2007 PURPA EISA Standards
The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA ’07) amended Title I of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA) to require state regulators (for the utilities whose rates they regulate) and larger non-regulated utilities (including about 200 cooperatives) to consider adopting 4 new federal standards. Two of these standards relate to energy efficiency and two relate to smart grid. Additionally, a standard on waste energy was created that must be considered by all utilities. The following documents describe Bluebonnet’s efforts to comply with the required standards.
BLUEBONNET ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC.
NOTICE OF PROCEEDING TO CONSIDER PURPA EISA 2007 STANDARDS
AND REQUEST FOR COMMENTS IN PROJECT NO. 2008-TX100-0001
On Oct. 21, 2008, Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative (co-op) adopted a resolution initiating a rulemaking project to consider and determine whether to implement federal ratemaking standards under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA), as amended by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA), Public Law No. 110-140, 121 Stat. 1492 (2007) to: 1) integrate energy efficiency into the co-op’s integrated resource plans and establish cost-effective energy efficiency as a priority resource; 2) establish electric rates to align utility incentives with the delivery of cost effective energy efficiency and to promote energy efficiency investments; 3) consider smart grid investments; and 4) give co-op members direct written or electronic access and other interested persons limited access to information on time-based electricity prices at wholesale and retail, prices and usage on at least a daily basis, and sources of power provided by the co-op. The proceeding has been designated Project No. 2008-TX100-0001, Proceeding to Consider and Determine Whether to Implement the Federal Ratemaking Standards for Integrated Resource Planning, Rate Design Modifications to Promote Energy Efficiency Investments, Consideration of Smart Grid Investments, andSmart Grid Information pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 2621(d)(16), (17), (16) and (17) as amended by Pub. L. No. 110-140, 121 Stat. 1492 (2007). Persons interested in the proceeding are invited to notify the co-op of their intent to participate in the project and to submit comments, data, views, arguments, and other evidence on the standards being considered. Responses and any comments, data, views, arguments, and other evidence must include the person’s name, contact information, and relationship to the co-op, reference Project No. 2008-TX100-0001, and be submitted in writing to the cooperative at P.O. Box 729, Bastrop, TX 78602 or by e-mail to Jessica.pantano@bluebonnetelectric.coop no later than January 5, 2009. A public hearing on this project will be convened to give interested participants an opportunity to comment and ask questions about whether the co-op should implement the PURPA EISA Standards. Questions about this notice or project may be directed to Jessica Pantano, Member Services, at (800) 842-7708 or by e-mail at Jessica.pantano@bluebonnetelectric.coop. All further information about this project, including the resolution, all comments received, and the date, time, and location of the hearing will be posted on the co-op’s web site at www.bluebonnetelectric.coop.
Board Resolution of Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative (Adopted October 21, 2008)
Timeline (Approved October 21, 2008; Posted November 1, 2008)
Comments from member; John Borsheim (Received January 4, 2009)
Comment A
Comment B
REVISED Bluebonnet PURPA EISA Timeline (Posted June 11, 2009)
Staff’s Draft Proposal for Implementing PURPA EISA Standards and Notice of Hearing (Staff’s Draft Posted June 16, 2009) (Draft Approved by Board on June 23 for Posting and Request for Comment)
John Borsheim’s EISA Supplemental Comments – (Received July 7, 2009)
Staff’s Final Recommendation for Board Consideration and Adoption at August 18, 2009, Board Meeting.
Final Determination Approving Modified PURPA EISA Standards (Approved by Board of Directors August 18, 2009)
PURPA Notice Media Affidavits