Draft
The “Only Pay for What You Get” Ensuring Reliable and Affordable Electricity Act
Section 1. Findings.
The [name of state legislature] finds that:
- It is the policy of ________________ [state] that electric utility service shall be reliable and that an electric utility’s recovery of costs and expenses through rates shall only be for those costs and expenses that are fair, just, and reasonable; and
- The increasing demand on the electric power grid requires the availability of dispatchable firm power generation on a continuous basis in order to ensure electric grid system reliability.
- It is the policy of _______[state] that an electric generation unit in this state may not be retired until an equal or greater amount of firm power is available on the electric grid to replace the loss of firm power emanating from the unit proposed for closure.
- In order to provide electric utility service in _______________ [state], an electric utility subject to the jurisdiction of the ______________ [name of commission] shall operate a reliable system.
Section 2. Definitions
- As used in this section:
- (a) The term “Application” shall mean any application, amended application, and any and all other amendments to any document filed for the purpose of adjustment to electric utility rates.
- (b) The term “Bulk-power system” shall have the definition as set forth for at 16 U.S.C. §824o (a)(1) which states:
For purposes of this section:
The term “bulk-power” system means –
- facilities and control systems necessary for operating an interconnected electric energy transmission network (or any portion thereof); and
- electric energy from generation facilities needed to maintain transmission system reliability.
(c) The term “Capacity value” or “Capacity credit” shall mean the fraction of the installed capacity of an electric generating unit which can be relied on at a given time to reliably meet demand. The capacity value or capacity credit of an electric generating unit is frequently measured either in terms of the physical output capacity of the unit such as kilowatt (kW), megawatt (MW), or gigawatt (GW); or as the fractional output percentage (%) of the asset’s nameplate capacity.
(d) The term “Cost-of-service formula” shall mean the total amount of revenue that must be collected in rates for the utility to recover its costs and earn a reasonable return on its investment.
(e) The term “Effective Load [or Demand] Carrying Capacity” (ELCC [or EDCC]) shall mean an electric generating unit’s contribution to reliability based on the incremental quantity of load [or demand] that can be satisfied by adding that resource asset to the electric power grid.
(f) The term “Electric Generation Unit” (EGU) shall mean any asset used to generate or store electricity, regardless of fuel source, including but not limited to coal, natural gas, nuclear fuel, hydroelectric, geothermal, wind, solar, hydrogen, or other applicable technologies. EGU shall also include, but is not limited to, pumped hydroelectric storage, lithium-ion batteries, and any other device or asset used to store energy for later use as electricity.
(g) The term “Independent System Operator” (ISO) shall have the definition as set forth for a transmission organization at 18 C.F.R. §39.1.
(h) The term “Rate Base” shall mean the net amount of investment, funded by investors, in utility plant and other assets, including transmission and distribution assets, devoted to the rendering of utility service upon which an electric utility may seek recovery from ratepayers which may include a reasonable rate of return on equity.
(i) The term “Reliability” shall have the definition as set forth at 16 U.S.C. §824o and the regulations promulgated pursuant thereto.
(j) The term “Reliable operation” shall have the definition set forth for at 16 U.S.C. §824o (a)(4) which states:
The term “reliable operation” means operating the elements of the bulk-power system within equipment and electric system thermal, voltage, and stability limits so that instability, uncontrolled separation, or cascading failures of such system will not occur as a result of a sudden disturbance, including a cybersecurity incident, or unanticipated failure of system elements
(k) The term “Transmission Organization” shall have the definition as set forth at 16 U.S.C. §824o (a)(6) which states:
The term “transmission organization” means a Regional Transmission Organization, Independent System Operator, independent transmission provider, or other transmission organization finally approved by the Commission for the operation of transmission facilities.
The “Commission” referred to in this definition is the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
(l) The term “Retirement” shall mean any scale down, scale back, intent for lesser usage,or any other similar term with respect to an electric generation unit or a Transmission asset.
(m) The term “Transmission asset” shall mean any and all equipment necessary to transmit electricity from a new or existing EGU to the distribution network used to provide electricity to an end consumer. Transmission asset includes, but is not limited to, any and all substations, inverters, transformers, transmission towers, and additional transmission mileage operating above 69 kilovolts (kV).
Section 3. Addition of Bulk-Power System Reliability as a Factor In the Determination of Fair, Just, and Reasonable Rates
- For any and all adjustments of electric utility rates subject to the jurisdiction of the ______________ [commission] ____________________________ [statute] is hereby amended by adding the following:
- (a) The bulk-power system reliability, the energy capacity, on-demand dispatch ability, useful life, intermittent operational nature, overall operational costs including back end disposal costs, environmental compliance costs, of each and every asset used for the goduction or transmission of electric energy, including but not limited to any electric generation unit (EGU), any transmission asset, and any and all other related assets shall be considered by __________________ [name of Commission ] in its determination of whether the costs and expenses related to and associated with that asset are fair, just, and reasonable and should be approved for recovery in rates.
- Each application for an adjustment in rates shall include:
-
- (a) for each electric generation unit the applicant proposes to add to its generation portfolio a statement that shall include:
- (i) an evaluation of each generation unit’s ability to reliably meet the applicant’s capacity contributions to bulk-power system reliability during times of peak demand, as projected in the application; and
- (ii) an assessment of the estimated percentage contribution of each generation unit in meeting the applicant’s capacity contributions to bulk-power system reliability during times of peak demand, as projected in the application; and
- (iii) a narrative outlining how the addition of each electric generation unit when considered in conjunction with any proposed scale down, less utilization, retirement or other similar action with respect to any other electric generation will impact the applicant’s ability to meet its capacity contributions to bulk-power system reliability during times of peak demand as projected in the application.
- (b) for each electric generation unit that the applicant proposes to scale down, utilize less frequently, retire, or otherwise remove from its generation portfolio, a statement that shall include:
- (i) an evaluation of each generation unit’s current ability to reliably meet the electric utility’s capacity contributions to bulk-power system reliability during times of peak demand, as projected in the application; and (ii) an assessment of the current estimated percentage contribution of each generation unit in meeting the electric utility’s capacity contributions to bulk- power system reliability during times of peak demand, as projected in the application.
- (iii) a narrative outlining how the scale down, less frequent utilization, retirement, or removal of each electric generation unit from the applicant’s portfolio when considered in conjunction with any proposed addition of an electric generation unit to the applicant’s portfolio will impact the applicant’s ability to meet its capacity contributions to bulk-power system reliability during times of peak demand as projected in the application.
- (c) The statement in (a) and (b) above shall address, to the best of the declarant’s knowledge, the effective load [or demand] carrying capacity (ELCC [or EDCC]) of the electric generation unit. The effective load [or demand] carrying capacity of the electric generation unit may be indicated as the unforced or accredited capacity of the asset and the statement may be provided by a Transmission Organization, the applicant, or its agent.
- (d) for each transmission asset the applicant proposes to build or acquire a statement that shall include an evaluation of each transmission asset’s ability to meet its capability to support the applicant’s capacity contributions to bulk-power system reliability during times of peak demand, as projected in the application. The statement shall address, to the best of the declarant’s knowledge, how the transmission asset will support the applicant’s capacity contributions to bulk-power system reliability during times of peak demand, as projected in the application. The statement may be provided by a Transmission Organization, the applicant, or its agent.
- (e) for each transmission asset the applicant proposes to scale down, utilize less frequently, retire, or otherwise remove from its portfolio, a statement from the applicant that shall include an evaluation of each transmission asset’s current ability to meet its capability to support the applicant’s capacity contributions to bulk-power system reliability during times of peak demand, as projected in the application. The statement may be provided by a Transmission Organization, the applicant, or its agent.
- (a) for each electric generation unit the applicant proposes to add to its generation portfolio a statement that shall include:
Section 4. Bulk-Power System Reliability and the Availability of Electric Generation Facilities.
- The ______________[commission] shall not authorize or approve the retirement of an electric generation unit in this state until the Applicant establishes, by clear and convincing evidence, that it has available an equivalent MW capacity of dispatchable firm power generation as replacement power as a result of the proposed retirement of the generation unit. The available equivalent MW capacity of dispatchable firm power may be established by:
- the construction and operation of a new generation asset either within this state or outside this state; or
- any purchase power agreement; or
- any other arrangement, including a combination of (a) and (b) above, that the Commission finds meets the Applicant’s capacity contributions to bulk-power system reliability during times of peak demand, as projected in the application.
- The ____________ [commission], in its discretion, may direct an electric utility to submit an analysis of the actions necessary to extend the life of each generating unit in the electric utility’s portfolio beyond the planned retirement date for each generating unit. The analysis may include any matters the ______ [commission] deems appropriate.
Section 5. Burden of Proof.
- Each applicant for an adjustment in electric utility rates shall establish by clear and convincing evidence that:
- (a) each electric generating unit that it proposes to build or acquire shall fully meet its capacity contributions to bulk-power system reliability during times of peak demand as projected in the application; and
- (b) each transmission asset that it proposes to build or acquire shall fully meet its capability in order for the applicant to fully meet its capacity contributions to bulk- power system reliability during times of peak demand as projected in the application;
- (c) each electric generation unit that it proposes to scale down, remove, retire, or perform other similar action with respect thereto will not negatively impact the applicant’s ability to fully meet its capacity contributions to bulk-power system reliability during times of peak demand as projected in the application; and
- (d) each transmission asset that it proposes to scale down, remove, retire, or perform other similar action with respect thereto will not negatively impact the applicant’s ability to fully meet its capacity contributions to bulk-power system reliability during times of peak demand as projected in the application.
Section 6. Commission Directives
- In any order approving an adjustment of rates, the _______________________ [utility regulatory authority] shall include in a separate finding:
- (a) for each electric generation unit the applicant proposes to build or acquire and for which cost recovery is requested through rates, indicating whether that asset meets the requirements of this chapter; and
- (b) for each transmission asset the applicant proposes to build or acquire and for which cost recovery is requested through rates, indicating whether that asset meets the requirements of this chapter; and
- (c) for each electric generation unit that the applicant proposes to scale down, utilize less frequently, retire, or otherwise remove from its generation portfolio indicating whether such proposed action, in conjunction with the remaining proposals identified in the application, will negatively impact the applicant’s ability to meet its capacity contributions to bulk-power system reliability during times of peak demand as projected in the application; and
- (d) for each transmission asset that the applicant proposes to scale down, utilize less frequently, retire, or otherwise remove from its portfolio indicating whether such proposed action, in conjunction with the remaining proposals identified in the application, will negatively impact the applicant’s ability to meet its capacity contributions to bulk-power system reliability during times of peak demand as projected in the application; and
- If the ____________ [commission] finds that an electric generation unit that the applicant proposes to build or acquire fails to meet the requirements of this chapter, the _____________ [commission] shall determine what portion, if any, of the costs and expenses related to and associated with that electric generation unit are fair, just, and reasonable, and should be eligible for recovery from ratepayers through rates; and what portion, if any, of the costs and expenses related to and associated with that electric generation unit are not fair, just, and reasonable and should not be recovered by the applicant through rates or ratepayers.
- If the ____________ [commission] finds that a transmission asset that the applicant proposes to add to its portfolio fails to meet the requirements of this chapter, the _____________ [commission] shall determine what portion, if any, of the costs and expenses related to and associated with that transmission asset are fair, just, and reasonable, and should be eligible for recovery from ratepayers through rates; and what portion, if any, of the costs and expenses related to and associated with that transmission asset are not fair, just, and reasonable, and should not be recovered by the applicant through rates but should be funded from the applicant’s business sources, which could include an impact to shareholder returns.
- The ___________ [commission] in its discretion may approve in part, deny in part, approve, or deny any portion of an applicant’s proposal as set forth in its application.
- In any order approving an adjustment of rates, the ________________ [commission] shall include the following:
-
- (a) A separate and distinct paragraph in boldface type for each of the following and that sets forth:
- The total dollar amount of the increase in rate recovery approved; and
- Whether a rate of return on any electric generating unit asset has been approved, the amount of the rate of return reflected as a percentage of the total dollar amount approved for such return, and the duration of such return; and
- Whether a rate of return on any transmission asset has been approved, the amount of the rate of return reflected as a percentage of the total dollar amount approved for such return, and the duration of such return; and
- A summary of the total amount of the electric generating unit costs and expenses, if any, that have been denied for rate recovery; and
- A summary of the total amount of the transmission asset costs and expenses, if any, that have been denied for rate recovery.
- (a) A separate and distinct paragraph in boldface type for each of the following and that sets forth:
- Nothing herein shall be construed to require the disclosure of confidential information under ________________ [applicable statute] and any other applicable law.
- Any agreed order of settlement or similar instrument among the parties shall not circumvent the requirements of this chapter and any and all other applicable law, and shall not abrogate the responsibility of ____________________ [commission] to make the findings as directed in paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 hereinabove.