Bill Text: MS SB2727 | 2010 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Electric utility companies; shall establish a renewable portfolio standard goal of 10% of sales by 2015.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Failed) 2010-02-02 - Died In Committee [SB2727 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2010-SB2727-Introduced.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2010 Regular Session
To: Public Utilities
By: Senator(s) Jones
Senate Bill 2727
AN ACT TO REQUIRE EACH ELECTRIC UTILITY COMPANY THAT SELLS ELECTRICITY FOR CONSUMPTION IN THIS STATE TO ESTABLISH A RENEWABLE PORTFOLIO STANDARD GOAL OF 10% OF ITS NET ELECTRICITY SALES BY JANUARY 1, 2015; TO AUTHORIZE THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION TO PROVIDE INCENTIVES TO ENCOURAGE ELECTRIC UTILITY COMPANIES TO EXCEED THEIR RENEWABLE PORTFOLIO STANDARDS OR TO MEET THEIR RENEWABLE PORTFOLIO STANDARDS AHEAD OF TIME, OR BOTH; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. (1) It is the intent of the Legislature to recognize the economic, environmental, and fuel diversity benefits of renewable energy resources and to encourage the establishment of a market for renewable energy in Mississippi using the State's renewable energy resources and to encourage the further development of those resources. These efforts can reduce the amount of imported oil used for the generation of electricity.
Accordingly, the Legislature finds that it should establish goals for electric utilities to guide them in incorporating renewable resources into their resource portfolios to reduce the use of imported oil.
(2) For the purposes of this act:
(a) "Electric utility company," means a public utility as defined under Section 77-3-3(d)(i) for the generation, manufacture, transmission or distribution of electricity to or for the public for compensation.
(b) "Renewable energy" means electrical energy produced by wind, solar energy, hydropower, landfill gas, waste to energy, geothermal resources, ocean thermal energy conversion, wave energy, biomass including municipal solid waste, biofuels or fuels derived entirely from organic sources, hydrogen fuels derived entirely from renewable energy, or fuel cells where the fuel is derived entirely from renewable sources. "Renewable energy" also means electrical energy savings brought about by the use of solar and heat pump water heating.
(c) "Renewable portfolio standard" means the percentage of electrical energy sales that is represented by renewable energy.
(3) Each electric utility company that sells electricity for consumption in this state shall establish a renewable portfolio standard goal of ten percent (10%) of its net electricity sales by January 1, 2015.
(4) An electric utility company and its electric utility affiliates may aggregate their renewable portfolios in order to achieve the renewable portfolio standard.
(5) Any electric utility company not meeting the renewable portfolio standard shall report to the Public Service Commission within ninety (90) days following the goal date established in subsection (3), and provide an explanation for not meeting the renewable portfolio standard. The Public Service Commission shall have the option to either grant a waiver from the renewable portfolio standard or an extension for meeting the prescribed standard.
(6) The Public Service Commission may provide incentives to encourage electric utility companies to exceed their renewable portfolio standards or to meet their renewable portfolio standards ahead of time, or both.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2010.
