Clean Energy Commitments

Clean Energy Act mandates

Increase and extended the RPS requirement to 100% by 2032, with the solar energy requirement rising to 5.5% by 2032 and then increasing to 10% by 2041. (CEDC Section 101(b)(1))

Working to meet the mandates

The Commission has several cases working to expand renewable energy generation in and around the District. The Commission approved a pilot project for Pepco, as the default service provider, to procure renewable energy through long-term power purchase agreements (PPA) for electricity generated by solar or wind power facilities located within the PJM Interconnection region with a target quantity of 5% of the Standard Offer Service load.

The Commission is also working to make it easier to build renewables in the District through improvements to grid interconnection, including an online portal for RPS applications that improve efficiency in the certification of renewable energy systems.
 
The Commission also increased the threshold for Net Energy Metering (NEM) systems to go beyond 100% of the customer’s historical usage and customer payment for excess generation. A NEM system can increase the generation threshold by 20% annually, starting in 2020, until the generation threshold reaches 200% in 2024.
 
The Commission is improving the Community Renewable Energy Facility (CREF) interconnection process and investigating the implementation of smart inverters.
 
The Commission also ensures electricity suppliers are compliant with the RPS standard.

Relevant cases

FC1017, RM40-2020-01/FC1050, FC1130, RM9-2020-03, RM29-2019-01

Status

Pepco issued a renewable energy procurement for the 5% PPA on October 15, 2020,  and bids were received by January 8, 2021.  The Commission hired an independent evaluator to assure a fair bidding process. Pepco, in consultation with the evaluator, will evaluate the proposals, determine the short list of bidders with which to negotiate, and forward executed agreements to the Commission for approval.
 
The Commission issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on CREF interconnection rules and expects to finalize these rules soon. The Commission conducted two workshops on IEEE 1547-2018 regarding DER/smart inverter implementation in 2020.  The Commission also revised its rules eliminating the requirement that CREFs be directly connected with the electric company’s distribution system.  This change will facilitate the virtual CREF model for CREF interconnection and advance the District’s energy and climate goals.
  

Clean Energy Act mandates

The act directs a change in how the Commission supervises and regulates utilities and energy companies as it relates to preserving environmental quality. The revision requires the Commission to also consider the effects on global climate change and the District’s public climate commitments.  (D.C. Official Code §34-808.02)  (CEDC Sec. 103)

Working to meet the mandates

The Commission is running a stakeholder process in GD-2019-04-M to ensure future decisions on utility proposals are in line with the District's public climate commitments.

Relevant cases

GD2019-04-M

Status

Stakeholder meetings have already begun and are divided into three committees (Metrics, Benefit/Cost Analysis, and Reporting Subcommittees). A working group will send a recommendations report once committees meeting and work are completed.
  

Clean Energy Act mandates

The act directs the Commission to establish a working group that would recommend long-term and annual energy saving metrics, quantitative performance indicators, and cost-effective standards to the Commission to be applied to energy efficiency and  demand response programs. (CEDC Sec. 201 (g) and (h))

Working to meet the mandates

Through FC1160, the Commission established an Energy Efficiency and Demand Response (EEDR) Metrics Working Group. The Commission adopted recommendations from the working group in October 2020 that established metrics for electric energy efficiency programs. The Commission also directed Pepco and WGL to open a solicitation for a contractor to complete an Energy Efficiency Demand Response (EEDR) Potential Study. The Commission also directed  the EEDR working group to reconvene to consider unresolved issues such as the governance structure to coordinate the planning, delivery, reporting, and evaluation of EEDR programs administered by the utilities including cost allocation and recovery, filing requirements, income verification, data sharing, and additional reporting requirements, if any, and the design and recommended list of EEDR PIMs.
 
As a result of Pepco/Exelon merger commitments, the Commission has advanced a Whole Building Deep Energy Retrofit Program which will modernize affordable multifamily buildings in D.C. to make them more efficient as well as help fight climate change.
 
As a result of WGL/AltaGas merger commitments, the Commission approved  WGL’s  energy efficiency program plan for low- and limited-income residents of multifamily housing in the District.

Relevant cases

FC1142, FC1148, FC1160

Status

The Commission accepted the EEEC Task Force’s recommendation in November 2020 to select the International Center for Appropriate & Sustainable Technology (ICAST) as the Deep Energy Retrofit Program implementer. The EEDR Task Force is reviewing/finalizing the program design and will continue to advise ICAST with implementation of the deep energy retrofits. 

WGL informed the Commission in February 2019 that Vermont Energy Investment Corporation was selected to run its energy efficiency program in compliance with the merger commitment. The Commission approved the Energy Efficiency Program Plan for Low and Limited-Income District of Columbia Residents in Affordable Multifamily Housing proposed by WGL in November 2019. WGL must file quarterly reports detailing the implementation of the Term No. 3 Plan.  WGL has completed 22 projects since the program was created.
  

Clean Energy Act mandates

The act notes that the Commission may consider an application by the electric company to promote transportation electrification. (CEDC Section 502(c)(1), (2)).

Working to meet the mandates 

The Commission approved five modified transportation electrification offerings proposed by Pepco:

1. Development of a Residential Whole House Time-Of-Use Rate for electric vehicles
2. Make-ready infrastructure for 35 public Smart Level II EVCS
3. Make-ready infrastructure for 20 public DC fast chargers (DCFC)
4. Make-ready infrastructure for two DCFC and 10 Level II EVCS for taxi/rideshare services
5. Make-ready infrastructure for 5 Level II EVCS and one  DFC for public electric buses

Pepco must also file a detailed EV Market Penetration Study analyzing the distribution of registered EVs by Ward and the deployment of public EVCS by Ward within two years of implementation. The Commission will use this report to assess the effectiveness of the competitive market at serving all parts of the District relative to market demand.

Relevant cases

FC1155, GD2020-02-M

Status

The Commission continues to review and approve any updates that Pepco files to its electric vehicle charging tariff.
  

Clean Energy Act mandates

The act expands the information that the Commission reports to the Council on May 1 of each year to include additional information on compliance fees paid and the total amount of the District’s electric supply that is exempt from changes to the Renewable Portfolio Standard.  The act also requires that the Commission make data on solar system interconnection publicly available. (CEDC Section 101 (f))

Working to meet the mandates 

The Commission annualy submits a Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard Report to the D.C. Council  detailing the implementation of the RPS act.
 

Relevant cases

RPSR2020-01-E-80

Status

The Commission published its most recent report (for for compliance year 2019).
  

Clean Energy Act mandates

The Commission must share on its website the total amount of solar energy needed to meet the RPS requirements. (CEDC Section 101(f)(1))

Working to meet the mandates

The Commission provides monthly updates on the solar energy available to meet the District's RPS goals on its website.

Relevant cases

N/A

Status

The Commission provides monthly updates on its website. 

Clean Energy Act mandates

The act mandates the Commission expand the uses of the Sustainable Energy Trust, as applicable, to the District Department of Energy & Environment.

Working to meet the mandates

While the Commission is not mandated to help with this goal, upcoming PowerPath DC Pilot Projects may test new technologies and financial strategies that the DC Sustainable Energy Utility could adopt to support its sustainable energy goals.

Relevant cases

GD2020-02-M, FC1130

Status

The PowerPath DC Pilot Projects Governance Board sponsored a call for concept papers proposing energy system modernization pilot projects in support of the PowerPath DC Vision Statement and Guiding Principles.

The governance board continues to review submissions from this call for papers.