REPORT TITLE:
Net metering pilot project


DESCRIPTION:
Establishes a net metering pilot project under the public
utilities commission.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                        1884
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES                H.B. NO.           
TWENTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2000                                
STATE OF HAWAII                                            
                                                             
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                   A  BILL  FOR  AN  ACT

RELATING TO ENERGY.



BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 1      SECTION 1.  New and improved technologies have made it
 
 2 possible for small-scale renewable energy systems to be put into
 
 3 use safely and reliably by customer-generators, such as
 
 4 homeowners and small businesses.  The legislature recognizes the
 
 5 advantages of net metering in furthering the use of renewable
 
 6 energy systems in the State, thereby enhancing economic growth in
 
 7 the State, offsetting Hawaii's reliance on imported fossil fuels,
 
 8 and encouraging private investment in renewable energy resources.
 
 9      Net metering allows consumers to offset the cost of
 
10 electricity they buy from a utility by selling renewable electric
 
11 power generated at their homes or businesses.  In essence, a
 
12 customer's electric meter can run both forward and backward in
 
13 the same metering period, and the customer is only charged for
 
14 the net amount of power used.
 
15      The legislature believes that the development and use of net
 
16 energy metering can also reap significant environmental benefits
 
17 to the State.
 
18      The purpose of this Act is to establish a two-year net
 
19 metering pilot project under the public utilities commission.
 

 
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 1      SECTION 2.  There is established a two-year net metering
 
 2 pilot project under the public utilities commission for
 
 3 administrative purposes.  The public utilities commission shall
 
 4 select a utility to participate in the pilot project to gather
 
 5 data in implementing a net metering program.  The data shall
 
 6 include but is not limited to:
 
 7      (1)  Historical data for a one-year period, including real-
 
 8           time electricity production and use, and net use and
 
 9           consumption by the time of day;
 
10      (2)  Metering methods;
 
11      (3)  A rate structure, including the net change in
 
12           electricity rates for different classes of ratepayers;
 
13      (4)  Interconnection and safety issues;
 
14      (5)  The impact of net metering on overall electric utility
 
15           income and profitability;
 
16      (6)  The advantages of net metering, including deferred
 
17           capacity, value of energy, reduction of fossil fuel
 
18           use, and power quality issues;
 
19      (7)  The disadvantages of net metering, including revenue
 
20           losses for utilities;
 
21      (8)  Other technologies that are pertinent to the project;
 
22           and
 
23      (9)  Other state jurisdictions that are pertinent to
 
24           Hawaii's situation and that have adopted some type of
 

 
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 1           net metering provision, either through law or
 
 2           administrative rule.
 
 3      SECTION 3.  The public utilities commission shall submit the
 
 4 following reports on the actions taken, status, and
 
 5 recommendations with regard to the net metering pilot project,
 
 6 including a cost-benefit analysis:
 
 7      (1)  An interim report to the legislature no later than
 
 8           twenty days before the convening of the regular session
 
 9           of 2001; and
 
10      (2)  A final report to the legislature no later than twenty
 
11           days before the convening of the regular session of
 
12           2002.
 
13      SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval and
 
14 shall be repealed two years from its effective date.
 
15 
 
16                           INTRODUCED BY:  _______________________
 
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