder Advisory Group.