Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Bill to expand utility investment in distributed energy prompts split testimony
Summary
Senate Bill 591 would let electric utilities increase investment in distributed energy resources from 6% to 10% of peak distribution, allow certain projects including battery storage, and broaden how the PUC can weigh direct and indirect benefits; utilities back the bill with safeguards while generators and community-power advocates oppose it.
A bill to expand utility ownership of distributed energy resources drew sharply divided testimony at the Science, Technology and Energy Committee on April 7.
Senators who sponsored the bill said raising the cap from 6% to 10% of a utility’s distribution peak would allow utilities to pursue more small-scale local projects — solar, battery storage and other distributed resources — that reduce peak load and can help reliability. The amended measure directs the Public Utilities Commission to weigh both direct and indirect…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
