SB 529 - This act would create the Consumer Clean Energy Act. Retail electric suppliers are required to comply with and notify all retail customers quarterly that they will supply net generation meters to customer-generators and that the rates for the sale of energy must be the same for customer-generators and other customers. The method by which retail electric suppliers are required to calculate the net energy measurement for customer-generators is specified.

At the beginning of each year, any unused kilowatt-hour credit accumulated by customer-generators will be credited to low-income customers.

Local distribution companies which are retail electric suppliers will not be required to provide net metering service for additional customer-generators when the generating capacity of customer-generators is at least 1% of the companies average forecasted peak demand. Retail electric suppliers must maintain and make available to the public certain information regarding the total generating capacity of customer-generators.

Net metering units must meet certain standards. The retail electric supplier may not require a customer-generator to meet further requirements if the net metering unit has met the standards. Applications for by a customer-generator for interconnection must be responded to within 30 days and if it is approved connection must be completed within 15 days.

The Public Service Commission in consultation with the Department of Natural Resources will promulgate rules to ensure that simplified contracts will be used for interconnection.

These provisions are contained in SCS/SB 455.
CINDY KADLEC