Solar Opportunity and Local Access Rights Act

To amend the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to promote energy independence and self-sufficiency by providing for the use of net metering by certain small electric energy generation systems, and for other purposes.

6/25/2007--Introduced.
Solar Opportunity and Local Access Rights Act - Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to require each state regulatory authority with ratemaking authority, and each nonregulated electric utility, to conduct a hearing, and on the basis of such hearing, adopt a net metering standard. Requires retail electric suppliers to make net metering available to retail customers on a first-come-first-served basis.
Prescribes implementation requirements regarding:
(1) net energy measurement;
(2) billing practices;
(3) ownership of credits;
(4) safety and performance standards; and
(5) determination of compliance. Directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to publish model interconnection standards for the physical connection between local distribution systems and qualified generation units and qualified electric generation units that do not exceed 2,000 kilowatts of capacity. Requires states to adopt such model standards, subject to FERC approval. Prohibits a state or nonregulated utility from adopting or enforcing any standard or requirement concerning net metering or interconnection that restricts access to the electric power transmission or local distribution system by qualified generators beyond those established under this Act. Allows states to adopt or enforce additional incentives or requirements to encourage qualified generation and net metering, including any that afford:
(1) greater access to the electric power transmission and local distribution systems by qualified generators; or
(2) greater compensation or credit for electricity generated by qualified generators. Authorizes a contract for renewable energy for public buildings and properties for a maximum period of 30 years. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to condition receipt of certain community development block grant (CDBG) funds upon grantee certification that the cost of any permit or license, for construction or installation of any solar energy system for any structure, complies with certain requirements. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to issue regulations to prohibit any restriction impairing the ability of the owner or lessee of a one-family residential structure to install or use a solar energy system upon such property. Instructs the Secretary of Energy to establish a Center for Advanced Solar Research and Development. Directs the Secretary to issue regulations also requiring that the application for approval of such a system:
(1) be processed and approved in the same manner as an application for approval of an architectural modification to the property; and
(2) not be willfully avoided or delayed.


... morehide bill summarySee Full Bill Text

Sponsor

• Rep. Dennis Cardoza [D, CA-18]
• and 1 Co-Sponsors
  • Rep. Michael Ferguson [R, NJ-7]
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Committees

• House Financial Services
• 4 more
  • House Energy and Commerce
  • House Energy and Commerce
  • House Oversight and Government Reform
  • House Science and Technology
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Amendments

This bill has no amendments.

Amendments to H.R.2848

Number	Status	Purpose

Bill Status

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Introduced		Voted on by House		Voted on by Senate		Considered By President		Bill Becomes Law
June 25, 2007

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All Bill Actions

• Jun 25, 2007: Referred to House Science and Technology
• Jun 25, 2007: Referred to House Financial Services
• Jun 25, 2007: Referred to House Oversight and Government Reform
• Jun 25, 2007: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality.
• Jun 25, 2007: Referred to House Energy and Commerce
• Jun 25, 2007: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform, Financial Services, and Science and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• Introduced on Jun 25, 2007.

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Related Bills:

• S.1016

Related Issue Areas:

• Energy
• Administrative fees
• Administrative procedure
• Alternative energy sources
• 44 more
• Block grants
• Budgets
• Building laws
• Business
• Community development
• Consumer protection
• Consumers
• Contracts
• Department of Energy
• Department of Housing and Urban Development
• Electric power distribution
• Electric utilities
• Electric utility rates
• Energy efficiency
• Energy industries
• Energy research
• Energy storage
• Executive departments
• Executive reorganization
• Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
• Federal office buildings
• Federal preemption
• Government information
• Home repair and improvement
• Homeowners' associations
• Housing
• Independent regulatory commissions
• Infrastructure
• Law
• Leases
• Licenses
• Public contracts
• Public meetings
• Rental housing
• Research and development
• Science policy
• Single family housing
• Solar access rights
• Solar energy
• Standards
• State and local government
• State laws
• Technological innovations
• Technology

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Blog Coverage

August 04, 2008 Another Solar Opportunity Killed by House Democrats

HR2848 Solar Opportunity and Local Access Rights Act To amend the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to promote energy independence and self-sufficiency by providing for the use of net metering by certain small electric ...

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May 14, 2008 HEAD WOMEN'S BASKETBALL COACH AND INSTRUCTOR OF SPORT MANAGEMENT ...

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June 24, 2007 HR 2848, To amend the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of ...

HR 2848 would amend the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to promote energy independence and self-sufficiency by providing for the use of net metering by certain small electric energy generation systems....

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