Clean Energy Transformation Act Bulletin
Don’t forget to visit the CETA rulemaking webpage.
Announcements
June 9 joint workshop is cancelled to allow time for stakeholder discussion
Commerce and the Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) have cancelled Wednesday’s workshop, which would have covered interpretation of the electricity “use” provision in RCW 19.405.040(1)(a). This action is at the request on June 4, 2021, of multiple stakeholders in this rulemaking for additional time for informal discussions and negotiation. These stakeholders included Climate Solutions, NW Energy Coalition, Vashon Climate Action Group, Renewable Northwest, Avista, Public Generating Pool, Puget Sound Energy, and Washington Public Utility Districts Association.
While the June 4, 2021, stakeholder requests for additional time all included the specific request that the UTC and Commerce postpone their June 9, 2021, Joint Workshop, the non-utility entities also requested that the agencies postpone the June 14, 2021, deadline for responding to the Notice of Opportunity to file written comments.
Commerce and the UTC have encouraged collaboration among stakeholders in the rulemaking process and would welcome the opportunity to consider a consensus proposal on the interpretation of RCW 19.405.040(1)(a). It is reasonable to postpone the June 9, 2021, Joint Workshop to allow for additional time for these discussions. We encourage the inclusion of as many stakeholders as possible in the process of these discussion.
It also is reasonable to postpone the deadline for providing written comment, but only for those questions that are specific to the interpretation of RCW 19.405.040(1)(a); these are questions 1-4 in the May 17, 2021, Notice.
While some stakeholders have requested postponing the responses to all topics covered in the May 17, 2021, Notice, the UTC and Commerce believe that the agencies need to maintain an overall schedule for timely conclusion of the rulemaking. Given that stakeholder discussions at issue in the request are focused on the interpretation of RCW 19.405.040(1)(a), the UTC and Commerce will continue to invite comments on all other topics, which are covered in questions 5-10 of the May 17, 2021, Notice. Unlike the interpretation of RCW 19.405.040(1)(a), most stakeholders have not had the opportunity to provide comments on these topics.
Commerce and the UTC therefore revise rulemaking schedule as follows:
The June 9 workshop is cancelled. In order to provide stakeholders time to pursue a collaborative solution and maintain the rulemaking schedule, the agencies intend by July 1, 2021, to establish dates for a workshop and written comments on the interpretation of RCW 19.405.040(1)(a). The nature of that workshop and comment opportunity will be determined after review of any collaborative solution received by June 25, 2021. The Commission and Commerce will continue to host a Joint Workshop on June 22 to discuss the treatment of energy storage for compliance with RCW 19.405.030 – 19.405.050.
- The request for written comments on questions 1 through 4 of the May 17 notice is withdrawn.
- There is no change to the request for written comments on questions 5 through 10. Comments are requested by 5 p.m., Monday, June 14, 2021, as provided in prior notice.
Commerce and the UTC encourage stakeholders pursue their discussions during the additional time provided by this revised schedule and look forward to reviewing the results of those discussions.
Notice for public comment opportunity on market purchases and double counting
Deadline: June 14, 2021
Commerce and the UTC are requesting stakeholder comments on organized market purchases and double counting. Specific questions and comment procedures are posted on the CETA webpage.
Draft CEIP template webinar
June 15, 2021, 9 to 10 a.m.
Commerce will be holding a webinar from 9 to 10 a.m. on June 15, 2021, to walk-through its first draft of the clean energy implementation plan (CEIP) template. Meeting details and materials will be posted on the CETA webpage ahead of the webinar.
Draft energy assistance reporting and outreach template webinar
June 17, 2021, 9 to 11 a.m.
Commerce will be hosting a webinar on its draft energy assistance reporting template from 9 to 11 a.m. on June 17, 2021. RCW 19.405.120(4) requires utilities to submit biennial reports on energy burden and assistance, and outreach strategies used to encourage community participation in utility programs that reduce energy burden. Commerce has worked with a technical advisory group to develop a draft template for these biennial reports. The draft template and other meeting materials will be posted on the CETA webpage ahead of the meeting.
Commerce and UTC schedule joint workshop on storage accounting
June 22, 2021, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Commerce and the UTC will be holding a workshop on storage and accounting from 9 a.m. to noon on June 22, 2021. Meeting details and materials will be posted on the CETA webpage ahead of the meeting.
Commerce and UTC schedule joint workshop on interpretations of use
Sept. 27, 2021, 1 to 4 p.m.
Commerce and the UTC will be holding a joint rulemaking workshop on interpretations of use provisions in RCW 19.405.040 from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sept. 27, 2021. Meeting materials will be posted on the CETA webpage ahead of the meeting.
Commerce and UTC reserve date for a joint workshop
Oct. 4, 2021, 1 to 4 p.m.
Commerce and the UTC intend to hold a joint rulemaking workshop from 1 to 4 p.m. on Oct. 4, 2021. A meeting topic and materials will be posted on the CETA webpage ahead of the meeting.
|
Date
|
Event
|
Topic
|
|
June 14
|
Comment deadline
|
Markets and double-counting
|
|
June 15
|
Webinar
|
Draft CEIP template
|
|
June 17
|
Webinar
|
Energy assistance reporting template
|
|
June 22
|
Workshop
|
Storage accounting
|
|
Sept. 27
|
Workshop
|
Interpretations of use
|
|
Oct. 4
|
Workshop
|
TBD
|
|
