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 ...
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