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TO PROVIDE THAT THE SOUTH CAROLINA ENERGY OFFICE AND THE OFFICE OF REGULATORY STAFF SHALL PROVIDE A REPORT TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY NOT LATER THAN OCTOBER 1, 2007, THAT RECOMMENDS PROCESS AND PROCEDURES FOR ESTABLISHING NET METERING PROGRAMS AT ALL DISTRIBUTION ELECTRIC UTILITIES IN SOUTH CAROLINA, INCLUDING INVESTOR-OWNED ELECTRIC UTILITIES, ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES, MUNICIPAL-OWNED ELECTRIC UTILITIES, AND THE SOUTH CAROLINA PUBLIC SERVICE AUTHORITY.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. The General Assembly finds that:
(1) the energy needs of South Carolina are growing at a rapid rate;
(2) solar energy is clean and safe;
(3) the federal Energy Policy Act provides substantial income tax benefits to homeowners and businesses using solar energy;
(4) a major impediment to greater use of solar energy in South Carolina is the difficulty for homeowners to interconnect photovoltaic solar systems on their homes with the electricity grids of electric utilities; and
(5) net metering programs and policies designed to facilitate use of photovoltaic solar energy are already in effect by law or regulation in thirty-nine states.
SECTION 2. The South Carolina Energy Office and the Office of Regulatory Staff not later than October 1, 2007, shall provide a report to the General Assembly that recommends process and procedures for establishing net metering programs at all distribution electric utilities in South Carolina, including investor-owned electric utilities, electric cooperatives, municipal-owned electric utilities, and the South Carolina Public Service Authority.
The report must consider net metering requirements of adjacent states, and make recommendations that facilitate interstate uniformity for utilities that serve both South Carolina and a neighboring state. The report also must consider requirements of the federal Energy Policy Act and make recommendations that are consistent with requirements of the federal Energy Policy Act. The report must also consider the need to facilitate consistency with Green Power electricity purchase programs operating in South Carolina.
In preparing the net metering report, the South Carolina Energy Office and the Office of Regulatory Staff shall consult with all affected electric utilities, the State Consumer Advocate, representatives of environmental interests, and the South Carolina Energy Advisory Committee.
SECTION 3. This joint resolution takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
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