Community Solar Consumer Choice Act of 2023

To require the Secretary of Energy to establish a program to increase participation in community solar programs and the receipt of associated benefits, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Community Solar Consumer Choice Act of 2023 2. Community solar consumer choice program; Federal Government participation in community solar (a) Establishment of community solar consumer choice program (1) In general Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a program to increase access to community solar programs for— (A) individuals, particularly individuals that do not have regular access to onsite solar, including low- and moderate-income individuals; (B) businesses; (C) nonprofit organizations; and (D) States and local and Tribal governments. (2) Alignment with existing Federal programs The Secretary shall align the program established under paragraph (1) with existing Federal programs that serve low-income communities. (3) Assistance to State and local governments In carrying out the program established under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall— (A) provide technical assistance to States and local and Tribal governments for projects to increase access to community solar programs; (B) assist States and local and Tribal governments in the development of new and innovative financial and business models that leverage competition in the energy marketplace in order to serve subscribers; and (C) use National Laboratories to collect and disseminate data to assist private entities in the financing of, subscription to, and operation of community solar facilities and community solar programs. (b) Federal Government participation in community solar programs The Secretary shall, to the extent practicable, expand the existing grant, loan, and financing programs of the Department of Energy to include community solar programs. (c) Definitions In this section: (1) Community solar facility; community solar program; subscriber The terms community solar facility community solar program subscriber (2) National laboratory The term National Laboratory 42 U.S.C. 15801 (3) Secretary The term Secretary 3. Establishment of community solar programs (a) In general Section 111(d) of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 ( 16 U.S.C. 2621(d) (22) Community solar programs (A) In general Each electric utility shall offer a community solar program that provides all ratepayers, including low-income ratepayers, equitable and demonstrable access to such community solar program. (B) Definitions For the purposes of this paragraph: (i) The term community solar facility (I) allocates electricity to multiple electric consumers of an electric utility; (II) is connected to local distribution infrastructure of the electric utility; (III) is located either on or off the property of one or more subscribers; and (IV) may be owned by an electric utility, one more subscribers, or a third party. (ii) The term community solar program (iii) The term subscriber . (b) Compliance (1) Time limitations Section 112(b) of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 ( 16 U.S.C. 2622(b) (9) (A) Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this paragraph, each State regulatory authority (with respect to each electric utility for which the State has ratemaking authority) and each nonregulated electric utility shall commence consideration under section 111, or set a hearing date for consideration, with respect to the standard established by paragraph (22) of section 111(d). (B) Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this paragraph, each State regulatory authority (with respect to each electric utility for which the State has ratemaking authority), and each nonregulated electric utility shall complete the consideration and make the determination under section 111 with respect to the standard established by paragraph (22) of section 111(d). . (2) Failure to comply (A) In general Section 112(c) of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 ( 16 U.S.C. 2622(c) (i) by striking subsection (b)(2) subsection (b) (ii) by adding at the end the following: In the case of the standard established by paragraph (22) of section 111(d), the reference contained in this subsection to the date of enactment of this Act shall be deemed to be a reference to the date of enactment of that paragraph (22). (3) Prior State actions (A) In general Section 112 of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 ( 16 U.S.C. 2622 (i) Prior State actions Subsections (b) and (c) shall not apply to the standard established by paragraph (22) of section 111(d) in the case of any electric utility in a State if, before the date of enactment of this subsection— (1) the State has implemented for the electric utility the standard (or a comparable standard); (2) the State regulatory authority for the State or the relevant nonregulated electric utility has conducted a proceeding to consider implementation of the standard (or a comparable standard) for the electric utility; or (3) the State legislature has voted on the implementation of the standard (or a comparable standard) for the electric utility. . (B) Cross-reference Section 124 of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 ( 16 U.S.C. 2634 In the case of the standard established by paragraph (22) of section 111(d), the reference contained in this subsection to the date of enactment of this Act shall be deemed to be a reference to the date of enactment of that paragraph (22). 4. Federal contracts for public utility services Section 501(b)(1) of title 40, United States Code, is amended by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the following: (B) Public utility contracts A contract under this paragraph for public utility services may be for a period of not more than 30 years. .

Summary: Community Solar Consumer Choice Act of 2023 This bill sets forth provisions that support access to community solar energy and increases the allowable time period for a long-term contract between the General Services Administration (GSA) and a public utility. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a program to increase access to community solar energy programs for individuals, businesses, nonprofit organizations, states, local governments, and tribal governments. In addition, DOE must, to the extent practicable, expand existing grant, loan, and financing programs to include community solar programs. Further, the bill modifies requirements under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 for electric utilities, including by requiring each electric utility to offer a community solar program that provides all ratepayers, including low-income ratepayers, equitable and demonstrable access to such program. Finally, the bill allows the GSA to make a public utility contract for a period of up to 30 years. Currently, the GSA may make a public utility contract for up to 10 years.