(1) It is the policy of this state to encourage local ownership of renewable energy generation facilities to improve the financial stability of rural communities.
Subject to the provisions of this article, a renewable energy cooperative may be organized for the purpose of promoting electric energy efficiency technologies to its members, generating electricity from renewable resources and technologies, and transmitting and selling the electricity at wholesale.
For purposes of this section, "renewable resources or technologies" means biomass,geothermal energy, solar energy, small hydroelectricity, and wind energy. Hydrogen derived from biomass, geothermal energy, solar energy, small hydroelectricity, and wind energy is also considered to be renewable energy for the purposes of this article. "Renewable resources or technologies" does not include pumped storage facilities; hydroelectricity other than small hydroelectricity; coal, natural gas, oil, propane, or any other fossil fuel; or nuclear energy. "Renewable resources or technologies" also does not include hydrogen derived from pumped storage facilities; hydroelectricity other than small hydroelectricity; coal, natural gas, oil, propane, or any other fossil fuel; or nuclear energy.
Source: L. 2004: Entire section added, p. 1121, § 1, effective May 27.