PUC Considers Adjusting Retail Suppliers' Obligation In Certain RPS Tier Downward Due To Lack Of RECs

December 26, 2019

Email This Story
Copyright 2010-19 EnergyChoiceMatters.com
Reporting by Paul Ring • ring@energychoicematters.com

The following story is brought free of charge to readers by EC Infosystems, the exclusive EDI provider of EnergyChoiceMatters.com

The New Hampshire PUC said that it, "has determined that New Hampshire electricity providers may not be able to procure sufficient renewable energy certificates (RECs) to comply with New Hampshire's Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) requirements under RSA 362-F."

"Accordingly, the Commission is considering making an adjustment to the Class III (Existing Biomass/Methane) requirement for the 2019 compliance year," the PUC said

If the Commission makes no change, the Class III REC requirement will be 8.0% of retail sales for 2019.

Pursuant to statute, the Commission is authorized to adjust Class III RPS requirements as necessary and consistent with the purposes of RSA 362-F. The law allows the Commission, after notice and hearing, to modify Class III requirements "such that the requirements are equal to an amount between 85 percent and 95 percent of the reasonably expected potential annual output of available eligible sources after taking into account demand from similar programs in other states." RSA 362-F:4, VI.

"Reports of temporary or permanent closure of multiple Class III certified biomass facilities suggest that electricity providers may not be able to procure sufficient Class Ill RECs to satisfy Class III requirements for compliance year 2019. In particular, the Commission has received documentation from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services indicating that a number of Class III certified biomass facilities have suspended operations for extended periods during 2019. The combined capacity of the affected facilities represents approximately 30% of the total capacity of certified Class III facilities, indicating that their suspended operations may have a significant impact on the availability of 2019 Class III RECs," the PUC said

Accordingly, the Commission will hold a public comment hearing on Monday, January 13, 2020 to gather information regarding the 2019 annual electric generation output of certified Class III eligible sources, the corresponding availability of New Hampshire Class III RECs, and the demand for New Hampshire Class III RECs based on market conditions for compliance year 2019

Docket DE 19-203

ADVERTISEMENT
NEW Jobs on RetailEnergyJobs.com:
• NEW! -- Channel Relations Manger -- Retail Supplier
• NEW! -- Customer Service Representative -- Retail Supplier
• NEW! -- Renewables and Energy Trader -- Retail Supplier
• Channel Partner Sales Manager -- Retail Supplier