Press Release

PUC Reminds Electric Customer-Generators that Contact Information to Connect to the Electric Distribution System is Available on PUC Website

Published on 5/22/2009

Filed under: Electric

HARRISBURG –The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today is reminding consumers who generate electricity from alternative energy sources and are connected and served by an electric distribution system that contact information is available on the PUC’s website regarding required interconnection agreements for these alternative energy sources. 

The contact information needed to develop an interconnection agreement can be found here or by visiting the PUC’s website, www.puc.state.pa.us, by clicking on the Electricity tab and then the Alternative Energy tab.  The information is available at the bottom of the page. 

The state's Alternative Energy Portfolio Act (AEPS) required that a certain percentage of all electric energy sold to retail customers be derived from alternative energy sources such as solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal, biomass and demand side management resources.  Another major component of AEPS includes directions for how customer-generators using these technologies can connect to the electric distribution system.

The PUC has actively been implementing the AEPS, which was designed to foster economic development, encourage reliance on more diverse and environmentally friendly sources of energy and provide options for consumers by allowing them to take control of their energy requirements using alternative energy sources.

The interconnection regulations govern the process by which a customer-generator may interconnect onsite generation equipment to an electric utility’s distribution lines. The regulations set forth specific levels of review and review criteria depending on the rated generation capacity of the generation equipment.

On Dec. 16, 2006, the Commission published a final rulemaking order which establishes regulations governing interconnection for customer-generators. The regulations have been drafted with a view toward promoting onsite generation by customer-generators using renewable resources, consistent with the over-arching goal of the Act. The regulations strive to eliminate barriers which may have previously existed with regard to interconnection while ensuring that interconnection by customer-generators will not pose unnecessary risks to the electric distribution systems in the Commonwealth.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities to ensure safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protect the public interest; educate consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; further economic development; and foster new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

For recent news releases, audio of select Commission proceedings or more information about the PUC, visit our website at www.puc.state.pa.us.

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Contact:

• Press Secretary
  717-787-5722