November 2008 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 net metering…
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 net metering and interconnection below the 20 MW level 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 at [email protected].
Note: Scroll to the bottom of this page to download complete newsletter.
WHAT’S NEW AS OF NOVEMBER 2008?
Note from the Editor
Region-by-Region Recap
Northeast States
Maine – PUC issues Draft Report on net billing
Massachusetts – DPU holds technical conference on net metering
New York – DPS releases updated draft Standard Interconnection Requirement (SIR)
Mid-Atlantic States
New Jersey – OCE continues discussion on community net metering
Virginia – SCC issues staff report on interconnection
Midwestern States
Kentucky – PSC staff discuss net metering guidelines
Michigan – PSC opens net metering docket
Missouri – PSC amends net metering rules, voters approve an RPS
Ohio – PUC issues order finalizing net metering rules
South Dakota – PUC opens docket to consider EISA ’07 PURPA standards
Southern States
North Carolina – PUC continues to consider net metering changes
Louisiana – Lafayette City-Parish Council approves net metering ordinance
Western States
Arizona – ACC finalizes net metering rules
California – PUC allows virtual net metering for MASH program
Other States
Alaska – RCA staff submit net metering proposal
Hawaii – Utilities, government sign agreement to phase out net metering in favor of a feed-in-tariff
Miscellaneous News
California PUC to Allow RPS Compliance via Use of Unbundled RECs
NY Increases Funding for RPS
Gainesville to Offer FIT
Policy Reports Released
Smart Grid Research Center AnnouncedConferences and Events
Region-by-Region Recap
In the Northeast, the Maine PUC issued a Draft Report on the status of the state’s net billing policy and issued provisional rules relating to shared net billing arrangements. Massachusetts DPU held a technical conference regarding the net metering provisions of the Green Communities Act. In New York, DPS Staff distributed an updated draft Standard Interconnection Requirement that incorporates comments received during the recent informal commenting process.
In the Mid-Atlantic, New Jersey continued its Community Solar Stakeholder process to include community solar provisions into the state’s net metering regulations. Virginia SCC Staff issued a report and revised proposal in response to the comments that have been filed regarding the February 2008 proposed interconnection standard.
In the Midwest, the Missouri PSC amended its existing net metering and interconnection rules to align with S.B. 54, while the Michigan PSC opened a net metering docket. The Kentucky PSC discussed draft guidelines to implement the net metering provision of S.B. 83. The Ohio PUC also issued an order regarding the implementation of net metering under S.B. 221.
In the South, North Carolina continues to consider changes to its net metering policy and received comments on the external disconnect switch requirement. Lafayette, Louisiana approved a net metering ordinance for the city’s municipal utility.
In the West, the Arizona Corporation Commission issued a final order regarding its proposed net metering rules. The California PUC approved virtual net metering for multi-tenant, low-income housing.
In Other States, the Alaska RCA staff presented a draft proposal for net metering that included a system size limit of 25 kW and an aggregate cap of 1% of annual peak demand. The Hawaiian government and utilities struck an unprecedented accord regarding the future of renewable policy in the state.
