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Nationwide small gen interconnect rules issued The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission released Order No. 2006, "Standardization of Small Generator Interconnection Agreements and Procedures" on May 12, providing consistent nationwide interconnection practices for generators of less than 20 MW. FERC recognized that the growing market for small distributed powerplants created the need for standard procedures. According to the commission, the rule removes barriers to developing needed infrastructure by reducing interconnection uncertainty, time and costs. Dozens of parties including utilities, small generators, state commission representatives and the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners offered input on the rule. Under the rule, investor-owned utilities must amend their Order No. 888 open access transmission tariffs to offer non-discriminatory, standardized interconnection service for small generators. FERC's Small Generator Interconnection Procedure sets forth specific steps to study the effects a proposed interconnection might have on a system. The rule also outlines contractual provisions for interconnections and defines who should pay for necessary transmission system upgrades through the Small Generator Interconnect Agreement. The final rule went into effect in July, 60 days after it was published in the Federal Register. Regional transmission organizations and independent system operators have 90 days to comply. The ruling in its entirety can be found at the FERC e-library. State energy programs receive $26.5 million from DOE The U.S. Department of Energy is providing 38 states with $26.5 million in State Energy Program grants for Fiscal Year 2005 to support and encourage state energy-saving and efficiency goals. States in Western’s territory received more than $8 million of the total $44 million in SEP grants DOE is distributing this year to every state and U.S. territory, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. State energy offices manage SEP projects with support from DOE’s six regional energy efficiency and renewable energy offices. Program funds have supported projects such as California’s “Energy Saving Traffic Lights”; Illinois’ Small Business $mart Energy Program; Indiana’s purchase of two compressed natural gas street sweepers; and Kentucky’s biodiesel infrastructure program, connecting biodiesel customers with biodiesel distributors across the state. Every $1 SEP invests is matched by $3.54 from state and local governments and the private sector, and saves the American people $7.23. The State Energy Program saves an average 41.35 million British thermal units per year, reducing energy bills by $256 million. Plans underway for Colorado's largest wind farm The Washington County, Colo., Commission recently gave its approval to Charlottesville, Va.-based Greenlight Energy to build the largest wind energy development in the state. The 200- to 300-MW Akron wind farm could provide enough clean energy to meet the annual needs of up to 90,000 homes. Colorado’s renewable portfolio standard, passed by voters in November 2004, was an incentive to develop the project. Construction on the wind farm could begin as early as 2006, pending completion of a power purchase agreement and remaining development work. Western, Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association and Xcel Energy have transmission facilities near the site in northeastern Colorado. A spokesman for the developer said the location’s proximity to transmission lines made it ideal for wind energy development. The Washington County Economic Development Corporation worked with the Greenlight Energy team to advance the project. The community was very receptive to the development, and looks forward to becoming Colorado’s leader in clean energy generation. California Energy Commission sponsors student art contest The California Energy Commission announced the 16 winners for its 2006 Energy Calendar contest. The artists are students from public and private schools throughout the state. Their illustrations offer unique and sometimes humorous advice on how to make wise use of energy for a cleaner future. Themes ranged from energy-saving tips such as turning off unneeded lights and appliances and running dryers and dishwashers during off-peak hours to bringing innovative, cutting-edge technologies to the world marketplace. A panel of judges selected the winning drawings from 1,400 poster entries received from students in grades three through eight. The number of high-quality entries led judges to award four students with Honorable Mentions, a first in the calendar's 18-year history. The winning art collection will illustrate the 2006 Energy calendar for children and be featured on Energy Quest, the Commission's education site.
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