PaPUC En Banc Hearing Touts Benefits of Combined Heat and Power
May 9, 2014
On May 5, 2014, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (“PaPUC”) held an en banc hearing on Combined Heat and Power (“CHP”) to explore issues related to the implementation of CHP projects in Pennsylvania. Panelists included technical advisors from the Department of Energy’s Mid-Atlantic CHP Technical Assistance Partnership, Craig White, President and CEO of Philadelphia Gas Works, Alan Neuner, Vice President of Facilities Operations for Geisinger Health System, and Martha Krebs, Director of the Consortium for Building Energy Innovation. Panelists shared their challenges in funding CHP projects, opportunities for expansion of CHP, along with the variety of benefits the technology offers. Chairman Powelson and Commissioner Brown invited panelists to share their recommendations for regulatory change, receiving a variety of suggestions such as establishing grant and incentive programs, improving utility infrastructure, modifications to utility rate structures and requiring CHP to be addressed in filings pursuant to Act 129 of 2008, P.L. 1592, 66 Pa. C.S. §§ 2806.1 et seq, that imposes requirements on electric distribution companies to reduce energy consumption and demand. The hearing agenda and presentation materials are available here. The Commissioners are planning to host a second en banc hearing on CHP in Pittsburgh in the fall of 2014. More details will follow.
Eckert attorneys are well-versed in the legal issues associated with CHP projects. If you have any questions about CHP, please contact Sarah Stoner at (717) 237-6026; sstoner@eckertseamans.com or Dan Clearfield at (717) 237-7173; dclearfield@eckertseamans.com .
This Eckert Seamans Energy and Utilities blog post is intended to keep readers current on matters affecting businesses and is not intended to be legal advice.