July 29, 2008

OHIO – PUC Issues Draft Rules for S.B. 221

On July 23, 2008, the staff of the Ohio Public Utilities Commission issued its second set of proposed rules (see Docket 06-653-EL, Order dated 7/23/08) to implement S.B. 221, Ohio’s new comprehensive energy legislation. Comments on these proposed rules are due by August 12, 2008. Relevant highlights of S.B. 221: systems eligible for net metering…

On July 23, 2008, the staff of the Ohio Public Utilities Commission issued its second set of proposed rules (see Docket 06-653-EL, Order dated 7/23/08) to implement S.B. 221, Ohio’s new comprehensive energy legislation. Comments on these proposed rules are due by August 12, 2008.

Relevant highlights of S.B. 221: systems eligible for net metering must be sized to meet the customer’s typical load and can include solar, wind, biomass, landfill gas, hydro, fuel cells, and microturbines; each utility will develop a standard net metering tariff—the details of which have not been defined by this legislation; an advanced energy portfolio standard of 25 percent by 2025, which includes renewables, clean coal, fuel cells, co-generation, etc.; half of the 25 percent goal can be satisfied with out-of-state renewable energy delivered into Ohio; and, the solar carve-out must equal 0.004 percent in 2009 gradually increasing to 0.5 percent by 2025.