Press Release

PUC Seeks Comments on Proposed Rulemaking on AEPS Regulations

Published on 2/20/2014

Filed under: Electric

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today issued for comment a proposed rulemaking that would revise certain regulations of the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act (AEPS) of 2004, including regulations pertaining to net metering, interconnection and compliance provisions of the AEPS Act.

The Commission voted 5-0 to receive comments on the proposed changes to existing regulations which, among other things, would increase certain reporting requirements and strengthen enforcement measures, revise interconnection and net metering rules, and clarify Commission procedures and standards for certifications and verification of compliance with the Act.  The AEPS Act, which became effective on Feb. 28, 2005, was amended on two previous occasions through Act 135 of 2007 and Act 129 of 2008.

Written comments shall be submitted within 30 days of publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.  Further instructions on filing comments will be contained in the Final Order.

The AEPS Act requires that a certain percentage of all electric energy sold to retail customers within the Commonwealth be derived from alternative energy sources.  By 2021, electric distribution companies (EDCs) and electric generation suppliers (EGSs) must supply 18.5 percent of electricity using alternative energy resources.  The percentage of Tier I, Tier II and solar photovoltaic resources gradually increases over this period.  The Act applies to both EDCs and EGSs, who must demonstrate their compliance on an annual basis.  However, compliance with the portfolio standards is deferred until an EDC’s generation rate caps expire. 

Since the passage of the AEPS Act in late 2004, the PUC has moved expeditiously to develop the rules and regulations necessary for fostering Pennsylvania’s alternative energy market and has implemented a Web site to make information about AEPS available to the public in a user-friendly manner.  Visit the PUC Web site for a link to the AEPS Report.

The PUC balances the needs of consumers and utilities; ensures safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protects the public interest; educates consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; furthers economic development; and fosters new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

For recent news releases and video of select Commission proceedings or more information about the PUC, visit our website at www.puc.pa.gov. Follow the PUC on Twitter – @PA_PUC for all things utility. “Like” PAPowerSwitch on Facebook for easy access to information on electric shopping.

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Docket No. L-2014-2404361

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