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Maine’s Look at Distributed Generation. Legislative Background. Legislature required MPUC to report on DG issues, with recommendations, by Oct 2002 Regardless, the time is ripe. Maine Background. Strong history of supporting local generation and co-generation
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Maine’s Look atDistributed Generation Presented by the Maine Public Utilities Commission
Legislative Background • Legislature required MPUC to report on DG issues, with recommendations, by Oct 2002 • Regardless, the time is ripe Presented by the Maine Public Utilities Commission
Maine Background • Strong history of supporting local generation and co-generation • Utility affiliate prohibited from owning DG • Small hydros need help selling generation • Some small generators want to sell their output to contiguous customers Presented by the Maine Public Utilities Commission
Maine’s Issues - Interconnection • Contract • Procedures • Costs • Jurisdiction Presented by the Maine Public Utilities Commission
Me’s Issues – Selling Generation Into the pool – Very difficult under ISO rules To other customers – When does DG owner become a competitive provider or a utility under the law? Net billing – can it be used for DG generation? Presented by the Maine Public Utilities Commission
Maine’s Issues – Utility Pricing • Price structure – high vs low fixed price (rate design proceeding soon) • Standby rates • Pricing flexibility to retain customers – can DG compete? Presented by the Maine Public Utilities Commission
Maine’s Issues – Stranded Costs • of central plant generation (past) – big problem for ratepayers • from DG (future) – how large is the problem? Presented by the Maine Public Utilities Commission
Maine’s Issues – Ownership • Utilities prohibited from owning generation • Should utilities be allowed to own DG? Should affiliates be allowed to own DG? • Different models – own plant, not electricity? Own and lease plant? Maintain plant? Presented by the Maine Public Utilities Commission
Overarching Principles • MPUC recommendations must be based on economics • Should be an economically level playing field • All customers must pay for stranded costs – DG should not be considered economic simply because it bypasses stranded costs Presented by the Maine Public Utilities Commission
The MPUCReports • MPUC Interim Report & Resource Dynamics Technology Report published • Final Report with recommendations due 10/1/2001 • See web page www.state.me.us/mpuc • Contact Marjorie.McLaughlin@state.me.us Presented by the Maine Public Utilities Commission