Connecticut Approves United Illuminating Ownership of Renewable Generation, Nonbypassable Recovery

The Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority has adopted an order allowing United Illuminating to construct and own three small renewable generation facilities, with nonbypassable cost recovery.

Specifically, PURA approved UI's construction and ownership of a 2.86 MWdc solar photovoltaic facility and a 2.8 MW fuel cell facility both at the site of the Bridgeport Landfill, and a 2.8 MW fuel cell facility in New Haven.

The projects are being built pursuant to Conn. Gen. Stat. §16-244v. PURA also adopted UI's framework for future approved Class I generation projects for a total of 10 MW that are submitted to the Authority under, and that comport with, Conn. Gen. Stat. §16-244v.

The generation will receive cost of service ratemaking treatment, with recovery through the Nonbypassable Federally Mandated Congestion Charge (NBFMCC).

PURA's order is not explicit as to the disposition of energy, capacity, and RECs from the generation, but states that UI shall apply all revenues obtained from any market source associated with each approved facility, which includes, but is not limited to, revenue from energy, capacity or RECs, in each applicable NBFMCC reconciliation filing as an offset to the revenue requirements