82 FR 43345 - Costs and Benefits of Net Energy Metering: Request for Information

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 178 (September 15, 2017)

Page Range		43345-43346
FR Document		2017-19647

The U.S. Congress has directed the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE or Department), as part of the Grid Modernization Initiative, to conduct a study of the cost and benefit considerations of net metering to utilities (utility business perspective), ratepayers (consumer perspective), and the electrical grid (technical/operational perspective). There have been numerous studies assessing the impacts of net metering in states across the United States. As part of this study, DOE seeks stakeholder input on existing studies (2012-present) assessing the costs and benefits of net metering, and the availability of data that can be used in conducting such studies. DOE expects to use this input to help inform its report to Congress.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 178 (Friday, September 15, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 178 (Friday, September 15, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43345-43346]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-19647]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


Costs and Benefits of Net Energy Metering: Request for 
Information

AGENCY: Office of Energy Policy and Systems Analysis, Department of 
Energy.

ACTION: Notice of request for information (RFI).

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Congress has directed the U.S. Department of Energy 
(DOE or Department), as part of the Grid Modernization Initiative, to 
conduct a study of the cost and benefit considerations of net metering 
to utilities (utility business perspective), ratepayers (consumer 
perspective), and the electrical grid (technical/operational 
perspective). There have been numerous studies assessing the impacts of 
net metering in states across the United States. As part of this study, 
DOE seeks stakeholder input on existing studies (2012-present) 
assessing the costs and benefits of net metering, and the availability 
of data that can be used in conducting such studies. DOE expects to use 
this input to help inform its report to Congress.

DATES: Public comments are due on or before October 30, 2017.

ADDRESSES: 
    Electronic: Interested persons are encouraged to submit comments 
electronically identified by docket number EERE-2017-OT-0056 to 
[[email protected]]. Your response should be limited to 
8 pages.
    Email: [[email protected]]. Include EERE-2017-OT-
0056 in the subject line of the message. Comments, data, and other 
information submitted to DOE electronically should be provided in PDF, 
Microsoft Word or Excel, WordPerfect, or text (ASCII) file format. 
Provide documents that are not secured, are written in English, and are 
free of any defects or viruses. Documents should not contain special 
characters or any form of encryption and, if possible, they should 
carry the electronic signature of the author.
    Or Mail to: U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Ave. SW., 
Mailstop EP-60, Office of Energy Policy and Systems Analysis, Net 
Metering Comments.
    Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name 
and docket number.
    Docket: The docket is available for review at www.regulations.gov, 
including Federal Register notices, comments, and other supporting 
documents/materials (search EERE-2017-OT-0056).
    The docket Web page can be found at:  http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=EERE-2017-OT-0056.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Kate Marks, EPSA, U.S. Department 
of Energy, Office of Energy Policy and Systems Analysis, 1000 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 
586-9842, Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DOE seeks stakeholder input on information 
or existing studies (2012-present) assessing the costs and benefits 
involved in net energy metering (NEM), and the availability of data 
that can be used in conducting such studies. DOE expects to use this 
input to help inform its report on net metering cost-benefit analyses.
    DOE is interested in several specific types of information related 
to NEM cost-benefit studies, including:
    1. Motivations and the policy context for conducting NEM cost-
benefit studies, including the role of cost-benefit analysis in driving 
policy decisions around NEM and related policies; descriptions of other 
considerations for policymakers considering NEM and related policies.
    2. Categories of costs and benefits--describe relevant categories 
of costs and benefits and reasons for inclusion or exclusion of these 
categories in NEM studies.
    3. Methodological issues--identify key methodological elements that 
can vary significantly when quantifying factors considered in the 
benefit-cost analysis. Key drivers that might be considered include, 
but are not limited

[[Page 43346]]

to, local policy objectives and local electricity system fundamentals.
    4. Fundamental drivers and underlying market conditions--identify 
key drivers that establish the context for the values and cause 
differing outcomes among studies of cost/benefit results in a 
particular category, such as differing levels of excess generation 
capacity, transmission, or distribution system capacity, projected 
demand growth, level of penetration and location of distributed 
generation, retail prices, etc.
    5. Are there specific emerging issues related to net metering cost-
benefit analyses that are improving or complicating the application of 
benefit-cost analysis?
    The following items are considered out of scope of the report and 
information on these items should not be included in the responses:
    1. Costs and benefits of distributed solar generation beyond 
distributed solar's impact on net metering;
    2. Indirect cost/benefits (e.g., societal impacts, network effects) 
that go beyond what is included in existing analyses;
    3. Recommendations on
    a. How to conduct cost/benefit analysis,
    b. NEM design options,
    c. Transitions to alternative forms of compensation.
    All interested parties are invited to submit in writing by the date 
specified in the DATES section of this RFI, comments and information on 
all elements listed in this SUPPLEMENTARY section. Please submit 
comments only and cite docket number EERE-2017-OT-0056, in all 
correspondence related to this case. All comments received will be 
posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov, including any 
personal and/or business confidential information provided.
    Do not submit to the RFI information for which disclosure is 
restricted by statute, such as trade secrets and commercial or 
financial information (hereinafter referred to as Confidential Business 
Information (CBI)). Comments submitted to the RFI email address cannot 
be claimed as CBI. Comments received through the RFI address will waive 
any CBI claims for the information submitted. DOE plans to publish all 
information received in response to this RFI.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on September 12, 2017.
Sean Cunningham,
Director, Office of Energy Policy and Systems Analysis, U.S. Department 
of Energy.
[FR Doc. 2017-19647 Filed 9-14-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6450-01-P

43346 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 178 / Friday, September 15, 2017 / Notices

to, local policy objectives and local DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY negotiations fail to produce an
electricity system fundamentals. agreement, the pipeline company could
4. Fundamental drivers and Federal Energy Regulatory initiate condemnation proceedings
underlying market conditions—identify Commission where compensation would be
key drivers that establish the context for [Docket No. CP17–481–000] determined in accordance with state
the values and cause differing outcomes law.
among studies of cost/benefit results in DCP Operating Company, LP; Notice of DCP provided landowners with a fact
a particular category, such as differing Intent To Prepare an Environmental sheet prepared by the FERC entitled
levels of excess generation capacity, Assessment for the Proposed ‘‘An Interstate Natural Gas Facility On
transmission, or distribution system Mewbourn 3 Residue East Pipeline, My Land? What Do I Need To Know?’’
capacity, projected demand growth, and Request for Comments on This fact sheet addresses a number of
level of penetration and location of Environmental Issues typically asked questions, including the
distributed generation, retail prices, etc. use of eminent domain and how to
The staff of the Federal Energy participate in the Commission’s
5. Are there specific emerging issues Regulatory Commission (FERC or
related to net metering cost-benefit proceedings. It is also available for
Commission) will prepare an viewing on the FERC Web site
analyses that are improving or environmental assessment (EA) that will
complicating the application of benefit- (www.ferc.gov).
discuss the environmental impacts of
cost analysis? the Mewbourn 3 Residue East Pipeline Public Participation
The following items are considered involving construction and operation of For your convenience, there are three
out of scope of the report and facilities by DCP Operating Company, methods you can use to submit your
information on these items should not LP (DCP) in Weld County, Colorado. comments to the Commission. The
be included in the responses: The Commission will use this EA in its Commission encourages electronic filing
1. Costs and benefits of distributed decision-making process to determine of comments and has expert staff
solar generation beyond distributed whether the project is in the public available to assist you at (202) 502–8258
solar’s impact on net metering; convenience and necessity. or FercOnlineSupport@ferc.gov. Please
2. Indirect cost/benefits (e.g., societal This notice announces the opening of carefully follow these instructions so
impacts, network effects) that go beyond the scoping process the Commission that your comments are properly
what is included in existing analyses; will use to gather input from the public recorded.
3. Recommendations on and interested agencies on the project. (1) You can file your comments
a. How to conduct cost/benefit You can make a difference by providing electronically using the eComment
analysis, us with your specific comments or feature on the Commission’s Web site
b. NEM design options, concerns about the project. Your (www.ferc.gov) under the link to
c. Transitions to alternative forms of comments should focus on the potential Documents and Filings. This is an easy
compensation. environmental effects, reasonable method for submitting brief, text-only
All interested parties are invited to alternatives, and measures to avoid or comments on a project;
submit in writing by the date specified lessen environmental impacts. Your (2) You can file your comments
in the DATES section of this RFI, input will help the Commission staff electronically by using the eFiling
comments and information on all determine what issues they need to feature on the Commission’s Web site
elements listed in this SUPPLEMENTARY evaluate in the EA. To ensure that your (www.ferc.gov) under the link to
section. Please submit comments only comments are timely and properly Documents and Filings. With eFiling,
and cite docket number EERE–2017– recorded, please send your comments so you can provide comments in a variety
OT–0056, in all correspondence related that the Commission receives them in of formats by attaching them as a file
to this case. All comments received will Washington, DC on or before October 6, with your submission. New eFiling
be posted without change to http:// 2017. users must first create an account by
www.regulations.gov, including any If you sent comments on this project clicking on eRegister. If you are filing a
personal and/or business confidential to the Commission before the opening of comment on a particular project, please
information provided. this docket on August 2, 2017, you will select ‘‘Comment on a Filing’’ as the
Do not submit to the RFI information need to file those comments in Docket filing type; or
for which disclosure is restricted by No. CP17–481–000 to ensure they are (3) You can file a paper copy of your
statute, such as trade secrets and considered as part of this proceeding. comments by mailing them to the
commercial or financial information This notice is being sent to the following address. Be sure to reference
(hereinafter referred to as Confidential Commission’s current environmental the project docket number (CP17–481–
Business Information (CBI)). Comments mailing list for this project. State and 000) with your submission: Kimberly D.
submitted to the RFI email address local government representatives should Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy
cannot be claimed as CBI. Comments notify their constituents of this Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street
received through the RFI address will proposed project and encourage them to NE., Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426.
waive any CBI claims for the comment on their areas of concern.
If you are a landowner receiving this Summary of the Proposed Project
information submitted. DOE plans to
notice, a pipeline company DCP proposes to construct and
publish all information received in
representative may contact you about operate 8.4 miles of new 20-inch-
response to this RFI.
the acquisition of an easement to diameter pipeline in Weld County,
mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES

Issued in Washington, DC, on September construct, operate, and maintain the Colorado. The Mewbourn 3 Residue
12, 2017. proposed facilities. The company would East Pipeline Project would provide
Sean Cunningham, seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable about 253,000 dekatherms of natural gas
Director, Office of Energy Policy and Systems agreement. However, if the Commission per day to an interconnect with
Analysis, U.S. Department of Energy. approves the project, that approval Colorado Interstate Gas Company
[FR Doc. 2017–19647 Filed 9–14–17; 8:45 am] conveys with it the right of eminent L.L.C.’s High Plains System. According
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P domain. Therefore, if easement to DCP, its project would transport

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Document Created: 2017-09-15 00:18:05
Document Modified: 2017-09-15 00:18:05

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice of request for information (RFI).
Dates		Public comments are due on or before October 30, 2017.
Contact		Ms. Kate Marks, EPSA, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Policy and Systems Analysis, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 586-9842, Email: [email protected]
FR Citation		82 FR 43345