SB 794

This bill eliminates requirements under current law for electric utilities and

retail electric cooperatives (electric providers) to ensure that, in a given year, a

specified percentage of the electricity that the electric provider sells to retail

customers or members is derived from renewable resources.

The requirements are commonly and collectively referred to as renewable

portfolio standards (RPSs). "Renewable resource" is defined to include a resource

deriving electricity from any of the following: certain fuel cells; tidal or wave action;

solar thermal electric or photovoltaic energy; wind power; geothermal technology;

biomass; certain synthetic gases; certain densified fuel pellets; fuels produced by

pyrolysis of organic or waste material; and certain hydroelectric facilities. In

addition, current law allows the Public Service Commission (PSC) to promulgate

rules designating other resources as renewable resources. Under that authority, the

PSC has promulgated rules designating biogas a renewable resource. Current law

also provides for the creation of credits based on the electricity that an electric

provider derives from renewable resources. An electric provider may use the credits

it creates to comply with an RPS for a particular year or sell the credits to another

electric provider who may use the purchased credits to comply with an RPS. The bill

eliminates all of the foregoing requirements and provisions.

The bill also eliminates a goal under current law that, by December 31, 2015,

10 percent of all electricity consumed in the state is derived from renewable

resources. In addition, the bill eliminates a requirement under current law for the

PSC to make annual reports regarding the goal.