EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*sb0908*
SENATE BILL 908
C5 5lr1816
SB 1083/24 – EEE CF 5lr1815
By: Senator Hester
Introduced and read first time: January 28, 2025
Assigned to: Education, Energy, and the Environment
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 SENATE BILL 908
(2) (I) “AUTOMATED ELEC TRIC VEHICLE LOAD MA NAGEMENT” 1
MEANS THE UTILIZATIO N OF A POWER CONTROL SYSTEM, AS DEFINED IN UL 3141, 2
TO LIMIT OR CONTROL CURRENT OR POWER TO STAY WITHIN SAFE , DEFINED LIMITS 3
THAT ARE CALCULATED IN ACCORDANCE 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 ELECT RIC 8
VEHICLE CHARGING LOA D; AND 9
2. MULTIPLE DEVICES OPE RATING TOGETHER AS A 10
SYSTEM TO CONTROL TH E ELECTRIC VEHICLE C HARGING LOAD . 11
(3) “DISTRIBUTED ENERGY RE SOURCE” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED 12
IN § 7–1001 OF THIS TITLE. 13
(4) (I) “FLEXIBLE INTERCONNECT ION” MEANS A METHOD FOR 14
CONNECTING DISTRIBUT ED ENERGY RESOURCES TO THE ELECTRIC DIST RIBUTION 15
SYSTEM IN A MANNER T HAT IS ADAPTABLE TO CHANGING CONDITIONS AND 16
OPTIMIZES THE USE OF EXISTING ELECTRIC DI STRIBUTION SYSTEM 17
INFRASTRUCTURE . 18
(II) “FLEXIBLE INTERCONNECT ION” INCLUDES THE USE OF AN 19
AGREEMENT BETWEEN TH E CUSTOMER AND AN EL ECTRIC COMPANY TO IM PLEMENT 20
THE USE OF A POWER C ONTROL SYSTEM , AS DEFINED IN UL 3141, TO PREVENT A 21
CONSTRAINED PART OF THE ELECTRIC DISTRIB UTION SYSTEM FROM EX CEEDING 22
EXISTING CAPACITY . 23
(5) “HOSTING CAPACITY ” MEANS THE AMOUNT OF AGGREGATE 24
GENERATION THAT CAN BE ACCOMMODATED ON A N ELECTRIC DISTRIBUT ION 25
SYSTEM OR AREA , OR A COMPONENT OF AN ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTIO N 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 SUPPORT ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM NEEDS. 29
(7) “NON–WIRES SOLUTION ” MEANS A NY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 30
INVESTMENT, PROGRAM, RATE, OR SERVICE THAT IS I NTENDED TO DEFER OR 31
REMOVE THE NEED TO C ONSTRUCT NEW OR UPGR ADE EXISTING COMPONE NTS OF A 32
DISTRIBUTION OR TRAN SMISSION SYSTEM . 33
SENATE BILL 908 3
(8) “UL 3141” MEANS THE ELECTRICAL STANDARDS PUBLISHED BY 1
UL SOLUTIONS THAT DEFINE S REQUIREMENTS FOR M ATERIAL CONSTRUCTION , 2
PERFORMANCE , TESTING, AND INSTALLATION TO PROMOTE THE SAFETY A ND 3
RELIABILITY OF POWER CONTROL SYSTEMS . 4
(9) “VIRTUAL POWER PLANT ” MEANS A NETWORK OF M ULTIPLE, 5
DECENTRALIZED , DISTRIBUTED ENE RGY RESOURCES INTEGR ATED TO BALANCE 6
ENERGY SUPPLY AND DE MAND ON A LARGE SCAL E. 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 EXPA NSION OF: 16
(I) SOLAR ENERGY ; 17
(II) BUILDING ELECTRIFICA TION; 18
(III) ELECTRIC VEHICLES ; 19
(IV) ENERGY STORAGE CAPAC ITY; 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 DISTR IBUTION SYSTEM PLAN 23
THAT: 24
(I) INCLUDES THE INFORMA TION REQUIRED IN SUB SECTION 25
(D) OF THIS SECTION; AND 26
(II) COMPLIES WITH THE RE QUIREMENTS OF SUBSEC TION (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 SENATE BILL 908
ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTIO N SYSTEM PLAN , INCLUDING METRICS AS SESSING THE 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 METR ICS 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 AN D TARGETS 17
IDENTIFIED IN ITEM (3) OF THIS SUBSECTION A ND ANY OTHER APPLICABLE STATE 18
GOALS AND TARGETS EF FECTIVE AT THE TIME OF THE PLANNING CYCL E; 19
(VI) FUTURE ELECTRIC SYST EM CAPABILITY, INCLUDING: 20
1. ENERGY STORAGE FLEXI BILITY; 21
2. FLEXIBLE INTERCONNEC TIONS; AND 22
3. LOCAL DEMAND RESPONS E; AND 23
(VII) AN ELECTRIC COMPANY ’S PARTICIPATION IN , AND 24
FACILITATION OF , AN EFFECTIVE INFORMA TION EXCHANGE PROCES S AS 25
DESCRIBED IN ITEM (7) OF THIS SUBSECTION ; 26
SENATE BILL 908 5
(6) REQUIRE EACH GAS COM PANY THAT OPERATES W ITHIN ANY 1
PORTION OF AN ELECTR IC COMPANY’S SERVICE AREA TO PARTICIPAT E IN THE 2
ELECTRIC COMPANY ’S ELECTRIC DISTRIBUT ION SYSTEM PLANNING PROCESS TO 3
THE EXTENT NECESSARY FOR THE ELECTRIC COM PANY TO DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN 4
AN ELECTRIC DISTRIBU TION SYSTEM PLAN THA T MEETS THE REQUIREM ENTS OF 5
THIS SECTION; AND 6
(7) (I) ADOPT AN INFORMATION SHARING FRAMEWORK FO R THE 7
BROAD EXCHANGE OF DA TA BETWEEN ELECTRIC COMPANIES, GAS COMPANIES , 8
ELECTRICITY SUPPLIER S, AND THE PUBLIC THAT MEETS THE REQUIREMEN TS OF 9
SUBSECTION (G) OF THIS SECTION; AND 10
(II) REQUIRE ALL ELECTRIC COMPANIES AND GAS CO MPANIES 11
TO PARTICIPATE IN EX CHANGING DATA AS DES CRIBED 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 UN IFORMITY IN 15
ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTIO N SYSTEM PLANNING WH ILE GIVING 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 PL AN SUBMITTED TO THE 23
COMMISSION IN ACCORDA NCE WITH THIS SECTIO N SHALL INCLUDE : 24
(I) A DISTRIBUTED ENERGY RESOURCE FORECAST , AS 25
SPECIFIED UNDER PARA GRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION , AND A LOAD FORECAST , 26
AS SPECIFIED UNDER P ARAGRAPH (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 SUBMISS ION; 30
2. A MID–TERM FORECAST OF 4 TO 6 YEARS FROM THE 31
DATE OF PLAN SUBMISS ION; AND 32
3. A LONG–TERM FORECAST OF 7 TO 10 OR MORE YEARS 33
FROM THE DATE OF PLA N SUBMISSION; 34 6 SENATE BILL 908
(II) AT LEAST TWO FORECAS T SCENARIO ANALYSES 1
REFLECTING POSSIBLE FUTURE OUTCOMES TO S ERVE AS A REFERENCE IN THE 2
DEVELOPMENT AND EVAL UATION OF THE ELECTR IC DISTRIBUTION PLAN , 3
INCLUDING: 4
1. AT LEAST ONE SCENAR IO REFLECTING THE 5
INVESTMENTS REQUIRED TO MEET THE STATE’S EXISTING CLEAN ENE RGY AND 6
GREENHOUSE GAS EMISS IONS REDUCTION GOALS ; AND 7
2. AT LEAST ONE SCENARI O REFLECTING A DEMAN D FOR 8
ELECTRICITY BEYOND T HE INCREASED LOAD AN TICIPATED IN RESPONS E TO THE 9
STATE TARGETS SPECIFIE D 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 COMPA NY 13
COULD MEET RELIABILITY NEEDS AND FORECAST D EMAND WHILE MINIMIZI NG 14
CAPITAL INFRASTRUCTU RE INVESTMENT TO THE GREATEST EXTENT POSS IBLE; 15
(IV) AN ANALYSIS OF THE H OSTING CAPACITY FOR DISTRIBUTED 16
ENERGY RESOURCES , 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 L OAD–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
SENATE BILL 908 7
(VI) AN ANALYSIS OF LOCAT IONS WITHIN THE ELEC TRIC 1
COMPANY’S SERVICE AREA WHERE THE EXPANSION OF DIS TRIBUTED ENERGY 2
RESOURCES WILL PROVI DE THE GREATEST VALU E TOWARD MEETING DE MAND 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 COMP ANY’S ELECTRIC DISTRIBUT ION SYSTEM TO: 6
1. EXPAND DISTRIBUTED E NERGY RESOURCES ; 7
2. MEET ANTICIPATED LOAD REQUIREMENTS ; AND 8
3. ACHIEVE THE STATE’S CLEAN ENERGY AND 9
GREENHOUSE GAS EMISS IONS REDUCTION GOALS ; 10
(VIII) AN ANALYSIS APPLYING THE STATE UNIFIED 11
BENEFIT–COST ANALYSIS FRAMEWORK TO POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS F OR ADDRESSING 12
THE CONSTRAINTS IDEN TIFIED IN ITEM (VII) OF THIS PARAGRAPH , INCLUDING 13
NON–WIRES SOLUTIONS ; 14
(IX) A LIST OF THE POSSIB LE SOLUTIONS IDENTIF IED IN ITEM 15
(VIII) OF THIS PARAGRAPH TH AT HAVE BEEN SELECTE D BY THE ELECTRIC CO MPANY 16
TO BE IMPLEMENTED AN D THE FACTORS THAT C ONTRIBUTED TO E ACH DECISION; 17
(X) A DESCRIPTION OF PLA NS FOR THE INCORPORA TION OF 18
INNOVATIONS AND TECH NOLOGIES TO INCREASE THE RELIABILITY AND RESILIENCE 19
OF, AND THE ABILITY TO E XPAND, MANAGE, AND MODERNIZE , THE ELECTRIC 20
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM , INCLUDING: 21
1. AUTOMAT ED ELECTRIC VEHICLE 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 SENATE BILL 908
(XI) A DESCRIPTION OF HOW THE ELECTRIC COMPANY IS 1
COORDINATING ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTIO N 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 PLA NS AND ACTIONS TAKEN TO 5
MINIMIZE THE COST TO RATEPAYERS THROUGH T HE EFFECTIVE USE OF FEDE RAL, 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 EFF ORTS TO COORDINATE W ITH GAS 10
COMPANIES TO IDENTIF Y LOCATIONS FOR GAS DECARBONIZATION AND FA CILITATE 11
ELECTRIFICATION TO M EET THE STATE’S CLIMATE GOALS , INCLUDING: 12
1. A DESCRIPTION OF EFF ORTS TO COLLABORATE WITH 13
ANY GAS COMPANY WHOS E TERRITORY OVERLAPS WITH THAT OF THE ELE CTRIC 14
COMPANY TO MODEL EAC H COMPANY ’S RESIDENTIAL A ND COMMERCIAL 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 THE ELECTRIC 18
DISTRIBUTION PLAN AC COUNTS FOR: 19
A. ANY GAS COMPANY EFFI CIENCY; AND 20
B. ANY ELECTRIFICATION PROGRAMS 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 DISTRIBUT ED ENERGY RESOURCE H OSTING CAPACITY IN A WAY THAT 24
INCLUDES: 25
1. ESTABLISHING THE MINIMUM AMOUNT O F RESERVE 26
CAPACITY FOR EACH FE EDER CIRCUIT, AS DETERMINED BY A C IRCUIT–SPECIFIC 27
ANALYSIS, TO MAXIMIZE THE CAPA CITY AVAILABLE FOR A CTIVE DISTRIBUTED 28
ENERGY RESOURCE DEVE LOPMENT; 29
2. DEVELOPING HOSTING C APACITY MAPS THAT 30
FACILITATE DISTRIBUTED ENERGY RES OURCE PLANNING , INCLUDING: 31
SENATE BILL 908 9
A. IDENTIFYING AREAS WH ERE INTERCONNECTION 1
COSTS WILL BE HIGHER OR LOWER THAN AVERAG E; 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 AN D 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 DISTRIB UTION 9
SYSTEM PLAN ACCOUNTS FOR AND CO NTRIBUTES TO ACHIEVI NG THE STATE’S 10
CLEAN ENERGY AND CLI MATE GOALS , INCLUDING THE GOALS AND TARGETS 11
IDENTIFIED IN SUBSEC TION (B)(3) OF THIS SECTION; 12
(XVII) AN ANALYSIS APPLYING EACH OF THE METRICS ADOPTED 13
BY THE COMMISSION UNDER SUBS ECTION (B)(5) OF THIS SECTION; AND 14
(XVIII) A COMPILATION OF ANY OFFICIAL COMMENTS 15
RECEIVED THROUGHOUT THE DRAFTING AND REV IEW PROCESS ACCOMPAN IED BY: 16
1. A DESCRIPTION OF WHE RE THE COMMENT IS 17
INCORPORATED IN THE ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTIO N SYSTEM PLAN; OR 18
2. A JUSTIFICATION FOR NOT INCORP ORATING THE 19
COMMENT IN THE ELECT RIC DISTRIBUTION SYS TEM PLAN. 20
(2) (I) THE DISTRIBUTED ENERG Y RESOURCE FORECAST 21
INCLUDED IN AN ELECT RIC DISTRIBUTION SYS TEM PLAN UNDER PARAG RAPH (1)(I) 22
OF THIS SUBSECTION S HALL INCLUDE A FOREC AST 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 CONTROLLABLE LOADS . 28
10 SENATE BILL 908
(II) THE DISTRIBUTED ENERG Y RESOURCE FORECAST SHALL 1
REFLECT THE ABILITY OF EACH RESOURCE FOR ECAST TO PROVIDE ELE CTRIC 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 ENERG Y RESOURCE FORECAST SHALL 7
PREDICT DISTRIBUTED ENERG Y RESOURCE AND ELECT RIFICATION ADOPTION AND 8
RELATED IMPACTS , BOTH TEMPORALLY AND GEOGRAPHICALLY . 9
(3) (I) THE LOAD FORECAST INC LUDED IN AN ELECTRIC 10
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM PLAN SUBMITTED UNDER PARAGRAPH (1)(I) OF THIS 11
SUBSECTION SHALL REF LECT EXPECTED CHANGE S IN ELECTRICITY DEM AND 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 AMOU NT AND GEOGRAPHIC 16
LOCATION OF EXPANSIO N OF DISTRIBUTED ENE RGY RESOURCES; AND 17
4. THE LOAD–MODIFYING CHARACTERI STICS 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 CONSIDE RATION 21
AND INCLUDE A DESCRI PTION OF THE EXPECTE D RATE OF DEVELOPMENT AND 22
ADOPTION OF THE DIST RIBUTED ENERGY RESOU RCES 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 REPORTI NG 26
REQUIREMENTS OF THE FORECASTS REQUIRED UNDER PA RAGRAPH (1)(I) OF THIS 27
SUBSECTION, THE ELECTRIC COMPANY , IN ITS FIRST PLANNIN G CYCLE, MAY 28
INSTEAD SUBMIT A ROA DMAP OF ACTIONS TO B RIDGE THE GAP BETWEE N CURRENT 29
FORECAST PROCESSES A ND NECESSARY IMPROVE MENTS, INCLUDING A TIMELINE 30
FOR MEETING THE FORECAST REP ORTING REQUIREMENTS . 31
SENATE BILL 908 11
(E) BEFORE SUBMITTING AN ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTIO N SYSTEM PLAN TO 1
THE COMMISSION UNDER THIS SECTION, AN ELECTRIC COMPANY SHALL PROVIDE 2
SPECIFIC OPPORTUNITI ES FOR PUBLIC AND ST AKEHOLDER PARTICIPAT ION 3
THROUGHOUT THE DRAFTING PROCESS , INCLUDING: 4
(1) THREE PUBLIC STATUS MEETINGS THAT ARE OP EN 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 STAKEHOLD ERS AND THE PUBLIC T O 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 COMMENTS SUBM ITTED 18
DURING THE COMMENT PE RIOD, INCLUDING: 19
(I) A DESCRIPTION OF WHE RE THE COMMENT IS 20
INCORPORATED IN THE ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTIO N SYSTEM PLAN; OR 21
(II) A JUSTIFICATION FOR NOT INCORPORATING TH E COMMENT 22
IN THE ELECTRIC DIST RIBUTION SYSTEM PLAN . 23
(F) (1) THE COMMISSION SHALL REVI EW EACH ELECTRIC COM PANY’S 24
ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTIO N SYSTEM PLAN SUBMIT TED FOR APPROVAL . 25
(2) THE COMMISSION MAY NOT AP PROVE AN 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 SUBSECT ION (E) 29
OF THIS SECTION; 30
12 SENATE BILL 908
(II) THE PROJECTED DISTRI BUTION ACTIVITIES AN D 1
CORRESPONDING BUDGET S AFFORDABLY AND STR ATEGICALLY BENEFIT O R 2
ADVANCE THE POLICY G OALS AND TARGETS SPE CIFIED IN SUBSECTION (B)(3) OF 3
THIS SECTION; 4
(III) THE PLAN WILL COST –EFFECTIVELY ADVANCE APPLICABLE 5
STATE POLICY TO THE GREATE ST EXTENT POSSIBLE ; 6
(IV) THE PLAN HAS ADEQUAT ELY INCORPORATED NON –WIRES 7
SOLUTIONS AND OTHER NONCAPITAL INVESTMEN TS; AND 8
(V) THE PLAN: 9
1. INCORPORATES STAKEHO LDER AND PUBLIC 10
COMMENTS RECEIVED DU RING THE DRAFTING PR OCESS; 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 R ECEIVED DURING THE D RAFTING 14
PROCESS. 15
(3) THE COMMISSION MAY REJECT AN ELECTRIC DISTRIBU TION 16
PLAN SUBMITTED UNDER TH IS 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 O N THE LOWEST COST TO 21
RATEPAYERS WHILE ENS URING FU TURE ELECTRIC DISTRI BUTION SYSTEM 22
CAPACITY AND RELIABI LITY. 23
(G) (1) THE INFORMATION SHARI NG FRAMEWORK ADOPTED UNDER 24
SUBSECTION (D) OF THIS SECTION SHAL L ENSURE ACCURACY IN ELECTRIC 25
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM FORECASTING AND ASSE SSING ELECTRIC DISTR IBUTION 26
SYSTEM CAPACITY. 27
(2) THE INFORMATION SHARI NG 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 DISTRIBU TION EQUIPMENT ALONG WITH ANY 31 SENATE BILL 908 13
INFORMATION REGARDIN G THE AGE, MATERIAL, DIAMETER, AND CONDITION OF 1
PIPES; AND 2
2. FOR ELECTRIC COMPANI ES, 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 P LANS TO BE COMPLETED 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 CO MPANY TO 13
PROVIDE THE COMMISSION WITH A PRO GRESS REPORT ON THE ELECTRIC 14
COMPANY’S PROGRESS TOWARDS IMPLEMENTING THE COM PANY’S APPROVED 15
ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTIO N SYSTEM PLAN. 16
(2) A PROGRESS REPORT SUBM ITTED UNDER PARAGRAP H (1) OF 17
THIS SUBSECTION SHAL L INCLUDE: 18
(I) A DESCRIPTION OF ALL ONGOING ELECTRIC DIS TRIBUTION 19
SYSTEM–RELATED PROJECTS OR PROCESSES AND ANY PLANNED OR U PCOMING 20
ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTIO N SYSTEM–RELATED PROJECTS ; 21
(II) AN ANALYSIS DOCUMENT ING THE DECISION –MAKING 22
PROCESS FOR SELECTED ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTIO N SYSTEM–RELATED PROJECTS 23
AND DESCRIBING ANY R EJECTED ALTERNATIVES ; 24
(III) A DESCRIPTION OF HOW EACH ON GOING AND UPCOMING 25
ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTIO N SYSTEM–RELATED PROJECT CONT RIBUTES TO MEETING 26
APPLICABLE STATE POLICY AND THE POLICY GOALS AND TAR GETS SPECIFIED IN 27
SUBSECTION (B)(3) OF THIS SECTION; AND 28
(IV) AN ANALYSIS OF THE E LECTRIC 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 SUBS ECTION (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 14 SENATE BILL 908