Affordable electricity act of 2026.

26LSO-0432
2026
STATE OF WYOMING
26LSO-0432
Numbered
2.0

HOUSE BILL NO. HB0146

Affordable electricity act of 2026.

Sponsored by: Representative(s) Storer, Campbell, E, Heiner, Sherwood, Thayer and Yin and Senator(s) Driskill and Schuler

A BILL

for

AN ACT relating to public utilities; providing for the regulation and use of small plug-in solar generation devices; exempting small plug-in solar generation devices from specified utility regulations; providing definitions; making conforming amendments; exempting an electric utility from liability caused by a customer's use of a plug‑in solar generation device; and providing for an effective date.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:

Section 1
.

W.S. 37
‑
16
‑
301 and 37
‑
16
‑
302 are created to read:

ARTICLE 3
SMALL SOLAR GENERATION

37
‑
16
‑
301.

Definitions.

(a)

As used in this article:

(i)

"Electric utility" means any electrical company or cooperative electric utility that is engaged in the business of distributing electricity to retail electric customers in the state;

(ii)

"Plug
‑
in solar generation device" or "PIPV" means a photovoltaic generation device that:

(A)

Has a maximum power output of not more than one thousand two hundred (1,200) watts per meter;

(B)

Is designed to be connected to a building's electrical system through a standard one hundred twenty (120) volt alternating current outlet;

(C)

Is intended primarily to offset part of the customer's electricity consumption;

(D)

Meets the standards of the most recent version of the national electric code; and

(E)

Is certified by the underwriters laboratories or an equivalent nationally recognized testing laboratory.

37
‑
16
‑
302.

Plug
‑
in solar generation devices; requirements.

(a)

A plug
‑
in solar generation device that meets the requirements of this article shall be exempt from any requirement:

(i)

For an interconnection agreement for a person to operate or use the plug
‑
in solar generation device;

(ii)

Associated with the use or operation of a net metering system under article 1 of this chapter.

(b)

Each plug
‑
in solar generation device shall include a device or feature that prevents the device from energizing the building's electrical system or backfeeding into an electric utility's system during a power outage.

(c)

No electric utility shall require a customer who uses or operates a plug
‑
in solar generation device to:

(i)

Obtain the approval of the electric utility before installing or using a plug
‑
in solar generation device;

(ii)

Pay any fee or charge related to the use or operation of the plug
‑
in solar generation device;

(iii)

Install any additional controls or equipment beyond what is integrated into the plug
‑
in solar generation device, subject to subsection (b) of this section.

(d)

An electric utility:

(i)

May offer to make available to each customer who uses or operates a plug
‑
in solar generation device an energy meter that is capable of registering the flow of electricity in two (2) directions;

(ii)

Shall not be liable directly or indirectly for any damages or injury caused by or associated with the use of a plug
‑
in solar generation device that is not sold, leased, installed or operated by the electric utility.

Section 2.

W.S. 37
‑
16
‑
101(a)(viii)(intro) is amended to read:

37
‑
16
‑
101.

Definitions.

(a)

As used in this chapter unless the context or a specific article otherwise requires:

(viii)

"Net metering system" means a facility
, excluding a plug
‑
in solar generation device as defined by W.S. 37
‑
16
‑
301(a)(ii),
for the production of electrical energy that:

Section 3
.

This act is effective July 1, 2026.

(END)

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HB0146