SB 824 – Creates the Energy Efficiency Competitive Resource Acquisition Act

• Sponsor: Schatz
• LR Number: 4885S.05I
• Committee: Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment
• Last Action: 1/12/2016 - Second Read and Referred S Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment Committee
• Journal Page: S106
• Effective Date: August 28, 2016

Current Bill Summary

SB 824 - This act creates the Energy Efficiency Competitive Resource Acquisition Act. Under this act, if an electrical corporation projects that they will need to acquire or construct a new supply-side resource to meet future maximum demand, 1/3 of the energy and capacity that the electrical corporation projects that they will need in order to meet such demand shall be met by implementing cost effective demand-side resources and energy efficiency projects, including equipment upgrades, advanced energy analytics technology, and energy management systems, and customer-sited renewable energy resources. Such resources and projects shall be subject to a request for proposals process established by the Public Service Commission.

Under this act, an electrical corporation may participate in the request for proposals process through a self-build option as set forth in this act. An electrical corporation may not recover costs from ratepayers through a self-build option that exceeds the self-build costs proposed in the request for proposals bid. All requests for proposals shall be evaluated by an independent monitor paid for by the electrical corporation. The independent monitor shall be overseen by the Public Service Commission staff, and the monitor shall enter into an agreement with the Public Service Commission as set forth in this act.

This act also requires electrical corporations issuing a request for proposals for such resources and projects to make all request for proposals bids available to the public on the electrical corporation's website within 30 days of awarding a contract for such project. The electrical corporation may restrict certain information contained in the bids, except the names of the entities submitting a bid, on the grounds that it is proprietary and highly confidential. If such corporation fails to provide the information as required under this act, any person may file a complaint with the Public Service Commission.

This act is similar to SB 376 (2015), HB 784 (2015), SB 878 (2015), and HB 1917 (2014).

KAYLA HAHN