TURN Asserts CPUC Can't Approve Renewables Tags

The California Public Utilities Commission's draft decision allowing direct-access providers and community-choice aggregators to buy green tags oversteps commission authority and undermines the renewables portfolio standard program, argues The Utility Reform Network. Green tags are a market system to help utilities meet the state's renewables portfolio standard. In an October 14 letter to CPUC president Mike Peevey, author of the draft ruling released last month, TURN attorney Matt Freedman urges state regulators to reject Peevey's alternate decision because it "conflicts with current law and interferes with matters properly resolved by the Legislature." Renewables advocates take issue with Freedman's stance, which includes requiring that all providers-utilities and nonutilities, be treated on par with regards to the renewables mandate. "It is just absurd," said Steven Kelly, Independent Energy Producers policy director. "I think this is more about who controls the RPS process," added John White, executive director of the Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies. Both Kelly and White contend that existing law allows the trading of renewable energy credits, which is the renewable attribute underlying green supplies. In addition, not allowing direct-access providers to use green tags to meet the state's 20 percent renewables goal-instead of the actual green power-would undermine their ability to meet the renewables portfolio standard mandate. Thus, TURN's position is interpreted as another swipe at direct-access contractors. Typically, nonutility retail power suppliers sign three-year deals with large industrial and commercial groups. Some consider that insufficient time to lure green power supply financing. TURN sponsors Prop. 80 in which both renewables and direct access would be addressed. IEP and CEERT oppose the initiative.

Over 11K Stories!

| Independently Powered Energy News

TURN Asserts CPUC Can’t Approve Renewables Tags

vdharadmin

Related Posts

Gas & Electricity Costs Rise More, High Heat, Fires and Tight Supplies Likely

SoCalGas Seeks 21% Revenue Increase

SDG&E Seeks 19% Revenue Hike

Adding Environmental Insult to Ecological Injury