TITLE: Relating to the procedure for interconnecting small-scale commercial renewable generation.

SUMMARY: Relating to the procedure for interconnecting small-scale commercial renewable generation.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the procedure for interconnecting small-scale commercial renewable generation. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 39, Utilities Code, is amended by adding Section 39.918 to read as follows: Sec. 39.918. EXPEDITED INTERCONNECTION. (a) In this section, "small-scale commercial renewable generation" means electric generation with a capacity of not more than 5,000 kilowatts provided by renewable energy technology, as defined by Section 39.904. (b) The commission by rule shall provide for an expedited procedure by which a power generation company may interconnect small-scale renewable generation based solely on an initial review of the power generation company's interconnection request. The rules must require a transmission and distribution utility or an electric utility to perform the initial review, in accordance with criteria established by the commission, not later than 15 days after ERCOT notifies the power generation company that a complete request has been received. The utility shall provide written notice to the power generation company of the results of the initial review and include with the notification the analysis and data used by the utility in determining whether to allow interconnection based on the initial review of the request. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.