Lawmakers press department on resource adequacy, dual-fuel generators and implications of a clean energy standard
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Summary
Committee members pressed the Department of Public Service on regional resource adequacy, the possibility of reintroducing oil capability at gas plants, and how a proposed clean energy standard might change utilities' REC obligations and near-term rate pressure.
Committee members questioned whether regional resource-adequacy concerns could prompt investments that expand fossil-fuel capability and how the clean energy standard (CES) might change utility procurement and costs.
"There are natural gas generators now that have dual fuel capability, and they're not using it," said TJ Kaur, explaining that some facilities could operate on oil and that regional discussions consider restoring or extending that capability as a contingency for winter reliability. Kaur emphasized such action is part of discussion and analysis, not an active statewide procurement decision.
Members pressed how those discussions relate to near-term ratepayer relief and asked whether utilities are "taking options off the table" because of long-term contracts. Kaur clarified that existing contracts remain in place but that utilities face strategic choices about participation in regional solicitations (for example, solicitations by neighboring states that could include nuclear or other resources). "Some utilities are participating and some are saying it's off the table for us," Kaur said, describing divergent utility responses to regional solicitations.
Lawmakers also sought clarity on how a CES would interact with existing renewable energy credit (REC) markets and utility contracts. Committee discussion noted REC price ranges and market tiers, and Kaur recommended an expedited regional-market study to better understand REC supply deliverability into New England before changing the RES or adopting a CES.
No formal action was taken; committee members asked for continued briefings and departmental data to inform whether legislative changes or narrowly scoped hearings are warranted to protect both reliability and consumers' bills.
The committee is expected to seek additional information from the Department of Public Service and may hold targeted hearings to inform policy options before the next session.
