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Senate Committee of the Whole advances net metering bill with several amendments and grandfathering for existing systems
Summary
Senators advanced House Bill 183, changing net‑metering rules to allow larger nonresidential customer generators while giving the Public Service Commission authority to set rates and requiring technical interconnection safety conditions. Committee amendments added grandfathering for existing customers and safety/interconnection requirements.
The Senate Committee of the Whole on Feb. 27 moved forward House Bill 183, a measure that revises Wyoming’s net‑metering rules to allow larger nonresidential customer generators and clarifies how utilities and the Public Service Commission (PSC) will treat customer generators.
Sponsor and floor managers said the bill expands the nonresidential customer-generator cap from the current 25-kilowatt residential limit to allow up to 200 kilowatts per meter for nonresidential users, and adds options for aggregated meters for larger operations. The measure also tasks the PSC with setting fair compensation or rate structures for customer generators and gives utilities authority to require interconnection equipment if necessary for safety and reliability.
Committee amendments were substantial. A standing-committee amendment removed earlier statutory language and placed rate-setting questions with the PSC. A committee-of-the-whole amendment added a grandfather clause protecting customer generators established prior to July 1, 2026, and a second committee amendment added technical interconnection and operational limits (short-circuit and fault-current capacity, transient stability) so utilities can require equipment or upgrades; applicants would bear the cost of any utility facility work necessary to interconnect.
Senators from rural districts raised concerns about impacts on system reliability and cost-shifting to other customers; Senator Cole warned about power-quality and motor-start issues for high-load equipment (center-pivot irrigation motors), and urged careful engineering review. Supporters emphasized flexibility for farms, small businesses and remote industrial users who need more generation behind a single meter.
After amendments, the Committee of the Whole adopted the recommendation to pass; floor roll call on final passage was not recorded in the transcript. Sponsors said next steps will include PSC rulemaking and technical work with utilities and stakeholders to implement grandfathering and safety provisions.
