ACWA Seeking Member Input on Court Order Impacting Renewable Energy by Chelsea Haines Dec 20, 2017 Water News In response to a Dec. 6 Federal District Court decision, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has declared that the investor owned utilities (IOUs) implementing the Renewable Market Adjusting Tariff (ReMAT) must not execute any new ReMAT contracts, hold any new ReMAT program periods, or accept any new ReMAT applications. This ruling is effective immediately, pending further commission action or court order. The letter from the CPUC to the IOUs with more information about the case can be found on ACWA’s website. This order may profoundly impact ACWA members that have current ReMAT contracts, as well as those that are about to sign ReMAT agreements. While the court’s order does not affect the validity of already-executed ReMAT contracts, this case leaves uncertain what will happen with current contracts that utilities have executed with developers under the CPUC program. Additionally, the commission will evaluate the implication for the Bioenergy Market Adjusting Tariff (BioMAT) programs. ACWA is trying to gauge the scope of impact on members with existing ReMAT contracts, as well as those pursuing or considering pursuit of a ReMAT application. If your agency will be affected, please email ACWA Regulatory Advocate Chelsea Haines and Michael Minkler by Dec. 29.
