Plain English Breakdown
The specific value used to calculate bill credits is determined by future regulatory decisions ('as specified') and is not defined in this summary text.
Treating Train Braking as Renewable Energy
This law counts electricity made when electric trains brake as renewable energy and requires power companies to create net billing contracts with train operators after technical studies are done.
What This Bill Does
- Counts regenerative braking from electrified commuter railroads as a renewable electrical generation facility.
- Requires electric corporations, electric service providers, or community choice aggregators to adopt or modify a net billing contract or tariff for qualifying railroad operators after certain technical studies are completed.
- Mandates that these contracts apply bill credits for electricity sent back to the grid based on its value as specified by regulators.
- Requires electrical corporations to provide or install, at their own cost if necessary, meters that record and document both incoming and outgoing electricity.
Who It Names or Affects
- Operators of electrified commuter railroads that produce electricity through regenerative braking, including the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board.
- Electrical corporations, electric service providers, or community choice aggregators.
- The Public Utilities Commission and other appropriate rate approving entities.
Terms To Know
- Regenerative braking
- A process where an electrified commuter railroad produces electricity when the train slows down.
- Net billing tariff
- A contract or rule that allows customers to receive bill credits for extra power they send back to the electrical grid based on its value.
- Community choice aggregator
- An organization authorized to aggregate the electrical load of interested electricity consumers within a specific area and enter into agreements with electric corporations.
Limits and Unknowns
- The new billing rules only begin after certain technical studies are completed by both the utility provider and the railroad operator.
- The bill states that no state reimbursement is required for costs related to this act, but it does not explain the specific reason in detail.