Thursday, January 30, 2014
10:00am – 3:15pm ET
Trenton, NJ – New Jersey Dept. of Environmental Protection, 1st Floor Hearing Room, 401 East State St.

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Topic

The MADRI Commissioners Steering Committee and the Staff Steering Committee have decided to focus the initiative in 2014 on developing a report on partial service requirements for distributed generators (DG), emphasizing but not limiting the discussion to combined heat & power and solar photovoltaic (PV) systems installed by utility customers.

The purpose of this meeting was to begin that effort by discussing the regulatory conundrum posed by DG. We looked at economic and regulatory issues associated with DG from three different perspectives: that of the distribution utility, the customer who installs a DG system, and the customers who do not have DG systems.

The format for this kickoff meeting was different than recent MADRI meetings. Each panel discussed DG issues from one perspective, beginning with a presentation that explained the concerns and interests commonly expressed from that perspective, followed by a panel of respondents representing other perspectives. The goal was to put most of the concerns felt by each stakeholder group on the table, to look for common ground, and to discuss differences of opinion and possible solutions to problems in a civil and constructive manner.

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Agenda

9:30 – 10:00am
Networking with attendees

10:00 – 10:15am
Introductions
Janine Migden-Ostrander and John Shenot, Regulatory Assistance Project

10:15 – 11:30am
How to Determine the Value and Costs of Solar PV

The Distribution Utility's Perspective
Presenter: Julia Hamm (SEPA)
Respondents: Dennis Wilson (Renewable Power Inc.) and Sally Buttner (Energy Transition Consulting, representing Delaware Division of the Public Advocate)

This panel began with a presentation on the interests and concerns of regulated distribution utilities with respect to DG. Panelists representing other points of view then reflected on the presentation. Questions and answers from the audience followed.

11:30am – 12:45pm

The Distributed Generator's Perspective  
Presenter: Mark Warner (Sustainable Jersey)
Respondents: Jeanne Fox (NJ Board of Public Utilities) and Bob Borlick (Borlick Associates)

The second panel followed the same format as the first, but began with a presentation on the interests and concerns of businesses and individuals who want to deploy distributed generation. Separate presentations were made for CHP systems and PV systems.

12:45 – 1:45pm
Lunch

1:45-3:00pm
The Utility Customer's Perspective
Presenter: Stefanie Brand, New Jersey Division of Rate Counsel
Respondents: Jeff Wolfe (Jeff Wolfe Consulting) and Dennis Urban, Jr. or substitute (PPL)

The final panel also followed the same format as the first, this time focusing on the perspective of utility customers who do not (or cannot) install DG.

3:00 – 3:45pm
Wrap-Up, Adjournment
Janine Migden-Ostrander and John Shenot, Regulatory Assistance Project