Energy and Telecommunications Interim Committee (ETIC) for the 2019-2020 Interim
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Energy and July 29 Telecommunications 2019 Interim Committee Draft To plan its work and establish goals, the ETIC starts the interim by mapping out its priorities. The work plan can provide an outline of what Work the ETIC will work on throughout the interim and how much effort will Plan for be placed on each subject. It should provide guidance to the committee 2019-20 over the next 15 months and serve as a blueprint for the interim. Interim 0 | Page Contents Introduction .............................................................................................................. 1 Committee Procedures and Public Participation .............................................................. 1 Members and Staff ..................................................................................................... 2 How the ETIC Plans its Work ........................................................................................ 2 Potential Work Plan Topics........................................................................................... 4 Study Resolutions assigned to the ETIC by the Legislature ...................................................................................... 4 1. House Joint Resolution No. 12: Study the State’s Ability to Defend Transmission Infrastructure ............. 4 Additional Topics for ETIC Study ............................................................................................................................. 6 1. Review of the Public Service Commission .................................................................................................. 6 2. Study of Energy Storage systems ................................................................................................................. 7 3. Programmatic Review .................................................................................................................................. 8 ETIC Statutory Duties and Obligations ........................................................................ 10 Statutory Duties and Obligations ............................................................................................................................. 10 ETIC Educational Publications .................................................................................... 13 Draft 2019-2020 Work Plan Timeline .......................................................................... 16 Introduction This is the work plan for the Energy and Telecommunications Interim Committee (ETIC) for the 2019-2020 interim. Included you will find: ∙ A description of work plan topics and plans to address those topics. ∙ A work plan timeline and calendar. Committee Procedures and Public Participation The ETIC will operate under the Rules, Procedures, and Guidelines for Interim Committees adopted by the Legislative Council. As required by law, 10 day advance public notice will be given for all meetings and the public will be given an opportunity to comment on any matter that is within the jurisdiction of the committee. The Presiding Officer may establish time limits for public comments, if necessary. Interested persons may be added to the mailing list by visiting the ETIC website. By visiting the website, interested persons may sign up for electronic meeting notifications. Agendas, memos, links and other information can be found on the ETIC website: www.leg.mt.gov/etic. 1 | Page Members and Staff Committee Members Phone Email Rep. Laurie Bishop 406-223-1122 [email protected] Rep. Denise Hayman 406-587-7229 [email protected] Rep. Christopher Pope 406-581-8739 [email protected] Rep. Derek Skees 406-212-5493 [email protected] Rep. Brad Tschida 406-546-4349 [email protected] Rep. Daniel Zolnikov 406-861-5210 [email protected] Sen. Janet Ellis 406-431-0385 [email protected] Sen. Mary McNally 406-671-1376 [email protected] Sen. Keith Regier 406-756-6141 [email protected] Sen. Tom Richmond 406-208-5588 [email protected] Staff Phone Email Trevor Graff 406-444-4975 [email protected] Jameson Walker 406-444-3722 [email protected] Nadine Spencer 406-444-3838 [email protected] How the ETIC Plans its Work During the legislative interim, the ETIC typically focuses on the study topics it has been assigned while maintaining oversight of programs and rulemaking activities of the Public Service Commission. It also may address issues and improve law as it deems to be in the best interest of the state. The Legislative Council assigned the Committee one study in the form of joint study resolutions ranked by legislators. The Committee was assigned House Joint Resolution No. In May and June, staff also visited with ETIC members about potential topics for discussion. The ETIC establishes its work plan at the beginning of the interim. The primary constraint limiting the study agenda for the interim is the number of issues that can be effectively addressed within the available time and resources of the committee members and its staff. This 2019-2020 Work Plan sets priorities and outlines how and where the ETIC will spend its limited time and resources. The work plan sets out a strategy for fulfilling the ETIC's responsibilities throughout the 2019-2020 interim. The work plan is a blueprint for the interim. Timetables for each major study are included in the work plan calendar. The ETIC Work Plan Decision Matrix, a separate document, is a way to look at topics side by side and review time allocations to each topic. 2 | Page (This page intentionally left blank.) 3 | Page Potential Work Plan Topics Study Resolutions assigned to the ETIC by the Legislature 1. House Joint Resolution No. 12: Study the State’s Ability to Defend Transmission Infrastructure Legislative Poll Ranking: #2 Background: During the 2019 session, the House Energy, Telecommunications and Federal Relations committee worked to amend House Joint Resolution No. 12 along with Rep. Joe Read. The study will review the ability of the state’s transmission system to withstand threats such as electromagnetic pulses, terrorism, and wildfires. The study would also asses the current condition of the state’s transmission system, evaluate new technologies and their potential effect on grid reliability, and assess the cost of maintenance and upgrades to the system. The ETIC will rely on industry experts and the Public Service Commission to gather data and analyze the system, the ETIC may develop recommendations. Option A Option B Option C Option D .6 FTE .4 FTE .2 FTE No Action ° Engage utilities and ° Panel discussions on ° Review grid electric cooperative in the state of the grid reliability initiatives in analysis and information including utilities, other states gathering technology ° Review wildfire ° Panel discussions on developers, and liability law in other the state of the grid including utilities, regulators states technology developers, ° Review grid and regulators reliability initiatives in Deliverables: ° Review estimated cost other states ° White Papers of technological ° Review wildfire upgrades liability law in other ° Analyze current grid states capacity issues ° Review grid reliability Deliverables: initiatives in other states ° Review wildfire liability ° Interim Report law in other states ° White Papers ° Legislation Deliverables: ° Interim Report ° White Papers ° Legislation 4 | Page (This page intentionally left blank.) 5 | Page Additional Topics for ETIC Study 1. Review of the Public Service Commission Background: This study will review several aspects of the PSC, including the election of commissioners, structure of the commission, and the commissions role and function in utility regulation in the state. It will identify potential improvements to the state’s regulatory scheme and examine other states’ approach to public utilities commissions, as outlined by the ETIC. Option A Option B Option C Option D .4 FTE .3 FTE .2 FTE No Action ° Review other states ° Review other states ° Review other states utility regulatory utility regulatory utility regulatory structures structures structures ° Review the election ° Review the election of commissioners and of commissioners and Deliverables: districting districting ° White Papers ° Review the role of ° Analyze PSC staffing the commission in and budgets relation to the Montana Consumer Deliverables: Counsel and ° Interim Report Legislature ° White Papers ° Analyze PSC staffing ° Legislation and budgets Deliverables: ° Interim Report ° White Papers ° Legislation 6 | Page 2. Study of Energy Storage systems Background: This study will analysis the use of energy storage technology for grid firming in the State of Montana. The study will review the potential for energy storage deployment in the state, new technology and the activity of other states’ policy makers in regard to energy storage. Option A Option B Option C Option D .1 FTE .09-.05 .05 FTE No Action ° Review other states ° Review other states ° Review other states energy storage energy storage energy storage policies policies policies ° Conduct stakeholder ° Review current panel including technology Deliverables: developers and ° White Paper utilities Deliverables: ° Review current ° White Papers technology Deliverables: ° Interim Report ° White Papers ° Legislation 7 | Page 3. Programmatic Review Authority: 5-5-230, MCA. ETIC oversight Background: Interim committees are tasked with evaluating various programs, and the options below allow the ETIC to formalize that process. The ETIC’s statutory duties allow for an in-depth overview