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Wheatland council approves first reading of net‑metering policy to allow resident solar interconnection
Summary
Council gave first‑reading approval to an ordinance establishing a net‑metering policy and interconnection agreement that allows residents to tie distributed generation to the town grid subject to inspections, safety checks and metering; staff said payments are modest and safety for town crews is a primary concern.
The Wheatland City Council approved the first reading of an ordinance adopting a net‑metering policy that would let residents interconnect rooftop solar and other distributed generation to the town’s electric system under a formal agreement.
Preston (staff) presented the draft policy and agreement, describing safety measures, inspection requirements and billing mechanics. He said the town will require an additional meter and an inspection to ensure systems meet safety and anti‑backfeed requirements. "The person will have the full option to tie it to the grid where we can buy their excess power," Preston said, noting any town payments are structured to reflect avoided‑cost pricing and will not create a significant revenue stream for residents.
Council members asked whether residents who want only off‑grid systems would face new burdens. Preston and other staff said homeowners may still install off‑grid panels and batteries but hooking into the town system requires permits, inspections and an interconnection agreement; "If you don't want to hook up, you still have to get a building permit," one councilmember noted.
Council supported the policy’s emphasis on safety for line crews and added that the draft incorporates fire‑code limits and engineer review. The first reading passed on a voice vote; the ordinance was placed on first reading and will return for a subsequent vote.
What’s next: Staff will coordinate permitting, engineering inspections and a public outreach effort for residents seeking to interconnect.
Representative quote: "The biggest thing for us is that it keeps Preston and his crew safe when there's an outage or something happens," a councilmember said during the discussion.
