How does current Commission regulation promote or deter the ability of (1) renewables, (2) distributed generation, and (3) energy efficiency and demand side management to compete with traditional generation resources?
The Commission’s Environmental Portfolio Standard (EPS) acts to promote the use of renewable energy sources such as solar. Without the EPS, it is doubtful that these sources of generation could compete (based on cost) with traditional generation sources.
In order for distributed generation to become a significant source of generation, interconnection standards and processes need to be established.
Over the years, the Commission has approved various cost recovery mechanisms and other procedures for demand-side management (DSM) as an incentive for utilities to consider cost-effective DSM instead of additional supply sources.