The District commenced a Modernizing the Energy Delivery System for Increased Sustainability (MEDSIS) in 2015, which, in Phase 2, considered separate tracks related to data and information access and alignment, non-wires alternatives to grid investments, future rate design, customer impacts, microgrids, and potential Pilot Projects. Several stakeholders identified energy efficiency investments as key within the non-wires alternatives proceeding.
A final report from Stakeholder Working Groups was issued in May 2019 with 32 recommendations and learnings for consideration by the PSC related to data and information access and alignment, non-wire alternatives to grid investments, rate design, customer impacts, microgrids, and pilot projects.
On January 24, 2020, the Commission issued an order approving several recommendations from the Power Path DC stakeholder process, including: adopting a new distribution system planning process, establishing a secure portal for data sharing, launching the establishment of the Power Path DC Pilot Projects Governance Board, approving a new retail choice website, reconvening the rate design working group and creating a time of use rate design proposal, establishing a microgrid proceeding, and issuing of a notice of proposed rulemaking for non-wires alternative and advanced inverter definitions.
In June 2020, the Commission issued an order directing utilities to make system-level energy data available on their websites and improving data access for residential customers.