April 2009 IREC “Connecting to the Grid” Newsletter
Editor: Laurel Varnado NC Solar Center, NC State University HOW TO SUBSCRIBE The Connecting to the Grid newsletter is published electronically every month by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Inc. (IREC) and the North Carolina Solar Center at North Carolina State University. This is a free publication. Click here to subscribe. FORMAT While customer-sited net…
Editor: Laurel Varnado
NC Solar Center, NC State University
HOW TO SUBSCRIBE
The Connecting to the Grid newsletter is published electronically every month by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Inc. (IREC) and the North Carolina Solar Center at North Carolina State University. This is a free publication. Click here to subscribe.
FORMAT
While customer-sited net metering and interconnection are primarily state issues, they are also becoming important on a regional basis. This newsletter has been designed to capture any subtle, emerging regional trends. The state news is presented in geographic categories, primarily because the standard NERC and/or RTO/ISO regions do not always align with state boundaries. Please direct comments and questions about the newsletter to Laurel Varnado at [email protected].
Note: Scroll to the bottom of this page to download complete newsletter.
WHAT’S NEW AS OF APRIL 2009?
Note from the Editor
Policy Trendsetters Leading the Way
This month I would like to recognize some of the states that have been setting the pace for net metering, interconnection and renewable energy policies of late. Not only are these states expanding into new policy territories, but they often end up corralling their neighbors to join them along the way.
Among regions, the Northeast could arguably be named the most recent leader in net metering policy. In 2008, several states in the Northeast overhauled their net metering/interconnection standards including Vermont (SB 209 in March 2008); Rhode Island (HB 7809 of July 2008); Massachusetts (SB 2768 in July 2008); and New York (several bills in August 2008). These bills help illustrate the Northeast region’s growing role as a leader in this policy arena. Vermont has long been a quiet trendsetter within the region, with one of the older group net metering policies in the country. Its neighbor, Massachusetts, passed the Green Communities Act last year which has initiated a lengthy dialogue at the DPU on the structure of community net metering provisions. Not long after the passage of MA’s bill, Maine has also recently adopted provisional rules for shared system net metering.
New Jersey has almost always been viewed as a trendsetter for net metering policy, not only in its own region but also across the country. Since New Jersey enacted its 2 MW system size limit, several neighbors including the District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania have all reached or surpassed the 1 MW limit on system size eligibility. Also, like NJ, the District of Columbia and Pennsylvania have no firm limits on overall net metering participation. [Continued in the Newsletter]
News Items of Interest
Northeast States
Massachusetts utilities file joint proposed model tariff for net metering
Rhode Island PUC issues net metering order, approving National Grid tariff
Mid-Atlantic States
New Jersey BPU requests comments on allowing SREC ownership for large projects
District of Columbia PSC issues Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for net metering amendments
Midwestern States
Illinois ICC issues 2nd round of proposed large generator interconnection rules
Michigan PSC adopts net metering and interconnection rules
Missouri PSC sees need for lowering liability insurance requirements
South Dakota PUC issues proposed rules for Small Generator Interconnection
Southern States
North Carolina NCUC issues long-awaited net metering order
Western States
Arizona Attorney General’s office approves net metering rules
California Energy Commission issues proposed decision on authorizing TRECs for RPS compliance
Nevada Utilities file revised net metering and interconnection tariffs
Other States
Alaska RCA holds technical conferences
Hawaii Governor provides update on Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative
Miscellaneous News
IEEE Approves Standard for Connecting Fuel Cells & Photovoltaics to National Grid
LIPA and Con Edison to Move Forward With Plans for Major Offshore Wind Initiative
Florida’s Governor Crist Receives Golden Meter Award
Colorado to get 17 MW Solar Plant
Conferences and Events