AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 26 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO NET-METERING AND INTERCONNECTION RULES.

Plain English Breakdown

The effective date is not specified in the provided text, though standard practice suggests it may be upon signature or a later specified date.

HB269: Updating Net-Metering and Grid Connection Rules

This law requires electric suppliers in Delaware to update their net-metering connection rules to match the most recent Interstate Renewable Energy Council procedures within one year of those updates being published.

What This Bill Does

• Requires interconnection rules for net metering from electric suppliers, municipal companies, and cooperatives to align with the latest version of the Interstate Renewable Energy Council's Model Interconnection Procedures within 12 months of publication.
• Mandates that generating systems and grid-integrated electric vehicles meet safety standards set by groups like the National Electrical Code, IEEE, UL, or SAE.
• Prohibits suppliers from requiring customers who already meet safety standards to install excessive controls, pay for unnecessary tests, or buy extra liability insurance.

Who It Names or Affects

• Electric suppliers in Delaware
• Municipal electric companies and electric cooperatives
• Customers using net-metering systems or grid-integrated electric vehicles

Terms To Know

Net metering

A billing method for customers who generate their own electricity, such as with solar panels.

Interconnection rules

The safety and technical requirements a customer must follow to connect their power system or electric vehicle charger to the main electrical grid.

Limits and Unknowns

• The official text does not state a specific effective date for when this law begins.
• The bill relies on future updates from the Interstate Renewable Energy Council that have not been published yet in the source material.

Official Summary Text

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 26 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO NET-METERING AND INTERCONNECTION RULES.
This Act requires that an electric supplier’s interconnection rules, for purposes of net-metering, align with the most recent version of the Interstate Renewable Energy Council’s Model Interconnection Procedures (Procedures) within 12 months of the Procedures’ latest publishing date.

Current Bill Text

Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Rep. Burns & Rep. Heffernan & Sen. Hansen

Reps. Morrison, Romer, Phillips, Gorman

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE BILL NO. 269

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 26 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO NET-METERING AND INTERCONNECTION RULES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

Section 1. Amend § 1014, Title 26 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 1014. Public purpose programs and consumer education [For application of this section, see 85 Del. Laws, c. 83, § 2].

(e) The rules and regulations promulgated for net energy metering by the Commission, municipal electric companies, and electric cooperatives during any period of exemption under § 223 of this title must consider the reliability, safety, and capacity of the electric distribution system and:

(5) Require that all generating systems and grid-integrated electric vehicles used by eligible customers meet all applicable safety and performance standards established by the National Electrical Code, and those of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, UL, or the Society of Automotive Engineers, to ensure that net metering customers meet applicable safety and performance standards and comply with the electric supplier’s interconnection tariffs and operating guidelines. An electric supplier’s interconnection rules must be

developed by using as a guide

aligned with the most recent version of

the Interstate Renewable Energy Council’s Model Interconnection

Rules and best practices identified by the U.S. Department of Energy. Municipal electric companies shall establish interconnection rules no later than July 24, 2008.

Procedures (Procedures) within 12 months of the Procedures’ latest publishing date.

An electric supplier may not require eligible net-metering customers who meet all applicable safety and performance standards to install excessive controls, perform or pay for unnecessary tests, or purchase excessive liability insurance.

SYNOPSIS

This Act requires that an electric supplier’s interconnection rules, for purposes of net-metering, align with the most recent version of the Interstate Renewable Energy Council’s Model Interconnection Procedures (Procedures) within 12 months of the Procedures’ latest publishing date.