Public utilities: consumer services; community solar facilities; require MPSC to promulgate rules concerning. Amends 2008 PA 295 (MCL 460.1001 - 460.1211) by adding secs. 235 & 237. TIE BAR WITH: SB 0153'23
If passed, SB 152 would empower the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) to implement rules supporting the creation of community solar programs. This includes ensuring that all customer classes, including low-income groups, can access community solar subscriptions. The regulations would also protect subscribers from being removed from their customer classes merely because they join a community solar program, fostering an inclusive environment for renewable energy participation.
Senate Bill 152 seeks to amend Michigan's Clean and Renewable Energy and Energy Waste Reduction Act by introducing regulations for community solar facilities. The bill outlines various provisions to promote the establishment and financing of these solar facilities, allowing subscribers to receive bill credits. A significant highlight in the bill is the requirement that at least 30% of the electricity produced by these facilities is reserved for low-income households and organizations, ensuring broader access to renewable energy resources and financial benefits.
While the bill aims to expand access to renewable energy, it may face opposition related to concerns about the implementation and regulatory oversight of community solar facilities. Stakeholders might question how the bill's provisions regarding the interconnection of facilities and consumer protections will be enforced. Additionally, the need for the bill to tie to the passage of Senate Bill 153 could indicate potential complications in the legislative process, prompting discussions on coordination between the two proposed laws.