[A]n omnibus energy bill is headed to the Senate floor in the waning days of the 2017 legislative session.
The legislation, S.52, would change certain regulatory protocols for energy projects. In addition, the quasi-judicial Public Service Board, which approves utility rates and issues permits for projects, would be renamed the Public Utilities Commission.
The bill would require the Public Service Board to give citizens remote access to hearings through videoconferencing.
In addition, the bill would change some the responsibilities of the Department of Public Service, which administers power contracts and represents the public interest in utility and telecommunication cases before the Public Service Board.
The department would be charged with investigating complaints about permit violations and would have the authority to issue sanctions against companies.
The legislation also sets energy-efficiency standards in the event that President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress repeal federal standards. Lawmakers had also proposed the provision as a standalone bill, H.411.
Under S.52, the department would be required to conduct a study into the efficacy of long-term storage of renewable energy. Power from renewables is intermittent and better storage technologies would make solar and wind power a more reliable source for the electrical grid.
