SB580: Bill Text

LRB-4111/1

MDK:klm

2015 - 2016 LEGISLATURE

2015 Senate BILL 580

January 15, 2016 - Introduced by Senator Wirch, cosponsored by Representatives Kahl, E. Brooks, Mason, T. Larson, Ohnstad, Kolste, Wachs and Subeck. Referred to Committee on Workforce Development, Public Works, and Military Affairs.

SB580,1,3 An Act to renumber and amend 196.496 (1); and to create 196.496 (1) (a), 196.496 (1) (b), 196.496 (1) (d) and 196.496 (3) of the statutes; relating to: disconnection devices for certain distributed generation facilities.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

This bill imposes requirements on the interconnection of certain distributed generation facilities (DGFs) to the electric distribution systems of electric public utilities that own or operate such systems. The bill applies to a DGF as defined under current law, which is as an electricity-generating facility with a capacity of no more than 15 megawatts and 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 bill prohibits a utility customer from interconnecting a DGF to the utility's distribution system after the bill's effective date unless the customer does three things. First, the customer must install a disconnection device for the DGF that is specified by the utility in accordance with rules the Public Service Commission has promulgated under current law. The bill defines "disconnection device" as a device capable of disconnecting a DGF from an electric distribution system. Second, the disconnection device must be installed in a conspicuous location that is accessible to the utility's maintenance personnel. However, this second requirement does not apply if the disconnection device is automatically enabled when a power outage occurs. Third, the customer must notify the utility of the location of the DGF and disconnection device.

If a customer has interconnected a DGF to a utility's electric distribution system before the bill's effective date, the bill requires the customer to attach a permanent placard to the the customer's electric meter that identifies the location of the disconnection device for the DGF. Also, the customer must notify the utility of the location of the DGF and the disconnection device. The bill requires a customer 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:

SB580,1 Section 1. 196.496 (1) of the statutes is renumbered 196.496 (1) (intro.) and amended to read:

SB580,2,3 196.496 (1) Definition Definitions. (intro.) In this section, "distributed:

SB580,2,7 (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.

SB580,2 Section 2. 196.496 (1) (a) of the statutes is created to read:

SB580,2,9 196.496 (1) (a) "Customer" means a customer of an electric public utility.

SB580,3 Section 3. 196.496 (1) (b) of the statutes is created to read:

SB580,2,13 196.496 (1) (b) "Disconnection device" means a device capable of disconnecting a distributed generation facility from the electric distribution system of an electric public utility.

SB580,4 Section 4. 196.496 (1) (d) of the statutes is created to read:

SB580,2,16 196.496 (1) (d) "Electric public utility" means a public utility that owns or operates an electric distribution system.

SB580,5 Section 5. 196.496 (3) of the statutes is created to read:

SB580,3,2 196.496 (3) Disconnection devices. (a) No customer may interconnect a distributed generation facility to the electric distribution system of an electric public utility on or after the effective date of this paragraph .... [LRB inserts date], unless the customer does all of the following:

SB580,3,4 1. Installs a disconnection device for the facility that is specified by the electric public utility in accordance with the rules promulgated under sub. (2).

SB580,3,8 1m. Installs the disconnection device under subd. 1. in a conspicuous location that is accessible to the electric public utility's maintenance personnel. This subdivision does not apply to a disconnection device that is automatically enabled when a power outage occurs.

SB580,3,10 2. Notifies the electric public utility of the location of the distributed generation facility and the disconnection device.

SB580,3,15 (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 interconnected a distributed generation facility to the electric distribution system of an electric public utility before the effective date of this paragraph .... [LRB inserts date], shall do the following:

SB580,3,17 1. Attach a permanent placard to the customer's electric meter that identifies the location of the disconnection device for the distributed generation facility.

SB580,3,19 2. Notify the electric public utility of the location of the distributed generation facility and disconnection device.

SB580,3,20 (End)