Utah PSC Modifies Draft Interconnection Rule

On January 7, the Utah PSC posted changes to the proposed rule for interconnection under Rulemaking Docket R746-312.  The proposed rule specifies the application procedures, technical requirements, evaluations, inspections and maintenance requirements, fees and time lines which pertain to interconnection of facilities to public utilities.  Notably this new strawman proposal revised a few items of interest including:

• Limiting study fees to within 125% of the utility’s non-binding good faith estimate for such study
• Allowing the customer and utility to mutually agree to terms other than those specified in the standard form interconnection agreement, but these terms are subject to commission approval
• Limiting spot network interconnections to 5% of a spot network’s maximum load or 50 kilowatts.

Interested parties may submit written comments on this rule until February 1, 2010.

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.