AB560: Bill Text

LRB-3478/1

MDK:klm

2015 - 2016 LEGISLATURE

2015 Assembly BILL 560

December 3, 2015 - Introduced by Representatives Kahl, E. Brooks, Mason, T. Larson, Ohnstad and Kolste, cosponsored by Senator Wirch. Referred to Committee on Energy and Utilities.

AB560,1,4 An Act to renumber and amend 196.496 (1); to amend 196.496 (2); and to create 196.496 (1) (a), 196.496 (1) (b), 196.496 (1) (d), 196.496 (1) (e) and 196.496 (3) of the statutes; relating to: disconnection devices for distributed generation facilities.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

This bill imposes requirements on the interconnection of distributed generation facilities (DGFs) to the electric distribution systems of retail electric utilities and cooperatives. The bill defines a DGF as an electricity-generating facility of any capacity 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. Under the bill, a retail electric utility customer or a retail electric cooperative member may not interconnect a DGF to the utility's or cooperative's distribution system after the bill's effective date unless the customer or member does two things. First, the customer or member must install a disconnection device for the DGF in a conspicuous location that is accessible to the utility's or cooperative's maintenance personnel. The bill defines "disconnection device" as a device capable of disconnecting a DGF from an electric distribution system. Second, the customer or member must notify the utility or cooperative of the location of the disconnection device.

If a customer or member has interconnected a DGF to a utility's or cooperative's electric distribution system before the bill's effective date, the bill requires the customer or member to attach a permanent placard to the the customer's or member's electric meter that identifies the location of the disconnection device for the DGF. Also, the customer or member must notify the utility or cooperative of the location of the DGF and the disconnection device. The bill requires a customer or member to make the attachment and notification within approximately six months after the bill's effective date.

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

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

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

AB560,2,7 (c) "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.

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

AB560,2,10 196.496 (1) (a) "Customer or member" means a customer or member of an electric provider.

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

AB560,2,14 196.496 (1) (b) "Disconnection device" means a device capable of disconnecting a distributed generation facility from the electric distribution system of an electric provider.

AB560,4 Section 4. 196.496 (1) (d) of the statutes is created to read:

AB560,2,16 196.496 (1) (d) "Electric provider" has the meaning given in s. 196.378 (1) (c).

AB560,5 Section 5. 196.496 (1) (e) of the statutes is created to read:

AB560,2,19 196.496 (1) (e) "Small distributed generation facility" means a distributed generation facility with a capacity of no more than 15 megawatts.

AB560,6 Section 6. 196.496 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB560,3,8 196.496 (2) Rules; small distributed generation facilities. The commission shall promulgate rules establishing standards for the connection of small distributed generation facilities to electric distribution facilities. To the extent technically feasible and cost effective, the standards shall be uniform and shall promote the development of small distributed generation facilities. The standards shall address engineering, electric reliability, and safety concerns and the methods for determining charges for interconnection.

AB560,7 Section 7. 196.496 (3) of the statutes is created to read:

AB560,3,13 196.496 (3) Disconnection devices. (a) No customer or member may interconnect a distributed generation facility to the electric distribution system of an electric provider on or after the effective date of this paragraph .... [LRB inserts date], unless the customer or member does all of the following:

AB560,3,15 1. Installs a disconnection device for the facility in a conspicuous location that is accessible to the electric provider's maintenance personnel.

AB560,3,17 2. Notifies the electric provider of the location of the distributed generation facility and the disconnection device.

AB560,3,22 (b) No later than the first day of the 7th month beginning after the effective date of this paragraph .... [LRB inserts date], a customer or member who has interconnected a distributed generation facility to the electric distribution system of an electric provider before the effective date of this paragraph .... [LRB inserts date], shall do the following:

AB560,3,25 1. Attach a permanent placard to the customer's or member's electric meter that identifies the location of the disconnection device for the distributed generation facility.

AB560,4,2 2. Notify the electric provider of the location of the distributed generation facility and disconnection device.

AB560,4,3 (End)