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State of Maine Public Utilities Commission
Request for Proposals for Green Power Offer Provider
Docket No. 2015-00339
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I. SUMMARY
Pursuant to 35-A M.R.S.A. § 3212-A (1-A), the Commission selects 3Degrees Group, Inc. (3Degrees) to manage, for a five-year term beginning April 1, 2016, the Maine Green Power (MGP) program pursuant to the Scope of Services and Obligations attached to this Order. This decision is based on an examination of the proposals submitted in response to a Request for Proposals. The Commission also approves the Service Agreement for the Administration of the Maine Green Power Program attached to this Order and directs Central Maine Power (CMP) and Emera Maine (EM) to enter into the Service Agreement with 3Degrees.
II. BACKGROUND
A. Green Power Offer
During the 2009 session, the Legislature enacted An Act To Establish the Community-based Renewable Energy Pilot Program (Act), P.L. 2009, ch. 329. Part B of the Act requires the Commission to arrange for a green power offer that is composed of green power supply and to ensure that the green power is available to residential and small commercial electricity customers. 35-A M.R.S.A § 3212-A (1-A). As required by the Act, on December 16, 2010, the Commission issued a request for proposals (RFP) seeking proposals from suppliers to launch and manage a green power program. On September 30, 2011, the Commission selected 3Degrees, Inc. to provide the green power offer. Designing and implementing the program and resolving all issues with respect to the billing service arrangements with the transmission and distribution (T&D) utilities took considerable time. The program, named Maine Green Power, was officially launched in April 2013. The existing term of service expires on March 31, 2016.
B. Request for Proposals
During the 2015 session, the Legislature extended the sunset date of the green power program to April 1, 2021. On November 12, 2015, the Commission issued an RFP seeking proposals from providers to manage the program for a five-year term beginning on April 1, 2016. Proposals were due on January 15, 2016. As noted in the RFP, the proposals were evaluated based on cost considerations, non-cost aspects such as supplier experience, customer sign-up ease, and the potential use of renewable energy credits (RECs)1 from community-based renewable energy projects. Staff interviewed bidders and conducted discussions with the bidders and the T&D utilities provide administrative services and the Scope of Services and Obligations that contains the program management responsibilities of the provider.
III. DISCUSSION AND DECISION
The Commission finds that the proposal submitted by 3Degrees, Inc. best suits the needs of the green power program.
A. Structure and Pricing
The 3Degrees proposal maintains the existing block structure (1 Block = 500 kWh per month) and includes an increase in the pricing that would take effect on July 1, 2016. In addition, 3Degrees as proposed separate commercial pricing that includes a reduction in the per kWh price for higher usage. The proposed pricing is summarized in Table 1 below.
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