Existing law requires the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada to: (1) determine, on or before October 1, 2018, whether it is in the public interest to establish by regulation biennial targets for the procurement of energy storage systems by certain electric utilities; and (2) if the Commission determines that it is in the public interest to establish such targets, adopt regulations establishing biennial targets for the procurement of energy storage systems by certain electric utilities. (NRS 704.795, 704.796) Existing regulations, with certain exceptions, establish progressively larger targets for the procurement of energy storage systems by certain electric utilities, culminating in a requirement that certain electric utilities procure energy storage systems capable of storing not less than 1,000 megawatts of electric power by December 31, 2030. Existing regulations also require the Commission to review the existing biennial energy storage targets when it reviews the resource plan submitted by an electric utility and determine whether the targets should be altered. (Section 10 of LCB File No. R106-19) Section 1.5 of this bill requires that the Commission establish biennial targets that deliver the greatest benefits to the customers of the electric utility in relation to the costs of the procurement of energy storage systems. Section 6 of this bill repeals the obsolete provision that requires the Commission to determine whether to adopt regulations to establish the biennial targets by October 1, 2018, given that those regulations have been adopted. Section 2 of this bill makes a conforming change relating to the repeal of this obsolete provision. Section 3 of this bill prohibits a person from installing an electrochemical energy storage system unless the person holds a valid license in the classification required to perform such work and, except under certain limited circumstances, for installations occurring on property other than a residential property after July 1, 2025, ensures that the installation: (1) is performed by or under the direct supervision of a person who holds a certificate demonstrating the successful completion of the Energy Storage and Microgrid Training and Certification program; and (2) conforms to certain standards regarding the installation of signage in connection with such systems. Section 4 of this bill provides that a violation of the provisions of section 3 is grounds for disciplinary action by the State Contractors' Board. Section 1 of this bill revises the definition of “facility for the storage of energy from renewable generation.”

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 704.796, 704.797, 624.3016, 624.800, 704.795
Reprint 1: 701A.327, 704.796, 704.797, 624.3016, 624.800, 704.795
Reprint 2: 701A.327, 704.796, 704.797, 624.3016, 624.800, 704.795
As Enrolled: 701A.327, 704.796, 704.797, 624.3016, 624.800, 704.795
BDR: 704.796, 704.797, 624.3016, 624.800, 704.795