October 31, 2019
Alberta Introduces Technology, Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) Funds
On October 24, 2019, the Honourable Travis Toews, Alberta Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board, introduced the United Conservative Party's (UCP) first Fiscal Plan for 2019-20: A Plan for Jobs and the Economy ( the Budget). Among the many features of the budget, outlines the expected revenues from the Technology, Innovation and Emissions Reduction ("TIER") Fund at over $1.9 billion over the next 4 years. Approximately $1.2 billion will be made available for emission reduction and innovation.
 
After introducing the budget bill, the Honourable Jason Nixon, Minister of Environment and Parks introduced Bill 19 to establish the TIER, and if passed, would establish a carbon price for large emitters of $30 per tonne of CO2e. Click here for a full synopsis and analysis by Crestview Strategy.
Please read on for further updates from the CanSIA Team. 

Policy & Market Development: 
Policy & Market Development
CanSIA Submits Letter to Nova Scotia Premier Re: Enhanced Net Metering ProgramPMD1
On October 4, CanSIA submitted a letter to the Honourable Stephen McNeil, Premier of Nova Scotia, outlining the numerous benefits of the current Enhanced Net Metering Program and the negative impacts that could occur should changes be implemented. For a copy of the letter, click here.

CanSIA is also in the process of finalizing a more detailed Net Metering Briefing Paper which will be sent to Department of Energy and Mines senior staff for their review and consideration.

Nova Scotia's SolarHomes Program, which is tied to the net metering program, achieved its 500th install during the month of October 2019. For more information click here.
SaskPower Introduces New Net Billing ProgramPMD2
On October 15, 2019, SaskPower announced their plan to launch a new updated net billing program effective November 1, 2019 . The previous new metering program was put on pause and went under review by SaskPower when it hit the 16 MW cap two years earlier than expected.

The new program still allows customers to generate up to 100 kW of power to decrease their monthly power bills, however, any excess energy now sent to the grid will be credited at 7.5 cents/kWh against the customer's energy charge. According to SaskPower, the new credited rate reflects SaskPower's average cost of energy for 2020 and 2021. Previously, the excess energy was credited at the customer's retail rate. Furthermore, there will no longer be a Government of Saskatchewan rebate on capital equipment and installations across the province. Other program changes include: no limit on program capacity, no program end date, and no specified contract length.

Upon the pausing of the previous Net Metering program, CanSIA submitted a letter to the Minister of Environment, Dustin Duncan, the office responsible for SaskPower, to advocate for meaningful and transparent engagement and industry participation within the SaskPower program review process. Click here to see CanSIA's further recommendations.
On October 23, 2019, the Nova Scotia Government tabled legislation which sets new goals to fight climate change and grow the green economy.

The newly announced Sustainable Development Goals Act will:
  • Reduce Nova Scotia's greenhouse gas emissions by 53 percent below 2005 levels by 2030
  • Move Nova Scotia to a net zero carbon footprint by 2050
  • Create a Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund to support community projects that fight climate change and grow the economy
  • Ensure a new climate change strategy is in place by the end of 2020 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, expand Nova Scotia's green economy and create jobs.
The Sustainable Development Goals Act replaces the Environmental Goals and Sustainability Prosperity Act (EGSPA). Most of EGSPA's goals have been achieved, such as having 25 percent of electricity generated with renewable energy sources by 2015. The province is on track to exceed 40 percent by 2020.

The new Act does not specify renewable energy targets for 2030. In a letter to the Environment Minister, CanSIA recommended that the Province legislate a 2030 renewable energy target of at least 50 percent from local sources, with a solar set-aside representing at least 5 percent of total electricity production. CanSIA will continue to lobby the Province to set aggressive renewable targets.

For more information, click here .
Utilities & Regulatory Affairs
Following AUC Decision 22942-D02-2019, Altalink applied to intervene in ENMAX and ATCO's respective Phase II Distribution Tariff proceeding pertaining to the matters of distributed-connected generation (DCG) credits. While the AUC "found that that the continued provision of DCG credits is a distribution tariff matter" ( see summary here), CanSIA was concerned about the regulatory burden and efficiency associated with intervening in multiple rate filing applications. Therefore, CanSIA filed two motions within the respective ENMAX and ATCO proceedings, requesting that the AUC address matters related to DCG credits in the Distribution System Inquiry. The AUC ruled in favour of CanSIA's motion and decided that the DCG credits are out of scope of the phase II applications. This ruling puts even more importance on CanSIA's continued participation in the Distribution System Inquiry with our Community Generation Working Group partners.

Furthermore, CanSIA filed a submission to AUC Bulletin 2019-16 with respect power plant self supply and export. The AUC identified statutory barriers within the statutory framework limiting export behind-the-meter generation that is not designated as Industrial systems under Section 4 of the Hydro and Electric Energy Act and not covered by the Micro-generation Regulation.
CanSIA Files Submission to OEB re: Distributed Energy Resources and Utility Remuneration ProceedingURA2
CanSIA filed a submission to the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) with respect to supplemental comments following the stakeholder engagement meeting (September 17th, 18th, 19th) hosted by Ontario Energy Board (OEB) with respect to Utility Remuneration and Responding to Distributed Energy Resources (EB-2018-0287 and EB-2018-0288, respectively). As a next step, the OEB will prepare a summary of the stakeholder meeting and allow stakeholders to provide further commentary on the scope and objectives of these proceedings. CanSIA is coordinating participation in this process through the NEXUS strategic project.
IESO Launches Energy Storage Design Project and Releases Innovation and Sector Evolution PapersURA3
The IESO launched new energy storage design project, which will establish an enduring participation model for energy storage resource in the IESO-administered market. This announcement evolved from the December 2018 report on removing obstacles for storage participation in Ontario, as well as the discussions that took place in July 2019 with stakeholders regarding the workplan of the Energy Storage Advisory Group (ESAG). This project is focused on energy storage that are either transmission- or distribution-connected and registered as IESO market participants, however, does not include behind the meter storage that can participate as a demand response resource.
 
Furthermore, the IESO released its first of two white papers as part of Innovation and Sector Evolution White Paper Series on the topic of exploring expanded Distributed Energy Resources (DER) participation in the IESO-administered markets. This White Paper provides a guide for options for DER participation in the current framework while identifying potential next steps to eliminate barriers to participation.
 CanSIA News Update
Notice of the CanSIA Special MeetingAGM
On October 29, 2019, a notice was sent to all CanSIA members regarding an upcoming special meeting and the Annual General Meeting of Members. The meeting will take place on November 28, 2019 in Toronto, ON. For more details, including what the meeting will cover and who is eligible to vote, you can read the full notice here. 
Nova Scotia Solar Summit - December 4, 2019 in Halifax, NSNSSS
The second annual Nova Scotia Solar Summit and Solar Mixer will take place on Wednesday, December 4th at the Marriott Harbourfront in downtown Halifax. The mixer will take place at a nearby location following the event. Last year's inaugural summit was a huge success with over 150 attendees, and we expect an even better conference this year!
 
Registration is now open! Sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities are also available. P lease contact Julie Mair at [email protected] for more information. 
Thank you to our Gold-level Sponsors:

Getting Involved

Members at the Corporate 1, Corporate 2, and Supporter 1 levels are eligible to become Influencers by funding and participating in Strategic Projects. Influencers receive a number of exclusive benefits that are not available through traditional membership and, above all else, access information that can be applied to strategic business planning.

Contact Julie Mair, Membership and Business Development Manager, to learn more about how your company can participate in CanSIA's Strategic Projects.