2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 80 - Public Utilities › Chapter 80.60 - Net Metering of Electricity. › 80.60.020 - Available on first-come, first-served basis—Interconnected metering systems allowed—Charges to customer-generator—Consumer-owned utility may develop standard rate or tariff schedule.

RCW 80.60.020
Available on first-come, first-served basis—Interconnected metering systems allowed—Charges to customer-generator—Consumer-owned utility may develop standard rate or tariff schedule.
(1) An electric utility:
(a) Shall offer to make net metering, pursuant to RCW 80.60.030, available to eligible customer-generators on a first-come, first-served basis until the earlier of either: (i) June 30, 2029; or (ii) the first date upon which the cumulative generating capacity of net metering systems equals four percent of the utility's peak demand during 1996. Not less than one-half of the utility's 1996 peak demand available for net metering systems shall be reserved for the cumulative generating capacity attributable to net metering systems that generate renewable energy;
(b) Shall allow net metering systems to be interconnected using a standard kilowatt-hour meter capable of registering the flow of electricity in two directions, unless the commission, in the case of an electrical company, or the appropriate governing body, in the case of other electric utilities, determines, after appropriate notice and opportunity for comment:
(i) That the use of additional metering equipment to monitor the flow of electricity in each direction is necessary and appropriate for the interconnection of net metering systems, after taking into account the benefits and costs of purchasing and installing additional metering equipment; and
(ii) How the cost of purchasing and installing an additional meter is to be allocated between the customer-generator and the utility;
(c) Shall charge the customer-generator a minimum monthly fee that is the same as other customers of the electric utility in the same rate class, but shall not charge the customer-generator any additional standby, capacity, interconnection, or other fee or charge unless the commission, in the case of an electrical company, or the appropriate governing body, in the case of other electric utilities, determines, after appropriate notice and opportunity for comment that:
(i) The electric utility will incur direct costs associated with interconnecting or administering net metering systems that exceed any offsetting benefits associated with these systems; and
(ii) Public policy is best served by imposing these costs on the customer-generator rather than allocating these costs among the utility's entire customer base.
(2) If a production meter and software is required by the electric utility to provide meter aggregation under RCW 80.60.030(4), the customer-generator is responsible for the purchase of the production meter and software.
(3)(a)(i) A consumer-owned utility may develop a standard rate or tariff schedule that deviates from RCW 80.60.030 for eligible customer-generators to take effect at the earlier of either: (A) June 30, 2029; or (B) the first date upon which the cumulative generating capacity of net metering systems equals four percent of the utility's peak demand during 1996.
(ii) An electrical company may submit a filing with the commission to develop a standard tariff schedule that deviates from RCW 80.60.030 for eligible customer-generators. The commission must approve, reject, or approve with conditions a net metering tariff schedule pursuant to this subsection within one year of an electrical company filing. If the commission approves the filing with conditions, the investor-owned utility may choose to accept the tariff schedule with conditions or file a new tariff schedule with the commission.
(b) An approved standard rate or tariff schedule under this subsection applies to any customer-generator subject to an interconnection agreement entered into: (i) After June 30, 2029, or (ii) the first date upon which the cumulative generating capacity of net metering systems pursuant to RCW 80.60.030 equals four percent of the utility's peak demand during 1996, whichever is earlier, unless the commission or governing body determines that a customer-generator is eligible for net metering under a rate or tariff schedule pursuant to RCW 80.60.030.
(c)(i) A consumer-owned utility must notify the Washington State University extension energy program sixty days in advance of when a standard rate for an eligible customer-generator is first placed on the agenda of the governing body.
(ii) Each electric utility must give notice by July 31, 2020, and semiannually thereafter, to the Washington State University extension energy program of the status of meeting the cumulative generating capacity available to net metering systems pursuant to subsection (1)(a) of this section.
(iii) The Washington State University extension energy program must make available on its website a list of the following:
(A) Each electric utility's progress on reaching the cumulative generating capacity available to net metering systems pursuant to subsection (1)(a) of this section;
(B) Electric utilities that have provided notice of a rate or tariff schedule under this subsection; and
(C) Electric utilities that have adopted a standard rate or tariff schedule under this subsection.
(d) If the commission does not approve an electrical company's tariff schedule under (a)(ii) of this subsection, the commission may determine the alternative cumulative generating capacity available to net metering systems pursuant to RCW 80.60.030.
(4)(a) An electric utility must continue to credit a customer-generator pursuant to RCW 80.60.030 if:
(i) The customer-generator takes service under net metering prior to the earlier of: (A) June 30, 2029; or (B) the first date upon which the cumulative generating capacity of net metering systems reaches four percent of the utility's peak demand in 1996; and
(ii) The customer-generator's existing interconnection agreement for the net metering system remains valid.
(b) The commission, in the case of electrical companies, and a governing body, in the case of consumer-owned utilities, must determine as part of a standard rate or tariff schedule under this subsection when customer-generators become ineligible for credit pursuant to RCW 80.60.030.
(c) Upon adoption of a standard rate or tariff schedule by the commission or governing body pursuant to subsection (3)(a) of this section, the electric utility is exempt from requirements under subsection (1)(c) of this section and RCW 80.60.030 for new interconnection agreements.
[ 2019 c 235 § 2; 2007 c 323 § 2; 2006 c 201 § 2; 2000 c 158 § 2; 1998 c 318 § 3.]