In November 2009 the North Carolina Utilities Commission applied for and subsequently received a four year State Electricity Regulators Assistance grant funded from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) through the U.S. Department of Energy in the amount of $985,065.
Objectives
- Increase the capacity of the North Carolina Utilities Commission to manage an anticipated significant increase in regulatory activity resulting from the following electricity-related topical areas stimulated by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009:
- Energy Efficiency
- Renewable Energy
- Energy Storage
- Smart Grid
- Plug-In Electric Vehicles
- Demand-side Management/Demand Response
- Coal with Carbon Capture and Storage
- Transmission
- Distribution
- Create capacity on staff to engage in electricity system modernization in the long term and allow for regulatory support in the transformation of the electric grid, in coordination with other agencies in the State of North Carolina and the other States in the region.
- With respect to the above-listed electricity-related topical areas: (a) facilitate timely consideration by the NCUC of docketed matters; (b) assist with the implementation of recent State legislation; (c) provide assistance in reviewing, assessing, and monitoring issues; (d) provide assistance in implementing systems and standards; and (e) prepare pertinent reports.
- Create one new, NCUC Commission Staff, limited term, full-time electricity specialist position, for a period of four years.
- Train seven Commissioners, nine NCUC Commission Staff, and 20 NCUC Public Staff in key emerging areas that will give regulators the information needed for effective regulatory oversight and decision-making with respect to the above-listed electricity-related topical areas.
