Current through Register Vol. 63, No. 9, September 1, 2024
(1) A public
utility must apply the following Tier 2 interconnection review procedure for an
application to interconnect a net metering facility that meets the following
criteria:
(a) The facility has a capacity of
two megawatts or less; and
(b) The
facility does not qualify for Tier 1 interconnection review
procedures.
(2) The
public utility must approve an application for interconnection under the Tier 2
interconnection review if the net metering facility meets the eligibility
requirements in section (1) of this rule and the facility meets the Tier 2
interconnection screening criteria set forth at OAR
860-082-0050(2)(a)-(l).
(3) The
public utility must perform an initial review of the proposed interconnection
to determine whether the interconnection meets the applicable criteria. During
this initial review, the public utility may, at its own expense, conduct any
studies or tests it deems necessary to evaluate the proposed interconnection.
Within 15 business days after notifying a Tier 2 applicant that the application
is complete, the public utility must provide the applicant written notice of
one of the following determinations:
(a) The
net metering facility meets the applicable requirements and that
interconnection will be approved following any required inspection of the
facility and fully executed interconnection agreement. Within three business
days after this notice, the public utility will provide the applicant with an
executable interconnection agreement;
(b) The net metering facility failed to meet
one or more of the applicable requirements, but the public utility determined
that the net metering facility may nevertheless be interconnected consistent
with safety, reliability, and power quality. In this case, the public utility
will notify the applicant that the interconnection will be approved following
any required inspection of the facility and fully executed interconnection
agreement. Within five business days after this notice, the public utility will
provide the applicant with an executable interconnection agreement;
or
(c) The net metering facility
failed to meet one or more of the applicable requirements, and that additional
review would not enable the public utility to determine that the net metering
facility could be interconnected consistent with safety, reliability, and power
quality. In such a case, the public utility will notify the applicant that the
interconnection application failed the screening criteria, including a list of
additional information, or modifications to the net metering facility, or both,
which would be required in order to obtain an approval under Tier 2
interconnection procedures.
(4) Process after screen failure. If the
public utility cannot determine that the customer-generator may nevertheless be
interconnected consistent with safety and reliability standards, at the time
the public utility notifies the applicant of the Tier 2 review results the
public utility shall provide the applicant with:
(a) The screen results including specific
information on the reason(s) for failure in writing using a standard format
approved by the Commission, and
(b)
An executable Supplemental Review Agreement.
(c) In addition, the public utility shall
allow the applicant to select one of the following, at the applicant's option:
(A) Request an applicant options
meeting;
(B) Undergo supplemental
review in accordance with OAR 860-082-0063; or
(C) Continue evaluating the application under
Tier 4.
(d) The
applicant must notify the public utility of its selection under subsection (c)
within 10 business days, or the application will be deemed withdrawn.
(5) Approval despite screen
failure.
(a) Despite the failure of one or
more screening criteria, the public utility, at its sole option, may approve
the interconnection provided such approval is consistent with safety and
reliability.
(b) If the public
utility determines that the customer-generator can be interconnected safely if
minor modifications to the transmission or distribution system were made (for
example, changing meters, fuses, or relay settings), then the public utility
must offer the applicant a good-faith, non-binding estimate of the costs of
such proposed minor modifications. Modifications are not considered minor under
this subsection if the total cost of the modifications exceeds $10,000. If the
applicant authorizes the public utility to proceed with the minor modifications
and agrees to pay the entire cost of the modifications, then the public utility
must approve the application.
(6) Applicant options meeting. If the
applicant requests an applicant options meeting, the public utility shall offer
to convene a meeting at a mutually agreeable time within 15 business days of
the applicant's request. At the applicant options meeting the public utility
shall provide the applicant the opportunity to review the screen analysis and
related results, to designate a different RPA, to review possible
customers-generator modifications, and to discuss what further steps are needed
to permit the net metering facility to connect safely and reliably.
(7) An applicant that receives an
interconnection agreement under subsection (3)(a) or (3)(b) of this rule must:
(a) Execute the agreement and return it to
the public utility at least 10 business days prior to starting operation of the
net metering facility (unless the public utility does not so require);
and
(b) Indicate to the public
utility the anticipated start date for operation of the net metering
facility.
(8) The public
utility may require a public utility inspection of a net metering facility for
compliance with these net metering rules prior to operation and may require and
arrange for witness of commissioning tests as set forth in IEEE 1547 and IEEE
1547.1. The public utility must schedule any inspections or tests under this
section promptly and within a reasonable time after submittal of the
application. The applicant may not begin operating the net metering facility
until after the inspection and testing is completed.
(9) Approval of interconnected operation of
any Tier 2 net metering facility must be conditioned on all of the following
occurring:
(a) Approval of the interconnection
by the electrical code official with jurisdiction over the
interconnection;
(b) Successful
completion of any public utility inspection or witnessing, or both, of
commissioning tests requested by the public utility; and
(c) Passing of the planned start date
provided by the applicant.
Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 183, ORS 756 & ORS
757
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS
756.040 & ORS
757.300
