EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*hb1225*
HOUSE BILL 1225
C5 5lr1815
CF SB 908
By: Delegates Qi, Charkoudian, and Fraser–Hidalgo
Introduced and read first time: February 7, 2025
Assigned to: Economic Matters
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
Public Utilities – Electric Distribution System Plans – Establishment 2
(Affordable Grid Act) 3
FOR the purpose of requiring the Public Service Commission to adopt regulations or issue 4
orders on or before a certain date that require electric companies to, every 3 years, 5
develop an electric system distribution plan to be approved by the Commission and 6
provide the Commission with annual progress reports; requiring the Commission to 7
adopt regulations or issue orders adopting certain metrics to monitor and assess 8
electric distribution system plans; requiring an electric company to provide certain 9
public comment opportunities; requiring the Commission to adopt regulations or 10
issue orders adopting a certain information–sharing framework; and generally 11
relating to electric distribution in the State. 12
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 13
Article – Public Utilities 14
Section 7–804 15
Annotated Code of Maryland 16
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 17
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 18
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 19
Article – Public Utilities 20
7–804. 21
(A) (1) IN THIS SECTION THE F OLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 22
INDICATED. 23
2 HOUSE BILL 1225
(2) (I) “AUTOMATE D ELECTRIC VEHICLE L OAD MANAGEMENT ” 1
MEANS THE UTILIZATIO N OF A POWER CONTROL SYST EM, AS DEFINED IN UL 3141, 2
TO LIMIT OR CONTROL CURRENT OR POWER TO STAY WITHIN SAFE , DEFINED LIMITS 3
THAT ARE CALCULATED IN ACCORD ANCE WITH NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE 4
625.42 AND 750.30. 5
(II) “AUTOMATED ELECTRIC VE HICLE LOAD MANAGEMEN T” 6
INCLUDES: 7
1. A SINGLE DEVICE USED TO CONTROL THE ELECTRIC 8
VEHICLE CHARGING LOA D; AND 9
2. MULTIPLE DEVICES OPE RATING TOGETHER AS A 10
SYSTEM TO CONTROL THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHA RGING LOAD. 11
(3) “DISTRIBUTED ENERGY RESOURCE” HAS THE MEANING STATED 12
IN § 7–1001 OF THIS TITLE. 13
(4) (I) “FLEXIBLE INTERCONNECT ION” MEANS A METHOD FOR 14
CONNECTING DISTRIBUTED ENERGY RESOURCES TO THE ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTIO N 15
SYSTEM IN A MANNER THAT IS ADA PTABLE TO CHANGING C ONDITIONS AND 16
OPTIMIZES THE USE OF EXISTING ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTIO N SYSTEM 17
INFRASTRUCTURE . 18
(II) “FLEXIBLE INTERCONNECT ION” INCLUDES THE USE OF AN 19
AGREEMENT BETWEEN TH E CUSTOMER AND AN ELECTRIC COMPANY TO IMPLEMENT 20
THE USE OF A POWER C ONTROL SYSTEM , AS DEFINED IN UL 3141, TO PREVENT A 21
CONSTRAINED PART OF THE ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTIO N SYSTEM FROM EXCEEDIN G 22
EXISTING CAPACITY . 23
(5) “HOSTING CAPACITY ” MEANS THE AMOUNT OF AGGREGATE 24
GENERATION THAT CAN BE ACCOMMODATED ON AN ELECTRIC DISTR IBUTION 25
SYSTEM OR AREA , OR A COMPONENT OF AN ELECTRIC DISTRIBUT ION SYSTEM, 26
WITHOUT REQUIRING IN FRASTRUCTURE UPGRADE S. 27
(6) “LOAD FLEXIBILITY” MEANS A CHANGE IN TH E AMOUNT OR 28
TIMING OF ENERGY USE TO SUPPOR T ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTIO N SYSTEM NEEDS. 29
(7) “NON–WIRES SOLUTION ” MEANS ANY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 30
INVESTMENT, PROGRAM, RATE, OR SERVICE THAT IS INTENDED TO DEFER OR 31
REMOVE THE NEED TO C ONSTRUCT NEW OR UPGR ADE EXISTING COMPONENTS OF A 32
DISTRIBUTION OR TRAN SMISSION SYSTEM . 33
HOUSE BILL 1225 3
(8) “UL 3141” MEANS THE ELECTRICAL STANDARDS P UBLISHED BY 1
UL SOLUTIONS THAT DEFINES REQUIREMENTS FOR MAT ERIAL CONSTRUCTION , 2
PERFORMANCE , TESTING, AND INSTALLATION TO PROMOTE THE SAFETY AND 3
RELIABILITY OF POWER CONTROL SYS TEMS. 4
(9) “VIRTUAL POWER PLANT ” MEANS A NETWORK OF MULTIPLE, 5
DECENTRALIZED , DISTRIBUTED ENERGY R ESOURCES INTEGRATED TO BALANC E 6
ENERGY SUPPLY AND DEMAND ON A LARG E SCALE. 7
[(a)] (B) On or before December 31, 2025, the Commission shall adopt 8
regulations or issue orders to: 9
(1) implement specific policies for electric system planning; 10
(2) require consideration of investment in, or procurement of, cost–effective 11
demand–side methods and technology to improve reliability and efficiency, including 12
virtual power plants; [and] 13
(3) implement specific policies for improvements in order to promote the 14
State’s policy goals under § 7–802 of this subtitle AND TO ACHIEVE THE STATE’S 15
TARGETS FOR THE EXPANSION OF: 16
(I) SOLAR ENERGY ; 17
(II) BUILDING ELECTRIFICA TION; 18
(III) ELECTRIC VEHICLES ; 19
(IV) ENERGY STORAGE CAPACITY ; AND 20
(V) REDUCTION OF GREENHO USE GAS EMISSIONS; 21
(4) REQUIRE EACH ELECTRI C COMPANY, EVERY 3 YEARS, TO SUBMIT 22
TO THE COMMISSION FOR APPROV AL AN ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM PLAN 23
THAT: 24
(I) INCLUDES THE INFORMATION REQU IRED IN SUBSECTION 25
(D) OF THIS SECTION; AND 26
(II) COMPLIES WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF SUBSECTION (E) 27
OF THIS SECTION; 28
(5) ADOPT AND UPDATE AS NEEDED METRICS TO BE USED TO 29
MONITOR AN ELECTRIC COMPANY’S PROGRESS TOWARD IM PLEMENTING ITS 30 4 HOUSE BILL 1225
ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM PLAN , INCLUDING METRICS ASSESSING TH E 1
FOLLOWING CATEGORIES : 2
(I) SYSTEM RELIABILITY ; 3
(II) INTEGRATION OF DISTR IBUTED ENERGY RESOUR CES, 4
INCLUDING SPECIFIC M ETRICS RELATED TO SO LAR ENERGY, ENERGY STORAGE , 5
AND ELECTRIC VEHICLE S; 6
(III) ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTIO N SYSTEM MANAGEMENT , 7
INCLUDING SPECIFIC M ETRICS RELATED TO : 8
1. AGGREGATE PEAK LOAD ; 9
2. PEAK LOAD REDUCTION PROGRAMS; 10
3. TIME–OF–USE AND DYNAMIC PRIC ING PROGRAMS ; 11
4. ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHA RGING PROGRAMS ; AND 12
5. HOSTING CAPACITY STA TUS AND EXPANSION ; 13
(IV) USE OF NON –WIRES SOLUTIONS AND NONCAPITAL 14
INVESTMENTS AND THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN USING THESE SOLUTION S AND 15
INVESTMENTS AND THE LONG–TERM SYSTEM CAPACITY; 16
(V) ADVANCEMENT OF STATE POLICY GOALS AND TARGETS 17
IDENTIFIED IN ITEM (3) OF THIS SUBSECTION AND ANY OTHER APPLIC ABLE STATE 18
GOALS AND TARGETS EF FECTIVE AT THE TIME OF THE PLANNING CYCL E; 19
(VI) FUTURE ELECTRIC SYSTEM CAPABILITY, INCLUDING: 20
1. ENERGY STORAGE FLEXI BILITY; 21
2. FLEXIBLE INTERCONNECTIONS ; AND 22
3. LOCAL DEMAND RESPONS E; AND 23
(VII) AN ELECTRIC COMPANY ’S PARTICIPATION IN , AND 24
FACILITATION OF , AN EFFECTIVE INFORMATIO N EXCHANGE PROCESS AS 25
DESCRIBED IN ITEM (7) OF THIS SUBSECTION ; 26
HOUSE BILL 1225 5
(6) REQUIRE EACH GAS COM PANY THAT OPERATES WITHIN ANY 1
PORTION OF AN ELECTRIC COMPANY ’S SERVICE AREA TO PARTICIPATE IN THE 2
ELECTRIC COMPANY ’S ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM PLANNING PROCESS TO 3
THE EXTENT NE CESSARY FOR THE ELECTRIC COM PANY TO DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN 4
AN ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM PLAN THAT MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS OF 5
THIS SECTION; AND 6
(7) (I) ADOPT AN INFORMATION SHARIN G FRAMEWORK FOR THE 7
BROAD EXCHANGE OF DA TA BETWEEN ELECTRIC COMPANIES, GAS COMPANIES , 8
ELECTRICITY SUPPLIER S, AND THE PUBLIC THAT MEETS THE REQUI REMENTS OF 9
SUBSECTION (G) OF THIS SECTION; AND 10
(II) REQUIRE ALL ELECTRIC COMPANIES AND GAS COMPANIES 11
TO PARTICIPATE IN EX CHANGING DATA AS DESCRIBE D IN ITEM (I) OF THIS ITEM. 12
[(b)] (C) The regulations adopted and orders issued under [subsection (a) of] this 13
section shall: 14
(1) [be developed with] ATTEMPT TO ENSURE UNIFORMITY IN 15
ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM PLANNING WHILE GIVIN G DUE consideration 16
[given] to the inherent differences, individual circumstances, and available resources 17
among investor–owned electric companies, electric cooperatives, and municipal electric 18
utilities; and 19
(2) if determined necessary by the Commission, establish separate 20
requirements for investor–owned electric companies, electric cooperatives, and municipal 21
electric utilities. 22
(D) (1) AN ELECTRIC DISTRIBUT ION SYSTEM PLAN SUBMITTED TO THE 23
COMMISSION IN ACCORDA NCE WITH THIS SECTIO N SHALL INCLUDE : 24
(I) A DISTRIBUTED E NERGY RESOURCE FORECAST , AS 25
SPECIFIED UNDER PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION , AND A LOAD FORECAST , 26
AS SPECIFIED UNDER PARAGRAPH (3) OF THIS SUBSECTION , FOR AT LEAST THREE 27
PLANNING HORIZONS , INCLUDING: 28
1. A SHORT–TERM FORECAST OF 1 TO 3 YEARS FROM THE 29
DATE OF PLAN SUBMISSION ; 30
2. A MID–TERM FORECAST OF 4 TO 6 YEARS FROM THE 31
DATE OF PLAN SUBMISSION ; AND 32
3. A LONG–TERM FORECAST OF 7 TO 10 OR MORE YEARS 33
FROM THE DATE OF PLAN SUBMISSION ; 34 6 HOUSE BILL 1225
(II) AT LEAST T WO FORECAST SCENARIO AN ALYSES 1
REFLECTING POSSIBLE FUTURE OUTCOMES TO SERVE AS A REFERE NCE IN THE 2
DEVELOPMENT AND EVAL UATION OF THE ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION PLAN , 3
INCLUDING: 4
1. AT LEAST ONE SCENARI O REFLECTING THE 5
INVESTMENTS REQUIRED TO MEET THE STATE’S EXISTING CLEAN ENE RGY AND 6
GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS REDUCTION GOALS ; AND 7
2. AT LEAST ONE SCENARI O REFLECTING A DEMAND FOR 8
ELECTRICITY BEYOND T HE INCREASED LOAD ANTICIPATED IN RESPONSE TO THE 9
STATE TARGETS SPECIFIED IN SUBSECTION (B)(3) OF THIS SECTION; 10
(III) FOR EACH FORECAST SC ENARIO INCLUDED IN A PLAN IN 11
ACCORDANCE WITH ITEM (II) OF THIS PARAGRAPH , AT LEAST ONE PORTFOL IO OF 12
INVESTMENTS AND PROG RAMS THAT REFLECT HO W THE ELECTRIC COMPANY 13
COULD MEET RELIABILI TY NEEDS AND FORECAST DEMAND WHILE MINIMIZING 14
CAPITAL INFRASTRUCTU RE INVESTMENT TO THE GREATEST EXTENT POSS IBLE; 15
(IV) AN ANALYSIS OF THE H OSTING CAPACITY FOR DISTRIBUTED 16
ENERGY RESOURCE S, INCLUDING: 17
1. SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAICS ; 18
2. ENERGY STORAGE ; 19
3. ELECTRIC VEHICLES ; AND 20
4. DEMAND RESPONSE AND CONTROLLABLE LOADS ; 21
(V) AN ANALYSIS OF THE LOAD–SERVING CAPACITY FOR 22
DISTRIBUTED ENERGY R ESOURCES, INCLUDING: 23
1. ENERGY STORAGE ; 24
2. ELECTRIC VEHICLES ; 25
3. BUILDING ELECTRIFICA TION; AND 26
4. DEMAND RESPONSE AND CONTROLLABLE LOADS ; 27
HOUSE BILL 1225 7
(VI) AN ANALYSIS OF LOCATIONS WITHIN THE ELECTRIC 1
COMPANY’S SERVICE AREA WHERE THE EXPANSION OF DIS TRIBUTED ENERGY 2
RESOURCES WILL PROVI DE THE GREATEST VALU E TOWARD MEETING DEMAND OR 3
PROVIDING NECESSARY ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTIO N SYSTEM SERVICES; 4
(VII) AN ANALYSIS OF EXIST ING CONSTRAINTS ON T HE ABILITY 5
OF THE ELECTRIC COMPANY’S ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM TO: 6
1. EXPAND DISTRIBUTED E NERGY RESOURCES ; 7
2. MEET ANTICIPATED LOAD REQ UIREMENTS; AND 8
3. ACHIEVE THE STATE’S CLEAN ENERGY AND 9
GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS REDUCTION GOALS ; 10
(VIII) AN A NALYSIS APPLYING THE STATE UNIFIED 11
BENEFIT–COST ANALYSIS FRAMEWORK TO POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS FOR ADDRESSING 12
THE CONSTRAINTS IDENTIFIED IN ITEM (VII) OF THIS PARAGRAPH , INCLUDING 13
NON–WIRES SOLUTIONS ; 14
(IX) A LIST OF THE POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS IDENTIFIED IN ITEM 15
(VIII) OF THIS PARAGRAPH THAT HAVE BEEN SELECTED BY THE ELEC TRIC COMPANY 16
TO BE IMPLEMENTED AND THE FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTED TO EACH DECISION ; 17
(X) A DESCRIPTION OF PLA NS FOR THE INCORPORATIO N OF 18
INNOVATIONS AND TECH NOLOGIES TO INCREASE THE RELIABILITY AND RESILIENCE 19
OF, AND THE ABILITY TO EXPAND , MANAGE, AND MODERNIZE , THE ELECTRIC 20
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM, INCLUDING: 21
1. AUTOMATED ELECTRIC V EHICLE LOAD 22
MANAGEMENT ; 23
2. FLEXIBLE INTERCONNEC TION; 24
3. CLEAN MICROGRIDS ; 25
4. LOAD FLEXIBILITY ; 26
5. ENERGY EFFICIENCY ; AND 27
6. VIRTUAL POWER PLANTS ; 28
8 HOUSE BILL 1225
(XI) A DESCRIPTION OF HOW THE ELECTRIC COMPANY IS 1
COORDINAT ING ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM INVESTMENTS WITH ELECTRIC 2
TRANSMISSION SYSTEM PLANNING IN THE PJM REGION IN A MANNER T HAT IS MOST 3
COST–EFFECTIVE TO RATEPAY ERS; 4
(XII) A DESCRIPTION OF PLANS AND ACTIONS TAKEN TO 5
MINIMIZE THE COST TO RATEPAYERS T HROUGH THE EFFECTIVE USE OF FEDERAL, 6
STATE, AND LOCAL RESOURCES AND INCENTIVES ; 7
(XIII) A DESCRIPTION OF ANY OTHER ACTIONS TAKEN TO 8
MINIMIZE THE COST TO RATEPAYERS ; 9
(XIV) A DESCRIPTION OF EFFORTS TO COORDINATE WITH GAS 10
COMPANIES TO IDENTIFY LOCATIONS FOR GAS DE CARBONIZATION AND FACILITATE 11
ELECTRIFICATION TO M EET THE STATE’S CLIMATE GOALS , INCLUDING: 12
1. A DESCRIPTION OF EFFORTS TO COLLABORA TE WITH 13
ANY GAS COMPANY WHOSE TERRITORY OVER LAPS WITH THAT OF THE ELECTRIC 14
COMPANY TO MODEL EACH COMPANY’S RESIDENTIAL AND COMM ERCIAL 15
BUILDING–RELATED LOAD FORECAS TS WITH THE PURPOSE OF ENSURING THAT 16
HEATING DEMAND IS NO T DOUBLE–COUNTED ACROSS SYSTE MS; AND 17
2. A DESCRIPTION OF HOW T HE ELECTRIC 18
DISTRIBUTION PLAN AC COUNTS FOR: 19
A. ANY GAS COMPANY EFFICIENCY; AND 20
B. ANY ELECTRIFICATION PROG RAMS OR NON–PIPELINE 21
ALTERNATIVES THAT IM PACT ELECTRICITY DEM AND; 22
(XV) A DESCRIPTION OF HOW THE ELECTRIC COMPANY PLANS TO 23
MANAGE ITS DISTRIBUTED ENER GY RESOURCE HOSTING CAPACITY IN A WAY THAT 24
INCLUDES: 25
1. ESTABLISHING THE MINIMUM AMOUNT OF RESERVE 26
CAPACITY FOR EACH FEEDER CIRC UIT, AS DETERMINED BY A C IRCUIT–SPECIFIC 27
ANALYSIS, TO MAXIMIZE THE CAPA CITY AVAILABLE FOR ACTIVE DISTRIBUTED 28
ENERGY RESOURCE DEVE LOPMENT; 29
2. DEVELOPING HOSTING CAPACITY MAP S THAT 30
FACILITATE DISTRIBUT ED ENERGY RESOURCE P LANNING, INCLUDING: 31
HOUSE BILL 1225 9
A. IDENTIFYING AREAS WH ERE INTERCONNECTION 1
COSTS WILL BE HIGHER OR LOWER THAN AVERAGE; 2
B. LISTING OTHER UPCOMI NG PROJECTS FOR SPEC IFIC 3
CIRCUITS; AND 4
C. EXISTING FEEDER LOAD AND CAPACITY; AND 5
3. REVISING THE HOSTING CAPACITY ANALYSIS AND 6
HOSTING CAPACITY MAP S FREQUENTLY ENOUGH TO REFLECT THE ACTUA L 7
DEVELOPMENT OF DISTR IBUTED ENERGY RESOUR CES ON CIRCUITS; 8
(XVI) A DESCRIPTION OF HOW THE ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION 9
SYSTEM PLAN ACCOUNTS FOR AND CONTRIBUTES TO ACHIEVING THE STATE’S 10
CLEAN ENERGY AND CLI MATE GOALS, INCLUDING THE GOALS AND TARGET S 11
IDENTIFIED IN SUBSECTION (B)(3) OF THIS SECTION; 12
(XVII) AN ANALYSIS APPLYING EACH OF THE METRICS ADOPTED 13
BY THE COMMISSION UNDER SUBSECTION (B)(5) OF THIS SECTION; AND 14
(XVIII) A COMPILATION OF ANY OFFICIAL COMMENT S 15
RECEIVED THROUGHOUT THE DRAFTING AND REVIEW PROCESS ACCOMPANIED BY : 16
1. A DESCRIPTION OF WHERE THE COMMENT IS 17
INCORPORATED IN THE ELECTRIC DIST RIBUTION SYSTEM PLAN ; OR 18
2. A JUSTIFICATION FOR NOT INCORPORATIN G THE 19
COMMENT IN THE ELECTRIC DIST RIBUTION SYSTEM PLAN . 20
(2) (I) THE DISTRIBUTED ENERGY R ESOURCE FORECAST 21
INCLUDED IN AN ELECTRIC DISTR IBUTION SYSTEM PLAN UNDER PARAGRAPH (1)(I) 22
OF THIS SUBSECTION SHALL INCLUDE A FORE CAST FOR, AT A MINIMUM: 23
1. SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAICS ; 24
2. ENERGY STORAGE ; 25
3. ELECTRIC VEHICLES ; 26
4. BUILDING ELECTRIFICA TION; AND 27
5. DEMAND RESPONSE AND CONTROLLA BLE LOADS. 28
10 HOUSE BILL 1225
(II) THE DISTRIBUTED ENERGY RE SOURCE FORECAST SHALL 1
REFLECT THE ABILITY OF EACH RESOURCE FOR ECAST TO PROVIDE ELECTRIC 2
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM SERVICES, INCLUDING: 3
1. BIDIRECTIONAL ELECTR IC VEHICLE CHARGING ; AND 4
2. AGGREGATION OF DISTR IBUTED ENERGY 5
RESOURCES. 6
(III) THE DISTRIBUTED ENERGY R ESOURCE FORECAST SHA LL 7
PREDICT DISTRIBUTED ENERGY RESOURCE AND ELECTRIFICATION ADOP TION AND 8
RELATED IMPACTS , BOTH TEMPORALLY AND GEOGRAPHICALLY . 9
(3) (I) THE LOAD FORECAST INCLUDED IN AN ELECT RIC 10
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM PLAN SUBMITTED UNDER PARAGRAPH (1)(I) OF THIS 11
SUBSECTION SHALL REFLECT EXPECTED CHANGES IN ELECTRICITY DEMAND 12
WITHIN THE ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM FOR: 13
1. THE 8,760 HOURLY LOAD VARIATIO N; 14
2. LOAD PATTERNS AT THE FEEDER; 15
3. THE ANTICIPATED AMOUNT A ND GEOGRAPHIC 16
LOCATION OF EXPANSIO N OF DISTRIBUTED ENERG Y RESOURCES; AND 17
4. THE LOAD–MODIFYING CHARACTERISTICS FOR THE 18
DISTRIBUTED ENERGY R ESOURCES FORECAST UN DER PARAGRAPH (1)(I) OF THIS 19
SUBSECTION. 20
(II) THE LOAD FORECAST SHA LL TAKE INTO CONSIDERAT ION 21
AND INCLUDE A DESCRIPTIO N OF THE EXPECTED RA TE OF DEVELOPMENT AN D 22
ADOPTION OF THE DISTRIBUTED ENER GY RESOURCES FORECAST UNDER 23
PARAGRAPH (1)(I) OF THIS SUBSECTION . 24
(4) IF AN ELECTRIC COMPAN Y DOES NOT HAVE THE FULL 25
FORECASTING CAPABILI TY REQUIRED TO MEET THE FORECAST REPORTING 26
REQUIREMENTS OF THE FORECASTS REQUIR ED UNDER PARAGRAPH (1)(I) OF THIS 27
SUBSECTION, THE ELECTRIC COMPANY , IN ITS FIRST PLANNIN G CYCLE, MAY 28
INSTEAD SUBMIT A ROADMAP OF ACTIONS TO BRIDGE TH E GAP BETWEEN CURREN T 29
FORECAST PROCESSES A ND NECESSARY IMPROVEMEN TS, INCLUDING A TIMELINE 30
FOR MEETING THE FORECAST REPORTING REQUIREMEN TS. 31
HOUSE BILL 1225 11
(E) BEFORE SUBMITTING AN ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM PLAN TO 1
THE COMMISSION UNDER THIS SECTION , AN ELECTRIC COMPANY S HALL PROVIDE 2
SPECIFIC OPPORTUNITI ES FOR PUBLIC AND ST AKEHOLDER PARTICIPAT ION 3
THROUGHOUT THE DRAFT ING PROCESS, INCLUDING: 4
(1) THREE PUBLIC STATUS MEETING S THAT ARE OPEN TO PUBLIC 5
AND STAKEHOLDER PART ICIPATION, SPREAD OUT OVER THE COURSE OF THE 6
DRAFTING PROCESS , DISCUSSING: 7
(I) PLAN, SCENARIO, FORECAST, AND TECHNOLOGY ADOPT ION 8
ASSUMPTIONS ; 9
(II) IDENTIFIED SYSTEM CO NSTRAINTS AND NEEDS ; AND 10
(III) THE PROGRESS ON THE DRAFT PLAN , INCLUDING 11
PROPOSED SOLUTIONS A CCOMPANIED BY A COST –BENEFIT ANALYSIS AND ANY 12
ADDITIONAL CRITERIA USED TO SELECT THE S OLUTION; 13
(2) THE OPPORTUNITY FOR STAKEHOLDERS AND THE PUBLIC TO 14
PROVIDE WRITTEN FEED BACK ON THE CURRENT DRAFT PLAN FOR THE 30 DAYS 15
FOLLOWING EACH PUBLI C MEETING; AND 16
(3) WITHIN 30 DAYS FOLLOWING A COM MENT PERIOD UNDER IT EM (2) 17
OF THIS SUBSECTION, PROVIDING A RESPONSE TO ALL CO MMENTS SUBMITTED 18
DURING THE COMMENT P ERIOD, INCLUDING: 19
(I) A DESCRIPTION OF WHERE THE COMMENT IS 20
INCORPORATED IN THE ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM PLAN; OR 21
(II) A JUSTIFICATION FOR NOT INCORPORAT ING THE COMMENT 22
IN THE ELECTRIC DIST RIBUTION SYSTEM PLAN . 23
(F) (1) THE COMMISSION SHALL REVI EW EACH ELECTRIC COM PANY’S 24
ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM PLAN SUBMITTED FOR APPROVAL . 25
(2) THE COMMISSION MAY NOT APPROVE A N ELECTRIC 26
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM PLAN UNLESS THE COMMISSION FINDS THAT : 27
(I) THE ELECTRIC COMPANY SATISFIED ALL OF THE PUBLIC 28
AND STAKEHOLDER ENGA GEMENT REQUIREMENTS SPECIFIED IN SUBSECTION (E) 29
OF THIS SECTION; 30
12 HOUSE BILL 1225
(II) THE PROJECTED DISTRI BUTION ACTIVITIES AN D 1
CORRESPONDING BUDGET S AFFORDABLY AND STR ATEGICALLY BENEFIT O R 2
ADVANCE THE POLICY GOALS AND TARGETS SPECIFIED IN SUBSECTION (B)(3) OF 3
THIS SECTION; 4
(III) THE PLAN WILL C OST–EFFECTIVELY ADVANCE APPLICABLE 5
STATE POLICY TO THE G REATEST EXTENT POSSI BLE; 6
(IV) THE PLAN HAS ADEQUAT ELY INCORPORATED NON –WIRES 7
SOLUTIONS AND OTHER NONCAPITAL INV ESTMENTS; AND 8
(V) THE PLAN: 9
1. INCORPORATES STAKEHO LDER AND PUBLIC 10
COMMENTS RECEIVED DURING THE DRAFTING PROCESS ; OR 11
2. PROVIDES A SUFFICIEN T, EVIDENCE–BASED 12
JUSTIFICATION FOR WH Y THE ELECTRIC COMPA NY DID NOT INCORPORA TE INTO 13
THE PLAN STAKEHOLDER OR PUBLIC COMMENTS RECEIVED DURING THE DRAFTING 14
PROCESS. 15
(3) THE COMMISSION MAY REJECT AN ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION 16
PLAN SUBMITTED UNDER THIS SECTION IF THE COMMISSION FINDS THAT THE PLAN 17
FAILS TO: 18
(I) COST–EFFECTIVELY ADVANCE EACH APPLICABLE STATE 19
POLICY TO THE GREATE ST EXTENT POSSIBLE ; OR 20
(II) PRIORITIZE PASSING ON THE LOWEST CO ST TO 21
RATEPAYER S WHILE ENSURING FUTURE ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTIO N SYSTEM 22
CAPACITY AND RELIABI LITY. 23
(G) (1) THE INFORMATION SHARING FRAMEWORK ADOPTED UNDER 24
SUBSECTION (D) OF THIS SECTION SHAL L ENSURE ACCURACY IN ELECTRIC 25
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM FORECASTING AND ASSE SSING ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTIO N 26
SYSTEM CAPACITY . 27
(2) THE INFORMATION SHARING FRAMEWORK SHALL: 28
(I) INCLUDE SECURE METHO DS OF COMMUNICATING : 29
1. FOR GAS COMPANIES, THE GEOGRAPHIC POSIT ION OF 30
GAS SERVICES, MAINS, AND RELATED DISTRIBUTION EQUIPMENT ALONG WITH ANY 31 HOUSE BILL 1225 13
INFORMATION REGARDIN G THE AGE, MATERIAL, DIAMETER, AND CONDITION OF 1
PIPES; AND 2
2. FOR ELECTRIC COMPANIES, THE GEOGRAPHIC 3
POSITION OF ALL FEED ERS, SUBSTATIONS, AND RELATED EQUIPMEN T, INCLUDING 4
THE AGE AND CONDITIO N OF THE EQUIPMENT ; AND 5
(II) ADHERE TO ALL INDUSTRY –RECOMMENDED 6
CYBERSECURITY GUIDEL INES. 7
(H) THE COMMISSION MAY STAGGE R THE REVIEW AND APP ROVAL OF 8
DIFFERENT ELECTRIC D ISTRIBUTION SYSTEM PLANS TO BE COMPLETE D IN 9
DIFFERENT YEARS , PROVIDED EACH ELECTR IC COMPANY ’S ELECTRIC 10
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM PLAN IS REVIEWED AT LEAST ONCE EVERY 3 YEARS. 11
(I) (1) ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 1, 2026, AND EACH DECEMBER 1 12
THEREAFTER , THE COMMISSION SHALL REQU IRE EACH ELECTRIC COMPANY T O 13
PROVIDE THE COMMISSION WITH A PROGRESS REPORT ON THE ELECTR IC 14
COMPANY’S PROGRESS TOWARDS I MPLEMENTING THE COMPANY’S APPROVED 15
ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM PLAN. 16
(2) A PROGRESS REPORT SUBMITTED UNDER PARA GRAPH (1) OF 17
THIS SUBSECTION SHALL INCLUDE : 18
(I) A DESCRIPTION OF ALL ONGOING ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTIO N 19
SYSTEM–RELATED PROJECTS OR PROCESSE S AND ANY PLANNED OR UPCOMING 20
ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTIO N SYSTEM–RELATED PROJECTS; 21
(II) AN ANALYSIS DOCUMENT ING THE DECISION –MAKING 22
PROCESS FOR SELEC TED ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTIO N SYSTEM–RELATED PROJECTS 23
AND DESCRIBING ANY R EJECTED ALTERNATIVES ; 24
(III) A DESCRIPTION OF HOW EACH ONGOING AND UPC OMING 25
ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTIO N SYSTEM–RELATED PROJECT CONTRIBUTES TO MEETING 26
APPLICABLE STATE POLICY AND THE POLICY GOALS AND TARGETS SP ECIFIED IN 27
SUBSECTION (B)(3) OF THIS SECTION; AND 28
(IV) AN ANALYSIS OF THE ELECTRIC COMPANY ’S PROGRESS 29
TOWARD IMPLEMENTING ITS ELECTRIC DISTRIB UTION SYSTEM PLAN US ING EACH 30
OF THE METRICS ADOPT ED BY THE COMMISSION UNDER SUBSECTION (B)(5) OF THIS 31
SECTION. 32
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 33
October 1, 2025. 34