Bill Text: HI HB2497 | 2016 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Public Utilities Commission; Electric Utilities Companies; Net Energy Metering.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-02-01 - Referred to EEP, CPC, FIN, referral sheet 5 [HB2497 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2016-HB2497-Introduced.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
2497 |
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TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to net energy metering.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Hawaii is a leader in residential solar because of the encouragement of renewable energy production and development through the net energy metering program. The program has catapulted Hawaii to the forefront of renewable energy production and use in the nation by using clean, locally available energy sources. The net energy metering program was created to lessen Hawaii's dependence on imported oil by encouraging the utilization of net energy metering. The program allows customers to purchase and install residential solar panels through payment options and greatly reduced electrical rates. Meanwhile, small businesses in the industry are flourishing and increasing job opportunities in the State.
The legislature further finds that the public utilities commission unilaterally decided to effectively terminate this program on October 12, 2015 by capping the net energy metering program at existing levels, even for current net energy metering customers with applications pending in the queue at that time. This action contradicts the legislature's intent to encourage net energy metering rather than transition away from it. The termination of the program by the public utilities commission hinders this progress and has resulted in a lawsuit by solar advocates, opening up the State to more costly liabilities.
The purpose of this Act is to:
(1) Require the public utilities commission to approve all eligible customer-generators to participate in a net energy metering program;
(2) Create a maximum monthly charge for basic electrical-grid services; and
(3) Repeal the public utilities commission's authority to amend the rate structure.
SECTION 2. Chapter 269, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding two new sections to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§269- Approval of eligible customer-generators. The public utilities commission shall approve all eligible customer-generators who meet the minimum requirements of a net energy metering program to participate in a net energy metering program.
§269- Monthly charge for basic electrical-grid services. (a) The public utilities commission shall determine a monthly charge for basic electrical-grid services common to both participants and non-participants in a net energy metering program, provided that the monthly charge shall not exceed seventeen dollars.
(b) Any participant in a net energy metering program with net energy metering credits at the end of each month under section 269-107 shall be billed only the monthly charge for basic electrical-grid services.
(c) The monthly charge for basic electrical-grid services shall be identified as a line-item by electric utilities on all billing statements for all grid-connected users."
SECTION 3. Section 269-102, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (c) to read as follows:
"(c) The public utilities commission may
amend the [rate structure or] standard contract [or tariff] by
rule or order."
SECTION 4. The public utilities commission shall commence a proceeding by September 1, 2016, to determine appropriate actions for equitable relief for all applicants to a net energy metering program between October 12, 2015 and approval of this Act.
SECTION 5. This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.
SECTION 6. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Public Utilities Commission; Electric Utilities Companies; Net Energy Metering.
Description:
Requires the public utilities commission to approve all eligible customer-generators to participate in a net energy metering program. Creates a maximum monthly charge for basic electrical-grid services. Repeals the public utilities commission's authority to amend the rate structure.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
