December 2012 Connecting to the Grid Newsletter

WHAT’S NEW AS OF DECEMBER 2013?

Note from the Editor

Improved Interconnection Procedures – Coming soon to a state near you?

They say history repeats itself.  This rang true last month when the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) updated the federal interconnection standards.

It was back in 2005 when FERC first adopted its Small Generator Interconnection Procedures (SGIP), which were largely based on California’s groundbreaking Rule 21 state interconnection procedures.  On November 21, FERC issued a much-awaited rule revision to the SGIP, once again based on the pioneering efforts of California’s recent Rule 21 update.  Because so many state rules modeled their procedures on the FERC SGIP, the federal standards’ influence is pervasive across the country, even for very small systems.

So why an update now?

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State News in Detail

Northeast States

New York state seeks $30M in renewable projects. Read more.

Vermont PSB orders co-op to stop net metering program. Read more.

Vermont’s Hardwick Electric Department raises net metering cap. Read more.

Mid-Atlantic States 

PJM Green-Lights PSE&G’s Transmission Upgrade Project. Read more.

Midwestern States

Minnesota co-op adds community solar to their services. Read more.

Incentive Amounts Set for Made in Minnesota Solar Incentive Program. Read more.

Ohio joins the top states for improving interconnection procedures. Read more.

Southern States

TVA steps up renewable energy programs. Read more.

Western States  

Arizona Commission approves a net metering fee. Read more.

California PUC may challenge utilities for blocking hybrid solar-storage systems. Read more.

Other States 

Hawaiian utility helps PV customers caught in interconnection limbo.  Read more.

Federal and Miscellaneous News

View an archived version of the newsletter here:  December 2013 Connecting to the Grid Newsletter

FORMAT

While customer-sited net metering and interconnection policies are primarily addressed at the state level, they are also becoming important on a regional basis. This newsletter has been designed to provide state-level policy updates and capture emerging regional trends. Connecting to the Grid is a free, electronic newsletter published each month by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Inc. (IREC). Click here to subscribe.

Editor: Laurel Passera

Laurel Passera

Laurel is a Senior Renewables Analyst for IREC attorneys Keyes, Fox & Wiedman, and engages in research and analysis of net metering and interconnection regulatory trends to support IREC’s outreach and communication efforts. In 2009, Laurel was a Southeast Regional Network fellow for the Southeast Environmental Leadership Program and currently sits on Raleigh City Council’s Environmental Advisory Board.