Vetoed by Governor Brian Schweitzer

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends statutes relating to the state renewable portfolio standard, beginning January 1, 2011.

Highlights:

• Authorizes a public utility to petition the Public Service Commission for a renewable 3-year waiver of the renewable portfolio standard if the public utility can show that the procurement of electricity from renewable energy resources or credits will result in adverse customer impacts (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes a public utility to petition the Public Service Commission for a waiver from full compliance with the renewable portfolio standard if the public utility can demonstrate that it has undertaken all reasonable steps to procure renewable energy credits at a reasonable price, but full compliance cannot be achieved either because the credits cannot be procured at a reasonable price or because of another legitimate reason (Sec. 2).

• Defines "reasonable price" as a price that does not exceed 5 percent of the retail electricity supply of the public utility or competitive electricity supplier (Sec. 2).

• Prohibits a public utility from petitioning the Public Service Commission for a waiver if the public utility sold renewable energy credits to another party that would otherwise have been used by the public utility to meet the requirements of the renewable portfolio standard (Sec. 2).

• This act is effective January 1, 2011 and applies retroactively to the compliance year beginning January 1, 2011 (Sec. 8).

Full Bill Text