Source: Washington Department of Commerce, June 1, 2021
Announcements
Commerce issues rulemaking order
Commerce has adopted a rule to define two terms used in CETA: energy assistance need and low-income. The rule defines energy assistance need as the amount of assistance necessary to achieve an energy burden equal to 6% of household income for utility customers. Low-income is defined as household incomes that do not exceed higher of 80% of area median income or 200% of federal poverty level, adjusted for household size. These definitions are the same definitions adopted by the Utilities and Transportation Commission.
The adopted rules can be found on the CETA webpage.
Comment period for storage accounting extended
Deadline: June 2, 2021
Commerce and the Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) are resuming their work to adopt rules implementing CETA. The agencies are inviting stakeholder comments on possible rules concerning the tracking and accounting of electricity used and provided in energy storage resources, such as batteries and pumped storage hydro. Specific questions and comment procedures are posted on the CETA webpage.
Joint workshop on market purchases, double counting, and use
June 9, 2021, 1 to 4 p.m.
Commerce and the UTC will be holding a rulemaking workshop on market purchases, double counting, and interpretations of use from 1 to 4 p.m. on June 9, 2021. This workshop follows the conclusion of the Washington Clean Energy Transformation Act Carbon and Markets Workgroup, which issued its final report on these topics in early April. Meeting details and materials will be posted on the CETA webpage ahead of the meeting.
Notice of public comment on market purchases, double counting, and use questions
Deadline: June 14, 2021
Commerce and the UTC are requesting stakeholder comments on organized market purchases, double counting and interpretation of use questions. Specific questions and comment procedures are posted on the CETA webpage.
Draft CEIP template webinar
June 15, 2021, 9 to 10 a.m.
Commerce will be holding a webinar from 9 to 10 a.m. on June 15, 2021, to walk-through its first draft of the clean energy implementation plan (CEIP) template. Meeting details and materials will be posted on the CETA webpage ahead of the webinar.
Draft energy assistance reporting and outreach template webinar
June 18, 2021, 9 to 11 a.m.
Commerce will be hosting a webinar on its draft energy assistance reporting template from 9 to 11 a.m. on June 18, 2021. RCW 19.405.120(4) requires utilities to submit biennial reports on energy burden and assistance, and outreach strategies used to encourage community participation in utility programs that reduce energy burden. Commerce has worked with a technical advisory group to develop a draft template for these biennial reports. The draft template and other meeting materials will be posted on the CETA webpage ahead of the meeting.
Commerce and UTC schedule joint workshop on storage accounting
June 22, 2021, 9 a.m. to 12 noon
Commerce and the UTC will be holding a workshop on storage and accounting from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on June 22, 2021. Meeting details and materials will be posted on the CETA webpage ahead of the meeting.
Commerce and UTC schedule joint workshop on interpretations of use
Sept. 27, 2021, 1 to 4 p.m.
Commerce and the UTC will be holding a joint rulemaking workshop on interpretations of use provisions in RCW 19.405.040 from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sept. 27, 2021. Meeting materials will be posted on the CETA webpage ahead of the meeting.
Commerce and UTC reserve date for a joint workshop
Oct. 4, 2021, 1 to 4 p.m.
Commerce and the UTC intend to hold a joint rulemaking workshop from 1 to 4 p.m. on Oct. 4, 2021. A meeting topic and materials will be posted on the CETA webpage ahead of the meeting.
| Date | Event | Topic |
| June 2 | Comment deadline | Storage accounting |
| June 9 | Workshop | Markets, double-counting, and use |
| June 14 | Comment deadline | Markets, double-counting, and use |
| June 15 | Webinar | Draft CEIP template |
| June 18 | Webinar | Draft energy assistance & outreach template |
| June 22 | Workshop | Storage accounting |
| Sept. 27 | Workshop | Interpretations of use |
| Oct. 4 | Workshop | To be announced |