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New England Governors' Energy Infrastructure Proposals; & ENE's EnergyVision(2050)
This past December, the New England Governors expressed their collective perspective on energy infrastructure diversification in a statement entitled New England Governors' Commitment to Regional Cooperation on Energy Infrastructure Issues. In January, they followed up with a joint letter to ISO New England focusing on two specific areas of agreement: New Electric Transmission Infrastructure-The New England States, through NESCOE, have agreed that one or more requests for proposals will be issued to advance the development of transmission infrastructure that would enable delivery of at least 1200 MW and as much as 3600 MW of clean energy into the New England electric system from no and/or low carbon emissions resources. [Costs to be recovered through an ISO tariff.] Increased Natural Gas Capacity-Approval by FERC of a tariff for the recovery of the cost of firm natural gas pipeline capacity, in a manner that is effective to achieve the construction of new, or expansion of existing, pipelines capable of delivering in the amount of firm pipeline capacity into New England of 1000 mmcf/day above 2013 levels. [Cost proposed to be recovered in an ISO tariff.]
We expect to hear about additional developments on these matters from the New England Governors by the time of the April 11th Roundtable. Meanwhile, ISO New England has begun its analysis of the Governors' request to develop an unprecedented gas pipeline tariff. To discuss these developments, we will hear from two of the state leaders in these negotiations, Steven Clarke, Assistant Secretary for Renewable Energy at Massachusetts Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, and Maine PUC Chairman Tom Welch. Ray Hepper, General Counsel and Vice President at ISO New England will then provide ISO's insights on these recent developments on energy infrastructure in New England and discuss how these requests by the Governors could be translated into tariffs.
Given that the transmission and gas pipeline infrastructure requested by the New England Governors are, by their nature, long-term investments, we have decided to pair this topic with another related longer-term horizon topic - meeting New England's 2050 75-80% greenhouse gas reduction targets. The February release by ENE (Environment Northeast) of its Energy Vision(2050): A Pathway to a Modern, Sustainable, Low Carbon Economic and Environmental Future analysis and report will provide a provocative perspective to the long-term energy infrastructure conversation. ENE's analysis and report concludes that the best way to meet the 2050 GHG reduction targets is to continue with aggressive energy efficiency programs, electrify the light vehicle and thermal sectors, increase renewable energy generation, and modernize the electric grid. Dan Sosland, President of ENE, and Dr. Abigail Adams, Director, ENE's Utility of the Future and Grid Modernization Initiative, will present ENE's study.
[Note: ENE's presentation of EnergyVision(2050) will precede the New England Governors Energy Infrastructure panel.]