In a groundbreaking move, Representative Jay Inslee on June 26, 2008 introduced the first national feed-in tariff bill in North America. After six months of extensive consultation with various groups, Representative Inslee’s bill proposes using a pricing mechanism variously described as feed-in tariffs or renewable energy payments to promote the rapid development of renewable energy in the United States.
In North America, only the province of Ontario uses feed-in tariffs to encourage renewable energy development.
Several state legislatures in the United States have bills proposing systems of Advanced Renewable Tariffs like those used in Germany, France, and Spain, but none have been enacted.
There will be more on this topic in the days ahead.
- House bill would guarantee rates for clean-energy generators: Measure is first in Congress to bring successful German policy to the U.S.
- US Rep. Inslee Introduces Renewable Energy Pricing Legislation, Renewable Energy World, 2008
- Renewable Energy Jobs and Security Act of 2008
In general “The Renewable Energy Jobs and Security Act” has three main components that are designed to provide long-term investment security for the rapid deployment of distributed, renewable electric generation facilities. It provides 1) guaranteed interconnection with uniform minimum standards, 2) a mandatory purchase requirement through long-term contracts with fixed-rate tariffs and 3) rate recovery through a regional cost-sharing mechanism/ regional system benefits charge.
- The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) would set standards for the priority interconnection and transmission of power from new “renewable energy facilities” (REFs; includes all renewable energy technolgies) below 20 MW. Anyone, including electric utilities, can own and operate REFs.
- States would adopt these FERC interconnection and transmission standards (through PURPA section 113) in a manner that is consistent with their own existing regulatory framework.
- At the request of any new renewable energy facility owner, this bill would require electric utilities in the U.S. to enter into 20-year fixed-rate contracts.
- Uniform national Renewable Energy Payment (REP) rates would be set by FERC (based on recommendations from independent experts at NREL and LBNL) at levels that would provide for a 10% internal rate of return on investments for renewable energy facilities installed under good resource conditions (defined as the top 30th percentile).
- REP rates would be differentiated on the basis of the type of renewable energy technology, the size of the system, and the year the system was placed in service.
- Enforcement would occur by FERC, and the States and non-FERC-jurisdictional utilities (through a PURPA section 113 amendment) within their own respective areas of regulatory jurisdiction.
- Utilities engaged in contracts with renewable energy facility owners would be reimbursed for the cost of their REP power purchases, plus all costs associated with interconnection and network upgrades needed to accommodate new REFs.
- All of such costs incurred on utilities would be passed along to a privately-run national renewable energy corporation (RenewCorps).
- Through a regional cost-sharing mechanism, RenewCorps would, in turn, levy a system benefits charge payable by every electric consumer in the U.S.
- The FERC would structure the cost-sharing system in consultation with States and non-regulated utilities and cost sharing would occur within NERC regions.
- Since REP rates are set to provide for the full recovery of all costs, plus a return on investment, by choosing to enter into a REP power purchase agreement with a utility the owner of a REF would not be entitled for other federal tax incentives or State renewable energy credits (RECs).
- Utilities would earn any associated RECs, to help them meet compliance with State renewable electricity standard requirements.
