HF 149 (LSB 2123YH (2) 86)

HOUSE FILE 149

BY  MASCHER

A BILL FOR

An Act requiring specified utilities to establish a solar energy bank program for the benefit of qualifying low-income customers.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 476.6, subsection 15, Code 2015, is amended by adding the following new paragraph:
   NEW PARAGRAPH.  i.  (1)  A rate-regulated utility required to submit an energy efficiency plan under this subsection shall include within that plan a solar energy bank program for the benefit of customers who are eligible to participate in the low income home energy assistance program or weatherization assistance program administered by the division of community action agencies of the department of human rights and who are behind in their energy bill payments by an amount or duration to be determined by the board by rule.
   (2)  The solar energy bank program shall consist of allocations of excess energy generated by solar energy production facilities beyond amounts necessary for the facility’s own use, which have been purchased by the utility. For the purposes of this paragraph “i”, a “solar energy production facility” means a facility eligible for the renewable energy tax credit pursuant to chapter 476C or the solar energy system tax credit pursuant to section 422.11L.
   (3)  A utility shall utilize standard interconnection agreements or a model interconnection agreement developed by the board for utilization by the owner of a solar energy production facility seeking to interconnect with an electric utility at rates established pursuant to section 476.43. Electricity purchased pursuant to the solar energy bank program shall be allocated to the solar energy bank to be credited on a pro rata or other basis as determined by the board by rule against energy bills for customers qualifying pursuant to subparagraph (1).
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with

the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill requires a rate-regulated utility that is required to submit an energy efficiency plan pursuant to Code section 476.6 to include within that plan a solar energy bank program for the benefit of customers who are eligible to participate in the low income home energy assistance program or weatherization assistance program administered by the division of community action agencies of the department of human rights and who are behind in their energy bill payments by an amount or duration to be determined by the board by rule. The bill provides that the solar energy bank program shall consist of allocations of excess energy generated by solar energy production facilities beyond amounts necessary for the facility’s own use, which have been purchased by the utility. The bill provides that a “solar energy production facility” means a facility eligible for the renewable energy tax credit pursuant to Code chapter 476C or the solar energy system tax credit pursuant to Code section 422.11L.
   The bill directs the utility to utilize standard interconnection agreements or a model interconnection agreement developed by the utilities board for utilization by the owner of a solar energy production facility seeking to interconnect with an electric utility at rates established pursuant to Code section 476.43. Electricity purchased pursuant to the program shall be allocated to the solar energy bank to be credited on a pro rata or other basis as determined by the board by rule against energy bills for qualifying low-income customers.