Title
Public Utilities Regulatory Policy Act (PURPA) Requirements (B)
On June 25, 2007, staff presented the Staff Recommendation, the schedule and public participation procedure for consideration and determination of Standards 14 and 15 of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (as amended by the Energy Policy Act of 2005), 16 U.S.C. §2621(d)(14) and (15). The City Commission received public input and made comments. The Recommended Decision prepared by staff outlines considerations, findings and determinations recommended for the City Commission.
Explanation
The Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA) was enacted as part of the National Energy Act by President Jimmy Carter. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct 2005) adds five additional PURPA standards that state commissions and non-regulated utilities must consider. These include (1) net metering; (2) fuel diversity; (3) fossil fuel generation efficiency; (4) time based metering and communications; and (5) interconnection standards for distributed resources. The City Commission took initial action to meet the PURPA requirements on July 31, 2006.
PURPA jurisdictional members have until August 8, 2007, to begin consideration of time based metering and communications (Standard 14), and interconnection standards for distributed resources (Standard 15). The action of the City Commission will satisfy the PURPA requirements.
Recommendation
The Gainesville City Commission find as to Standard 14 of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (as amended by the Energy Policy Act of 2005), the following:
1. Time based metering and communications promote conservation and the efficient use of utility resources; and,
2. Standards implementing procedures for time based metering and communications should be adopted; and,
3. Voluntary time differentiated rates for all classes should be developed for implementation October 1, 2008.
The Gainesville City Commission find as to Standard 15 of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (as amended by the Energy Policy Act of 2005), the following:
1. Standards will assist customers in determining requirements for interconnection; and,
2. The interconnection of distributed generation is an efficient and effective way to support the electrical systems; and,
3. Standards implementing interconnection for distributed resources should be adopted to establish terms and conditions to facilitate the interconnection to the electric systems, effective October 1, 2007.
The Gainesville City Commission makes the following determinations:
a)Standard 14 of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (as amended by the Energy Policy Act of 2005), 16 U.S.C. §2621(d)(14) should be implemented through the adoption of voluntary time differentiated rates for all classes of customer by October 1, 2008; and,
b)Standard 15 of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (as amended by the Energy Policy Act of 2005), 16 U.S.C. §2621(d)(15) should be implemented through the adoption of interconnection standards to support distributed generation at any scale, by October 1, 2007.
Fiscal Note
The estimated cost for consideration and determination of PURPA requirements is included in the FY 2007-08 Budget.
Drafter
Prepared By Heidi J. L. Lannon, Managing Utility Analyst
Submitted By Karen S. Johnson, General Manager