Amendment ASA1-AB560

LRBs0235/1

MDK:klm

2015 - 2016 LEGISLATURE

ASSEMBLY SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT 1, TO ASSEMBLY BILL 560

January 15, 2016 - Offered by Representative Kahl.

AB560-ASA1,1,3 An Act to renumber and amend 196.496 (1); and to create 196.496 (1) (a), 196.496 (1) (c) and 196.496 (3) of the statutes; relating to: disconnection requirements for distributed generation facilities.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

This substitute amendment imposes requirements on the connection of distributed generation facilities (DGFs) to utility distribution systems by customers of electric public utilities. Under current law, the Public Service Commission must promulgate rules regarding the connection of DGFs to utility distribution systems and defines a DGF for that purpose as a facility with a capacity of no more than 15 megawatts that is located either 1) at or near the point where the electricity will be used or 2) in a location that will support the functioning of the electric power distribution grid. The substitute amendment uses the same definition of DGF.

The substitute amendment prohibits a customer from installing a DGF that is connected to the distribution system of an electric public utility unless the customer satisfies certain requirements. The requirements apply to installations made on or after the substitute amendment's effective date, and include the following: 1) the customer must install protection devices for each DGF that satisfy specified requirements, and 2) the customer must include equipment circuit breakers that satisfy specified requirements. Also, the substitute amendment allows the electric public utility to require the customer install interconnection disconnect switches for DGFs that satisfy specified requirements. If so required, the customer must follow the electric public utility's recommended switching, clearance, tagging, and locking procedures; label the switches as required under the substitute amendment; and post the customer's disconnection procedure next to the switches.

For DGFs that customers installed and connected to utility distribution systems before the substitute amendment's effective date, the substitute amendment requires the customer to attach a permanent placard to the the customer's meter that identifies the location of the devices for disconnecting the DGF from the distribution system. Also, the customer must notify the electric public utility of the location of the DGF and the disconnection devices. The substitute amendment requires the customer to make the attachment and notification within approximately six months after the substitute amendment's effective date.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

AB560-ASA1,1 Section 1. 196.496 (1) of the statutes is renumbered 196.496 (1) (intro.) and amended to read:

AB560-ASA1,2,3 196.496 (1) Definition Definitions. (intro.) In this section, "distributed:

AB560-ASA1,2,7 (b) "Distributed generation facility" means a facility for the generation of electricity with a capacity of no more than 15 megawatts that is located near the point where the electricity will be used or is in a location that will support the functioning of the electric power distribution grid.

AB560-ASA1,2 Section 2. 196.496 (1) (a) of the statutes is created to read:

AB560-ASA1,2,9 196.496 (1) (a) "Customer" means a customer of an electric public utility.

AB560-ASA1,3 Section 3. 196.496 (1) (c) of the statutes is created to read:

AB560-ASA1,2,12 196.496 (1) (c) "Electric public utility" means a public utility that owns or operates an electric distribution system.

AB560-ASA1,4 Section 4. 196.496 (3) of the statutes is created to read:

AB560-ASA1,3,2 196.496 (3) Disconnection. (a) On or after the effective date of this paragraph .... [LRB inserts date], no customer may install a distributed generation facility that is connected to the distribution system of an electric public utility unless the customer does all of the following:

AB560-ASA1,3,4 1. Installs protection devices for each connected distributed generation facility that satisfy all of the following:

AB560-ASA1,3,7 a. The devices ensure that the current supplied by the distributed generation facility is interrupted if a fault or other potentially dangerous event occurs on the distribution system.

AB560-ASA1,3,10 b. If a fault or event described in subd. 1. a. occurs and the distribution system is deenergized, the devices ensure that any distributed generation facility that is connected to the system automatically disconnects.

AB560-ASA1,3,12 c. The devices prevent electrically closing a distributed generation facility that is out of synchronization with the distribution system.

AB560-ASA1,3,19 2. Includes in the installation equipment circuit breakers on the distributed generation facility side of the point where the distributed generation facility is electrically connected to the customer's electrical system. The equipment circuit breakers shall be capable of interrupting the maximum available fault current and shall meet all applicable standards of Underwriters Laboratories Inc., the American National Standards Institute, and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

AB560-ASA1,3,21 3. If required by the electric public utility, furnishes and installs an interconnection disconnect switch that satisfies all of the following:

AB560-ASA1,3,23 a. The switch opens, with a visual break, all ungrounded poles of the interconnection circuit.

AB560-ASA1,3,25 b. The switch is rated for the voltage and fault current requirements of the distributed generation facility.

AB560-ASA1,4,3 c. The switch meets all applicable standards of Underwriters Laboratories Inc., the American National Standards Institute, and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

AB560-ASA1,4,4 d. The switch enclosure is properly grounded.

AB560-ASA1,4,6 e. The switch is accessible at all times, is located for ease of access to electric public utility personnel, and is capable of being locked in the open position.

AB560-ASA1,4,7 4. In making an installation required under subd. 3., does all of the following:

AB560-ASA1,4,9 a. Follows the electric public utility's recommended switching, clearance, tagging, and locking procedures.

AB560-ASA1,4,12 b. Labels the interconnection disconnect switch, "Interconnection Disconnect Switch," by means of a permanently attached sign with clearly visible and permanent letters.

AB560-ASA1,4,14 c. Provides and posts the customer's procedure for disconnecting the distributed generation facility that is next to the interconnection disconnect switch.

AB560-ASA1,4,19 (b) No later than the first day of the 7th month beginning after the effective date of this paragraph .... [LRB inserts date], a customer who has installed a distributed generation facility that is connected to the electric distribution system of an electric public utility before the effective date of this paragraph .... [LRB inserts date], shall do the following:

AB560-ASA1,4,22 1. Attach a permanent placard to the customer's electric meter that identifies the location of the devices for disconnecting the distributed generation facility from the electric distribution system.

AB560-ASA1,4,24 2. Notify the electric public utility of the location of the distributed generation facility and the devices described in subd. 1.

AB560-ASA1,4,25 (End)