Order Instituting Rulemaking Regarding the Implementation and Administration of the Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS) Program
(NOTE – all documents filed in the proceeding are available here)
On May 5, 2011, the Commission adopted the Order Instituting Rulemaking (R.) 11-05-005 to open a new proceeding for the implementation and administration of the 33% RPS Program. At the outset, the primary focus of the R.11-05-005 proceeding will be the implementation of the new 33% RPS law, Senate Bill (SB) 2 (1X) (Simitian), stats. 2011. A copy of SB 2 (1X) is available here. The RPS statute is codified at Public Utilities Code section 399.11-399.20.
Scoping Memo for RPS Proceeding R.11-05-005
On July 8, the Assigned Commissioner (Ferron) issued a Scoping Memo for RPS Proceeding R.11-05-005. The Scoping Memo identified four priority issues for which Proposed Decisions would be issued by the end of 2011. The Scoping Memo also directs Commission staff to begin work on the new Pub. Util. Code § 399.15(c)-(g) addressing the utility RPS cost limitation.
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Implementing the new portfolio content categories, set out in new Pub. Util. Code § 399.16. |
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Setting new RPS procurement targets mandated by Pub. Util. Code § 399.15(b)(2)(A). |
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Implementing the most urgent new compliance rules and resolving initial “seams” issues between compliance rules for the 20% RPS program and new 33% RPS program compliance rules set by SB 2 (1x). |
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Implementing new Pub. Util. Code § 399.20, expanding the prior feed-in tariff provisions for RPS-eligible generation. (Note – use links to access detailed information about the feed-in tariff program) |
Ruling Seeking Comments on new “Portfolio Content Categories” (priority Issue 1)
On July 12, the Commission issued a Ruling seeking comments on the addition of "portfolio content categories" and quantitative rules for the use of transactions in each category for RPS compliance by retail sellers, set out in new Pub. Util. Code § 399.16.
Comments and Reply Comments were filed on (or before) August 8, 2011 and August 19, 2011, respectively and are available here.
The Administrative Law Judge issued a Proposed Decision on October 7, 2011.
On December 15, 2011, the Commission defined the RPS Portfolio Content Categories in Decision 11-12-052.
Ruling Seeking Comments on new Procurement and Compliance Targets (priority Issue 2 & 3)
On July 15, the Commission issued a Ruling seeking comments on the new procurement targets and compliance requirements established in SB 2 (1x). The Ruling asked for party comments on three key areas:
- Setting new RPS procurement requirements pursuant to new § 399.15(b), particularly the compliance obligations of RPS-obligated retail sellers for the period 2011-2013, the first compliance period in the new 33% RPS regime.
- Changing the compliance obligations of RPS-obligated retails sellers through 2010.
- Developing RPS compliance accounting rules for 2011 and later years, including the "banking" and minimum quantity of long-term contracts rules.
Comments and Reply Comments were filed on (or before) August 30, 2011 and September 12, 2011, respectively and are available here.
On October 28, 2011, the Administrative Law Judge issued a Proposed Decision regarding the new RPS procurement requirements.
On December 1, 2011, the Commission established the RPS Procurement Quantity Requirements in Decision 11-12-020.
Next Steps: A Proposed Decision will be issued in the first quarter of 2012 implementing the new compliance rules and resolving initial transition issues between compliance rules for the 20% RPS program and new 33% RPS program compliance rules set by SB 2 (1x).
Procurement Planning for 33% Renewables
The Commission is developing an improved methodology for considering a 33% RPS in the utilities’ formal 10-year procurement plans. The effort started with the 33% RPS Implementation Analysis, which was completed as part of the 2008 Long-Term Procurement Plan (LTPP) proceeding. The Commission then directed staff to update the Implementation Analysis in order to provide RPS-related inputs for the 2010 Long-Term Procurement Plan proceeding. More information about the 2010 LTPP proceeding, including the updated RPS inputs and other proceeding documents, are available here.
33% RPS Implementation Analysis
Staff at the CPUC developed this report as part of the 2008 LTPP in order to provide new, in-depth analysis on the cost, risk, and timing of meeting a 33% RPS. This report does not recommend a preferred strategy on how to reach a 33% by 2020 RPS, but rather provides an analytical framework for policymakers to weigh the tradeoffs inherent in any future 33% RPS program for California.
Working with a broad stakeholder group, including the investor-owned electrical utilities, industry experts, ratepayer advocates, and environmental groups, the study team, which consisted of CPUC staff and a consulting team, developed the preliminary results presented in this report. The report analyzes four different possible 33% RPS alternatives and articulates the costs and tradeoffs of each approach. The study team used the 33% RPS Reference Case to construct three illustrative timelines for achieving a 33% RPS. These timelines demonstrate how and when the state could plausibly build the necessary renewable generation and transmission to reach a 33% RPS.
33% RPS Implementation Analysis Preliminary Results Report
33% RPS Calculator (updated 7/1/2009) - XLS (18 MB) or ZIP (4 MB)
(Note – the RPS Calculator has been revised and updated in the LTPP Proceeding and is available here)
33% RPS Implementation Analysis White Papers
Contact Information
All press inquiries should be made to Terrie Prosper at tdp@cpuc.ca.gov or (415) 703-2160.