Case Details

- Case Details:

Case Number:

2022-00345

Case Status:

Closed

Utility/Industry Type :

Electric

Utility/Industry Subtype :

Transmission and Distribution Utilities (T and Ds)

Case Type :

COMMISSION INITIATED

Case Subtype :

INQUIRY

Pertaining to Utility/Company :

PUBLIC UTILITIES COM-C

Case Title :

COMMISSION INITIATED INQUIRY INTO PROPOSED CHANGES TO SMALL GENERATOR INTERCONNECTION PROCEDURES, CHAPTER 324

Initiating Filer :

COMMISSION, MPUC

Case Start Date :

12/2/2022

Assigned Staff :

Benedict.Cracolici,
Dale.Coty,
Ethan.Grumstrup,
Leslie.Raber,
Pamela.Kowalchuk,
Rikka.Strong,
liz.wyman,
Romayn.Richards,
Sally.Zeh,
Michael.Simmons

View Case References

Filings (24) Data Requests (0)Public Comments (20) Active Party and Notification List (382) Assigned Staff (10)

Item No.	Date Filed	Description Of Filing	Filing Party	Filed By	No of Attachments	Deleted Filings
24	11/21/2023	Procedural Order (Closing Docket)	COMMISSION STAFF, CMS	COMMISSION STAFF, CMS	1
23	4/26/2023	CMP Supplemental Comments	CENTRAL MAINE POWER COMPANY	Regulatory Administration, Debra Mills	1
22	4/17/2023	CMP Comments	CENTRAL MAINE POWER COMPANY	Regulatory Administration, Debra Mills	2
21	4/15/2023	Sundog Solar Comments to Procedural Order	SUNDOG SOLAR LLC	Piper MR, Danny C	1
20	4/14/2023	Maine Renewable Energy Association and Coalition for Community Solar Access Comments	COALITION FOR COMMUNITY SOLAR ACCESS, MAINE RENEWABLE ENERGY ASSOCIATION	McEntee, Rachael Becker	2
19	4/14/2023	Versant Power Comments	VERSANT POWER	Silver Karsh, Arielle	3
18	3/28/2023	PROCEDURAL ORDER (Granting Extension)	COMMISSION STAFF, CMS	COMMISSION STAFF, CMS	1
17	3/27/2023	Request for Extension - Joint Request	VERSANT POWER	Silver Karsh, Arielle	1
16	3/24/2023	Letter regarding substitution of counsel	COALITION FOR COMMUNITY SOLAR ACCESS, MAINE RENEWABLE ENERGY ASSOCIATION	Decker, Kevin	1
15	3/17/2023	Procedural Order (Requesting Response)	COMMISSION STAFF, CMS	COMMISSION STAFF, CMS	1

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Posted By	Posted Date	Comments	Attachment(s)
Richard Kane 189 Rope Ferry Road Sedgwick, ME 04676 Email ID: kanelewisproductions@gmail.com Phone No.: 2073592320	2/15/2023	We have recently committed to installing solar panels on our roof which will take place March 2023. We understood that an application needed to be made to Versant. It failed due to Chap 324, 7A RE: the need for Versant to install a lightning arrestor on the transformer near our house. Once the lightning arrestor is installed, our project is cleared to proceed. Versant sent us a bill for $1,424.18 for that "upgrade". In fact it is not an upgrade to our solar project, it is an upgrade to Versant's grid that WE are being asked to pay for. This is an infrastructure improvement that might very well be handled by state or federal funds. Once we pay for the upgrade to the transformer, our neighbors who choose to install solar, will benefit. The worst of it is that there is a 31 week waiting period (once they receive our check) for installation. That puts us beyond the "sunny" season. This is clearly a disincentive for people to go solar which we need to combat climate change. The Maine PUC began re-evaluating Chapter 324 on December 2, 2022 : "COMMISSION INITIATED INQUIRY INTO PROPOSED CHANGES TO SMALL GENERATOR INTERCONNECTION PROCEDURES, CHAPTER 324" See Case Number 2022-00345. Speaking with Brenda Sidelove at the PUC she said we should negotiate with Versant. Although she was very helpful, I don't think this is a reasonable solution as Versant will do whatever is in their best financial interest. Please let me know how we can expedite Maine PUC's approval of proposed changes to Chapter 324 which was proposed 10 weeks ago. Appreciate a response to my concern.
Steve Hindy 925 Bay Road Brooklin, Maine 04616 Email ID: stephenhindy@gmail.com Phone No.: 9179526487	2/14/2023	My wife and I are building a new home in Brooklin, Maine. Concerned about climate change, we contracted to install solar panels on our south-facing building. The contractor is ReVision Energy, based in South Portland. When we applied for a Level One connection to the grid, we were informed by Versant Power that our 15kW solar array might generate too much energy for the existing power lines in Brooklin. Since hearing this rejection on January 9, we have learned that many other residents of Brooklin and nearby Blue Hill also have been refused a connection to the grid. Versant's rejection seems arbitrary. They provide little data showing our tiny solar array is too powerful for the Versant power lines. The rejection also ignores the federal and state government's objective of a carbon neutral future. Indeed, the federal government provides financial incentives for homeowners to install solar panels. I understand that the Maine PUC is considering changes to the "small generator interconnection procedures, Chapter 324" of the Maine code that would require utilities like Versant to upgrade their lines to allow us to connect our solar energy to the grid. We are very much in favor of this change. Steve Hindy 925 Bay Rd Brooklin, Maine 04616
Ms Hinton Brooklin, Me Email ID: dgconnections@versantpower.com	2/14/2023	I am building a house at 925 Bay Rd, Brooklin. Concerned about the climate, I planned to install solar panels on my south facing building, a 15.2kW PV array. Versant (Ms Hinton) denied my request for a Level 1 connection to the Versant grid, claiming the power lines in Brooklin could not handle my excess solar power. I believe this denial is arbitrary. My request was submitted by ReVision Energy in South Portland. I understand that the PUC is currently considering a change of 65 ME Code Rules / 407 Chapter 324 Small Generator Interconnection Procedures (Case No. 2022-00345) that would require the utility, in this case Versant, to upgrade its lines to accommodate Level 1 users like me. I am very much in favor of this change because I believe that clean energy like solar is the key to a healthy future for my family, Maine and the world. If possible, I would like my statement to be included in the public comments about the proposed revision of Chapter 324.
George Bullard 32 Annie Clough Ln Blue Hill, ME 04614 Email ID: gcbullard@gmail.com Phone No.: 206-359-2660	2/12/2023	Comments attached	Bullard Comments re Chap 324 (Case 2022-00345).pdf
Danny Piper Sundog Solar LLC 222 East Main St. Searsport, ME 04974 Email ID: danny@sundog.solar Phone No.: 2075481100	2/7/2023	Please See Attached PDF.	Public Testimony Docket No. 2022-00345.pdf
Donald Kibe 104 Oak Point Rd Trenton ME, 04605	2/7/2023	Please see attached.	104 Oak Point Rd Donald Kibe.pdf
Alden Hathaway Cranberry Isles Community solar Association	1/24/2023	comments attached	cranberry isles.pdf
Robert Stevens Freeport Can Climate Action Now	1/24/2023	Comments Attached	solar energy pc.pdf
Ryan Donahue Seawall Boat Storage 296 Sewall Road Southwest Harbor ME 04679	1/24/2023	Comments Attached	ryan donahue pc.pdf
James J. Russell and Vicki VanDenburgh 124 Main St. Southwest Harbor, ME 04679 Email ID: vickivandenburgh@yahoo.com Phone No.: 207-244-4161	1/20/2023	Please see attached letter in favor of proposed changes to Chapter 324 interconnection rules.	2023-01-20 Chapter 324 Comment.pdf

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Notification List Active Party List

Name of Person/Company	Representing Company	Mailing Address	Email/Phone/Fax
Abbey, Ross		100 N. 6th Street Suite 410B Minneapolis MN 55403	Email ID: ross.abbey@us-solar.com Phone Ph: 612-229-1920 Fax:
Abbott, Charles Lincoln		12 Mill Brook Road Plainfield CT 06374	Email ID: cabbott@greenleaf-power.com Phone Ph: 916-596-2503 Fax:
Abello MR, Thomas		14 Maine Street, Suite 401 Brunswick ME 04011	Email ID: tabello@tnc.org Phone Ph: 207-687-4843 Fax:
Adelberg, Arthur		PO Box 952 Biddeford ME 04005	Email ID: adelberg100@gmail.com Phone Ph: 202-380-6514 Fax:
Agnew, Mark			Email ID: magnew@eei.org Phone Fax:
Akers, Keith		250 West 57th Street Suite 701 New York NY 10107	Email ID: keith@syncarpha.com Phone Ph: 513-237-1749 Fax:
Albert, Eben M		PO Box 9729 Portland ME 04104 5029	Email ID: ealbert@bernsteinshur.com Phone Ph: 207-228-7364 Fax:
Allegretti, Dan		ME	Email ID: daniel.w.allegretti@constellation.com Phone Fax:
AnderBois, Sue		250 Summer St, 5th Floor Boston MA 02210	Email ID: sanderbois@necec.org Phone Fax:
Aronson, George		ME	Email ID: GARONSON@CRMCX.COM Phone Fax:

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Staff Name	Role
Coty, Dale	Support Staff
Cracolici, Benedict	Staff Analyst
Grumstrup, Ethan	Staff Analyst
Kowalchuk, Pamela	Support Staff
Raber, Leslie	Hearing Examiner
Richards, Romayn	Staff Analyst
Simmons, Michael	Staff Analyst
Strong, Rikka	Hearing Examiner
Wyman, Liz	Reviewer
Zeh, Sally	Reviewer

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