DATE:	June 19, 2008
TO:	Office of Commission Clerk (Cole)
FROM:	Division of Economic Regulation (Chase, Clemence, Futrell, Montford, Webb, Draper, Kummer) Office of the General Counsel (Brown, Sayler)
RE:	Docket No. 080255-EI – Petition for approval of standard interconnection agreements for expedited interconnection of customer-owned renewable generation and associated net metering tariff, by Tampa Electric Company. Docket No. 080257-EI – Petition for approval of net metering tariff, new interconnection agreements, and modification of various related tariff sheets, by Progress Energy Florida, Inc. Docket No. 080260-EI – Petition for approval of standard interconnection agreements for Tier 1 through Tier 3 customer-owned renewable generation systems and revisions to tariff sheets iv, 4.2, 4.16, and 9.1, by Gulf Power Company. Docket No. 080265-EI – Petition for approval of net metering tariff and standard interconnection agreements, by Florida Power & Light Company. Docket No. 080294-EI – Petition for approval of standard interconnection agreements for customer-owned renewable generation systems, by Florida Public Utilities Company.
AGENDA:	07/01/08 – Regular Agenda – Tariff Filing – Interested Persons May Participate
COMMISSIONERS ASSIGNED:			All Commissioners
PREHEARING OFFICER:			Administrative
CRITICAL DATES:			07/07/08 (60-Day Suspension Date) FPUC – 7/28/08
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:			None
FILE NAME AND LOCATION:			S:\PSC\ECR\WP\080255.RCM.DOC

 

Case Background

            The Commission adopted amendments to Rule 25-6.065, Florida Administrative Code, relating to interconnection and net metering of customer-owned renewable generation.[1]  The purpose of the rule is to encourage the development of customer-owned renewable generation to offset part or all of a customer’s electrical requirements with renewable energy.

 

            The new rule requires each investor-owned utility (IOU) to file for Commission approval standard interconnection agreements for expedited interconnection of customer-owned renewable generation.  The rule also requires the IOUs to enable each customer-owned renewable generation facility that is interconnected to the IOU’s grid to net meter. 

 

            In accordance with the rule, the IOUs have filed interconnection agreements and associated tariffs. 

 

            The Commission has jurisdiction over this matter pursuant to Sections 366.04, 366.05, 366.81, 366.82, 366.91, and 366.92, Florida Statutes.

 

 

Discussion of Issues

Issue 1: 

 Should the Commission suspend the standard interconnection agreements and associated net metering tariffs filed by Florida Power & Light Company, Florida Public Utilities Company, Gulf Power Company, Progress Energy Florida, Inc., and Tampa Electric Company?

 

Recommendation: 

 Yes.  (Chase, Clemence, Montford, Webb)

Staff Analysis: 

 Pursuant to Section 366.06(3), Florida Statutes, the Commission may withhold consent to the operation of all or any portion of a new rate schedule, delivering to the utility making the request a reason or written statement of good cause for doing so within 60 days.  All five tariffs have been combined for administrative efficiency but will be addressed individually before the Commission at a later date.  Staff recommends that the tariffs be suspended.  Suspending the tariffs will allow staff adequate time to review the standard interconnection agreements and associated net metering tariffs to ensure compliance with the amended Rule 25-6.065, F.A.C.

 

 

 

 

Issue 2: 

 Should these dockets be closed?

Recommendation: 

 No.  (Brown, Sayler)

Staff Analysis: 

 If the Commission approves Issue 1, these dockets should remain open to allow staff adequate time to review the filings and bring recommendations back to the Commission on the merits of the filings.