The bill introduces the Public Electrical Savings Act, which modifies the jurisdiction of the Public Service Commission (PSC) concerning various utilities and establishes new regulations for power purchase agreements (PPAs) related to on-site energy facilities. Notably, it exempts natural gas producers serving 25 or fewer residential customers from PSC jurisdiction, although the PSC retains authority to intervene upon customer request and for good cause. The bill also clarifies that on-site energy facilities that cater to the electrical needs of retail customers are not classified as public services, provided they meet specific conditions, such as capacity limits and customer notification requirements.

Additionally, the bill outlines new provisions for PPAs, mandating that public entities demonstrate cost savings for customers compared to local utilities, impose limits on the duration of agreements, and require on-site power storage. It also calls for third-party inspections of meters linked to PPAs and delineates the PSC's limited jurisdiction over political subdivisions that provide water and sewer services. Furthermore, the bill clarifies that the PSC does not have jurisdiction over internet protocol-enabled services and voice-over internet protocol-enabled services, asserting that regulation of municipal power systems should be managed by local governing bodies, thereby reinforcing local control.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 24-2-1
Committee Substitute: 24-2-1