(a) An electric distribution company, or owner or developer of generation projects that emit no pollutants, may submit a proposal to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to build, own or operate one or more generation facilities up to an aggregate of thirty megawatts using Class I renewable energy sources as defined in section 16-1 from July 1, 2011, to July 1, 2013. Each facility shall be greater than one megawatt but not more than five megawatts. Each electric distribution company may enter into joint ownership agreements, partnerships or other agreements with private developers to carry out the provisions of this section. The aggregate ownership for an electric distribution company pursuant to this section shall not exceed ten megawatts. The department shall evaluate such proposals pursuant to sections 16-19 and 16-19e and may approve one or more of such proposals if it finds that the proposal serves the long-term interest of ratepayers. The department (1) shall not approve any proposal supported in any form of cross subsidization by entities affiliated with the electric distribution company, and (2) shall give preference to proposals that make efficient use of existing sites and supply infrastructure. No such company may, under any circumstances, recover more than the full costs identified in a proposal, as approved by the department. Nothing in this section shall preclude the resale or other disposition of energy or associated renewable energy credits purchased by the electric distribution company, provided the distribution company shall net the cost of payments made to projects under the long-term contracts against the proceeds of the sale of energy or renewable energy credits and the difference shall be credited or charged to distribution customers through a reconciling component of electric rates as determined by the authority that is nonbypassable when switching electric suppliers.
(b) The company shall use the power, capacity and related products produced by such facility to meet the needs of customers served pursuant to section 16-244c.
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (1) of subsection (h) of section 16-244c, the amount of renewable energy produced from such facilities shall be applied to reduce the electric distribution company's Class I renewable energy source portfolio standard obligations.
(d) The department shall evaluate the proposals approved pursuant to this section and report in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to energy whether proposals shall be accepted beyond July 1, 2013.
(P.A. 11-80, S. 127; P.A. 13-5, S. 41; P.A. 14-134, S. 123.)
History: P.A. 11-80 effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 13-5 amended Subsec. (c) to make a technical change, effective May 8, 2013; P.A. 14-134 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting reference to Sec. 16-244e(a), effective June 6, 2014.