Raised Bill No. 1037 Summary

• Transfers authority over the Procurement Plan and Integrated Resources Plan from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, with the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection now approving the Integrated Resources Plan.

• Allows the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, and Office of Consumer Counsel to retain consultants for federal proceedings (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Department of Energy, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, SEC, FTC, DOJ, FCC) with costs up to $250,000 per proceeding annually, apportioned among affected utilities.

• Makes the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection a mandatory party to all Public Utilities Regulatory Authority proceedings and allows the commissioner to appeal decisions without demonstrating aggrievement.

• Establishes that electricity procurement proceedings conducted by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority shall be uncontested, and standard service contract bid reviews shall occur in uncontested proceedings with public hearings.

• Updates the Comprehensive Energy Strategy (formerly comprehensive energy plan) to be developed every three years by October 1, 2013, and adds ductless heat pumps as eligible equipment under the residential heating equipment financing program.