Pathway 5.

Electricity Decarbonization → Distributed Renewable Energy

5.2.13 Rate Restructuring, Grid Modernization, and Utility Reform

LPDD Recommendation: “State PUCs should restructure rates away from the traditional cost-of-service model.”

LPDD Recommendation: “State PUCs should participate in negotiations concerning the restructuring of utilities away from vertically integrated, investor-owned monopolies focused on selling more kWh to alternative models such as community-owned energy systems or energy service companies decoupling generation from distribution and creating new mandates for working with independent generators.”

See also: community solar and virtual net metering examples, listed under “Ownership Models."

31 Resources Found, Displaying 1 thru 10

RMI’s Performance Incentive Mechanism Database

Jurisdiction: Public Utilities, State Public Utility Commissions

Aggregates information on PIMs across the country to support the design and proliferation of effective PIMs.

Massachusetts Gas Transition Order

Jurisdiction: State Agencies

Prohibits gas utilities from charging customers for new gas infrastructure if there are viable alternatives, and from using ratepayer money to "promote" natural gas.

Connecticut’s Law Banning Ratepayer Funding for Political Activity

Jurisdiction: State Legislatures

Prohibits utilities from using money from customers' bills to pay for political activities, including lobbying and trade association dues.

Connecticut’s Performance-Based Regulation Order

Jurisdiction: State Agencies

Sets the stage for the state to move away from traditional, cost-of-service utility ratemaking, and towards incentivizing utilities for hitting certain performance targets.

PJM’s Grid of the Future Report

Jurisdiction: Regional Transmission Organizations

Largest U.S. grid operator intends to use scenario-based transmission planning, conduct targeted reliability studies and consider ways to reflect extreme weather risks in its analyses.

Illinois’ Climate and Equitable Jobs Act

Jurisdiction: State Legislatures

A sweeping climate and energy bill touching on myriad programs affecting electricity, transportation, just transition, and financing.

Connecticut’s HB 7006 (2020)

Jurisdiction: State Legislatures

Requires Connecticut to consider performance-based ratemaking models, and expands microgrid funding.

Massachusetts DER Planning Proceeding

Jurisdiction: State Public Utility Commissions

Investigating utility distributed energy resource planning and the assignment and recovery of costs associated with the distributed generation interconnection process and system modifications needed for interconnection.

Michigan Resolution on Studying Rate Design Options

Jurisdiction: State Legislatures

Encourages the Michigan Public Service Commission to undertake a study into alternative and innovative rate design options for Michigan's electric customers.

Michigan Resolution to Study DER Integration

Jurisdiction: States and State Governments

Encourages the Michigan Public Service Commission to study reliability, interconnection, and related grid integration issues related to distributed energy resources.