MAINE – PUC Inquiry Opened for Interconnection and Net Billing
In response to legislation (L.D. 2149) enacted in April 2008 (see below), the Maine Public Utilities Commission has opened two inquiries regarding small distributed generator interconnection and net billing. The state’s interconnection standards will be studied in Docket 2008-186, opened April 23, 2008. Public commentary will be accepted in this docket until May 30, 2008….
In response to legislation (L.D. 2149) enacted in April 2008 (see below), the Maine Public Utilities Commission has opened two inquiries regarding small distributed generator interconnection and net billing. The state’s interconnection standards will be studied in Docket 2008-186, opened April 23, 2008. Public commentary will be accepted in this docket until May 30, 2008. The state’s net billing practices will be studied in Docket 2008-196, opened May 13, 2008. Public commentary will be accepted in this docket until June 9, 2008. To access these dockets, go to the PUC’s Online Documents and Services, Virtual Case Files.
On April 7, 2008, Governor John Baldacci signed Resolve #183, L.D. 2149, which requires the PUC to review and make recommendations about: increasing the size of generators eligible for net billing from 100 kW to 5 MW; the value of the credits, including separating out the energy-only value from the T&D value; developing statewide standards for the interconnection of distributed generation; distributing time-of-use meters to all consumers by October 1, 2010; and, authorizing utilities to charge time-of-use pricing. All of these proposals are due to the legislature by January 15, 2009, at which time the legislature will consider enabling legislation.
