PSC Sets Up Workshop To Improve Renewable Energy Standard Law
Missouri Public Service Commission
Governor Office Building
200 Madison Street
PO Box 360
Jefferson City MO 65102-0360
573-751-9300
JEFFERSON CITY—The Missouri Public Service Commission is seeking comments
from stakeholders and the general public on possible legislative and/or
regulatory ways to improve and clarify the Renewable Energy Standard Law in
Missouri.
In June, the Public Service Commission, in a 3-2 vote, adopted rules that
set the structure, operation and procedures for increasing the amount of
electricity generated from renewable sources of energy and also to further
diversify the energy portfolio of Missouri’s four regulated electric
companies. The rules were designed to carry out Proposition C, approved by
Missouri voters in November of 2008.
The rules provided the procedures by which utilities are to meet the
statutory obligations for renewable energy. Missouri law requires that by
2011, electric companies must either generate or purchase at least 2 percent
of the electricity they sell from renewable sources. That percentage
increases to approximately 15 percent by 2021. The electric companies are
required to meet those required percentages by either generating the
electricity through the use of renewable energy sources or by purchasing
renewable energy credits. Under the rules, at least 2 percent of the
renewable energy must be from solar.
In addition, the Commission determined that if a utility company needs to
purchase renewable energy credits to meet rule requirements, the renewable
energy associated with those credits must be sold to Missouri customers
(known as geographic sourcing).
The Commission-adopted rules were sent to the Joint Committee on
Administrative Rules (JCAR) which disallowed the language regarding
geographic sourcing. Therefore, uncertainty regarding that requirement
remains.
“This workshop is being opened in order that dialogue can continue among
interested parties, with the goal of reaching a mutually beneficial
resolution. The ultimate goal is to implement the requirements of the
statute while promoting economic development in the state, as well as
minimizing the financial impact on consumers,” said PSC Commissioner Robert
Kenney.
The Commission is asking stakeholders to resume discussions in order to try
and resolve the single issue of geographic sourcing through developing
legislative proposals and regulatory options that will promote the
development of renewable energy in Missouri while protecting retail
customers.
Stakeholders, interested parties and the general public have been asked to
submit initial written comments to the Public Service Commission by October
1, 2010. Comments should reference the case number (EW-2011-0031).
